{"id":122924,"date":"2021-12-24T08:30:45","date_gmt":"2021-12-24T13:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=122924"},"modified":"2021-12-24T17:05:27","modified_gmt":"2021-12-24T22:05:27","slug":"nhl-rumours-devils-canadiens-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/12\/24\/nhl-rumours-devils-canadiens-oilers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the Christmas Eve edition of NHL Rumours! With the season on pause and World Juniors about to be, there are still things off the ice that can be talked about. Especially things involving the NHL schedule. In addition, we look ahead to potential paydays for some unrestricted free agents. In today’s edition of NHL Rumours, we look at the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, and Edmonton Oilers.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

New Jersey Devils<\/h3>\n

Rumour: According to the Dailly Faceoff Show<\/a>, New Jersey Devils forward Jesper Bratt<\/a> can expect a big payday this summer.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis:<\/em> Jesper Bratt is having the best season of his career since his rookie season with the Devils. Bratt is the Devils leading scorer this season with 24 points through 29 games before the season was paused. He is on pace for 68 points this season with the Devils. Bratt is entering the final year of his deal. He currently has a salary-cap hit of $2.75 million. He is expected to hit it big this summer.<\/p>\n

General manager Tom Fitzgerald<\/a> is not afraid of extending players before their contracts are up. Just look when they signed Nico Hischier<\/a> to a seven-year deal and Jack Hughes<\/a> to a new eight-year deal when their entry-level deals were up. If the Devils see Bratt as part of their future, they will have to give him a significant raise. Bratt’s game has been taken to the next level thanks to Dawson Mercer<\/a>. Those two make a great duo. There is no doubt the Devils want to sign Bratt, but what will it cost? Bratt’s agent has to be looking at the Hughes extension to start if not the Hischier contract. Whatever the case, the Devils have their work cut out for them in this negotiating process.<\/p>\n

Montreal Canadiens<\/h3>\n

Rumour: According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, he says if the Montreal Canadiens can’t play their home game with fans, the NHL will look to reschedule some games for later in the season when hopefully fans are in the building.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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If the Habs can’t have any fans at their home games in January (their next home game is Jan. 4), the NHL is looking at the idea of potentially re-scheduling some Habs home games to later in the season when they can (hopefully) have fans in the building. But nothing for sure yet.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 22, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n