{"id":55132,"date":"2019-08-29T08:30:09","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T12:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=55132"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:03:25","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:03:25","slug":"nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-edmonton-oilers-philadelphia-flyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/08\/29\/nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-edmonton-oilers-philadelphia-flyers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thursday’s round of\u00a0NHL Rumours\u00a0<\/a>takes a predominantly Canadian twist, as teams north of the border try to wrap up\u00a0situations with disgruntled young players and fragile front offices. Last Word on Hockey is here to bring the latest on these rumblings, as we delve into what the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, Edmonton\u00a0Oilers<\/span><\/a>, and Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> and the 2019 RFA class are working on as the offseason nears its close.<\/span>NHL Rumours<\/p>\n

Toronto Maple Leafs<\/h3>\n

Rumour: Writing for NBC Sports’ Pro Hockey Talk,\u00a0Scott\u00a0Billeck<\/span>\u00a0muses<\/span><\/a>\u00a0on how much longer Leafs coach\u00a0Mike Babcock<\/strong>‘s job might last.<\/em><\/p>\n

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How long\u00a0will will<\/span>\u00a0contract impasse last for\u00a0Marner<\/span>, Maple Leafs?\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/t.co\/mKmdiorFee<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBC\u00a0ProHockeyTalk<\/span>\u00a0(@ProHockeyTalk<\/span>)\u00a0<\/span>August 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Analysis: <\/em>Mike Babcock has seen the team make bounds of progress in his tenure. How much of that is due to his coaching? With a young core of Auston<\/span>\u00a0Matthews<\/span><\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Mitch\u00a0Marner<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0William\u00a0Nylander<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>, and\u00a0Morgan\u00a0Rielly<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(among many others), many expected Toronto to turn into the borderline powerhouse team they are now.<\/p>\n

Not only does good coaching rely on improvement, but it also relies on being able to adapt and learn from your mistakes. Babcock has proven he can coach this team to successful regular seasons. He hasn’t proven that he is flexible enough to work around repeating obstacles that may come up — the most obvious obstacle being the Boston\u00a0Bruins<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.<\/p>\n

Babcock has a stellar track record. However, it was obvious during last year’s playoffs that his coaching style is becoming antiquated. The amount of minutes he dispatched to Ron\u00a0Hainsey<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is a prime example of that. The breaking point is here for Babcock. Toronto’s brass has to have proof, preferably with a playoff series win, that the right fit is Babcock. Otherwise, the Leafs will be forced to look elsewhere, and rightfully so.<\/p>\n

Edmonton\u00a0Oilers<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Rumour: Ryan\u00a0Rishaug<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0TSN<\/span>\u00a0tweets that the\u00a0Oilers<\/span>‘ asking price for maligned forward\u00a0<\/span>Jesse\u00a0Puljujarvi<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is either a top-nine forward with term left on his deal or a prospect with top-nine<\/em> potential and a draft pick in the first two rounds.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Sounds like there is interest out there for J.P. Discussions with several teams have happened in recent weeks, but unless the price is met, my guess is Holland won't pull the trigger. Sense on price is a prospect with top 9 F potential and a draft pick gets it done.. cont<\/p>\n

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) August 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n