It is another week in offseason paradise. Even though the playoffs are still ongoing, the rumour mill and speculations keep churning. More juicy NHL rumours have been released, and the hot takes are flying high. Today we will dive into the NHL rumours involving the Boston Bruins, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers.
NHL Rumours
Boston Bruins
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts Podcast discussing the possibility of Vincent Trocheck or Nazem Kadri signing in Boston.
Analysis: The rumours keep swirling around Boston. It is well known that the Bruins will be hunting for a centermen come free agency. Captain Patrice Bergeron is weighing his options in his future and could ultimately retire. This would put the Bruins in a bind. Charlie Coyle and Erik Haula would be the 1-2 punch down the middle, and that’s not an exact recipe for success.
Vincent Trocheck has priced himself out of Carolina and ultimately will be on the market. Trocheck is a hard-nosed center that plays a gritty style of hockey. He is coming off his best season in terms of point totals since joining the Carolina Hurricanes. Trocheck had 21 goals, 30 assists and 51 points. He also had an on-ice expected goals percentage at 58%.
Another name was Nazem Kadri. Look away Toronto Maple Leaf fans, this could sting a little. While it would be very weird given the history, this could make sense. And like Trocheck, he is coming off of a career season. In 71 games played, he tallied up 28 goals, 59 assists and 87 points. He also notched 14 points in the playoffs before an injury. These two are the two hottest centers on the market, and if the Bruins opt to tread water instead of sinking the ship these could be the two centers to watch for.
Winnipeg Jets Rumours
Rumour: Elliote Friedman discussing on 32 Thoughts Podcast that Jim Montgomery could be a candidate for the Winnipeg Jets Coach.
Analysis: The Rumour is focused on the coaching in Winnipeg. For the longest part of the offseason, all signs pointed to Barry Trotz becoming the next head coach in Winnipeg. He is from there, and his family lives there. It seems, that there has not been any traction made with those tires. It now appears that the team will have to explore it’s options.
Jim Montgomery is rumoured to be the possible coach in line. The former Dallas Stars coach could become the next new voice for a Jets team looking to get back into the playoffs. Montgomery does come with experience. He coached during the 2018-19 season and the 2019-20 season and boasts a record of 61-43-10. He took his team to the playoffs in 2018-19 and posted a 7-6 record.
It is not the sexiest name out there or even one of the candidates on the market. But look out for him, and his name is starting to make waves.
Florida Panthers Rumours
Rumour: Pierre Lebrun from The Athletic talks about what is Next For Claude Giroux and the Panthers.
Analysis: The Rumours swirling The long-time Philadelphia Flyer got to dictate his future when the Flyers opted to trade him at the deadline. Instead of going to the Colorado Avalanche like everyone thought, he chose the Florida Panthers. Claude Giroux had one thing in mind when he came to Florida and that was to win the Stanley Cup.
Now he is a free agent. He can control his fate and his destiny. Does he return to the Flyers? Does he stay in Florida? It will be something to watch, but at this point in his career, he will want to contend for the Stanley Cup.
In an interview with The Athletic he stated, “It definitely would interest me,” Giroux, 34, told The Athletic Tuesday afternoon from South Florida. “Since the first day I got here, from my teammates to the organization, it was a great experience. Obviously, it helps when you’re winning a lot of hockey games”.
The door is not completely shut on a return to Florida, and the centre has a lot of good hockey left in the tank.
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