It’s the start of another work week and that means more NHL rumours. Teams are trying to figure out what they’ll do in the coming months leading to the trade deadline. They’re also trying to figure out what the future holds beyond that. Today’s NHL rumours look at the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Montreal Canadiens
Rumour: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun took a look into what’s ailing the Habs and what general manager Marc Bergevin‘s future.
Weekend Rumblings: What does Jack Campbell’s next contract look like? Ducks’ GM search, Eric Staal’s future, Filip Forsberg negotiations and an update with Sheldon Kennedy:
via @TheAthletic https://t.co/lWRcNy5j0z
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 12, 2021
Analysis: It’s been an atrocious start to the season for last season’s surprise Stanley Cup finalists. Montreal has been without Carey Price for the start of the season and Shea Weber is effectively retired. Jake Allen got injured over the weekend and players like Cole Caufield have struggled out the gate.
Murphy’s Law has smacked the Habs hard this season and missing the post-season is likely barring a shocking turnaround. Bergevin has been the team’s general manager for a decade and his deal is expiring. There had been hope he’d sign an extension after the joy of reaching the Final. However, that’s been tempered by the stumbles out the gate.
Bergevin seems content to run out the clock and step away according to LeBrun. However, owner Geoff Molson could make another run at inking a new deal. Stranger things have happened, but it looks like it may be GMMB’s last season with the Habs.
The Montreal job is one with a lot of pressure but would bring out a lot of quality candidates if it becomes available. It may also be the “Wright” fit if the NHL Draft lottery results fall a certain way.
Boston Bruins
Rumour: TSN’s Chris Johnston said unrestricted free agent goalie Tuukka Rask is back to skating and getting into game shape in the latest Insider Trading.
INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss…
– Ducks’ management tandem; expansive GM search
– Eichel’s surgery on Friday
– Rask working towards return
– NHL speaks with Sheldon Kennedy
– Spengler & Channel One CupWATCH 🌍: https://t.co/jC63ojmN7i pic.twitter.com/XAmcQBQe0Z
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) November 11, 2021
Analysis: Rask would be a big boost to any team that needs a netminder. However, his head and his heart want to stay with the Bruins. The B’s are the only NHL club he’s played for and would love to return to them. Johnston also mentioned that Rask has left the door open to try to play for his native Finland at the 2020 Winter Olympics in China.
Rask had surgery on a torn labrum and went unsigned as he recovered. The Bruins have Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman in net as of now, but Boston might be in a dogfight for a post-season berth. Adding the veteran would be a good insurance policy for the team. He’s been through the wars many times and would be valuable for a stretch run.
The Finn had been non-committal on his return to sport, but it seems like he’s locked in to get back in net. Boston does have just under $2 million in cap space and it would be likely that Rask takes a hometown discount.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Rumour: The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline took a look at if the team will move some of their wingers at the March 21 trade deadline.
The Athletic: Blue Jackets’ mailbag | Is Cole Sillinger going to be good or great? Is Yegor Chinakhov in the doghouse? Will Patrik Laine be a long-term fit?
You stuffed the #CBJ mailbag with some great questions. Hopefully the answers met the challenge.https://t.co/jZFEL5BWZj pic.twitter.com/YemIyKmyAt— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 5, 2021
Analysis: Portzline said this year’s deadline will likely be for the future. However, he did say that things can change and there are a lot of games to play. He added there really isn’t a specific plan at this point, but there are pieces that can be moved.
The Jackets have a lot of wingers and they could probably get a decent return. Patrik Laine and Jakub Voracek are two players that could draw some interest while Max Domi and Gregory Hoffman are UFAs at the end of the season.
Columbus does have Yegor Chinakhov itching to get more minutes and players like Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko are likely to join the team next season. All three players probably won’t be satisfied with being on the fourth line. There could be some moves to make space for these young players. Some deals could also allow for the team to restock some of the draft picks they’ve traded away in recent seasons.
