After a full month of play in the NHL so far this season, teams are beginning to figure out what their team is like on the ice. Many general managers are looking to make adjustments to their rosters now that they have an idea of what their team looks like on ice. Lot’s of talk about tinkering is happening. Today will cover the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs for our NHL rumours.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: On Headlines Saturday night, Chris Johnson talked about how the Edmonton Oilers trade talks are heating up with Jesse Puljujarvi and the New York Rangers are one team that is very interested. General manager Ken Holland is going over to Finland to watch Puljujarvi play in a tournament.
Analysis: The Oilers/Puljujarvi saga has been ongoing throughout the year. Since his contract expired, Puljujarvi has made it be known he does not want to return to the Oilers. This is even after their hiring of new management hot start to the season.
The New York Rangers have been noted as a team that could be interested in Puljujarvi. The Rangers are a young team in the middle of a rebuild. Despite making some large off-season additions like Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba, they have not been off to a good start with a record of 5-5-1 so far this season, the Rangers have not looked good. Adding a still-young and promising player like Puljujarvi could benefit both the team and the player. The Rangers need all the help they can get. A deal would allow Puljujarvi a fresh start, and in a location that would allow him to grow with the team.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: According to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Penguins are unlikely to trade away Jack Johnson now that Erik Gudbranson has been traded. Yohe claims that there was a deal on the table that could have sent Johnson to a new team in early September.
Here’s my latest mailbag. We talk trades, who could be next to go, goal songs, finding love, Al’s Cafe and so much more. It’s a lot, I know. Check it out here: https://t.co/KQt7I1Rper
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) October 31, 2019
Analysis: Pittsburgh has wanted to get rid of Jack Johnson for some time now, however, it seems like they have been pleased with his recent play. Some people have wanted Johnson out of Pittsburgh as early as the first year of his deal in Pittsburgh. It seemed that Jim Rutherford wanted to trade only one of Gidbranson or Johnson, and now with Gudbranson gone, will be staying in Pittsburgh a while longer.
With Rutherford choosing to trade Gudbranson instead, the tabled deal for Johnson must not have been very appealing. It would appear to make sense that a Gudbranson deal would be more palatable. He only has one year left on his deal after this, as opposed to Johnsons three.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: According to Dave Pagnotta on Sportsnet 650, the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to trade forward Nic Petan.
.@TheFourthPeriod joined @DanRiccio650 and @RandipJanda to talk about the potential of early player movement in the NHL, including what Jim Benning and the #Canucks might have planned.
LISTEN: https://t.co/y0W5aOqv89
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) November 1, 2019
Analysis: The Leafs have recently loaned Petan to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. There, he promptly scored 2 goals and 2 assists in his first game. With Zach Hyman coming off the injured reserve soon, the Leafs will have to make roster space and cap space for him. Petan seems like an effective player that would be good for a team that needs additional depth. On the Leafs, it seems he is unable to be used to his full potential. He now seems like the odd man out with players starting to heal.
Petan was acquired at last year’s deadline for Par Lindholm, so do not anticipate the return for Petan being of much value. He stands to be a cheap buy for a team looking for forwards. He will likely provide more value than what will be traded for him.
This concludes our NHL rumours for today!
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