It’s time for another edition of NHL off-season rumours and this time we get defensive. Today we take a look at possible moves regarding defenseman such as P.K. Subban, Ryan Ellis, Erik Karlsson and Toby Enstrom.
These rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
P.K. Subban
Rumour: Nashville Predators general manager David Poile told TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun that the club never had any intention of dealing P.K. Subban. Poile stated that no one has called in regards to making a deal for the perennial NHL All-Star.
David Poile on the Predators staying all-in for the win, on shutting down those P.K. Subban trade rumours, on re-signing Ryan Ellis, and more. My Wednesday piece: https://t.co/spN2VcG5KX
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 13, 2018
LeBrun added that the Predators did inquire about adding Ottawa Senators blueliner Erik Karlsson.
Analysis: It seems to be a yearly thing for the Subban rumour to start. The Toronto native has fit in well with the Predators and makes them one of the best defensive groups in the league.
Poile said the Preds are all-in” to try and win a Stanley cup and Subban is a key reason Nashville opens with good odds to be a Stanley Cup contender.
Ryan Ellis
Rumour: In that same conversation, Poile told LeBrun that the team is working on an extension with Ryan Ellis. The Nashville GM said that he’s spoken with Ellis’ agent and the team is working on a “big, important contract.” Ellis can sign an extension as soon as July 1.
Analysis: It makes sense that the Predators lock up one of their big four defenders. He, Subban, Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm are the lynchpin of this team.
Poile has been able to get favorable deals for Josi and Ekholm, and it wouldn’t be surprised if he got a deal that both sides were happy with. There’s a lengthy history of Poile being able to make the numbers work.
Erik Karlsson
Rumour: In Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts column, he speculated that the Vegas Golden Knights may re-visit trying to get Erik Karlsson. Freidman said that Knights came close to picking up the Norris Trophy winner at the deadline, but there were a couple of snags stopping the deal.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1005873808123801600
Analysis: Vegas could have used a top puck-mover like Karlsson as the Washington Capitals locked down the neutral zone at times in the Stanley Cup final. Karlsson is a slick skater that could have found a way into the offensive zone.
The whole mess involving what happened between Karlsson’s wife and Mike Hoffman’s fiancée will likely force Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion to deal Karlsson if not both.
Vegas only has one pick in the first three rounds and need to start building a prospect pool. Karlsson would likely cost the team draft picks that they are currently lacking.
Tobias Enstrom
Rumour: Freidman also confirmed that Tobias Enstrom will not be returning to the Winnipeg Jets. This stems from his Game 5 scratch in the Western Conference semifinal against Nashville.
Analysis: Enstrom has played all 11 years of his NHL career with Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets organization. However, a change was coming. He played in only 43 games this season and chipped in a goal and five assists.
However, he could still be a decent second or third-pair defenseman on a team. Enstrom was a solid defender with the Jets.
