How Would Rogers Place Sound on Opening Night If Edmonton Brought Back These Two Players?

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

From NHLRumors.com

Hamilton interested in the Maple Leafs?

@Account4Hockey: (thread) Elliott Friedman on Sportsnet 590 on pending UFA Dougie Hamilton and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Some people have told me that yes (Hamilton) would be interested in playing in Toronto because obviously, he has a hometown connection here. I’ve had people say to me that, who know Hamilton or who have been around Hamilton, they’re not convinced this is the best place for him.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Dougie Hamilton in Toronto, eh? Sounds like the sequel to the Larry Murphy movie that happened in the 90s…

A Leafs – Hyman split

@Account4Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 on Toronto Maple Leafs pending UFA forward Zach Hyman.

“It’s pretty clear to me that this is going to be an enormous challenge to bring (Hyman) back.

BLH’s Thoughts: Friedman has been using that same verbiage when talking about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ contract negotiations in Edmonton…

Now, if you’re the Oilers and you’ve done your homework with regards to the teams around the league who’d have interest in RNH and his comparables, how much more are you willing to give Hyman over Nuge or Taylor Hall for that matter?

We know that Edmonton has interest in Hyman, but if they’re going to chase him, they’ve really got to get this offer right because if they f*ck it up, the ramifications will be felt for many years.

I know I’ve had strong feelings against Edmonton bringing back Taylor Hall but I think the tsunami of support the organization would feel if he came back along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be enormously profitable for the Oilers in more ways that just financial. Can you imagine how loud Rogers Place would be on opening night when 10,000 fans or more have filled that place to see the boys come back for another go at the Cup?

Sabres notes on Eichel

Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News: The Sabres would need to get at least one experienced player in any Eichel trade package. Moving Eichel’s contract gives them flexibilty. IE: the Sabres could take on the LA Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick ($5.8 million) if it meant they could acquire Alex Turcotte, Gabe Vilardi, another prospect and a first-round pick.

BLH’s Thoughts: That is a helluva haul for Eichel, I must say. Now, I’ve been reading that the Kings are looking to make some real big moves this summer (Seth Jones and top-six LWers in addition to adding Captain Jack?), do they have that much faith in Cal Petersen that Jonathan Quick could be moved out?

From Spector’s Hockey

COYOTES ATTEMPTING TO TRADE EKMAN-LARSSON AGAIN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Arizona Coyotes will try again to trade defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They attempted to deal their 29-year-old captain last fall but he only agreed to waive his no-movement clause for the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks.

Friedman said the two sides will take a different approach this time. The Coyotes will check the trade market. If they get a suitable offer they’ll bring it to Ekman-Larsson and he can decide if he’s comfortable with it.

BLH’s Thoughts: Last year I could’ve be talked into an OEL trade for the Oilers, but I’m not so sure now. Unless the Coyotes are planning on eating half of that salary for the rest of its term (which is extremely unlikely), I’m not big on Edmonton getting in on this player. As much as the Oilers could use him on the 2nd pair in the event that Oscar Klefbom doesn’t return, he’s got too much term left on his contract and the Oilers have some very promising left-shot defenders climbing up the ranks.

SHOULD THE BLUES PURSUE MATTHEW TKACHUK?

STLTODAY.COM: Ben Frederickson believes the St. Louis Blues should make a pitch for Matthew Tkachuk if the Calgary Flames are crazy enough to trade him. He feels the 23-year-old winger could help the Blues find some of their missing spark with his gritty offensive style of play.

Tkachuk has one year remaining on his current contract worth $7 million and becomes a restricted free agent next summer. Frederickson believes he’d be worth sacrificing Jordan Kyrou’s scoring potential or their first-round pick (16th overall ) in this year’s draft or finding the necessary cap space for a long-term deal.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve said in the past that I think Matthew Tkachuk is going to flee Calgary as soon as he can and that a team like the Blues or the Arizona Coyotes would be the first two clubs I could see him going to.

How does Brad Treliving accept anything less than Jordan Kyrou and a long-term re-signed Colton Parayko for Tkachuk though?

Whatever gets the guy out of the Pacific Division, I’m all for it.