Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! With the all-star break in full swing for most NHL teams, players are full in on vacation mode. The games are on hold for a week but the buzz around the league is ongoing. Today’s rumours focus on the Edmonton Oilers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on NHLN went on to link a defenceman to the Edmonton Oilers
One of the biggest surprise teams this season is the Philadelphia Flyers. They’ve managed to compete each night and currently hold a playoff spot. They’ve defied expectations and have become a fun team to watch and to root for. However, they may come to a crossroads on how they approach the trade deadline. Daniel Briere made a splash move, trading prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale. This is precisely where important decisions are made.
The club may opt to build around Drysdale and not look to extend Sean Walker. Walker has been a steady presence on the Flyers blue line and will be heavily coveted at the deadline. Friedman mentions a team that he has heard shown interest in him.
The Edmonton Oilers are here and they aren’t going anywhere. After the firing of Jay Woodcroft, the Oilers have turned a corner and are on the cusp of winning 17 games in a row. Not only are the Oilers getting the goals, but they are getting the saves. Not to mention, they’ve surrendered more than two goals only twice during the historic win streak. Therefore, look for them to want to build on a strength add more defence.
Walker has 17 points this season but is primarily a shutdown defenceman. He receives most of his starts in the defensive zone and isn’t afraid to be physical. His 53 hits and 69 blocked shots helps fit that description. The Oilers could use another shutdown defenceman and Walker would go to another contender. Friedman also mentions the Maple Leafs as a team of interest, so the bidding war in Canada would be one to watch for on Walker.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on NHLN talks about the state of the Pittsburgh Penguins
The next set of NHL Rumours takes us out East. Friedman goes on to discuss the state of the Pittsburgh Penguins and what lies ahead for them. The biggest question folks want the answers for is Jake Guentzel. He is in the final year of a contract and would fetch a hefty return if the team opts to move him. Guentzel is a point per game player this season and consistency is part of his game. But does moving on from him make the team better? What about their window?
General Manager Kyle Dubas made a big splash trade by bringing Erik Karlsson to The Steel City. With players such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang on the tail end of their careers, going all in while they are playing at a high level is important. Conversely, the team currently sits out of a playoff spot and has often been more underwhelming than not.
Trading Guentzel does not make the team better but Friedman is inclined to think that Dubas does not go all in on this season. He says that he does not think that Dubas will part with a first round pick or even a second round pick for short term fixes. While the Penguins have the talent, there are flaws on the roster. Instead, they will focus on building on some of their capital and help replenish the roster in other ways. It is something to monitor, especially if Dubas gets an offer for Guentzel that he cannot refuse.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
