The NHL rumours are flying in so fast that we need a second helping. We’re getting closer to the draft and the start of free agency this week and things are heating up. Today we have NHL rumours on Taylor Hall, the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Taylor Hall
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston said that the Arizona Coyotes forward is entertaining one and two-year deals. This was revealed during Saturday’s Headlines segment.
Analysis: Hall’s main aim is to win a Stanley Cup. He’s played on plenty of losing teams and only been to the playoffs twice. The Hart Trophy winner is seeking a winning-situation and the short-term deals will bring more suitors.
The situation is a lot like when the Colorado Avalanche signed Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya to one-year contracts as they loaded up for a Stanley Cup run in 2003-04. Colorado is one of the teams in the running to land Hall and gear up for a title push.
The Avalanche offence would be one of the top units in the league. However, there are plenty of other teams that covet Hall’s services. He’ll have no shortage of offers when free agency opens on Friday. However, winning seems to be his main priority. And the Coyotes intend to attempt to trade Hall’s rights since they paid a pretty penny to acquire him.
Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong tells Craig that “the Coyotes are open to trading Taylor Hall’s negotiating rights.” https://t.co/fl4RS9oCsT
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 5, 2020
Carolina Hurricanes
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said that the Hurricanes offered Andrei Svechnikov an eight-year, $7.5 million per season deal in his 31 Thoughts column. However, the Russian forward is pushing for a bridge contract.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1311302890259128321
Analysis: Svechnikov is betting on himself to land an even bigger contract. The salary cap is staying flat at $81.5 million for at least the 2020-21 season. A new television deal is on the horizon in 2021-22 and the young forward wants to cash in then.
The cap will rise slowly, but players will eventually reap the rewards of a likely increase in television dollars. Svechnikov is one of the more exciting players in the league with 24 goals and 61 points in 68 games.
Carolina would love to lock down the 20-year-old to go with Sebastian Aho for the future. Aho got a five-year deal worth nearly $8.5 million per season. The Canes would have a lot of money tied up in the duo, but they are a deadly tandem. Carolina has trended upward the last two seasons and keeping both forwards is key to that continuing.
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: NHL.com’s Tim Campbell reports that Jesse Puljujarvi could make his return to North America. This was revealed during a Q and A with general manager Ken Holland.
Analysis: TSN’s Frank Seravalli added that a deal could be for one season and in the $1.2-$1.5 million range. The fourth overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft headed home to Finland to play for Karpat. He led his team in scoring with 24 goals and 53 points in 56 games. Those totals put him fourth in the SM-Liga in scoring last season.
Holland expressed optimism that the 22-year-old forward would sign with the Oilers. Edmonton’s general manager said that he’s open to all options and been talking to agent Markus Lehto.
Puljujarvi’s entry-level contract expired in 2019 and a new deal wasn’t reached. The Oilers hold his rights and can sign him or trade his rights to someone else. The young Finn said he didn’t want to return to Edmonton, but that was under the previous regime.
Holland and new coach Dave Tippett are trying to thaw the cold relationship between the two sides. Adding a talented young scorer at a low cost would be key for an Oilers’ team trying to get over the hump. He has something to prove and will be motivated to earn a nice pay raise.
