It’s time for another round of NHL rumours to start the week. We’re closing in on the end of the 2023-24 regular season, but the rumours won’t stop. Focus now shifts to the summer and the off-season with the trade deadline having passed. Some players can ink extensions on July 1 to secure their futures. General managers are also thinking about any possible coaching moves they may have to make this off-season.Today’s NHL rumours concern the Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: TSN’s Darren Dreger appeared on TSN Radio in Toronto to discuss Leon Draisaitl‘s future with the Oilers. Dreger points out that the German superstar may not sign an contract extension right away.
Analysis: Draisaitl can sign an extension on July 1 if he wishes to as he enters the final year of his contract. Edmonton knows there will be some major competition if the German star gets out on the open market. However, general manager Ken Holland will do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.
Edmonton is currently paying Draisaitl $8.5 million per season with the final year of his deal coming next season. There’s no doubt that Draisaitl is going to get a raise, but how much can the Oilers give to keep the German in Alberta. Not signing a deal is going to be a major talking point until the two sides do come to an agreement.
One other factor that’s going to weigh on the Draisaitl talks is the impending contract for Connor McDavid. The Oilers’ captain’s deal that comes up after the 2025-26 season. McDavid makes $12.5 million, but has seen him be surpassed as the league’s highest paid player by Auston Matthews Nathan MacKinnon. Does McDavid go for the big-time payout or does he leave some money on the table to allow Holland to get some weapons.
There’s no doubt that Draisaitl’s deal is going to have a knock-on effect to McDavid. The salary cap is going to go up, but will the increases be enough to cover the rising cost of doing business? There could be a situation like the Chicago Blackhawks faced where Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews ate up a major chunk of the team’s salary cap.
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: The Athletic’s Matthew Fairburn had a mailbag and head coach Don Granato’s fate was a question. Fairburn believes Granato will get another season, but there could be some changes made to the coaching staff.
With their season on the line, the Sabres gave up six straight goals and lost 8-3 to the Oilers. Some thoughts on the loss to lead off part 2 of my mailbag @TheAthleticNHL: https://t.co/sgmPO4m862
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) March 22, 2024
Analysis: Buffalo has made a serious push up the standings. However, time has likely run out a Stanley Cup Playoff appearance. A number of Sabres fans want a change behind the bench. However, it doesn’t seem like general manager Kevyn Adams is going to make a change this off-season.
Fairburn said the team would be justified in making a switch. However, Adams seems to be using some patience when it comes to Granato. This season was supposed to be a step forward, but a number of factors have stunted the team’s growth.
Buffalo’s power play has been problematic and there’s been some regression with some of its players. Adams may not fire Granato, but there might be some shuffling of assistant coaches this off-season.
Mike Bales has been a solid goalie coach that’s gotten the most out of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and has helped Devon Levi put up strong numbers in AHL Rochester. However, Matt Ellis, Jason Christie and Marty Wilford are young and inexperienced assistants.
Fairburn said Adams could put add a veteran assistant to the bench for next season. This could be done as a bridge option to take the interim tag if Granato and the Sabres have another slow start next season.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
