Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! With the league over a month into the new season, the mill is beginning to churn more and more. Subpar play in certain positions and teams on the outside looking in pairs for tough decisions to be made. Today’s rumours surround the Arizona Coyotes and the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Rumours
Arizona Coyotes
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on 32 Thoughts discusses Noah Hanifin and the Arizona Coyotes
The arena situation is not ideal but seriously, the Arizona Coyotes aren’t a joke of a team. In fact, they have a special blend of high-end talent and impactful youth. Their attack is led by star winger Clayton Keller and rookie centre Logan Cooley has made his impact felt early on. The biggest difference this season is their ability to defend, which is a big improvement from last season. The Coyotes are getting steady goaltending and have the ninth-best save percentage across the league. In addition, they have the second-best goal differential in the Central Division. It appears the additions of Matt Dumba and Sean Durzi are paying off, but another name could be a fit on the desert.
According to Friedman, the Sharks made a call to the Calgary Flames on behalf of Noah Hanifin. Given the state of the Sharks, taking a flyer on the pending free agent in the midst of a rebuild doesn’t seem right. However, a fit with Arizona could work for both parties.
Arizona is a competitive squad and is a team on the rise. A lot of the young guys are panning out and this is a team that is pushing for the playoffs. Arizona has a 6-5-2 record and sare tied for fourth in the Central Division that is wide open for the taking after Dallas and Colorado. Hanifin is a pending free agent but would be a great top pair defenceman to build around. At the end of the day, it is great for both sides. Calgary gets compensation and Hanifin becomes a pillar and a building block for Arizona going forward.
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on 32 Thoughts discusses a candidate to land in Edmonton for goaltending
Jack Campbell officially cleared waivers and that experiment appears to be over. However, the NHL Rumours are continuing to swirl around this team. He will be in the AHL but joining the Oilers is goaltender Calvin Pickard. It does not exactly move the needle and upgrades are in order. Conversely, it will be a challenge as the Oilers are right against the salary cap. Friedman does have one name linked to the Oilers that he mentions here.
Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues could be a prime trade target. The Blues currently are a .500 team and sit sixth in the Central Division. Depending on where the club is at come trade deadline time, changes could be looming.
Binnington would get to join a team that has every indication of contending for the Stanley Cup. It is a team that is led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and all they want to do is win. It could motivate Binnington, who is looking like his old self again. It was a tough go for Binnington in 2022-23 but his numbers are strong this year. He has a 2.58 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. In addition, he has 4.6 goals saved above expected and is dialed in. There is just one problem. Binnington has cap hit of $6 million, so big money would have to come off the books. It is not impossible to make happen but it poses a challenge. Get the popcorn ready to see what unfolds in Oil Country.
Main Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
