{"id":31463,"date":"2018-06-22T07:00:23","date_gmt":"2018-06-22T11:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=31463"},"modified":"2020-12-21T14:44:54","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T19:44:54","slug":"nhl-off-season-rumours-max-pacioretty-ilya-kovalchuk-joe-thornton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/06\/22\/nhl-off-season-rumours-max-pacioretty-ilya-kovalchuk-joe-thornton\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Off-Season Rumours: Max Pacioretty, Ilya Kovalchuk, Joe Thornton"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019re rocketing toward the NHL Draft and the start of free agency, which means our NHL off-season rumours kick into high-gear. Today we talk about the futures of\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pacioma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Max Pacioretty<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kovalil01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ilya Kovalchuk<\/a><\/strong> and<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/thornjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Thornton<\/a><\/strong>. Plus, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/oilers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> are dangling the 10<sup>th<\/sup> selection in the draft.<\/p>\n<p>These rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h2>Max Pacioretty<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour:<\/em> Frank Seravalli on<em> TSN\u2019s insider Trading<\/em> said to keep an eye on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a> forward. The New Canaan, Conn. native is asking for the a six to eight-year deal and general manger <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/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><\/strong> doesn\u2019t appear ready to give it to him.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">TRADE BAIT: Max Pacioretty talk is heating up for <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Habs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Habs<\/a> on the eve of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NHLDraft<\/a>. More with the latest Top 25: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kEnWsodSJh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/kEnWsodSJh<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TSN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#TSN<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Kk6ycv0aMM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Kk6ycv0aMM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/frank_seravalli\/status\/1009829023617355777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Teams like the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/kings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/sabres\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Buffalo Sabres<\/a> are in play for him. Buffalo apparently has Max Pacioretty on top of their wish list, according to Jeff Marek.<\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> Pacioretty has one more year left on his current deal and the Habs don\u2019t want to let him walk away for nothing. Kings GM <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/blakero01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rob Blake<\/a><\/strong> needs to add some scoring punch and Pacioretty would fit the bill.<\/p>\n<p>Buffalo general manager <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/botteja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Botterill<\/a><\/strong> is trying to shake up his team and would fill a need for a talented left winger. The cupboard is bare at that position and Pacioretty would be an excellent addition.<\/p>\n<h2>Ilya Kovalchuk<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour:<\/em> <em>TSN<\/em>\u2019s Darren Dreger reported that the four teams have turned in offers for the Russian forward. Dreger said that the Kings, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/sharks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">San Jose Sharks<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/bruins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Boston Bruins<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/knights\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> are in the mix.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Offers made on Ilya Kovalchuk. LA believed to be among them. Kings, Boston and San Jose and Vegas still in the mix.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DarrenDreger\/status\/1009908899112243200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> Kovalchuk would be a boost to any of those four teams with his scoring prowess. He still has plenty of offensive punch in his games. As mentioned earlier, the Kings need some offense and Kovalchuk would fill the bill.<\/p>\n<p>The other three teams made the Stanley Cup playoffs last season and Kovalchuk wishes to go to a contender. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.<\/p>\n<h2>Joe Thornton<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour:<\/em> Paul Gackle of <em>The San Jose Mercury News<\/em> said that Sharks general manager <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wilsodo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Doug Wilson<\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mercurynews.com\/2018\/06\/19\/sharks-trade-forward-boedker-for-ottawa-bad-boy\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">would like to re-sign Thornton<\/a> in what could be his final contract. The article also said that Wilson wants to sign restricted free agents\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/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><\/strong>,<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tiernch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Tierney<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/demeldy01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan DeMelo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: Thornton is 38 years-old, but he was missed during San Jose\u2019s playoff run. He\u2019s still great making plays and winning faceoffs. The Sharks have room to offer Thornton a contract after clearing out <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/boedkmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikkel Boedker<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s burdensome contract.<\/p>\n<h2>Edmonton Oilers<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour:<\/em> Team general manager Peter Chiarelli said that he\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/hockey\/nhl\/chiarelli-weighing-trading-draft-pick-letting-oilers-evolve-naturally\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">willing to trade the 10<sup>th<\/sup> overall selection<\/a> at the upcoming draft. The news came during his media availability on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> Chiarelli said that he\u2019d trade the pick if he got a quality player in return. He is looking for a good defenseman to shore up that blueline unit that took a nosedive this season.<\/p>\n<p>Chiarelli is one year away from finishing second in general manager of the year voting, but the pressure is building on him to get the Oilers back into contention.<\/p>\n<p>Main Image Credit:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/960211698\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 65.31986% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/960211698?et=M4D-0_I6R_l9VwocDKlbXQ&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=iWKfaD4VM-yJYago0aWzNxAp1RqVR3YLQQTEltKqUls=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"388\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019re rocketing toward the NHL Draft and the start of free agency, which means our NHL off-season rumours kick into high-gear. Today we talk about the futures of\u00a0Max Pacioretty, Ilya Kovalchuk and Joe Thornton. Plus, the Edmonton Oilers are dangling the 10th selection in the draft. These rumours are taken from the original source and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":31476,"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":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5,3,23,24,4321,25,807],"tags":[90,182,2913,138,1624,1635,332,78,264,353,152,5715,1522,1566,117,961],"class_list":["post-31463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canadiens","category-bruins","category-sabres","category-oilers","category-kings","category-rumours","category-sharks","category-vegas-golden-knights","tag-boston-bruins","tag-buffalo-sabres","tag-doug-wilson","tag-edmonton-oilers","tag-ilya-kovalchuk","tag-jason-botterill","tag-joe-thornton","tag-los-angeles-kings","tag-marc-bergevin","tag-max-pacioretty","tag-montreal-canadiens","tag-nhl-rumors","tag-peter-chiarelli","tag-rob-blake","tag-san-jose-sharks","tag-vegas-golden-knights"],"modified_by":"Tyger Allen, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31463","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=31463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}