{"id":113543,"date":"2021-07-06T08:30:43","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T12:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=113543"},"modified":"2021-07-06T07:11:48","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T11:11:48","slug":"nhl-rumours-oilers-predators-blue-jackets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/07\/06\/nhl-rumours-oilers-predators-blue-jackets\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a rousing Game 4 last night<\/a> between the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> and Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>, the hockey season has been extended until at least Wednesday. Despite the continuing Stanley Cup Final, however, the offseason is rapidly approaching and NHL rumours are plentiful. There’s a flat salary cap further complicating an already compressed free agent season. Mixed with expansion, there’s a rush of whisperings nearly every day. Today’s edition of our NHL Rumours series focuses on the Edmonton Oilers<\/a>, Nashville Predators<\/a>, and Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

Edmonton Oilers<\/h3>\n

Rumour: In a piece earlier this week from The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman<\/a>, he notes that defenceman Tyson Barrie<\/a> likely won’t be back in an Oilers uniform next season.<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>It was quite the controversial season for the Victoria, B.C.-born defenceman. Barrie notably became the first NHL points, leader, among defencemen to not even receive a vote for that year’s Norris Trophy<\/a>. It’s still worth noting that it was an incredible bounce-back season for Barrie on the scoresheet, whose 48 points in 56 games greatly outpace his 2019-20 totals with the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> (39 points in 70 games). Yet, the Oilers are a team that’s more interested in becoming more defensively responsible this offseason. Edmonton realizes that an unsustainably high amount of secondary assists likely inflated Barrie’s numbers. They don’t want to invest long-term on a player who just likely had a career year.<\/p>\n

It’s why both Barrie and the team feel that separation is better at this point. Barrie feels he can get better value on the open market, which he very likely can. The Oilers, who’ve also been linked<\/a> to acquiring Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> stalwart Duncan Keith<\/a>, are also running out of room on defence. There are younger players such as Caleb Jones<\/a> and Evan Bouchard<\/a> who’ve rightfully challenged for more playing time. And there’s always the uncertainty of an Oscar Klefbom<\/a> return looming large. General manager Ken Holland<\/a> feels his cap space can be better used elsewhere. He’ll make an effort to alter the team’s makeup.<\/p>\n

Nashville Predators<\/h3>\n

Rumour: General manager David Poile stated in an interview with ESPN’s 102.5 The Game<\/a> that he’s interested in making a side deal with the Seattle Kraken<\/a> at the expansion draft.<\/em><\/p>\n

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#Preds<\/a> GM David Poile joined @dmac_1025<\/a>, @WillyD1025<\/a>, and @ChaseOnGame<\/a> after trading Viktor Arvidsson<\/a> to the Kings this morning.<\/p>\n

Full interview:https:\/\/t.co\/gh78rYSM0o<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/U5Ry0HLcvS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN 102.5 The Game (@1025TheGame) July 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n