Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The buzz swirling around the league is in full effect. Unfortunate injuries have come, as Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes will miss time. Both were selected to represent their teams at the 2024 All-Star game in Toronto. Beyond that is the trade deadline and that is where the rumours continue to swirl. Two clubs in the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins have players with expiring contracts.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames
Rumour: Elliote Friedman discusses that Hanifin and Flames are discussing contract.
Saturday Headlines/32: Nylander, Bedard/Hughes, Senators, Flames/Hanifin, boarding & visors.https://t.co/WOn7wDoqtc
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 7, 2024
Analysis: Ahhh just when you thought that the next domino would fall in Calgary. Not so fast. Craig Conroy and Noah Hanifin didn’t agree on a contract. Hanifin wanted to see what the team was going to perform like and take things from there. According to Friedman, it does appear that they are resuming discussions once again.
Friedman says that they are talking but the odds of him signing a longer term deal remain to be seen. Hanifin would be a great building block for the Flames going forward. Although, he will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline.
Hanifin has been linked to the Boston Bruins but a deal like that would be hard for the Bruins to land. Teams such as the New Jersey Devils, who are down Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler could use a boost on the back end. Furthermore, the Dallas Stars are without Miro Heiskanen, but are turning to internal options momentarily.
All eyes will be on the Calgary Flames and how they handle Hanifin and if he’s inclined to stick around. He will be due a significant raise, as he makes $4.85 million.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: David Pagnotta from the Fourth Period discusses the buzz around Jake Guentzel.
#LetsGoPens Jake Guentzel's agent, Ben Hankinson, on the situation with us earlier this hour on @SiriusXMNHL:
“He's on the last year of a deal. The good news is I have a really good relationship with Kyle Dubas. Jake Guentzel is in a great spot. He started his career there. It's…
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) January 6, 2024
Analysis: The next set of NHL Rumours take us east. When Kyle Dubas made the big splash to acquire Erik Karlsson, all signs pointed to this team contending. Things have not been the prettiest in Pittsburgh but this team is still in the thick of things for a playoff race. Sidney Crosby is having a great season, as he is aging like a fine wine and Evgeni Malkin is still just as dynamic. The Penguins currently sit two points out of the second wild card spot, which puts Dubas is a strange predicament.
Star winger Jake Guentzel is a pending free agent. Guentzel is having a strong year with the Penguins, as he ranks second in goals (18) and first in points (43). He is a key component to the offensive attack but with an expiring contract it begs the question what Dubas does with him at the deadline.
According to Pagnotta, as long as the Penguins are in the playoff race Dubas will not move him. Contract talks are expected to pick up and rightfully so. with signing Crosby, Malkin, and Letang trying to win one more championship with that trio is the ultimate goal.
Guentzel is a player that makes the team better and with the salary cap rising, keeping him in the fold is huge for the Penguins going forward. But if he is not inclined to sign and they don’t move him, the team runs into a Johnny Gaudreau situation. Buckle up.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
