{"id":435996,"date":"2024-01-07T12:00:27","date_gmt":"2024-01-07T17:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=435996"},"modified":"2024-01-07T09:36:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T14:36:33","slug":"nhl-rumours-calgary-flames-and-pittsburgh-penguins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/01\/07\/nhl-rumours-calgary-flames-and-pittsburgh-penguins\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The buzz swirling around the league is in full effect. Unfortunate injuries have come, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bedarco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Bedard<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hugheja03,hugheja02&amp;search=Jack+Hughes&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Hughes<\/a> will miss time. Both were selected to represent their teams at the 2024 All-Star game in Toronto. Beyond that is the trade deadline and that is where the rumours continue to swirl. Two clubs in the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/12\/21\/nhl-rumours-calgary-flames-and-montreal-canadiens\/\" target=\"_self\"> Calgary Flames<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/01\/04\/nhl-predictions-jan-4-penguins-vs-bruins\/\" target=\"_self\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> have players with expiring contracts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Calgary Flames <\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Rumour: <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/friedgehnic\/status\/1743818808341536910?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elliote Friedman discusses<\/a> that Hanifin and Flames are discussing contract.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Saturday Headlines\/32: Nylander, Bedard\/Hughes, Senators, Flames\/Hanifin, boarding &amp; visors.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WOn7wDoqtc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/WOn7wDoqtc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FriedgeHNIC\/status\/1743818808341536910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Analysis:<\/em> Ahhh just when you thought that the next domino would fall in Calgary. Not so fast. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/conrocr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Craig Conroy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hanifno01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Noah Hanifin<\/a> didn\u2019t agree on a contract. Hanifin wanted to see what the team was going to perform like and take things from there. According to Friedman, it does appear that they are resuming discussions once again. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Friedman says that they are talking but the odds of him signing a longer term deal remain to be seen. Hanifin would be a great building block for the Flames going forward. Although, he will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Hanifin has been linked to the Boston Bruins but a deal like that would be hard for the Bruins to land. Teams such as the New Jersey Devils, who are down <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hamildo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dougie Hamilton<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/siegejo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonas Siegenthaler<\/a> could use a boost on the back end. Furthermore, the Dallas Stars are without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/heiskmi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Miro Heiskanen<\/a>, but are turning to internal options momentarily. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">All eyes will be on the Calgary Flames and how they handle Hanifin and if he\u2019s inclined to stick around. He will be due a significant raise, as he makes $4.85 million. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Rumour: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefourthperiod.com\/pagnotta\/leafs-want-to-have-nylander-deal-done-by-all-star#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Pagnotta from the Fourth Period<\/a> discusses the buzz around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/guentja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Guentzel.<\/a> <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LetsGoPens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#LetsGoPens<\/a> Jake Guentzel&#39;s agent, Ben Hankinson, on the situation with us earlier this hour on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SiriusXMNHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SiriusXMNHL<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe&#39;s on the last year of a deal. The good news is I have a really good relationship with Kyle Dubas. Jake Guentzel is in a great spot. He started his career there. It&#39;s\u2026<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheFourthPeriod\/status\/1743679403853279484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Analysis:<\/em> The next set of NHL Rumours take us east. When Kyle Dubas made the big splash to acquire <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/karlser01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Erik Karlsson<\/a>, all signs pointed to this team contending. Things have not been the prettiest in Pittsburgh but this team is still in the thick of things for a playoff race. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crosbsi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sidney Crosby<\/a> is having a great season, as he is aging like a fine wine and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/malkiev01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evgeni Malkin<\/a> is still just as dynamic. The Penguins currently sit two points out of the second wild card spot, which puts Dubas is a strange predicament. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Star winger Jake Guentzel is a pending free agent. Guentzel is having a strong year with the Penguins, as he ranks second in goals (18) and first in points (43). He is a key component to the offensive attack but with an expiring contract it begs the question what Dubas does with him at the deadline. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">According to Pagnotta, as long as the Penguins are in the playoff race Dubas will not move him. Contract talks are expected to pick up and rightfully so. with signing Crosby, Malkin, and Letang trying to win one more championship with that trio is the ultimate goal. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Guentzel is a player that makes the team better and with the salary cap rising, keeping him in the fold is huge for the Penguins going forward. But if he is not inclined to sign and they don\u2019t move him, the team runs into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gaudrjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-01-06_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnny Gaudreau<\/a> situation. Buckle up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The buzz swirling around the league is in full effect. Unfortunate injuries have come, as Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes will miss time. Both were selected to represent their teams at the 2024 All-Star game in Toronto. Beyond that is the trade deadline and that is where the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4194,"featured_media":435997,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_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":[22,4547,4548,12,4321],"tags":[5814,5481,906,1696,3351,6023],"class_list":["post-435996","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flames","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-penguins","category-rumours","tag-calgary-flames-rumours","tag-craig-conroy","tag-jake-guentzel","tag-kyle-dubas","tag-noah-hanifin","tag-pittsburgh-penguins-rumors"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435996","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\/4194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435996"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435996\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435996"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435996"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435996"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}