{"id":60518,"date":"2019-11-03T11:05:26","date_gmt":"2019-11-03T16:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=60518"},"modified":"2022-09-06T15:46:17","modified_gmt":"2022-09-06T19:46:17","slug":"nhl-rumours-new-jersey-devils-winnipeg-jets-coaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/11\/03\/nhl-rumours-new-jersey-devils-winnipeg-jets-coaching\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, Coaching"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re officially through the first month of the season, but the NHL <\/span>rumours<\/span> are still coming. Teams are stuck in salary cap limbo or trying to turn around their flagging fortunes. General managers are under a lot of pressure to make the right deal to keep their respective teams in contention. Today\u2019s NHL <\/span>rumours<\/span> focus on the New Jersey Devils<\/a>, Winnipeg Jets<\/a> and some coaches that may be in trouble.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All NHL <\/span>rumours<\/span> are taken from the original source and are subject to change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

New Jersey Devils<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Rumour: Chris Johnston reported during Saturday night\u2019s Hockey Night in Canada Headlines segment that Taylor Hall<\/a><\/strong> and Devils\u2019 general manager Ray Shero will meet when the team when it heads to Calgary later this week. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Hall is an unrestricted free agent and is looking for a big payday with his next contract. He currently making $6 million and he\u2019ll fetch a lot more. His name has been tossed around plenty in the rumour mill over the last few months as many teams are trying to make his next contract fit under the cap.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/FriedgeHNIC\/status\/1190800764748390401<\/p>\n

Analysis: The Devils are currently in last in the Metropolitan Division with 10 points after many thought they\u2019d be a sleeper playoff pick. New Jersey did try to shore up the <\/a><\/span>defence<\/span> by adding Louis Domingue<\/a> <\/strong>from the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>. However, will that be enough to turn around the club\u2019s fortunes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hall would be an asset to any team and <\/span>Shero<\/span> would do well to lock him up before he hits the open market. The price tag would be a big one for the former Hart Trophy winner.<\/span> This week’s meeting could be critical in taking one of the biggest free agent names off the market.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Winnipeg Jets<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Rumour: Elliotte Friedman on HNIC\u2019s Headlines segment said the Jets and defenceman Dustin Byfuglien<\/a> <\/strong>will likely go to arbitration. Friedman said that things between the two sides have become \u201cemotional\u201d and \u201cheated.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Byfuglien recently had ankle surgery and discovered a broken bone in his foot. The Jets suspended him at the beginning of the season and the Minnesota native mulled retirement at the beginning of the season.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis: Things look to be contentious between the two sides as arbitration looms. Winnipeg contends that the veteran <\/span>defenceman<\/span> didn\u2019t let the club know that he was injured. They said he was deemed fit during that team\u2019s exit physicals. However, Byfuglien\u2019s representatives contend that he planned to play after being injured in the post-season but couldn\u2019t make a go of it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has been very guarded regarding his comments regarding the situation. Byfuglien has already missed out on around $1.4 million this season and he would be due another $6 million for next year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After this is settled, what would Byfuglien\u2019s status be with the team? Would he want to come back and would the Jets have him back? Winnipeg\u2019s <\/span>defence<\/span> has struggled through injuries this season and he would be a steadying force if healthy. Despite his age, he\u2019d probably have a few suitors should the Jets try to deal him.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coaching Deals<\/h2>\n

Rumour: Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (subscription required<\/a>) talked about potential coaches that could be on the move. He listed Jeff Blashill, Bruce Boudreau<\/a>, Paul Maurice as coaches working on expiring deals while Peter DeBoer of the San Jose Sharks<\/a> could be in trouble if the team underperforms.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

On the three head coaches who could be free agents at the end of the season, plus re-visiting the Carey Price protocol situation from Wednesday night. My weekend column:https:\/\/t.co\/KRP8XqDzoy<\/a><\/p>\n

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n