Another Thursday brings another edition of NHL Rumours, with this week being exceptionally supercharged. As big-name teams suffered big-name upsets in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, rumours are bound to swirl around their star talent. Despite all of the peculiarities of 2020, this has not changed. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Pittsburgh Penguins all find their players in big-time NHL rumours today.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Big names are dropped in a piece for The Athletic by James Mirtle, as he suggests Frederik Andersen, Alexander Kerfoot, Pierre Engvall, and Andreas Johnsson could all be on the move.
The Leafs have made one trade. But more are coming. Here’s four more names for the rumour millhttps://t.co/c6x5J64YMi
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) August 26, 2020
Analysis: After a rocky few seasons for the Maple Leafs, general manager Kyle Dubas walked away with a huge win on the trade front this past week. The Kasperi Kapanen deal allowed Toronto to walk away with not only added cap space, but a surplus in trade value with the acquisition of a first-round pick and an extremely promising prospect in Filip Hallander.
While the Leafs obviously are in need of a shakeup, they can’t take too many steps back, either. They are positioned as a contender. However, if Dubas can swing trades that are set up similarly to the Kapanen one, it could be of benefit to the Leafs.
It would obviously be unwise for Dubas to trade all of the four players mentioned above. Toronto still needs to compete in the 2020-21 season. A shakeup in the team’s chemistry isn’t a bad idea, but the Leafs need to ice a competitive squad.
Montreal Canadiens
Rumour: Despite the displeasure expressed by centre Phillip Danault, Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin will not be trading him (via the Athletic’s Arpon Basu).
What Phillip Danault said about his belief that his role should not change should come as no surprise. He’s the first to say it, but he won’t be the last to feel that way. It is a natural stage of the Canadiens’ reset, and a sign it is starting to work: https://t.co/8tpN6krGa4
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) August 26, 2020
Analysis: Canadiens fans were happy with their surprise run into the First Round. Danault was not happy on an individual level.
Exceptional performances from both Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi gave Canadiens fans levels of optimism for the future that were unparalleled in recent years. They both look like they can form a real solid one-two punch down the middle for Montreal.
Danault had served in the team’s top-six for much of the recent years. He’s become one of the better two-way pivots in the league while adding an offensive touch as well. Despite his dissatisfaction with dwindling playing time, Danault is still an effective piece for a team that is trying to grow as a unit. If Danault chooses to leave after next season when his contract is up, he will be afforded that right.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: After multiple calls to shake up their core, general manager Jim Rutherford emphasizes that they will not be moving on from either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, via TSN’s OverDrive podcast.
Analysis: Short sample sizes often lead to reactionary decisions, both for good and bad. While Rutherford hasn’t had the greatest offseason, not giving into pressure here is a good move for the club.
Yes, both Crosby and Malkin had underwhelming outings against the Canadiens in the Qualifying Round. But despite a disappointing season marred by injuries to the Penguins, it’s not a wise move to completely change the team’s makeup. Rutherford knows this and has gone with maintaining the status quo for another year.
It’s not a regrettable decision. Due to the many external factors that 2020 has brung upon the world, results from this year’s playoffs are hard to take as grounds for change moving forward.
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