{"id":66267,"date":"2020-01-18T08:30:38","date_gmt":"2020-01-18T13:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=66267"},"modified":"2020-12-21T14:59:41","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T19:59:41","slug":"nhl-rumours-oilers-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/01\/18\/nhl-rumours-oilers-leafs\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NHL season is midway through and things are heating up. This has sparked plenty of NHL rumours<\/a>, adding to the excitement of the mid-season. As long as NHL rumours remain around, Last Word on Hockey will look to keep fans up to date. Today, we will cover rumours surrounding the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> and Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

Edmonton Oilers<\/h3>\n

Rumour<\/em>: Per Marc Spector, the Edmonton Oilers and pending-free agent Zack Kassian<\/a><\/strong> are on the brink of a contract extension.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/SportsnetSpec\/status\/1218251253643268096?s=20<\/p>\n

Analysis<\/em>: Kassian’s dramatics aside, he has had a very strong season. It’s been a breakout year for a 26-year-old that has been a strong contributor to the Oilers for many years. Now, he is finally finding the score sheet. Through 44 games this year, Kassian’s 28 points are only one shy of his career-high 29, which he set in 73 games in the 2013-14 season. His 28 points this year have come from 13 goals and 15 assists, putting him on pace for 24 goals, 27 assists, and 51 points through 82 games.<\/p>\n

While this isn’t a jaw-dropping year, it’s impressive considering Kassian’s gritty, team-first-scoring-second mentality. His play has been an attractive boost to an Oilers team that, despite Connor McDavid<\/a><\/strong> and Leon Draisaitl<\/a><\/strong>‘s theatrics, has relied on supporting roles to carry them to the Wild Card spot they currently occupy. Locking up one of these supporting roles in Kassian will be incredibly valuable. With that said, Kassian’s party is clearly aware of this. With his importance to the team and recent boom in scoring, the Oilers will need to walk a very fine line if they want to ink Kassian to a deal that pleases him yet stays modestly priced.<\/p>\n

Toronto Maple Leafs<\/h3>\n

Rumour<\/em>: Darren Dreger noted that the Leafs are among the teams interested in New York Rangers’<\/a> goaltender Alexandar Georgiev<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Mentioned in the pregame show, the Leafs among the teams that have inquired about Rangers goalie Alexander Georgiev. No offer made. New York needs a lot to move him.<\/p>\n

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 17, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n