The NHL is entering its busiest part of the off-season. The NHL Draft and Free Agent frenzy is normally enough to keep the rumour mill churning. This year, however, the NHL is having an expansion draft. The Las Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft roster is being announced on June 21st. The expansion draft has added a new layer to the normal NHL off-season craziness. Lets have a look at the rumours around the NHL.
NHL Rumors: Matt Duchene, Jordan Eberle, Alex Galchenyuk, Derek Stepan, and more
It is important to note, that even with the roster freeze in effect until June 22nd, teams can continue to negotiate trades. The deals can only be made official and announced on the 22nd.
New York Islanders Want Offence
TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on TSN 1050 and TSN 690 that the New York Islanders are looking to add a significant forward. Arthur Staple of Newsday reports the Islanders are interested in Colorado’s Matt Duchene, Edmonton’s Jordan Eberle and Montreal’s Alex Galchenyuk. Staple notes that the Islanders are dangling defenceman Travis Hamonic as part of a deal to acquire a forward.
Montreal Canadiens Looking for Defence
Bob McKenzie reported on TSN 1050 that the Montreal Canadiens were in talks with the Minnesota Wild about acquiring a defenceman before the expansion roster freeze on June 18th. McKenzie said that Marco Scandella and Jonas Brodin were the Habs targets.
McKenzie: “We know that the Montreal Canadiens were trying to get Marco Scandella or Jonas Brodin” before exp list filed. #mnwild #Habs 1050
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 20, 2017
Rangers Stepan has High Value in Trade Market
The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports that New York Rangers center Derek Stepan has significant value in the trade market. Brooks posits the Rangers could use Stepan to acquire help on defence. Brooks suggests the Rangers could trade Stepan to Carolina for Justin Faulk or a three-team trade with Arizona and Winnipeg that would have Stepan in Arizona and the Jets Jacob Trouba with the Rangers.
Bruins Looking for Offence
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com writes that the Bruins should avoid entering into a costly bidding war for the rights to Ilya Kovalchuk. He thinks the Bruins should pursue younger longer term assets like Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog or Matt Duchene. The Bruins had been linked to Landeskog this past season, but were unwilling to give up what the Avalanche were asking. If the Bruins are not prepared to pay Colorado’s price, they may have to seek a short term solution in free agency. Names to consider are Patrick Sharp and Patrick Marleau.
Protecting Players
Bob McKenzie reported via twitter that there may be a deal in place between the Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa is looking to protect its young defence from expansion. McKenzie only points to it as a rumor as he has no confirmation on a deal.
Which is to suggest I don’t have firm, specific knowledge of a TB-VGK deal but we’ve suspected for some time there’s something there.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 20, 2017
Pierre LeBrun reported via twitter that the Ottawa Senators and Vegas Golden knights were unable to come to an agreement to protect defensemen Marc Methot. Vegas GM George McPhee‘s self imposed deadline was 9PM (PT) June 19th. LeBrun wonders if McPhee take one last crack at making a deal with Ottawa.
Do not believe Ottawa was able to work out a deal with Vegas last night before GM GM’s self imposed deadine. But, does he circle back again?
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 20, 2017
Vegas Trades
Scott Burnside reported via Twitter that the Golden Knights have reached deals with at least six teams so far, but are still talking to several clubs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Golden Knights have at least six transactions completed with teams. Still talking to a couple of clubs including Toronto. #ExpansionDraft
— Scott Burnside (@OvertimeScottB) June 20, 2017
Expanding on this, Bob McKenzie speculates the teams that already have deals with the Golden Knights are the Penguins, Islanders, Ducks, Lightning, Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.
VGK say they have six trades in place. If we’re speculating – emphasis on speculating – likely to be with ANA, CBJ, CHI, NYI, PIT, TB.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 20, 2017
Speaking of Vegas deals, Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Steve Carp reported on Twitter that the Golden Knights have multiple first round picks for the up coming NHL Entry Draft.
Expect VGK to have multiple first-round picks in Friday’s entry draft in Chicago. Same for Saturday rounds 2-7.
— Steve Carp (@stevecarprj) June 20, 2017
Carp also said the Golden Knights have acquired first round picks for the 2018 draft and beyond.
Also, McPhee said the team is obtaining first-round picks for 2018 and beyond. Very important. #VGK #NHLDraft
— Steve Carp (@stevecarprj) June 20, 2017
Sharks Open Contract Talks with Marleau and Thornton
Sharks general manager Doug Wilson has opened contract negotiations with free agent forwards Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, reports Kevin Kruz of CSN Bay Area. Sources suggest that Thornton and Marleau, both 37 years old, are seeking three year deals. Wilson has said his priority is to re-sign Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Martin Jones.
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