{"id":54994,"date":"2019-08-27T08:30:21","date_gmt":"2019-08-27T12:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=54994"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:03:26","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:03:26","slug":"nhl-rumours-capitals-senators-blue-jackets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/08\/27\/nhl-rumours-capitals-senators-blue-jackets\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s time for another edition of our NHL rumours as we draw closer to the start of training camp. Some teams are already planning ahead for their long-term futures. However, some team are worried about the present. We take a look at NHL rumours surrounding the Washington Capitals,<\/a> Ottawa Senators<\/a> and Columbus Blue Jackets.<\/a><\/p>\n

All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

Washington Capitals<\/h2>\n

Rumour: Tom Gulitti of NHL.com said that the Capitals will have preliminary talks <\/a>with centre Nicklas Backstrom<\/a><\/strong> and goalie Braden Holtby<\/a><\/strong>. Both become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season and general manager Brian MacLellan<\/a> wants to get out in front of other teams making offers on the key players.<\/em><\/p>\n

Backstrom said he’s open to signing an extension because Washington is all he knows. Holtby wants to see how the market plays out and would love a deal near that of Carey Price<\/a> <\/strong>or Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a>.<\/strong> Both goalies command over $10 million a season and Holtby thinks he’s worth that.<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis:<\/em> Backstrom will most likely sign with Washington. The 31-year-old could net the maximum eight years that the Caps can sign him. The Swede is one of the cornerstones of Washington’s Stanley Cup run in 2018 and is a valuable component. He currently makes $6.7 million a season and the Capitals are presently up against the salary cap.<\/p>\n

Re-signing Holtby might be a little harder because he wants a significant raise. The Lloydminster, Sask. native makes $6.1 million a season. He is up there amongst the best netminders in the league. MacLellan’s position will depend on the development of the team’s goalie prospects. Both Ilya Samsonov<\/strong> and Vitek Vanecek<\/strong> are eager to take the reins as the goalie of the future. Washington’s GM could roll the dice on one of his prospects if the numbers don’t line up with Holtby.<\/p>\n

Ottawa Senators<\/h2>\n

Rumour: Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Senators are now working on an extension for young defenceman Thomas Chabot<\/a>.<\/strong> This is the next item on Pierre Dorion<\/strong>‘s to-do list after locking down Colin White<\/a><\/strong> to a long-term deal.<\/em><\/p>\n

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GARRIOCH: The Senators are working on a Thomas Chabot extension after signing Colin White https:\/\/t.co\/zfXb4HBccw<\/a> #Sens<\/a> #ottsports<\/a> #ottnews<\/a><\/p>\n

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) August 26, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n