We’re close to the start of training camp, but there are plenty of NHL rumours to go around. Teams are trying to make hard roster decisions and could be willing to take a risk. Someone could get a player tryout during camp and fight for a roster spot. Today we have NHL rumours surrounding the Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.
All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Nashville Predators
Rumour: Greg Hardwig of the Naples (Fla.) Daily News talked to players at the third Belfry Hockey Tactics and Tune-Up Camp over the weekend. He asked Roman Josi about his ongoing contract talks as the Swiss defender is in the final year of his contract.
The Swiss All-Star wants to stay with the team and both sides have been talking over the summer. Josi said he’s going to let his agent handle the talks while he focuses on the upcoming season.
The eight-year signed a bargain contract of seven years and $28 million in the 2013 off-season.
Analysis: Josi has been one of the best values over the last few seasons and he’ll get a big payday with his next deal. The 29-year-old will hopefully get something along the lines of $8 million or more and a pretty lengthy term.
He’s received Norris Trophy votes and is the backbone of the team’s defence the last few seasons. The Predators defence has plenty of solid players in Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis, but Josi is the man on the blueline.
He’ll be the quarterback for a power play unit that struggled last season. Nashville’s captain will be trying to put up the points now that P.K. Subban was traded to the New Jersey Devils during draft weekend.
Dallas Stars
Rumour: Sean Shapiro of The Athletic reported that unrestricted free agent Stefan Noesen was seen skating with the team at an informal skate. Nosen is a Plano, Texas native and hasn’t found a team this off-season.
He spent the last couple of seasons with the Devils where he scored three goals and five assists in 41 games. Noesen wasn’t given a qualifying offer by New Jersey and became a UFA.
Plano native and UFA Stefan Noesen skating today with Stars players at informal skate. He’s wearing Stars gear and had No. 81 on helmet. There aren’t any other non-Stars at skate. Could mean something, could just be borrowing gear while looking for next opportunity. We’ll see.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 2, 2019
Analysis: Noesen is a local kid and it wouldn’t hurt Dallas to give him a tryout during training camp. He did score 13 goals in 2017-18 during the Devils’ surprise playoff run a couple of seasons ago.
The former 21st overall pick of the 2011 NHL Draft has struggled at times to hold a roster spot, but could be a decent depth option if he makes a team. He made $1.75 million last season with the Devils and could be a cheap depth player that would be fine on the fourth line or in the minors.
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Jonathan Willis of The Athletic (subscription required) speculates on what Darnell Nurse‘s next contract will be. The Hamilton, Ontario native is in the final year of his current deal and wants to get a big money deal with a decent length.
The recent contracts signed by players like Matt Dumba and Esa Lindell offer a window into what the Oilers will have to pay Darnell Nurse on his next contract.@JonathanWillis explains: https://t.co/fGRg92roQd
— The Athletic Canada (@TheAthleticCAN) August 30, 2019
Willis compared his contract to that of Mathew Dumba‘s and Esa Lindell‘s. Dumba’s contract is at five years and $6 million per season while Lindell’s is five years at $5.8 million a year. Nurse is seeking something similar to those two contracts.
Analysis: The 24-year old had career highs in goals (10) and assists (31) last season. Another great season would seal that coveted contract for Nurse. He could do what other free agents are doing with a three or four-year deal and gamble for another big-money contract. There’s plenty of risk with Nurse doing this as he could be out of luck if he struggles.
Nurse could also be a trade chip if general manager Ken Holland wants to fill other needs. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound defender would be a good pickup for a team needing defensive help. Edmonton has plenty of needs and Nurse could get a nice return. He’s finally realizing his potential and coming into his own. The Oilers need goaltending help and some depth forwards and Nurse would garner some interest.
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 17: Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) scores on Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche, held on October 17, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
