{"id":57185,"date":"2019-09-24T08:30:16","date_gmt":"2019-09-24T12:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=57185"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:03:05","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:03:05","slug":"nhl-rumours-blackhawks-sabres-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/09\/24\/nhl-rumours-blackhawks-sabres-oilers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;re less than 10 days away from the start of the regular season. There are still NHL rumours to be had despite plenty of restricted free agents signing contracts. Training camp battles are coming down to the wire and we could see some roster shuffling. Today we have NHL rumours on the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/devils\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> New Jersey Devils<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/sabres\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">, Buffalo Sabres<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/oilers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edmonton Oilers.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n<h3>New Jersey Devils<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Are the Devils and former Hart Trophy winner <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hallta02,hallta01&amp;search=Taylor+Hall&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Taylor Hall<\/a><\/strong> making traction on a new deal? TSN&#8217;s Insider Trading segment said that Hall&#8217;s agent Darren Ferris met with Devils general manager Ray Shero over the weekend. Darren Dreger said progress may have been made between the two sides.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">INSIDER TRADING: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TSNHockey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#TSNHockey<\/a> Insiders discuss&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfd2 How Point\u2019s deal got done<br \/>\ud83c\udfd2 Latest on Laine and remaining RFAs<br \/>\ud83c\udfd2 Update on Jets\/Byfuglien<br \/>\ud83c\udfd2 Devils making traction on Hall contract?<br \/>\ud83c\udfd2 Momentum on CBA talks <\/p>\n<p>WATCH \ud83c\udf0d: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aT5dUarQ7G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/aT5dUarQ7G<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HpzzkbOp8u\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/HpzzkbOp8u<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSNHockey\/status\/1176258368685641728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 23, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Dreger added that Hall has liked the moves Shero has made in the off-season, including the deals for <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/subbapk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">P.K. Subban<\/a> <\/strong>and <strong>Nikita Gusev<\/strong>. He said Hall has been pleased with how professional the team has been in addressing some of the problem areas and a deal could get done sooner rather than later.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Analysis: Shero would do well to prevent Hall from hitting the open market because former league MVP would command top dollar. Hall currently gets $6 million per season in salary. The Devils missed Hall last season due to injury and it showed in the standings.<\/p>\n<p>Shero has been busy this off-season and the Devils are a sexy pick to make some noise in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/2019\/09\/20\/2019-20-metropolitan-division-preview\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Metropolitan Division<\/a> and in the Eastern Conference. The Calgary native wanted to wait and see what the New Jersey GM would do and he&#8217;s delivered a much-improved squad. The moves may be enough to keep Hall at The Rock for a while.<\/p>\n<p>There are still be some negotiations left to do, but Hall seems to be open committing to the Devils.<\/p>\n<h3>Chicago Blackhawks<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Scott Powers of The Athletic (Subscription required) <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/1232732\/2019\/09\/23\/when-the-times-comes-well-get-something-done-alex-debrincat-hopes-for-easy-blackhawks-negotiation\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">speculated on the upcoming contract negotiations<\/a> between emerging star <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/debrial01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex DeBrincat<\/a><\/strong> and the team. The 21-year-old said he hopes for easy negotiations, but understands why young RFAs are standing their ground.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>He said he sees both sides of the story, but wants to be out on the ice and not sitting at home for the start of next year&#8217;s training camp. DeBrincat becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the coming season.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2018When the times comes, we\u2019ll get something done\u2019: Alex DeBrincat hopes for easy Blackhawks negotiation, ICYMI  <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aEVGhHZ0dG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/aEVGhHZ0dG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ByScottPowers\/status\/1176287717367455744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 24, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Analysis: The Farmington Hills, Mich. native has plenty of types of deals to work from depending on what he wants. He and agent Jeff Jackson will wait to see what other contracts from remaining RFAs <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/connoky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Connor<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lainepa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrik Laine<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tkachma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Tkachuk<\/a><\/strong> for comparable numbers.<\/p>\n<p>DeBrincat could get a bridge deal similar to what <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/boesebr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brock Boeser<\/a> <\/strong>got from the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canucks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a>. The impending collective bargaining agreement may have RFAs take shorter terms to score big money. Players like Boeser, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pointbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brayden Point<\/a><\/strong> and others counting on more TV money.<\/p>\n<p>The young Blackhawks forward could opt for the security of a longer-term like <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nylanwi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Nylander<\/a>, <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>and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pastrda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Pastrnak<\/a> <\/strong>did. All left some money on the table, but they got a longer deal that secured more money upfront. They won&#8217;t have to sweat coming with big seasons three or four years from now.<\/p>\n<p>General manager Stan Bowman will have some decisions to make but will have some space after deciding between goalies <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lehnero01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robin Lehner<\/a> <\/strong>or <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crawfco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Corey Crawford<\/a>.<\/strong> That money and a hopefully bigger cap number will go towards keeping DeBrincat in the Windy City.<\/p>\n<h3>Buffalo Sabres<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Paul Hamilton of WGR 550 in Buffalo said that the Sabres are experimenting with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/johanma03.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Johansson<\/a><\/strong> at the second centre spot. The Swede hasn&#8217;t played centre in a couple of seasons but is fine with the move. He&#8217;s been on a line with fellow countryman <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/olofsvi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Victor Olofsson<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"zxx\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VcIDE9YkY4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/VcIDE9YkY4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/pham1717\/status\/1176190380490022913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 23, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>If the move works, it could mean that <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitteca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Casey Mittelstadt<\/a> <\/strong>might be going to AHL Rochester. The young Minnesotan struggled at the second pivot spot and could gain confidence with the Americans.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Analysis: Sabres fans may be hesitant to see another winger get moved to the centre position. Some will remember the failed <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/leinovi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ville Leino<\/a><\/strong> experiment from a few seasons back. That moved was against Leino&#8217;s wishes, but Johansson seems to be agreeable to it.<\/p>\n<p>He knows there will be some tough nights at the circle, but he&#8217;s willing to work at getting his team first crack at possession. According to Hamilton, Johansson won 8 out of 20 draws. Johansson will have to keep up a solid 200-foot game as there is much more to centre than just winning draws.<\/p>\n<p>Mittelstadt might be the odd man out and the Sabres would send him down to get his bearings. He&#8217;s had a slow start to the pre-season and he knows he has to play better. A roster spot could be depending on it. He mightly struggled last season after expectations were set very high due to his solid final year in College.<\/p>\n<h3>Edmonton Oilers<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Allan Mitchell of The Athletic (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/1231118\/2019\/09\/22\/matt-benning-may-be-vulnerable-to-a-trade-as-ken-holland-works-to-tweak-oilers-roster\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscription required<\/a>) said that <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bennima01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Benning<\/a> <\/strong>could be a moveable asset. General manager<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hollake01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ken Holland<\/a><\/strong> would love to improve the third-line centre spot and Benning could help get that for Edmonton. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Analysis: The Oilers right side of the future seems to be set with options like <strong>Joel Persson, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bearet01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ethan Bear<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bouchev01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evan Bouchard<\/a><\/strong>. That means Benning could be the odd man out due to his RFA status and slow start to the pre-season. Holland may decide to show patience and wait for the right offer.<\/p>\n<p>Benning&#8217;s cap hit would be easy to digest at $1.9 million for the upcoming season. That kind of number for a defenceman that may be on the second pair is enticing. He&#8217;s been fairly solid at all three phases of the game.<\/p>\n<p>The Oilers defensive core seems set with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/klefbos01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oscar Klefbom<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/larssad01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Adam Larsson<\/a> <\/strong>and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nurseda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darnell Nurse<\/a>.<\/strong> The emergence of Persson may squeeze out Benning and force a deal. However, Holland won&#8217;t be hasty and they&#8217;ll be patient.<\/p>\n<p>New head coach <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tippeda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dave Tippett<\/a><\/strong> will likely put Benning on the third pair for now and hope Benning can give some good bottom-pair minutes. Benning showed plenty of promise before suffering an injury in Feb. 2017.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2019\/08\/gettyimages-Taylor-Hall.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>NEWARK, NEW JERSEY &#8211; NOVEMBER 21: Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils takes the puck in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center on November 21, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;re less than 10 days away from the start of the regular season. There are still NHL rumours to be had despite plenty of restricted free agents signing contracts. Training camp battles are coming down to the wire and we could see some roster shuffling. Today we have NHL rumours on the New Jersey Devils, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":53345,"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":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4321,3,27,23,2,13],"tags":[1046,182,927,246,138,571,2002,3444,229,151,5715,3877,2522,194],"class_list":["post-57185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rumours","category-sabres","category-blackhawks","category-oilers","category-featured","category-devils","tag-alex-debrincat","tag-buffalo-sabres","tag-casey-mittelstadt","tag-chicago-blackhawks","tag-edmonton-oilers","tag-ken-holland","tag-marcus-johansson","tag-matt-benning","tag-mitch-marner","tag-new-jersey-devils","tag-nhl-rumors","tag-nhl-rumours","tag-ray-shero","tag-taylor-hall"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57185","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\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57185\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}