This NHL season has seen more turmoil than we likely anticipated. This has resulted in some job openings and roster shuffling generating NHL rumours. As we look at some insider sources, the Calgary Flames are believed to be taking their time completing a trade. The Pittsburgh Penguins have hit a pothole on their way to hiring their next GM. Lastly, the Olympics are believed to be using NHL sized rinks for the 2022 tournament in Beijing. This edition of NHL Rumours will look at all of these.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames
Rumour: TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that the Calgary Flames will not rush to trade disgruntled forward Sam Bennett.
INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss…
– Why Flames aren’t in a rush to deal Bennett
– Interest in #NYR D Tony DeAngelo
– Latest on Pens GM search
– NA-sized ice for #Beijing2022
– Managing NHL game postponements
– Petr Mrazek’s statusWATCH 🌍: https://t.co/kMc7sVFT05 pic.twitter.com/EJYk7OSyK5
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 2, 2021
In recent weeks, the trade requests of disgruntled high profile stars Pierre-Luc Dubois and Patrik Laine have dominated the headlines. Sam Bennett is now at the top of the list. He has reportedly requested a trade out of the Flames organization. The Flames are in no rush to trade him as Bennett has been a reliable forward and is a restricted free agent at the end of his contract.
The Flames are in no rush to trade Bennett but there will be suitors available. The 24-year-old forward has 129 points in 373 career games. He could slot in on the third line on most teams in the NHL. One of the few other names that has risen to the top of trade rumours is Anthony DeAngelo of the New York Rangers. If the Flames wanted to make a deal happen, the Rangers may be the team to call.
[pickup_prop id=”4097″]
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that New York Rangers AGM Chris Drury is not interested in the Pittsburgh Penguins GM job.
Scratch NYR AGM Chris Drury as a candidate for the vacant PIT GM job. While he was viewed as a top prospect for the job, and the Penguins had asked for permission to talk to him, Drury informed PIT today he isn’t interested in leaving NYC or the Rangers at this time.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 3, 2021
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in need of a new GM after the resignation of Jim Rutherford. They were reportedly interested in Chris Drury. Drury has declined their interest, as he would prefer to stay with the Rangers. Drury played with the Blueshirts for four seasons from 2007 to 2011 and retired in New York.
The Penguins are an organization that is teetering on the edge but could very well make the postseason. They could also find themselves on the outside looking in. If they want to capitalize on the few remaining years of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin that they have, they need to successfully complete a roster refresh. If they can rebuild this team on the fly over the next year or two, they could prolong their cup window.
Olympics
Rumour: TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the 2022 Beijing Olympics will use North American sized ice for the hockey tournament.
The use of North American sized rinks at the Olympics changes everything. The ice used in international play is typically wider than rinks used in the United States and Canada. Teams can and have adapted their styles of play and have utilized the wider ice in the past. Because of the more narrow rinks, we should see games that are more quickly paced.
It’s no secret that the NHL players want to return to the Olympics. We will see them make their return to Beijing. The NHL did not allow players to participate in the Olympics in 2018. The more narrow ice will allow the NHLers to continue to play the game they have become accustomed to at the professional level. The last time NHL players participated in the Olympics, Canada defeated Sweden to win the gold medal.
That does it for this edition of NHL Rumours. Check back tomorrow for more.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
