It’s time for another helping of NHL rumours for you. We’re almost two months through the season and some teams need to make some additions to their lineups to fill some holes. Injuries and bad play may force the hands of general managers. Today’s NHL rumours focuses on the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.
All NHL rumours come from the original source.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts had the latest on the Oilers goalie situation. Friedman also adds how the Montreal Canadiens could play a hand in fixing the issue.
Bad with the links lately — 32 Thoughts Monday news & information pod. Routes to your preferred platform, here: https://t.co/io7Mr1RceU
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 20, 2023
Analysis: The Oilers have some glaring holes in their lineup and in between the pipes seems to be the biggest red flag. But how can the Oilers emerge victorious from the quagmire? Turns out the Oilers might use the Canadiens as a secret weapon. Friedman said the Oilers were scouting all three Montreal goalies of Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. Edmonton has plenty off offensive firepower, but they need to tighten up some things at the back.
Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell haven’t been able to stop the opposing team from lighting the red goal lamp. General manager Ken Holland has already fired a head coach in Jay Woodcroft. However, other actions may need to be taken if the Oilers want to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Plenty of names have been tossed around as a temporary solution to fix the Oilers’ goalie woes.
Montembeault has been rumoured to be in talks for a new contract with the Habs. However, the Canadiens may be tempted to deal the goalie if the right package comes along. Allen would be the ideal person for Montreal to trade because of his salary. However, Edmonton would probably have to clear out some space in order to make Allen a part of the Oilers roster.
Whoever the Oilers get, they’ll need to be the solution that can save the club’s season. Time is running out for a team that a number of experts had making a deep post-season run.
Colorado Avalanche
Rumour: We keep with 32 Thoughts and this time we focus on the Avalanche. Friedman said Colorado may need some secondary scoring after the loss of Artturi Lehkonen due to injury.
Analysis: Losing Lehkonen is a big blow to an Avalanche team that’s been relying on top players like Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen to shoulder the scoring load. Lehkonen has been a big part of the club since coming over a couple of seasons ago. However, they’ll need to find a way to replace him. Friedman added that injury to Lehkonen is a neck one and could be one that keeps him out of the lineup for a while.
Colorado does have a bit of salary cap space to play with. The Avalanche have just over $4.1 million in room to add someone thanks to the injuries to Lehkonen and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avs know they’ll need some firepower in order to keep pace with teams like the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference.
Nikolai Kovalenko won’t be coming to the club until after the trade deadline. Landeskog making a shocking return in the post-season also doesn’t seem to be in the cards. It makes sense that the Avs will have to make some sort of forward move. The team may now be in the Patrick Kane sweepstakes after may not be having an interest. However, do the Avalanche have the cash to lure the Buffalo native to the Rocky Mountains? The coming days could become interesting as the Avs look to add another piece.
Main photo by: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
