BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Dougie Hamilton (CAR), Ilya Kovalchuk (KHL), Milan Lucic (CGY), 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
Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic): Polled 31 coaches and asked them who they thought should be in their top three for the Norris Trophy this season. The results were as follows,
| PLAYER | VOTE TOTALS |
|---|---|
|
79 points (22-6-1)
|
|
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42 (5-11-5)
|
|
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23 (1-6-8)
|
|
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22 (2-5-6)
|
|
|
5 (0-1-3)
|
|
|
4 (0-0-4)
|
|
|
3 (1-0-0)
|
|
|
3 (0-1-1)
|
|
|
2 (0-1-0)
|
|
|
1 (0-0-1)
|
|
|
1 (0-0-1)
|
|
|
1 (0-0-1)
|
|
|
1 (0-0-1)
|
- “For Nurse, it’s a step into a conversation he hasn’t been part of before. And well-deserved for the Oilers blueliner.”
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): The Washington Capitals are wearing thin with regards to forward Evgeny Kuznetsov. Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said they are “working through things inside the room.”
- It sounds like there is a verbal agreement between the Carolina Hurricanes and head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Brind’Amour also wants his assistant coaches, goalie coach, trainers, and equipment people who need contracts to be re-signed as well.
- Avangard Omsk coach Bob Hartley said that Ilya Kovalchuk, who had his KHL contract terminated, wants to play in the NHL again. There is also some interest in Reid Boucher.
Eric Francis (Sportsnet): Calgary Flames forward Milan Lucic has already agreed to waive his no-movement clause for the expansion draft his offseason.
Brody Neufeld (NHL Trade Talk): The Winnipeg Jets will be on the hunt for some UFA defenseman. Who might those be?
- Dougie Hamilton – The Winnipeg Jets could use a guy like Hamilton on their top pair and he would be a real leader and their new power-play quarterback. The defenseman is also only 28 years old and could be a contributor in Winnipeg for at least the next six seasons.
- Mike Reilly – A defeneman like this could play top minutes on the Jets top pair and could also play on the second pair, he’s a very versatile defenseman. Reilly would most likely slot on the second pair with Neal Pionk or on the third pair with Dylan DeMelo.
- Jamie Oleksiak – He’s a very good defensive defenseman which is what the Jets desperately need. He ranks 40th in Even Strength Defense (EVD) among defencemen this season. He would be a second or third pairing guy that would play in those final minutes of close games or against teams top lines.
- Ryan Murray – Ryan Murray has been really good offensively this season on a bad Devils team. He plays around 18 minutes a night and could be a good 2nd pairing offensive guy.
- Jake McCabe – Jake McCabe is a left-shot defenseman who is great in his own end. He would be the perfect guy to play with Neal Pionk. He could also play with DeMelo as two guys that are good defensively.
- Dmitry Kulikov – The Jets have had an experience with Dmitry Kulikov in the past. Maybe they look to bring him back in the mix as a third pairing shutdown guy.
Sources: The Athletic, nhlrumors.com, nhltradetalk.com
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