It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. Taylor Hall seems to be the topic of many of our articles in NHL rumours. The former Hart Trophy winner is a coveted commodity that many teams would love to get their hands on. However, there are other deals that will be made and general managers have other signings to worry about. Today’s NHL rumours are about the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings.
NHL Rumours
New Jersey Devils
Rumour: Hall’s name came up as part of the Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston said that the Devils look like they’re going through with their plan to do deal Hall. Johnston added that, “the Devils are encouraging teams to step forward with offers, not so much of a back and forth.”
The @NJDevils are encouraging teams to step forward with offers for Taylor Hall, but to this point, conversations have been largely one-sided.https://t.co/zvuoT3TKKG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 8, 2019
Analysis: Johnston added that it could take as many as four pieces to land the former league MVP. He points out that many teams are interested in Hall. However, the Colorado Avalanche have emerged as a favourite and could get the deal done by the Christmas break on Dec. 19.
The Devils fired John Hynes after a 7-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and are now looking to unload one of their most valuable assets. Hall is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and New Jersey would like to get something for him.
It’s generally believed that Hall is unlikely to re-sign with the Devils if he ends up finishing the year with them. New Jersey general manager Ray Shero knows that a trade could get some much-needed pieces to fix the team. Defence and goaltending have been big issues and the Avalanche have plenty of young defensive prospects that would be useful for the Devils.
Colorado has space and could be able to nail down an extension for Hall. Avs’ general manager Joe Sakic is a bulldog in trades and will walk away if the deal is too one-sided, like some NHL rumours state. There has to be some give-and-take, but don’t expect Colorado’s GM to hand the world over to Shero.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: In the same Headlines segment, Friedman said that Alex Galchenyuk could be on the move once the Penguins get healthy. This trade talk stems from an article in The Athletic by Josh Yohe.
"Galchenyuk is someone who could be finding a new home.”
The NHL trade deadline is still more than two months away, but there appears to be a decent chance @penguins forward Alex Galchenyuk won’t have to wait that long to be shipped to a new team.https://t.co/j71YSdrHmT
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 8, 2019
Analysis: Yohe’s article stated that the Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford said that the former third overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft would have to work hard to keep a spot in the top 12. Rutherford applauded Galchenyuk’s work ethic but notes that there are other forwards deserving playing time.
One landing spot Friedman mentioned was the Buffalo Sabres, who would love another centre and depth option behind Jack Eichel. The 25-year-old Galchenyuk is currently on the left-wing of the fourth line in Pittsburgh, averaging less than 10 minutes per game.
The American forward came over to Pittsburgh as part of the deal that sent Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes in the off-season. Galchenyuk has since tallied 10 points in 19 games. However, he tends to play more towards the centre of the ice, which Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby occupy most of their ice time.
The Penguins are going to get players like Crosby, Nick Bjugstad and Patric Hornqvist back from injuries. These returns could squeeze Galchenyuk out of a roster spot.
Galchenyuk, a natural centre, is playing out of position at the moment. The Sabres would love to get a second pivot to fix a glaring team need. He still has plenty of talent and would relish a chance at getting top-six minutes.
Detroit Red Wings
Rumour: The Athletic’s Max Bultman broke down which restricted free agents general manager Steve Yzerman is likely to re-sign in the off-season. Bultman left off the obvious locks of Tyler Bertuzzi, Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou, but took a look at the other candidates.
Which of the Red Wings pending RFAs are likeliest to be back next season? Breaking it down for @TheAthleticDET: https://t.co/W2x9YebnOD
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) December 7, 2019
Analysis: Detroit has a total of 11 restricted free agents that could be looking for deals and said that Robby Fabbri is also a lock to return to Hockeytown next season. Others like Christoffer Ehn, Brendan Perlini, Adam Erne, Evgeny Svechnikov and Taro Hirose are more uncertain.
The Red Wings have 47 players under contract and can have up a maximum of 50. There will also be players like Trevor Daley, Mike Green, Jonathan Ericsson and Jimmy Howard who will be UFAs and could be dealt for picks or not re-signed.
Fabbri has thrived with the increased playing time with the Red Wings. Yzerman will probably make re-signing Fabbri a priority. Svechnikov’s status as a former first-round pick that is coming back from injury may also get him another chance with the organization.
Ehn and Hirose are both hard-working and smart players that are more towards returning to the organization. The former’s penalty-killing ability may make him an asset while Hirose’s IQ may make him worthy of another deal.
Perlini and Erne have both struggled to even tally their first point with Detroit. Neither player has lived up to expectations. They may not get qualifying offers this coming off-season.
Main Photo:
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 02: New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) with the puck during the 3rd period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New Jersey Devils on November 2nd, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
