BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring the likes of Pierre-Luc Dubois (CBJ), Keith Yandle (FLA), Patrik Laine (WPG), Patrick Kane (CHI), the Edmonton Oilers, and more!

The Oilers have a bit of a mind-bender brewing on the right side of their defense and a couple of big contracts set to expire there with some high-end prospects almost ready to take over. What is Ken Holland set to do?

TSN’s Frank Seravalli says that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins might not be in the Oilers’ plans going forward. Read all about it right here.

Craig Button absolutely tore the Oilers a new a$$hole on TSN 1260 recently. Click this link and read what he said!

NHL Rumors and Speculation

• Bruce Garrioch (Ottawa Sun): Says the Blue Jackets aren’t alone in their pursuit of Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine,
  • “The Jackets aren’t alone. You can include the Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks as teams that would be interested in Laine. People have talked about the Carolina Hurricanes having interest, but that makes zero sense because they wouldn’t want to shell out that kind of cash.”
• Danny Silver (NHLTradeRumors.me): Says that the Arizona Coyotes could be after Florida Panthers d-man Keith Yandle,
  • Shane Doan has just made his return to the Coyotes organization. Although he is in an advisory role, his voice could be persuasive in obtaining his former teammate. The Coyotes aren’t a terrible hockey team, but they surely aren’t a good hockey team. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been placed on LTIR and perhaps acquiring Yandle will be their only hope at salvaging the gaping hole on the blue line.”
• Mark Easson (NHLRumors.com): Suggests the Florida Panthers could be in for some big changes this summer,
  • “With so much speculation already bubbling over two of the panthers’ Veterans before their season began, one wonders what changes could be in store if this season ends in disappointment like all the others. Aging, expensive players like Keith Yandle could be traded or bought out. Perhaps the core gets shaken up by moving Jonathan Huberdeau, Alexander Barkov, or defenseman Aaron Ekblad.”
• Adam Gretz (NBC): Had some harsh words for the Edmonton Oilers after reviewing their early-season woes,
  • “When they have an MVP on the ice they look like a potential playoff team. Without either, they look like an expansion team.”
• Darren Dreger (TSN): Recently speculated on if the Chicago Blackhawks need to go full rebuild and two names they could go after,
  • “But with some of the names that are kind of floating around like Pierre-Luc Dubois as an example with the Columbus Blue Jackets, I can’t imagine that Stan Bowman hasn’t made calls to Columbus. You know, trying to figure that out.”
  • “A younger piece, maybe Laine comes into the discussion. I don’t know. It’s just wondering whether or not Chicago has the future assets to make a deal like that happen.”
• Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): On if the Chicago Blackhawks would move star forward Patrick Kane,
  • “I mean, look, the way I always look at it is this, what situation do you see him getting traded? Do you see the Chicago Blackhawks going to Patrick Kane? The one thing you have to look at here is, when this is over, you have to sell tickets and all these teams are going to be trying to make money. In a gate driven league after fans have been out of games for a year and a half, what do you think gives the Blackhawks a better chance to sell tickets – Patrick Kane or no Patrick Kane?”
  • More on Pierre-Luc Dubois from Friedman, “Teams we haven’t thought about like “A Tampa Bay or Colorado,” may have sniffed around. The Canadiens, Flames, Rangers, and Hurricanes are the usual “suspects” around this situation too.”
• TSN Radio: If the Ottawa Senators were to trade for PLD, there’s a good chance that young defenseman Erik Brannstrom would go to Columbus.

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