Welcome to another set of NHL Rumours! That playoff race is in full force and it is amazing to see the way they are shaping out. New faces have begun to shine in new places and now the real chaos begins. However, the buzz surrounding the future is also churning, making for intriguing decisions down the stretch. Today’s NHL Rumours swirl around the Vancouver Canucks and the league itself.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on 32 Thoughts discusses the future of Nikita Zadorov
It was not a trade deadline move but the Vancouver Canucks did acquire Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames. The big and physical defenceman gives the Canucks a shutdown presence on the back end. It was a good move to make and has been good for the Canucks overall. However, there is one thing regarding the player that could impact the future with the club.
Zadorov is a pending free agent and will likely hit the open market this summer. Given the financial situation the Canucks are in and recently inking Elias Pettersson, there is only so much money to go around.
Friedman does think there is a chance he could stick around but it remains to be seen. Zadorov would be a sought after defenceman on the open market. He is physical, can log big minutes, and is a shutdown presence. Also, he is vocal and has that leadership quality to him that would be great for any team.
NHL Expansion
Rumour: Elliote Friedman discusses the future of the NHL expansion
The next set of NHL Rumours concerns the league itself. It appears that expansion has been a hot topic as of late, with numerous suitors to host an NHL club. One of the biggest ones is Atlanta, which would be the third time that a team sees itself. Given hockey’s growth in the South, Atlanta would be a nice spot if they can do it properly. Although, another southern city has emerged as well.
Houston, Texas could be a good spot for a hockey team. The Dallas Stars are thriving and hockey has grown in the lonestar state. Elliote Friedman touches on Houston and the likelihood of them becoming a spot for an NHL team.
Tillman Fertitta is the owner of the Houston Rockets NBA team and has talked to the league about this. It appears to be clear that it would have to make sense for both sides, but this is not the first time that expansion talks have reached Houston’s doorstep.
When the league circled around Vegas and Seattle, Houston was in the mix. However, it seems that they did not want to pay the expansion fee and likely won’t pay it now. Money talks and if they aren’t willing to meet the financial end of things, there will only be one team in Texas.
A Texas rivalry would be huge for the game of hockey. You already see it with the Battle of Florida and it would be great for the growth of the game.
Main Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
