{"id":52154,"date":"2019-07-22T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2019-07-22T12:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=52154"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:06:37","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:06:37","slug":"nhl-rumours-new-jersey-devils-edmonton-oilers-and-boston-bruins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/07\/22\/nhl-rumours-new-jersey-devils-edmonton-oilers-and-boston-bruins\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, and Boston Bruins"},"content":{"rendered":"

With teams being crunched by salary cap restrictions, and arbitration hearings approaching, NHL rumours are still being volleyed about. For the Monday edition of NHL rumours we will be discussing possibilities for the New Jersey Devils<\/a>, Edmonton Oilers<\/a>, Boston Bruins<\/a>. What moves do these teams anticipate to improve their rosters? Last Word on Hockey<\/a> has you covered.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

New Jersey Devils<\/h3>\n

Rumour: Chris Ryan of NJ.com<\/a> wrote that the New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero<\/strong> is continuing to search for ways to upgrade his roster. Some moves he may explore include trading for Nikita Gusev, signing Jake Gardiner, and finally perhaps working a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jake Gardiner<\/h4>\n

Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>The focus here would be to add Gardiner and create a top pairing for the Devils with P.K. Subban doing his thing on the right side while Jake Gardiner<\/strong><\/a> (30 points in 62 games) can man the left side. While Gardiner may not be terrific when you evaluate his defence, he is a skilled puck-moving defenceman. Just the type of blueliner you’d want getting the puck up to a Jack Hughes<\/strong><\/a> or Taylor Hall<\/strong><\/a>. Gardiner’s price may be starting to deflate as he is still not signed. Shero is playing the waiting game to see if he can acquire the Minnetonka, Minnesota native to head to Jersey.<\/p>\n

Nikita Gusev<\/a><\/h4>\n

Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>While many have noticed Shero already making some great additions such as Jack Hughes<\/strong><\/a>, P.K Subban<\/strong><\/a>, and Wayne Simmonds<\/strong><\/a>… more can be had. Adding Nikita Gusev<\/strong><\/a> who has blossomed in the KHL would supplement his forward line even further. He’s been a prolific scorer posting 82 points in just 62 games last year in the KHL. The problem confronting Shero is, he is not the only one possibly contacting the Vegas Golden Knights regarding a deal. The Vegas Golden Knights<\/a>\u00a0are experiencing some serious cap space issues<\/a>. There doesn’t seem to be a path forward to giving him the $4 million type of deal he seeks.<\/p>\n

Trade With Tampa Bay Lightning<\/h4>\n

Analysis: <\/em>The\u00a0Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> while not as bad off as Vegas in the world of salary cap headaches, is still facing some challenges getting players like Brayden Point<\/a><\/strong> signed. They have $5,576,669 in cap space. But we all know that won’t come close to getting a deal for Point done. The Lightning do have some assets to consider moving. Players like Tyler Johnson<\/strong><\/a>, Ondrej Palat<\/strong> <\/a>or Alex Killorn<\/strong><\/a> come to mind. The Tampa Bay team will need to clear some cap space and they may consider working a deal with the Devils to achieve that goal.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours: Edmonton Oilers<\/h2>\n

Rumour: Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal wrote that the Edmonton Oilers have about $2.4 million of cap space after the Milan Lucic-for-James Neal trade<\/a>. He thinks signing a free agent third-line centre (preferably a right-shot) seems like a reach.<\/em><\/p>\n

Matheson’s colleague David Staples isn’t sure the Oilers want to or should trade defenceman Kris Russell.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Not to start a war, but I’m not so sure Oilers want to or should move Kris Russell.
\nMaybe if you can trade for a 2nd line winger or 3rd line centre.
\nBut Russell is defensively sound d-man, good on bottom pairing, OK if asked to play in Top 4 due to injury — & 77 oft-injured. https:\/\/t.co\/rOO2mJiJkd<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 David Staples (@dstaples) July 20, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n