{"id":50245,"date":"2019-06-29T08:00:38","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=50245"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:09:44","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:09:44","slug":"nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/06\/29\/nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-2\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another edition of NHL rumours. Free agent frenzy is only days away and speculation around the league is heating up. Today\u2019s rumours focus on some of the league\u2019s biggest teams, including the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/oilers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>All of our NHL\u00a0rumours\u00a0are\u00a0subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n<h2>Toronto Maple Leafs<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour: We start off NHL rumours with Sportsnet&#8217;s Chris Johnston reporting that Kyle Dubas and the Leafs &#8220;would love&#8221; to bring back pending UFA\u00a0<\/em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hainsro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ron Hainsey<\/a><\/strong>. While Dubas expressed interest in keeping the defenseman in Toronto, he fears the price on Hainsey might be too high.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/leafs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#leafs<\/a> would love to bring back Ron Hainsey, according to Kyle Dubas. But he thinks they may get priced out of the market for the veteran D.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/reporterchris\/status\/1144672677254389760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>The fate of the Maple Leafs free agent activity lies in the hands of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marnemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitch Marner<\/a><\/strong>. Until the team finds a resolution to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/05\/30\/mitch-marner-contract\/\" target=\"_self\">pending RFA&#8217;s contract conundrum<\/a>, they are unlikely to sign any additional players. This includes former players such as Hainsey.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/06\/28\/toronto-maple-leafs-re-sign-kasperi-kapanen\/\" target=\"_self\">recent re-signings<\/a> of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapanka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kasperi Kapanen<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnsan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andreas Johnsson<\/a><\/strong> make keeping Hainsey in Toronto even more complicated. As is stands, the Leafs have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.capfriendly.com\/teams\/mapleleafs\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">less than $7 million in cap space<\/a> heading into next season. With a Marner deal yet to be completed, it&#8217;s safe to say retaining Hainsey is not top priority for Dubas.<\/p>\n<p>If the numbers don&#8217;t make sense and Hainsey moves on, the Leafs need to look internally for help on defense. With fellow UFA <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gardija01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Gardiner<\/a><\/strong> likely on his way out of Leaf land as well, there are two big holes on the backend. Expect some combination of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rosenca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calle Rosen<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hollju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Holl<\/a><\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/12\/03\/toronto-maple-leafs-prospect-rasmus-sandin-finding-success-in-ahl\/\" target=\"_self\"><strong>Rasmus Sandin<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/03\/05\/toronto-maple-leafs-timothy-liljegren-2\/\" target=\"_self\"><strong>Timothy Liljegren<\/strong><\/a> to fill the void for Toronto.<\/p>\n<h2>Chicago Blackhawks<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour: The Athletic&#8217;s Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus believe Chicago is interested in a pair of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/knights\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> forwards and pending UFA&#8217;s in<\/em>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/carpery01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Carpenter<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><em>and\u00a0<\/em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bellepi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pierre-Edouard Bellemare<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">As the Blackhawks enter free agency, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarkLazerus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@MarkLazerus<\/a> &amp; I share what we&#39;ve heard as of late and some thoughts on their offseason so far. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/R5T4rGtWeM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/R5T4rGtWeM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ByScottPowers\/status\/1144719491059916811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>Hawks General Manager Stan Bowman has never been afraid to make a splash in the offseason. Having already acquired <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dehaaca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calvin de Haan<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/maattol01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Olli Maatta<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/q\/quennjo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Quenneville<\/a><\/strong> in recent weeks, Bowman is likely just getting started.<\/p>\n<p>Two of Chicago&#8217;s biggest issues in 2018-19 were their backend and depth in their bottom six forwards. Adding Maatta and De Haan has helped find a possible solution for the latter. Acquiring Bellemare or Carpenter could help round out the Blackhawks bottom six.<\/p>\n<p>Although neither forward is the flashiest free agent on the market, Chicago could be involved beyond simply adding depth players. As of now, the Hawks have roughly $12 million in cap space for 2019-20.<\/p>\n<p>As the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/04\/26\/chicago-blackhawks-core-running-out-of-time\/\" target=\"_self\">window begins to close for Chicago&#8217;s core<\/a> to win it all one last time, they have the flexibility to make a splash this summer. With rumours of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/hockey\/nhl\/nhl-rumour-roundup-sharks-joe-pavelski-move\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blackhawks having interest in some big name free agents<\/a>, particularly\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/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>,<\/strong>\u00a0expect Bowman to be a big possible spender come July 1st.<\/p>\n<h2>Edmonton Oilers<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour: Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic notes the Oilers have reached out to UFA\u00a0<\/em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/boylebr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian Boyle<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>ahead of July 1st in hopes of adding the veteran Center.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Boyle camp I believe has heard from 5-6 teams and Edmonton is indeed one of them <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LlunbM2Cdi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/LlunbM2Cdi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PierreVLeBrun\/status\/1144631974436511745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>Centers <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/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><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nugenry01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins<\/a><\/strong> give Edmonton two solid options in the middle. Beyond this duo, depth at center was a concern in 2018-19. As a result, help at the forward position should be high on the Oilers lengthy list of needs this offseason.<\/p>\n<p>Boyle is an intriguing option for Edmonton coming off an impressive 18 goal season. Beyond his knack for finding the net, the veteran Center is capable of killing penalties and is responsible in his own end in all situations. The Oilers interest in Boyle makes sense beyond his offensive production considering their 30th ranked PK in 2018-19.<\/p>\n<p>The question remains whether the 34-year-old Boyle has interest in Edmonton. It&#8217;s likely Boyle would prefer to sign with a contender. Given he may have just a few years remaining to win it all before calling it a career. Perhaps the opportunity to join a young group led by McDavid could be enough for Boyle to take his talents to Oil Country.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s it for today\u2019s NHL rumours. Check back again for a new batch of rumours and analysis at Last Word on Hockey.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"ipx3CHT5RDBVknnzLXae9g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/1140488510\" 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:'ipx3CHT5RDBVknnzLXae9g',sig:'ZyCYxPUM1ud16lpjWp5F8Ge0Gah6zZfxHLxkm4a1Dtw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1140488510',caption: true ,tld:'ca',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another edition of NHL rumours. Free agent frenzy is only days away and speculation around the league is heating up. Today\u2019s rumours focus on some of the league\u2019s biggest teams, including the\u00a0Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks. All of our NHL\u00a0rumours\u00a0are\u00a0subject to change. NHL Rumours Toronto Maple Leafs Rumour: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2966,"featured_media":50276,"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":[2,27,23,4321,18],"tags":[1280,246,138,5715,1618,1282,3905,72],"class_list":["post-50245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-blackhawks","category-oilers","category-rumours","category-leafs","tag-brian-boyle","tag-chicago-blackhawks","tag-edmonton-oilers","tag-nhl-rumors","tag-pierre-edouard-bellemare","tag-ron-hainsey","tag-ryan-carpenter","tag-toronto-maple-leafs"],"modified_by":"Alex Metzger, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50245","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\/2966"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50245"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50245\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}