These rumours are the ones we’ve heard about from the last week and from the weeks before. I’ve added some tidbits in there that may hint to future trades.
Edmonton’s goaltending situation
Last week it was all but certain the Edmonton Oilers will be reaching a resolution in goal near the end of January EXTERNALLY.
Well folks, the Oilers may have just found their #1/1A goalie solution INTERNALLY… IF the consistency this current player is showing continues. I am, of course, talking about Stuart Skinner. After a very rough start this season playing as a 1B with Jack Campbell, Stuart Skinner has started to come into his own ever since Kris Knoblauch took over as head coach for Edmonton. He has started to shine considerably. In his last 12 starts, he has gone 10–2–0 with a 2.03 GAA and a .920 save percentage, not including last night’s win where Skinner made 35 saves on 37 shots.
It is seeming more and more likely that Skinner starts to thrive and shine when he is given the duties of a #1 goalie with a capable backup goaltender. AHL veteran, Calvin Pickard, has given the Oilers good games so far and that has helped Skinner’s confidence. Playing the waiting game and giving Stuart a chance to show what he can provide was a very shrewd move by both Ken Holland and Jeff Jackson.
However, I still believe that they are on the hunt for a goalie to replace Pickard. It has been rumoured that the Oilers will resolve the goalie situation near the end of January. But, it may be just for the 1B role and not the starting goalie role (which would be a relief for them). It would also mean top prospect Olivier Rodrigue gets more AHL time to develop.
But regardless of how the goaltending is starting to come around, there is still the question of what will happen to Campbell. Will someone take on his contract or will he be bought out next summer?
Samsonov waived by Toronto
A big goaltending situation has arisen in Toronto. To be honest, it arose when Joseph Woll got injured. Ilya Samsonov has been waived by the Toronto Maple Leafs and this has caused quite a bit of commotion in Leafs Nation. His stats have been worse than Jack Campbell this season (.846 SV%).
So now the Leafs are also looking for a goaltender and have joined the hunt. Toronto does not have much cap space. But with how Samsonov has fallen apart around half way through the season, they may become more desperate. The Oilers had more runway at the beginning. The Leafs don’t have much time or games that they can throw away so we will see where they will head.
Tidbits around the NHL
- It sounds the Maple Leafs and William Nylander are about to sign a contract extension. According to Nick Kypreos from Sportsnet, both want to get a deal done before the All-Star Weekend. It is rumoured to be in the ball park of eight years and $11.25M per year. If this is true, that is quite a lot for a winger and, if Nylander does go into a dry spell, well we know how Leaf fans react.
- From what Bob Stauffer has talked about on Oilers Now last week and what Elliotte Friedman was talking about on Hockey Night in Canada, it sounds like the Oilers target (next to a goaltender) is a #3 centre and a top six winger, preferably for the right wing, with term. There are names that have certainly popped up for both positions: Alex Texier, Josh Anderson, Cam Atkinson, Travis Konecny
- One notable name that I will bring up, based on how much the Oilers have scouted Montreal, is Sean Monahan. He would be the perfect third line centre for Edmonton and he can also play the wing when needed. The Oilers prized him in his draft year and have had interest in him for a very long time. I would not be surprised if Ken Holland has spoken to the Canadiens about acquiring his services.
- Buffalo Sabres waived former top pick Tyson Jost last week. It seems like the BCHL superstar has never been able to find a consistent type of game in the NHL and it sounds like his time is running out.
- The Seattle Kraken waived defenceman Jaycob Megna this week.
- It sounds like Calgary Flames star, Elias Lindholm, has rejected a contract extension from them for seven to eight years for $9M per year. According to Chris Johnston, a very likely destination for him may be the Colorado Avalanche. If what Johnston is saying is true, the Flames may be able to pry a first round pick AND Bowen Byram for Lindholm. If they can get a trade like this done, Flames fans will be very happy.
- This rumour has a chance for legs but it may also be nothing. According to the Twitter account “Spittin Chiclets”, Elias Petterson may make his way to the Chicago Blackhawks next season to play with upcoming superstar Connor Bedard. We will see next summer if this has any chance of occuring. If it does, it creates controversy in Vancouver and a pretty good storyline for the NHL.
What is to come?
I believe that we will see William Nylander sign his long term contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs within the next three to four weeks. I also do believe that Stuart Skinner will continue his consistent play. A lot of interesting storylines are coming for Edmonton and Toronto. We’ll see how the teams will react along with the fans.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
