These rumours are the ones we’ve heard about from the last week and from the weeks’ before. Along with the rumours are some signings and trades. I’ve added some tidbits in there that may hint to future trades.
Nylander signing: success or disaster?
It was reported yesterday (by Pierre Lebrun) that William Nylander had signed a long term extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs for eight-years, $11.5M per year. In total, this contract is for $92M. The contract also has a full no movement clause (NMC) and it’s been also confirmed that $69M of this total is a signing bonus. This is a big plus for the Leafs in case they ever have to buyout Nylander in the future. Should Leaf fans be happy, nervous or terrified of what’s to come after this?
Now, the Leafs have more than 65% of their total cap tied up in only four roster players (albeit some very good players) and they still require help on defence and especially in goaltending. So, unless the Leafs want to score their way to success, they have to find help quick in their weaknesses. But this help can’t be very expensive. They may have just put themselves in a pit that is unclimbable. In my opinion, the Leafs should never have signed John Tavares to his contract. It seemed like a fan signing at the time and it is leading to more problems.
Will the Oilers roll their success into more additions?
The Edmonton Oilers have been on a roll. Officially, they are now in a playoff spot and have lots of games in hand on their opponents. As a matter of fact, they have an ample amount of games left to perhaps even become the Pacific Division leaders. Oilers have gone 15–3–0 in their last 18 games and they have the best winning percentage in the league. Now this brings forward the question for any potential trades the team can use to boost their lineup and help fix some problems they have had.
Based on an excellent article written by Pierre Lebrun on The Athletic, it sounds like Ken Holland definitely has some moves in mind. The teams pro scout meetings are to happen in the next two weeks so they will know which areas will need to be addressed. But based on what I reported last week, there really is no doubt on where they will tend to first: goaltending.
Stuart Skinner has been fantastic since that disappointing loss to Carolina 18 games ago. Ever since then, he has taken on the role of the starter and has not looked back. His numbers have improved steadily game by game and, in my opinion, he has shown the coaching staff that there is no need for a starting goaltender. Calvin Pickard has done an excellent job as a backup as well. However, the Oilers will not rest with that. They are certainly in the hunt for a 1B goaltender.
Pierre Lebrun also reported on his Athletic article that we can put the Jack Campbell trade rumours to bed now. From the Athletic article, Lebrun states, “I don’t see any likely scenario in which EDM moves Campbell before the trade deadline. It would probably cost two first-round picks to get a team to eat a deal that has three more years at $5M. That’s going to have to wait until the summer, whether a buyout or not.”
- So for Oiler fans who thought Campbell would be gone before the deadline to acquire cap space, I’m sorry but it just is not going to happen because of how much the cost is. I believe that we would be speaking differently on this situation if the Oilers hadn’t gone on this great run.
- I believe Elvis Merzlikins to Edmonton is not a possibility if Campbell cannot be moved. Therefore, Columbus may look elsewhere to move him.
- In terms of which goaltenders the Oilers may look at, I think they will be looking at lower salary goaltenders now since Campbell is very unlikely to be moved. Some goalies I could see the Oilers circling are Marc Andre Fleury, Cayden Primeau, James Reimer, and Jake Allen.
From the Oilers Panel that includes Jack Michaels, Tony Brar, and Bob Stauffer, it is also believed that they are looking for another top six winger and a third line centre (in the Sean Monahan variety).
- Another interesting development to take into note is the pairing of Brett Kulak and Vincent Desharnais. As the games have gone on, I’ve noticed that Desharnais ice time and special teams play has steadily increased while Kulaks has decreased. This is a very good sign in terms of development for Desharnais as he is now edging by Kulak to become the team’s #5 defenceman.
- If this continues and, with the way Philip Broberg has taken over the Condors defence in the AHL, could it mean a chance to move Kulak to acquire more cap space ($2.75M) and give Broberg a shot to be the mainstay as their #6 defenceman?
- Kulak has been great in the playoffs for Edmonton, but last season the Oilers moved one of their top Dmen in Tyson Barrie to make room for Evan Bouchard to be the power play quarterback, and bring in Mattias Ekholm. Could the Oilers do the same thing here by opening up room for Broberg and acquiring enough cap space to get a top third line centre or top six winger?
Tidbits around the NHL
- An intriguing trade between the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers was done today. The Ducks traded promising defenceman, Jamie Drysdale, and a second-round pick in 2025 to the Flyers for top five prospect Cutter Gauthier.
- It was reported earlier by Frank Seravalli that Cutter Gauthier did not want to play for Philadelphia and he hadn’t been communicating with General Manager, Daniel Briere, in the last 48 hours.
- When Cutter was drafted, he said he was built to be a Flyer and that he always wanted to play for the team his mother grew up in. Now, ever since last summer, Gauthier has been adamant in not playing for Philadelphia. He did not show up for rookie camp either this summer. Flyer fans won’t like what he has done. But, the Flyers got the best offer they could.
- At 19 years of age, Cutter Gauthier has scored 13 goals and 10 assists in 17 games for Boston College. He is considered a top three prospect outside of the NHL.
- The Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenceman Phil Kemp from the AHL. This is his first call up of the season and a much earned one. He has been very hardworking for the Condors and he’s become a top four Dman for them. Last season, he broke out for five goals and 16 assists. This season so far, Kemp has scored five assists in 26 games.
- Elliotte Friedman spoke about Elias Petterson not signing a long term extension with Vancouver. He believes it is not out of the realm of possibility of Petterson leaving and find a new home (perhaps in Chicago?).
- Rick Dhaliwal reported that the Vancouver Canucks have their eyes set on acquiring Jordan Greenway. This seems more like a deadline deal but this is a kind of player the Canucks need more of. He would provide great support for Dakota Joshua and Greenway is a skilled winger who, in my opinion, can still provide scoring, in a secondary role, on a second line. But, as we all know, he is a physical beast who can agitate the best of players. I am a very big fan of the player.
- On January 6, Chicago traded away a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick for Pittsburgh depth winger, Rem Pitlick. Based on the injuries the Blackhawks have sustained, this is a smart move by them as they can barely ice a team consistently.
- According to Elliotte Friedman, the team to watch, in terms of trades, are the Ottawa Senators. We will see what materializes out of the Canada’s capital city as the team has an assortment of great players but seem to be headed nowhere.
- In terms of the Colorado Avalanche goaltending, we are seeing a consistent amount of poor play materialize game by game. This may spark their management to make a move for a goaltender.
- Jake Allen’s name is getting repeated a lot out there. It is only a matter of time until we see him moved and I still believe the Edmonton Oilers have strong interest in him.
- As reported last week, the Oilers also have interest in Sean Monahan.
Where are we headed
It is getting more exciting as we have reached January. With the All-Star Weekend coming out, more rumours and resolutions will start to come out. The deadline is nearing and we may be headed for a more exciting deadline compared to last year. The Oilers goaltending resolution is coming soon as it was reported by Bob Stauffer that near the end of January is when we will see a change in the Oilers 1B position.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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