It’s the start of another work week and we’ve got another batch of NHL rumours. We’re just over one week away from the start of the season. The NHL rumours are picking up steam with the Oct. 12 start date. Teams are trying to plan ahead for the future and secure players. Today’s rumours focus on the Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Boston Bruins
Rumour: Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic speculates on if the Bruins are still in on Jack Eichel.
Will Jack Studnicka make the team? What’s realistic for Jake DeBrusk? Could Linus Ullmark be traded?
Answers to readers’ questions. https://t.co/h6ocBMiIsB
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) October 2, 2021
Analysis: Shinzawa made it pretty clear that Boston’s interest is slim to zero in the former Buffalo Sabres captain. The current health situation has scared plenty of other teams off. Teams are getting access to Eichel’s medical records, but Buffalo News reporter Mike Harrington reported the asking price is really high. One source said the Sabres’ asking price was “insane.”
Boston wouldn’t be responsible for giving up assets with Eichel’s health being uncertain. A top-two pick would normally be worth some investment if the price was right. However, there’s so much to unpack in the Eichel situation. It’s a difficult situation all the way around for all parties involved. Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams doesn’t want a repeat of the Ryan O’Reilly debacle. However, Eichel wants to find his way out of Western New York. One thing is certain for the moment and the former Boston University product won’t be heading home.
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal took a look at what the Canucks will do after the extensions for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.
What the imminent extensions for Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson mean for the #Canucks' future.
Subscribe now to @TheAthletic and get 50% off the cost of a subscription. Join the VIPs today: https://t.co/Ob7XQdqIEl
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) October 2, 2021
Analysis: The Canucks solved one of their big problems when signing the influential duo. This deal will have some long-lasting repercussions with Brock Boeser‘s contract coming up at the end of the season. Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller will have their deals come up after the next season for Vancouver.
Pettersson’s deal comes up in the summer of 2024, but he’ll still be a restricted free agent. This gives the Canucks some leverage, but there could be the possibility of an offer sheet. No one likely offer sheet Pettersson or Hughes due to Shane Wright and Connor Bedard in the next two drafts.
Vancouver will get value out of Pettersson’s contract and allow for some flexibility to re-sign Boeser. The cap will likely go up in the next few years with the injection of ESPN money and paying down the escrow. A lot of younger players are laying up for the TV money raising the cap.
Hughes’ deal keeps in British Columbia for the long-term and relieves a future major headache or general manager Jim Benning. The young defenceman will be a cornerstone and the long-term deal takes care of that.
Anaheim Ducks
Rumour: The Athletic’s Eric Stephens asked veteran defenceman Hampus Lindholm about his future.
Adam Henrique goes into his #NHLDucks future and making the most of his present.https://t.co/h5ePffbpQU
Hampus Lindholm Q&A: "This is a really big year."https://t.co/PIpL2Pdgfr
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) October 2, 2021
Analysis: The big Swede has only played for Anaheim his entire eight-year career. However, he’s been on some pretty bad teams the last few seasons in Orange County. He’ll enter unrestricted free agency for the first time after the 2022-23 season. Lindholm would likely be in demand if he did hit the open market. However, the Ducks are trying to make sure a deal gets taken care of before that point.
Anaheim has struggled the last couple of seasons, but there is something to them. They’ve got youngsters like Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale ready to take the next step soon. Anaheim could be one of the favourites to land Shane Wright in the draft lottery as well. There’s plenty of pain right now in the “Tragic Kingdom,” but things could be on the way up. Locking up Lindholm would be key to that as well.
