BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Jake DeBrusk (BOS), Nikita Zadorov (CHI), Zdeno Chara (WAS),and more!

This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.

*NEW* What’s the plan for Edmonton’s defense after this season? Check that out here!

*NEW* Are the Edmonton Oilers poised to make a tough trade before next year? Maybe…

NHL Rumors and Speculation

The Athletic: Released their latest Seattle Kraken mock expansion draft and this was what Eric Duhatschek came up with,

• FORWARDS	TEAM
  Alexander Volkov	Ducks
  Matthew Phillips	Flames
  Adam Gaudette	Blackhawks
  Tyson Jost	Avalanche
  Joel L’Esperance	Stars
  Luke Glendening	Red Wings
  Tyler Benson	Oilers
  Joel Armia	Canadiens
  Rocco Grimaldi	Predators
  Andreas Johnsson	Devils
  Kiefer Bellows	Islanders
  Brett Howden	Rangers
  Nick Paul	Senators
  James Van Riemsdyk	Flyers
  Jared McCann	Penguins
  T.J. Oshie	Capitals
  Mason Appleton	Jets

  DEFENSE	TEAM
  Jeremy Lauzon	Bruins
  Colin Miller	Sabres
  Brady Skjei	Hurricanes
  Radko Gudas	Panthers
  Kale Clague	Kings
  Matt Dumba	Wild
  Brent Burns	Sharks
  Vince Dunn	Blues
  Cal Foote	Lightning
  Justin Holl	Maple Leafs

  GOALTENDERS	TEAM
  Adin Hill	Coyotes
  Matiss Kivlenieks	Blue Jackets
  Braden Holtby	Canucks

BLH’s Thoughts: As this pertains to the Edmonton Oilers, my feeling is that they are comfortable with whoever the lose in the expansion draft. Now, that’s not to be misconstrued as them being happy about it. All I’m saying is that the players deemed most important to the future success of the club will be protected and the depth of the organization is at the point where it can afford to to sacrifice one skater.

All that said, I do believe that they’d prefer Seattle take a d-man off of their hands.

Ben Pope (Chicago Sun-Times): The odds of the Blackhawks trading pending RFA Nikita Zadorov this offseason have increased as both bring a similar style. Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman was listening to trade offers on Zadorov at the trade deadline but was looking for more than teams were offering. Will the price come down this offseason?

Fluto Shinzawa (The Athletic): Says that Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk’s future with the team is tied directly to Taylor Hall and him re-signing with the team in the off-season.

• “If Hall and Ritchie return, DeBrusk could stick at right wing, even if the position does not optimize his skills… Another option is trading DeBrusk, especially if Hall and Ritchie are re-upped. If a deal happens before the July 21 expansion draft, the Bruins would want an asset that would not jumble their protection plans. If a trade happens after the Kraken select their inaugural roster, this could expand the Bruins’ market of suitors.”

Jimmy Murphy (FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW): Cited an NHL source suggesting Jake DeBrusk could be odd-man-out, using David Krejci’s improved stats with a real top-six winger like Hall skating alongside him. The source also speculated they could try moving Charlie Coyle’s contract but isn’t sure they can.

BLH’s Thoughts: The DeBrusk-to-Edmonton whispers have already started… I would think there’s a decent chance that a trade could be made IF the Oilers aren’t required to qualify DeBrusk at $4.8M as Bob Stauffer was hinting at on his radio show yesterday.

Mark Spector (Sportsnet) mentioned that this could be another Athanasiou scenario where the Oilers could acquire DeBrusk, who will be an RFA at the end of next season, but he’d need to be qualified at a number much higher than his actual worth in the current NHL economy… 

There’s lots to consider here,

• Edmonton needs another top-six LW
  • Is that person Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or would they let him walk (or move his rights), trade for DeBrusk, and then sign Tomas Tatar?
• Does Holland move a defenseman for DeBrusk?
  • Would that player be Ethan Bear, Evan Bouchard, or Caleb Jones?
  • If it was Bear or Bouchard, would they bring back Tyson Barrie as well as Adam Larsson?

Stan Sweeney (NTR): Patrick Roy has hired a new agent recently, Neil Glasberg at PBI Sports and Entertainment, hoping that Glasberg’s the guy who can land him another dream job. This is the same agent who represents several other coaches and execs, including John Tortorella and Mike Sullivan.

• “He could be a president of hockey ops. He could be a GM. He could be a co-GM. He could be a head coach. It’s going to be situational. That’s the truthful answer. I’d love to give this a shot and see what happens. And if something works out, fantastic. And if it doesn’t, we can’t say we didn’t try. It’s worth taking a shot right now.” – Glasberg

Larry Brooks (NY Post): Says that Zdeno Chara had the Blueshirts on his list of narrowed down choices.

• “The Post has recently learned the Rangers’ effort went way beyond token interest. Indeed, a well-placed source reports that the club was a finalist in the derby, in the hunt until the last minute, when Chara decided he simply could not pass up the opportunity to go for another Cup in Washington.”

Sources: The Athletic, nhlrumors.com, Spector’s Hockey, Daily Goal Horn

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