We’re slowly coming to the end of the 2019-20 NHL season, but we still have plenty of NHL rumours. Teams are making hard roster choices and trying to maximize that dollar value. The buyout period is underway and teams will make use of that. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers
Rumour: Larry Brooks and Mollie Walker look through the potential buyout candidates on the Rangers. Two names that come up are Henrik Lundqvist and Brendan Smith.
ICYMI. Column. On buyout windows and Henrik Lundqvist. https://t.co/3ECGgyHVO6 via @nypostsports
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) September 22, 2020
Analysis: A Lundqvist buyout is one of the hot topics of the off-season. He would save the Rangers $3 million in cap space, but create $1.5 million dead space for 2021-22.
There’s also the upcoming Seattle Kraken expansion draft and the Rangers need a goalie to protect. Both Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev are exempt from protection. The Rangers like both of their Russian goalies, but there will be a temptation to deal Georgiev.
Smith is set to fight it out with Libor Hajek and K’Andre Miller for a spot on the defence. His buyout would save $1,566,667, but create $783,333 of dead space for 2021-22. New York could bury his contract in the AHL and save $1.075 million and it wouldn’t have to deal with a penalty in 2021-22.
Marc Staal was on this list, but he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in a salary dump. The Rangers gave away a second-round pick, but got his $5.7 million off the books.
Montreal Canadiens
Rumour: Eric Engels of Sportsnet look at five potential power forwards that the Habs should go after. Realistic targets include Josh Anderson, Kyle Palmieri and Alex Killorn.
Analysis: Both Anderson and Palmieri are working on getting new deals, but would be good targets if extensions don’t happen. Anderson was limited by a shoulder injury this season, but scored 27 goals in 2018-19.
Palmieri may be on the smaller side, but he does fill his role nicely. He put up 24 goals at least in the last five seasons in the league. However, he would need to have a new extension ready if he does get dealt. The Canadiens also have to worry about re-signing other like Brendan Gallagher, Tomas Tatar and Joel Armia.
Killorn is one game away from winning the Stanley Cup and has played a huge part of the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s run. He’s from Halifax and was raised outside of Montreal. However, it’s a lot of pressure to return home to play for the Habs. The move would help Tampa clear out space and they could maximize a solid return after a great playoff run.
Minnesota Wild
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman said on the Hockey Night in Canada Headlines segment that the Wild looked into Dustin Byfuglien. However, Friedman said the rugged defenceman is unlikely to play in the NHL again.
It's "unlikely" that Dustin Byfuglien will play in the NHL again, @FriedgeHNIC reports.https://t.co/sYAAx7YJiA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 27, 2020
Analysis: Byfuglien is a Minnesota native, so it would make sense that the Wild would look into him. However, his ankle injury needed surgery and he and the Winnipeg Jets terminated his contract. Winnipeg’s breakup with their big blue-liner was a messy one
The Wild locked down Jonas Brodin to a new contract, but Mathew Dumba‘s name has come up as possible Byfuglien would serve as an experienced replacement for Dumba. Minnesota is trying to remake their defence, but injuries may have derailed him.
