{"id":122783,"date":"2021-12-20T08:30:41","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T13:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=122783"},"modified":"2021-12-20T07:29:32","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T12:29:32","slug":"nhl-rumours-schedule-pause-rangers-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/12\/20\/nhl-rumours-schedule-pause-rangers-oilers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Schedule Pause, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s another edition of NHL rumours to start the workweek. There&#8217;s a lot of uncertainty in the hockey world due to COVID. However, there are some teams trying to make some moves to shore up their depth. Today&#8217;s NHL rumours look into a possible schedule pause, plus items on the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers.<\/p>\n<p>All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n<h3>Schedule Pause<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Many insiders have speculated that the league is going to have to halt the schedule to stem the spread of COVID.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Expect more NHL postponements to be announced today. A league-wide pause feels inevitable but for now sense is the NHL\/NHLPA will try to power through next few days if possible with case by case approach still\u2026<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PierreVLeBrun\/status\/1472229864480587785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 18, 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 league and NHLPA are trying to find a way to power through the schedule and get to Christmas. However, more teams got shut down and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/12\/19\/nhl-postponements-affect-multiple-teams-cross-border-play\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL has stopped cross-border games<\/a> until the break is over on Dec. 27. TSN and The Athletic&#8217;s Pierre LeBrun said the league is going to evaluate on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n<p>However, the whispers are getting louder in the NHL office. The league may have to pause because teams may not have enough players that aren&#8217;t in the protocol. The Carolina Hurricanes were shorthanded against the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche had 16 skaters against the Nashville Predators. It&#8217;s a tough ask for teams to have to mix and match lineups and play with short benches.<\/p>\n<p>The rise in cases may force the players to back out of the Olympics. It&#8217;ll be a tough pill to swallow, but it may be a necessary one. A decision on that may be coming sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n<h3>New York Rangers<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Arthur Staple of The Athletic looks at the possibility of the Rangers getting scoring help.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Five questions for the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NYR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NYR<\/a> after a blah weekend: Trade for scoring help? Can Alexis Lafreni\u00e8re do more? <\/p>\n<p>via <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheAthletic<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/a24Z8sG1OT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/a24Z8sG1OT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StapeAthletic\/status\/1470429934342529026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 13, 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 Blueshirts are in the mix for the Metropolitan Division title, but they do need some depth scoring. New York&#8217;s fast start allows general manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/drurych01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Drury<\/a> to be patient, but there needs to be some more punch for the bottom six. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/panarar01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artemi Panarin<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kreidch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Kreider<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stromry01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Strome<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zibanmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mika Zibanejad<\/a> can&#8217;t be depended on the shoulder the whole load.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kravtvi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vitali Kravtsov<\/a> would have been good to bring up from AHL Hartford had he reported. However, he is in Russia and won&#8217;t be available until the end of the KHL season if he wants to come back. AHL veterans Johnny Brodzinski and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/grecoan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Greco<\/a> are playing well for the WolfPack, but their help may be limited.<\/p>\n<p>Staple suggested the Rangers go after a rental with all the cap space they&#8217;ve already got committed to next season. A name like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kesseph01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phil Kessel<\/a> would be a huge move, but the Arizona Coyotes may ask for a lot. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/browndu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dustin Brown<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/paveljo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Pavelski<\/a> may be older, but they could add some help. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hertlto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tomas Hertl<\/a> is also an unrestricted free agent and the San Jose Sharks will likely ask for a hefty package.<\/p>\n<h3>Edmonton Oilers<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Allan Mitchell of The Athletic speculated on some names in the AHL that could help the Oilers forward depth problems.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Some pre-game reading. Oil have a plethora of young NHL-ready blue in Bakersfield, benefits clear already. The forward group? Opposite. It&#39;s a good time to look at what&#39;s out there\/possibly available. Here are 7 AHL forwards worth pursuing. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheAthleticNHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheAthleticNHL<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EllMaS8Jmq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/EllMaS8Jmq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Lowetide (@Lowetide) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Lowetide\/status\/1472358092570435586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 19, 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> Edmonton&#8217;s lineup is very top-heavy with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/draisle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a> leading the way. However, the team needs help with secondary scoring and there may be some players in the AHL that can fill that need.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/glassco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cody Glass<\/a> of Nashville was a name that was mentioned, but the Predators would likely want a decent return package because of Glass&#8217; offensive potential. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kaneev01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evander Kane<\/a> is with the San Jose Barracuda, but he comes with a lot of baggage. General manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hollake01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ken Holland<\/a> has helped players revive their careers in Detroit. Daniel Cleary and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/murphla01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Larry Murphy<\/a> at the end of his career both come to mind.<\/p>\n<p>Other names like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gustada01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Gustafsson<\/a>, Matias Maccelli, Valtteri Puustinen and Zach Sensyshyn were also mentioned. Edmonton does have some defensive prospects that could be used to help make something happen.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"31pq0ai0RIZc4ERUksa6Bw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1359598810\" 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:'31pq0ai0RIZc4ERUksa6Bw',sig:'e2FuF7mgaqeV03EhiTGbTN6_eQSs3YLSzbkQQM88SkQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1359598810',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 another edition of NHL rumours to start the workweek. There&#8217;s a lot of uncertainty in the hockey world due to COVID. However, there are some teams trying to make some moves to shore up their depth. Today&#8217;s NHL rumours look into a possible schedule pause, plus items on the New York Rangers and Edmonton [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":122784,"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":[4321,23,4547,14,4548],"tags":[1657,941,4675,368,571,6548,128,6557,4150,4518],"class_list":["post-122783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rumours","category-oilers","category-hockey","category-rangers","category-nhl","tag-chris-drury","tag-cody-glass","tag-covid-19","tag-joe-pavelski","tag-ken-holland","tag-oilers-featured","tag-phil-kessel","tag-rangers-featured","tag-rumours","tag-zach-senyshyn"],"modified_by":"Jim Biringer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122783","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=122783"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122783\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}