The NHL is in its busiest part of the off-season. The dust has settled from the July 1 free agent frenzy. Teams are still looking to improve their rosters. It keeps the rumour mill churning.The following are some of the rumours and transactions circulating throughout the league including Matt Duchene, Jason Demers and more.
NHL Rumours: Matt Duchene, Jason Demers and more
Matt Duchene
Adrian Dater of BSN Colorado reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in Matt Duchene. Dater reports that Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic is standing firm on his asking price for Duchene.
More Duchene
Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post thinks that the New York Islanders are also in the mix for Matt Duchene. Islanders General Manager Garth Snow has several picks he can use in a trade. Cyrgalis thinks Snow could use those picks to trade for Duchene.
Jason Demers
Jason Botchford of the Providence reports that Florida Panthers defenceman Jason Demers blocked a trade to the Vancouver Canucks. Botchford reports the Canucks were offering Erik Gudbranson in return.
Alexander Radulov
Pierre LeBrun reports that Alexander Radulov is down to two teams. The Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars are the two teams competing for Radulov.
I believe Montreal and Dallas competing on Radulov right now….
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2017
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Pittsburg Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford wants an upgrade at center. The Penguins lost Nick Bonino in free agency.
Mackey reports that Rutherford could also trade for the center. He speculates that Rutherford has made an offer to Colorado about Matt Duchene.
Mackey also wonders if the Penguins might try to bring back Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Montreal Canadiens
At his press conference today, Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin announced the Habs and Carey Price have a greed to an eight year contract extension. He also addressed the situation surrounding free agents Alexander Radulov and Andrei Markov.
At the press conference, Bergevin said the negotiations are over. Meaning the Habs have presented their final offer to both players.
#Habs Bergevin says “no negotiations” with Radulov and Markov, meaning his final offer on July 1 was his last salvo.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 2, 2017
Bergevin also said he can’t bring both players back on their terms.
MB on offers for Radulov and Markov – Considering their demands I can’t bring both back.
— Brian Wilde (@BWildeTBD) July 2, 2017
Bergevin said that it was up to Markov and Radulov to make their decisions. At their terms, there is only room for one of them.
“First come, first served”-Marc Bergevin to Radulov and Markov. He won’t change any of the offers he made to them. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 2, 2017
He did, however, leave the door open for both players to come back, but only on his terms.
Marc Bergevin repeats, if Radulov and Markov wish to return, the door is open for them–but on the Canadiens’ terms.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 2, 2017
