It’s another Monday and another batch of NHL rumours. We’re days away from the Stanley Cup Final, but we’ve got plenty of NHL rumours to get you through until Game 1. A big off-season is on the way and there’s going to be plenty to sort through. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Boston Bruins
Rumour: The Fourth Period’s Shawn Hutcheon said Bruins’ general manager Don Sweeney will be in contact with David Krejci.
Don Sweeney says he will be in contact with David Krejci’s representative.
— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) June 7, 2022
Analysis: Krejci went home to Czechia to play this season but he gave some signs about returning to North America. Former Bruins teammate and fellow countryman David Pastrnak sent signals on Instagram about a possible reunion. However, that was when times seemed to be better with Boston.
Their former coach Bruce Cassidy was fired and Pasta’s feelings may be hurt. There’s a huge chance that Pastrnak could be traded before the Bruins let him walk away for nothing. Sweeney and team president Cam Neely seem to be making wholesale changes and the Czech duo may not want to be a part of that.
Boston also faces the uncertainty of Patrice Bergeron not returning plus Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy are out for the beginning part of the season. A collision course with a rebuild may be upon the B’s and Krejci may not want to be part of it.
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman stated the Oilers are looking for clarity in regards to Duncan Keith and Mike Smith.
Analysis: Smith and Keith played a hand in the Oilers reaching the Western Conference Final. However, both are at the end of their careers and the Oilers want to make upgrades at their respective positions. Keith is on contract through the end of next season at around $5.54 million while Smith is set to make $2.2 million.
Edmonton knows that defence and goalie need to be upgraded after being swept by the Colorado Avalanche. Smith had some good moments, but then he had some really bad moments. A goalie change could push the Oilers back into being a top contender in the West.
Keith has battled all season, but he isn’t the defenceman that he used to be when he was with the Chicago Blackhawks. Getting both off the books would be huge in giving general manager Ken Holland flexibility. Changes will be made in Edmonton, but it’s hard to say who will stay or go.
Anaheim Ducks
Rumour: The Athletic’s Eric Stephens talked about Troy Terry and Jamie Drysdale likely signing bridge deals.
What would the AAV for the next Trevor Zegras contract be? Would the #NHLDucks also lock up Troy Terry and Jamie Drysdale long-term? What should be on their free agency shopping list? Answers to those and many other questions in the Mailbag.https://t.co/bTAvjOz9nY
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 6, 2022
Analysis: Stephens’ latest mailbag said the centre of Ducks’ future contracts will be Trevor Zegras, who will likely be the cornerstone of the franchise. Zegras might want a contract similar to former top pick Jack Hughes, who got eight years and $64 million total. Both are represented by CAA, so there may be some same patterns for Zegras.
This will likely filter down the roster for general manager Pat Verbeek. Stephens brings up that Drysdale is likely the typical bridge contract candidate. Most young defenders will get that type of deal before scoring on their third deal. Anaheim could also do a contract like Zach Werenski‘s, where the value moves up year-to-year.
Terry’s camp seems to be the people wanting to push for a two-year bridge contract. However, Verbeek worked under Steve Yzerman with the Detroit Red Wings and is aware of the importance of locking down support pieces. Verbeek could try to give Terry a long-term contract to make sure that he’s still in Orange County for the foreseeable future.
The Ducks have some good young pieces, but Verbeek will have to be smart about making sure those young players stay together as long as they can.
