It’s Monday and it’s time to start the week with another group of NHL rumours. Teams are trying to ramp up for a playoff charge or stop the bleeding. We’re also still living in a world where COVID-19 is still a thing. Could we see the return of taxi squads? We look at that plus other NHL rumours looking at the Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues.
All NHL rumours come from their original sources and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: TSN’s Darren Dreger talked about if general manager Pierre Dorion will make a move to end the slide.
With only five wins in 21 games for Ottawa this season, Senators GM Pierre Dorion addressed the media for the first time since mid-October. More from @clahanna: https://t.co/IZXhwpDCk5#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/7AHsf7rCuk
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 4, 2021
Analysis: Dorion proclaimed that the Senators’ rebuild was over, but that wasn’t the case if we look at the start of the season. That statement is turning into a “Mission Accomplished” type of premature statement. Dorion has amended that proclamation to saying they have all the core pieces in place.
It was about time Dorion addressed the media as head coach D.J. Smith has had to answer a lot of questions he really shouldn’t have been forced to answer. Ottawa should be better, but a COVID outbreak, injuries and bad goaltending have dampened optimism around the team.
Dreger said that Dorion is trying to work out something, but there are a few holes they have to plug. The centre position is in trouble after injuries to Collin White and Shane Pinto. It seems like Ottawa has given up on Matt Murray after a lousy season-plus and the defence is struggling.
The Senators are trying to make a deal or two, but feel they can find the solutions from within. There are some good prospects in AHL Belleville and they’ll likely get shot. The thing they need the most is a win just to breathe life into the room.
St. Louis Blues
Rumour: The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli has Vladimir Tarasenko third on his Dec. trade board.
TRADE TARGETS 🎯 It's December. Multiple trade requests are pending. The #NHL trade market is heating up.
Here are 15 names in play:https://t.co/S98PlMGq01
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 2, 2021
Analysis: Tarasenko has one more season at $7.5 million for the last year of his deal. The Blues have tried to deal or find a way to shed the Russian forward’s salary. He was exposed in the Seattle Kraken expansion draft and there was a rumoured move to the New York Islanders. However, both those moves didn’t end up happening.
He put in a trade request in the summer but has played a good soldier for the Blues. Tarasenko has answered questions about his health with 19 points in 22 games to make himself attractive on the market. The 29-year-old still wants to get moved and is hoping his loyalty is rewarded.
Tarasenko’s shooting percentage is down to 8.3-percent from his normal 12.4, but he’s still on pace for 26 goals this season. He could be someone that gives a playoff team a boost heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Taxi Squads
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reports that some NHL teams are trying to revisit the idea of taxi squads.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1467320542583787521
Analysis: The Boston Bruins struggled last week as they wanted to call up players. However, the Providence Bruins, their AHL affiliate, was going through a COVID outbreak of its own. This hamstrung the Bruins and thus they wanted to look into the return of the taxi squad.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daley said the league doesn’t want to bring taxi squads back, but there may not be any choice. Some AHL teams are dealing with their COVID issues and the big clubs can’t call players up. The New York Rangers wanted to call up Keith Kinkaid to replace Igor Shesterkin. However, Kinkaid is stuck in isolation due to protocols and the Rangers had to call up Adam Huska instead.
Marek said the league will wait before they discuss taxi squads are brought back.
