It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours as we close in on the start of the NHL Draft. We’re also nearly a week away from the start of the free agency period on July 1. Teams are trying to assess their position and get the most out of their rosters. Two teams are likely dealing with plenty of roster turnover this off-season. This edition of NHL rumours focuses on the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames
Rumour: TSN’s Chris Johnston on Insider Trading looked into the situation regarding a number of Flames players this coming off-season.
INSIDER TRADING with @DarrenDreger, @PierreVLeBrun & @reporterchris…
– Flames’ decisions on top players
– Wheeler’s camp working with Jets
– Staal’s future in Carolina
– Bunting/Leafs
– Teams calling FLA on Duclair
– OEL eager for fresh startWATCH: https://t.co/XDcqi8F0OS
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) June 22, 2023
Analysis: New general manager Craig Conroy has a busy summer ahead of him due the uncertain future of a number of players. There are a lot of unrestricted and restricted free agents the Flames have at the end of 2024. There’s a genuine concern that the Flames will see players leave at the end of those deals for nothing. This was a reason that the Matthew Tkachuk trade was made last off-season. Conroy is wary of not getting assets back for talented players.
The main piece the Flames want a decision on is top-line centre Elias Lindholm. Johnston said that talks are still in the early stages and Lindholm is open to staying. However, he wants to see what Calgary’s situation is before committing to the team long-term. Other players like Mikael Backlund are also going to wait and see. Tyler Toffoli and Noah Hanifin have indicated the won’t sign extensions with the club. This means both players will likely get traded.
It’s odd that players still want out even after management has made plenty of changes. Both Brad Treliving and Darryl Sutter are gone, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to make the team happy. Conroy is going to have to do a lot of work to keep the Flames competitive.
Winnipeg Jets
Rumour: We stay with Insider Trading and Pierre LeBrun discusses the future of former captain Blake Wheeler with the club.
Analysis: Wheeler doesn’t seem to have much time left with the Jets. Winnipeg is likely trying to find a trade so they won’t have to use a buyout. The Jets are also trying to find a way to accommodate the veteran player. Wheeler has been one of the cornerstones of the Jets franchise and they want to do right by him.
Winnipeg has a lot to deal with with possibly making a Connor Hellebuyck trade this off-season. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is going to have to make some major decisions to make this off-season. Cheveldayoff also has to find the best Pierre-Luc Dubois trade possible. It seems there’s plenty of players that will be on the move this off-season. It’s going to be another busy off-season for a Canadian team.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
