{"id":122747,"date":"2021-12-19T12:00:48","date_gmt":"2021-12-19T17:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=122747"},"modified":"2021-12-19T09:29:28","modified_gmt":"2021-12-19T14:29:28","slug":"nhl-rumours-blackhawks-canadiens-sabres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/12\/19\/nhl-rumours-blackhawks-canadiens-sabres\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s the festive season and we&#8217;re in a giving mood, so we have a second edition of NHL rumours for Sunday. There will always be a market for goalies and this edition focuses on that. Some big-name netminers might be in play while other teams could be shoring up that spot. Today&#8217;s second NHL rumours focus on the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.<\/p>\n<p>All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n<h3>Chicago Blackhawks<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Scott Powers of The Athletic looked at what <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/fleurma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marc-Andre Fleury<\/a>&#8216;s future may be with the club.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">While other teams are replacing their hockey-ops team immediately, the Blackhawks are taking their time. Why? That leads off <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ByScottPowers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ByScottPowers<\/a>&#39; mailbag: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5QllUOxdq1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/5QllUOxdq1<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarkLazerus\/status\/1471863413873815562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> Some thought the Blackhawks would make the leap back into the Stanley Cup Playoff picture after picking up Fleury and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesse01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seth Jones<\/a>. However, things have fallen apart on and off the ice. Interim coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kingde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derek King<\/a> has the team playing better defence as of late, but Chicago is 10 points back of the second wild card spot.<\/p>\n<p>The goalie question for the Blackhawks looms large as Fleury is 37 and likely won&#8217;t be back. Arvid Soderblom is the only goalie signed at the moment. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lankike01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Lankinen<\/a> probably returns next season, but the team is already looking ahead to the future. Soderblom and Boston University goalie Drew Commesso are likely the goalies-to-be for Chicago.<\/p>\n<p>The Blackhawks will probably go into the goalie market this off-season, if not sooner. Fleury could fetch something if interim general manager Kyle Davidson wants to get &#8220;The Flower&#8221; to a contender.<\/p>\n<p>[pickup_prop id=&#8221;9771&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3>Montreal Canadiens<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Mar Antoine Godin of The Athletic peaked into what <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/priceca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carey Price<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/allenja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Allen<\/a> could get on the trade market.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Scouts confidential: What value might Canadiens players with term left have on the trade market? <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MAGodin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@MAGodin<\/a> spoke to five pro scouts to get a gauge of what the Canadiens might expect ahead of the trade deadline.  <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DEWjBaoFOf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/DEWjBaoFOf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ArponBasu\/status\/1471848215150485511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> The Habs are another team that were slated to do good things after their surprise Stanley Cup Final appearance. However, Montreal is a team that endured a nightmare start to the season.<\/p>\n<p>Godin said that Jeff Gorton will be aggressive on the trade market. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/07\/18\/carey-price-potentially-miss-significant-time-next-season\/\" target=\"_self\">Price was exposed<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/seattle-kraken\/\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Kraken<\/a> expansion draft by former GM <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bergema01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marc Bergevin<\/a>, but Seattle passed on the elite goalie. One scout said that there would be a market for Price, but it would be &#8220;a huge gamble.&#8221; Price would need to have the form that he had in last season&#8217;s playoffs. Montreal would need to find a team that has Stanley Cup dreams, but salary makes it hard with his $10 million deal and full no-trade clause.<\/p>\n<p>Allen could get a first-rounder if the conditions are right, but the Habs would need to make sure Price is 100-percent back. Montreal does have Samuel Montembeault and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/primeca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cayden Primeau<\/a> to back up Price if Allen is dealt. However, they could be also in the veteran search if Price does go.<\/p>\n<h3>Buffalo Sabres<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: The Athletic&#8217;s John Vogl addressed the future of the Sabres&#8217; crease for the 2022-23 season.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The latest Sabres mailbag has arrived. Thanks for the great questions. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6yp8ghioPi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/6yp8ghioPi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BuffaloVogl\/status\/1471821074107150339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/luukkuk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/a> has played pretty well despite the team in front of him struggling. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/subbama01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Malcolm Subban<\/a> has turned in some decent games as well. However, only Luukkonen is signed through the next season.<\/p>\n<p>Buffalo does have Erik Portillo and Devon Levi in the system, but there&#8217;s concern that Levi will go. The Sabres had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/peterca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calvin Petersen<\/a> in their fold, but Vogl said the worry is a bit much. Levi can&#8217;t become a free agent until 2024, but they may try to sign him considering how well he&#8217;s played at Northeastern University.<\/p>\n<p>The Sabres could try to re-sign <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tokardu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dustin Tokarski<\/a> and Subban. There&#8217;s also a class of goalies such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/holtbbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Braden Holtby<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/reimeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Reimer<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/talboca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Talbot<\/a> and others that could be a one-year solution while the prospects continue to develop. General manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamske01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevyn Adams<\/a> could also make an off-season deal that would give them a bigger-name veteran netminder.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"3JGBv7KhTZhhdoPZ597MXw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1237217650\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'3JGBv7KhTZhhdoPZ597MXw',sig:'HcG2EyO8b8KlNHLpFXisrYoJNfZJGEwyQOKYKSXnWVE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1237217650',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s the festive season and we&#8217;re in a giving mood, so we have a second edition of NHL rumours for Sunday. There will always be a market for goalies and this edition focuses on that. Some big-name netminers might be in play while other teams could be shoring up that spot. Today&#8217;s second NHL rumours [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":122752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4321,3,27,4547,7,4548],"tags":[6544,6552,199,3661,250,4803,673,557,6541,1637],"class_list":["post-122747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rumours","category-sabres","category-blackhawks","category-hockey","category-canadiens","category-nhl","tag-blackhawks-featured","tag-canadiens-featured","tag-carey-price","tag-dustin-tokarski","tag-jake-allen","tag-kevin-lankinen","tag-malcolm-subban","tag-marc-andre-fleury","tag-sabres-featured","tag-ukko-pekka-luukkonen"],"modified_by":"William Grigsby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122747"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122747\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}