Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! It is the day after Thanksgiving and there is so much to be thankful for. The Boston Bruins goaltenders are wonderful, William Nylander having a career year is great, and the Alex DeBrincat trade has paid off for Detroit. However, that does not mean the rumours aren’t swirling and the buzz is dying. Today’s rumours involve the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Chris Johnston discusses the Oilers turning to internal fixes
It seems like a never-ending carousel but the Edmonton Oilers will be a focal point until things get fixed. They fired the coach and sent down the goalie and things still remain the same. Also, the club lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 and Stuart Skinner was yanked after the first period. Something has to give and Johnston discusses where it can go from here.
Johnston is talking about internal fixes and that brings us back to Jack Campbell. Since being sent down to the minors, Campbell has a 3.26 goals-against average and .873 save percentage. Although he is coming off a shutout victory, so there is confidence in himself now.
If the club opts to bring him back up maybe that can be a spark plug they need. However, that is not the only option and it shouldn’t be. Bringing him back in hopes of building off that victory is great for the short term. In addition, if this team is going to contend further and turn the ship around seeking other options is in need.
Johnston has also mentioned they are seeking outside options but will not shut the door on internal fixes. Keep tuning into the latest on the Oilers, there’s always something brewing.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: Darren Dreger on Insider Trading discusses the Philadelphia Flyers moving pieces
The next set of NHL Rumours takes us to the Eastern Conference. If there is any bright spot in the NHL during the 2023-24 season it’s the Flyers. They currently sit in fourth in the Metropolitan Division and six points behind the Rangers for first place. Getting Sean Couturier back is a major boost and having impactful rookies has helped shed light on this team. However, Dreger brings to light that Daniel Briere could be open for business.
It remains to be seen if the Flyers are a playoff team but are not yet a cup contender. However, the future is bright with this team and that’s not including who is coming up through the pipeline. Just because Briere will listen does not mean he will deal anyone. However, Dreger says that Briere will listen in on any position and he has two names in mind that teams will key on.
It is a pair of defencemen in Nick Seeler and Sean Walker. Both players can log big minutes and average over 15 minutes of ice time. For a team contending and looking for depth, these aren’t bad players to inquire about.
Seeler is more of a shutdown defenceman who sees the majority of his shifts in his own end of the ice. He is a physical player (19 hits) and is willing to sacrifice the body (49 blocked shots). Stay at home players have their role on the roster and he would be a welcomed addition.
Walker is a great boost of production from the back end as well as providing aid defensively. He is second among defencemen on the Flyers in points (10) and has generated 1.8 expected goals. He is also a physical presence and fits into the Flyers mould of how they play. His age is a major boost, as he is young and would fit into a team’s long-term plans.
Right now the Flyers are clicking and playing good hockey. There won’t be any fireworks but anything is possible with the team still rebuilding the right way.
Main Photo: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
