NHL Rumours: Winnipeg Jets and St Louis Blues

It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours as we close in on the end of the work week. We’re a month into the 2023-24 NHL season, but general managers are already thinking about the future. Locking up key players is something team executives are always thinking about. Today’s NHL rumours is a Central Division-centric edition. We’ll focus on the Winnipeg Jets and St Louis Blues in this version.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

Winnipeg Jets

Rumour: Scott Billeck talked about the future of Swiss forward Nino Niederreiter with the club.

https://twitter.com/ScottBilleck/status/1721905849772474542

Analysis: Niederreiter said that he wants to stay in Winnipeg and sign a deal with the Jets. The 31-year-old forward has been on the move the last few seasons. However, he’d love to call Winnipeg home for the near future.

He did say that his agent, Andre Rufener, will be coming up to Manitoba soon to hopefully hammer out a new contract. Niederreiter becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The veteran forward is currently getting $4 million in the final year of a two-year agreement.

Niederreiter has praised the fan base up in Winnipeg and wants to be part of a good team. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was busy this off-season but helped keep Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele. However, there are other key free agents left to sign. Names like Brenden Dillon and Dylan DeMelo will be UFAs at the end of the season.

A mid-range deal of three years might be the sweet spot for the veteran forward. Winnipeg knows it has to step up, but Niederreiter has been one of the players that has done so.

St. Louis Blues

Rumour: The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford discussed what the next contract may look like for Pavel Buchnevich.

Why isn’t Scott Perunovich playing? Sign Phil Kessel? Blues mailbag, part 1. #stlblues https://t.co/4jJYEOuMAQ

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) November 7, 2023

Analysis: The forward is in the second-to-last year of a deal that sees him making $5.8 million. Buchnevich has been a strong player since coming over in a deal from the New York Rangers a few seasons ago.

He can sign a contract extension on July 1, 2024, if he wants to. The 28-year-old forward may not be putting up points like he’s been in previous seasons. However, he’s a useful player and has the ability to turn things around.

General manager Doug Armstrong likes having Buchnevich on the team because he plays in all phases of the game. The Russian forward can still chip in even if the goals aren’t coming like they normally do.

Rutherford said the contract will depend on what Buchnevich wants for money. He’s still young enough to help the Blues through their current situation. The two sides may start speaking with each other sooner or later considering how big of a role that Buchnevich has.

Main photo by: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports