Tag Archives: Seattle Kraken

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors

2023/24 Edmonton Oilers GM41: Oilers VS. Kraken – 3P2W – Broberg Staying and Edmonton Eyeing Preds Center

Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!

If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.

So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for today’s matchup!

Give us a follow on the socials!

Random Pontifications

  • Are the Oilers really going to win their 12th game in a row on Mark Messier’s birthday?
  • I’m lead to believe the plan for Philip Broberg is NOT to trade him this year unless the deal is massively in Edmonton’s favor. They want to pair him with Ekholm next season and see what the old Swede can do with the young one.
  • Now, if that isn’t writing on the wall for Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak, I don’t know what is. One or both probably won’t be with the Oilers next season if the plan is to set up Broholm (Bro Hymn?!!!).
  • But what does it mean for Nurse and Bouchard? Will they be reunited next year? What if it doesn’t work? Does Broberg go with Nurse?
  • It’s a weird scenario to think about, right? Is it a good strategy to give Broberg top-4 minutes like that? Wouldn’t you want to ease him in as opposed to firing him into the lion’s den from the get-go?
  • Speaking of scenarios, Edmonton’s got their eyes on Nashville Predators center Colton Sissons still. I’ve been saying this for years it seems. You see, they want somebody who drags his teammates into the fight and has had post-season success to which Sissons has both (to a degree). On top of that, he’s got an easy ticket to absorb.
  • It’s really going to come down to how well Dylan Holloway does before the deadline because he’s got all of the tools required. He’s fast, tough, loves getting his nose dirty, a smart playmaker, and his contract is very ideal for where the Oilers are cap-wise. The problem is, he’s started his career spending a lot of time on the IR and Edmonton’s in win-now mode.
  • I’d hate to see it, but I could. A Holloway for Sissons trade with Nashville retaining and possibly sending a pick back.
  • There are a lot of 3C targets for the Oilers where they could use Holloway. Sean Monahan is on their list, Nic Dowd out in Washington, Kevin Hayes in STL, would Edmonton go after Elias Lindholm? There are probably some in the organization that’d love to bring Nick Bjugstad back. Boone Jenner’s name is quietly floating about.
  • Surprisingly, Claude Giroux might be a wild card trade target.
  • How does the Habs’ Jake Evans float your boat?
  • It’s fun to throw all those names around and think about all the different trades Edmonton could make but at the end of the day, they need their bottom-six shored up something fierce and I think those trades could be easier to sort because I reckon third line centers are going to be a premium at this year’s deadline.
  • Last name… Marc-Andre Fleury. If Minny falls out of it, this is a guy Edmonton should pay well to bring in.

The BLH Instagram account is growing like crazy! Three weeks ago when we started to get it back going we were at a shade over 1900 followers and now we’re gunning for 2000. So please, head on over and give us a follow as we’re posting exclusive content over there that won’t be published here or on our Twitter page.

Three Players to Watch for the Bad Guys

  • #19 Jared McCann (17g 11a 28pts) – Boy, has this guy ever turned into a player. How many teams gave up on him before Seattle benefitted? He’s fast, strong, and has quite the shot. Has six points in his last five games (3g/3a).
  • #22 Oliver Bjorkstrand (12g 23a 35pts) – Only two goals in his last ten games but he’s still firing the puck at around three shots per game in that time. At the moment, the Kraken have him lining up alongside Yanni Gourde and Eeli Tolvanen. It’s a weird line dynamic but for whatever reason it find a way to be effective.
  • #7 Jordan Eberle  (6g 15a 21pts) – Ebs is having a season to forget but even with that said he’s still a dangerous winger and we all know what happens when those ex-Oilers return to town. I do wonder however if he’s a target for the Oilers at the deadline. I mean how much could the acquisition cost be for a winger who’s struggling to score and is in his mid-30s? You could flip that the other way around and ask why the Oilers would want that player but I think he’d get a bump from playing back in Edmonton with good centers and why wouldn’t the Oilers want that scoring depth? It’d be a very Holland-esque transaction.

Three Players to Watch for the Good Guys

  • #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (11g 27a 38pts) – He’s very quietly playing at a near point-per-game pace this year as a complimentary winger for Leon and Connor. He’s due for a goal though as he’s fired 21 shots in his last five games with nothing to show.
  • #29 Leon Draisaitl (21g 25a 46pts) – I’m tellin’ ya, January is Leon’s month. He’s potted three in the last five games for Edmonton, seven in their last ten. His biggest challenge though is finding a way to get his wingers to score. Evander Kane and Warren Foegele are struggling to put it politely but at least with Kane it’s health related. Lucky for Leon, Edmonton is going to bring in a top-six winger for him to round out the year with.
  • #14 Mattias Ekholm (4g 14a 18pts) – Man, it didn’t take long for Bob Stauffer to forget about Darnell Nurse, eh? Ekholm is the new defense whisperer. What is it with the Oilers and Swedish defensemen? They’ve had some real good ones come through over the years. This one has three assists in his last half dozen minus one to go along with ten shots and six blocks.

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2023/24 Edmonton Oilers GM15: Oilers VS Kraken- 3P2W – “There’s No More Runway!” Says Friedman

Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!

If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.

So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for today’s matchup!

Give us a follow on the socials!

Random Pontifications

In a stunning twist that echoed across the hockey world, the Edmonton Oilers bid farewell to head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson after a rocky start to the season. The move, though anticipated by some, took many by surprise, especially given Woodcroft’s impressive track record leading up to the season.

Timing Is Everything: The Sunday Shake-Up

Elliotte Friedman, the voice of hockey insights, expressed his surprise at the timing of the decision. Winning the night before against Seattle didn’t deter the Oilers’ management from taking swift action. The move raises questions about the team’s performance, especially considering Woodcroft’s stellar coaching history, boasting a 68% win rate as the Oilers’ head coach.

Player Consultation Controversy?

Amid the coaching shake-up, there’s speculation about player involvement in the decision. While Jeff Jackson and Ken Holland had differing answers about consulting players, Friedman downplays it, emphasizing the routine of seeking player perspectives during challenging times. No mutiny occurred; instead, it was a strategic move to understand and address the team’s struggles.

New Coach, New Chapter: Kris Knoblauch Takes the Helm

In Kris Knoblauch’s coaching debut, the Oilers clinched back-to-back wins, breaking a troublesome losing streak and hinting at a potential revival under new leadership. Knoblauch’s coaching philosophy shines through, prioritizing a deep understanding of each player’s skill set and instilling confidence, a departure from the previous coaching approach. While the Oilers’ offensive strength is acknowledged, there’s a pressing need for defensive improvements to fortify their playoff aspirations

What Lies Ahead: Playoff Aspirations and Stanley Cup Dreams?

As the Oilers navigate this unexpected turn of events, questions arise about the team’s future. Are they still a Stanley Cup-caliber team, or are playoff aspirations at risk? The urgency for change signals a critical juncture for the organization. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s prime years ticking away, the pressure is on to salvage the season and redefine the narrative.

“There’s no more runway left.” – Elliotte Friedman

The BLH Instagram account is growing like crazy! Three weeks ago when we started to get it back going we were at a shade over 1900 followers and now we’re gunning for 2000. So please, head on over and give us a follow as we’re posting exclusive content over there that won’t be published here or on our Twitter page.

Three Players to Watch for the (team)

  • #21 Alexander Wennberg (0g 4a 4pts) – He’s supposed to be one of Seattle’s big gunners and all he’s shooting is blanks.
  • #51 Shane Wright (0g 0a 0pts) – He was once a favorite for the 1st overall pick in the ’22 draft. He’s shown absolutely nothing so far other than Montreal, New Jersey, and Arizona made the “Wright” decision in letting him fall to Seattle. Personally, I think he’s in a tough spot with the Kraken and their coach and he’d be better off with a different organization. One that’d give the kid more than five minutes of ice time per night.
  • #6 Adam Larsson (0g 2a 2pts) – 27 shots and 34 blocks so far this year for one of my favorite former Oilers. I’m curious as to how he’ll perform in his return to Edmonton as it’s not one of the cities he looks forward to playing in anymore. At the very least you know he’s going to play the Oilers hard.

Three Players to Watch for the Oilers

  • #29 Leon Draisaitl (5g 10a 15pts) – Ze German is starting to heat up. Watch out! I like his line with Kane and Hyman, although, it’s a line that is challenged defensively. So we’ll need to watch out for that.
  • #71 Ryan McLeod (0g 2a 2pts) – He’s looked a different man since Woodcroft got turfed. I mean, that’s only one game but he’s appeared far more assertive on the ice. Knoblauch is supposed to be the kind of coach who’ll use the kids and if we’re going by his first game behind the bench, it appears that rumor is true. It’s a shame about Holloway as him, McLeod, and Foegele were looking really good. Next man up!
  • #74 Stu Skinner (2-5-1, 3.53GAA, .861SV%) – The numbers do not look good at all but I think we can all say that he’s been pretty decent in his last two starts where he put up a .944 and a .970 SV% respectively. I’m singling him out here as a player to watch because this will be his 5th game in a row. At some point Edmonton is going to have to throw Pickard in, no?
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2023/24 Edmonton Oilers GM13: Oilers @ Kraken – 3P2W – Rumors Swirling that Woody and Dutch are OUT and Gallant is the Favorite to Take Over

Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!

If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.

So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for today’s matchup!

Give us a follow on the socials!

Random Pontifications

  • You know, I have a couple of theories about this year and I’m going to share them with you.
  • One, the early captain’s skate f*cked some things up. Maybe planted some seeds of mistrust with the coaches and players and possibly also between players and leadership. Hence why nobody is playing like they give a shit.
  • The whole moving to a passive d-zone setup like the Kings, does anybody else think that only works for teams that have players who’re willing to block the puck? I mean, essentially the plan is to keep shape, not let passes go through or into the royal road, and wait for the other team to make a mistake in order to hit them on the counter, right?
  • Correct me if I’m wrong, a team overflowing with skill… They’re not going to be aching to get into the shooting lanes.
  • So if the housecleaning does take place after the game tonight. What’s the holdup on Gerard Gallant?
  • I’ve heard they’ve been talking to him for more than a week if not longer. So that’ll give you some idea of how long Woodcroft’s head has been on the chopping block.
  • We’ve all heard Gallant’s the front-runner to take over and I think he’s willing to come in but personally, I wonder if he’s more interested in a short-term gig with the Oilers. I mean, there were rumors last year that he was going to take over in Calgary but that didn’t come to fruition. Perhaps we can take that as a sign that Alberta doesn’t scare him off.
  • That said, there’s a contract waiting for him to sign. I’m very certain of that.
  • And can somebody tell me how Glen Gulutzan might escape another round of coach firings in Edmonton? If that happens and he’s named interim, I’ll be calling him Teflon going forward because he seems to slide out of every sticky situation.

The BLH Instagram account is growing like crazy! Three weeks ago when we started to get it back going we were at a shade over 1900 followers and now we’re gunning for 2000. So please, head on over and give us a follow as we’re posting exclusive content over there that won’t be published here or on our Twitter page.

Three Players to Watch for the (team)

  • Seattle’s 3rd Line of Tolvanen/Gourde/Bjorkstrand – This trio has combined for seven goals and eight assists over their last five games. They are on an absolute tear right now. Gourde is especially going to make his presence noted against an easily annoyed Oilers team.
  • #17 Jaden Schwartz (7g 6a 13pts) – six goals and six assists in his last 10 games and 31 shots to boot. He’s firing on all cylinders for this Kraken team.
  • #29 Vince Dunn (2g 10a 12pts) – He’s ticking along at a point-per-game pace on Seattle’s top pairing. Him and former Oiler Adam Larsson have incredible chemistry.

Three Players to Watch for the Oilers

  • To be honest, there’s not even one player on this roster I’m invested in keeping an eye on in this game. I think maybe Sam Gagner, Dylan Holloway, and Zach Hyman are the only ones who’re still giving it their all until a new coaching staff is hired.
  • Is Pickard starting? If so, I think he’d be a guy I’d probably watch closer just to see if somebody can get this team a save.

The Next Twelve Games (#2-#13)

  • 10/14 vs. Canucks – I think the Oilers will take 2/2 vs. Vancouver to start the year. (W)
    • (4-3 LOSS)
  • 10/17 @. Predators – The Preds don’t scare me. Their roster is in shambles. Poor Jusse Saros and Roman Josi. (W)
    • (6-1 WIN)
  • 10/19 @ Flyers – Their forward group looks entertaining but they’ve got nobody on defense. (W)
    • (4-1 LOSS)
  • 10/21 vs. Winnipeg – The Jets are always a tough out. I like their chances. (L)
    • (3-2 OTL)
  • 10/24 @ Wild – Minny isn’t as good as they used to be but still very solid. (W)
    • (7-4 LOSS)
  • 10/26 vs. Rangers – I like NY’s defense and goaltending here. (L)
    • (3-0 LOSS)
  • 10/29 vs.Flames – Calgary is going to surprise a few this year. (L)
    • (5-2 WIN)
  • 11/2 vs. Stars – This will be a very tight game. (W)
    • (4-3 LOSS)
  • 11/4 vs. Predators – Leon will continue to light the Preds up. (W)
    • (5-2 LOSS)
  • 11/6 @ Canucks – I’ll take Edmonton for a third time here, Alex. (W)
    • (6-2 LOSS)
  • 11/9 @ Sharks – I don’t even recognize half the names on SJ’s roster… (W)
    • (3-2 LOSS)
  • 11/11 @ Kraken – I like Seattle’s roster. Well-rounded. (L)

(predictions made 10/11/2023)

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Edmonton Oilers Talk: Will Ken Holland Let Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Walk This Off-season?

Two days ago on Oilers Now (630CHED), host Bob Stauffer and Sportsnet’s Mark Spector discussed what the future of Edmonton’s big UFAs might be. Should they bring them all back? Who should be the priority? Could some of them walk and sign elsewhere?

All three questions specifically pertain to one, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins…

Today, I’m going to transcribe some of that conversation and give you my two cents. Also, I’ve got a tidbit of insider info for you that may or may not give you something to chew on with regards to how you feel about what the Oilers could be planning to do with The Nuge.

MS = Mark Spector
BS = Bob Stauffer

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Just to preface the following, Bob and Mark are talking about who should be the priority for Ken Holland amongst his big UFAs in Tyson Barrie, Adam Larsson, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this upcoming off-season.

MS: Nugent-Hopkins, for me Bob, is a probably. I guess I want to say to you, what could you do for $6M in this current NHL economy? You could get TWO players that certainly do the equivalent to what Nugent-Hopkins does for ya and maybe more. What do you think?

BS: Here’s the challenge I have with RNH. I’ve done a lot of events with Ryan over the last several years. He’s involved with some cystic fibrosis. In fact, he’s done more events over the last ten years… He’s accessible, he’s out there in the community, he cares about community. You know what kind of guy he’s like to deal with… He’s the type of guy you want your daughter to marry. He’s that guy, that’s who he is.

BUT! We’re 40 games into the year here and he’s on pace for a full season for a 56pt campaign, he’s spent almost entirely, at least 80% of the season with McDavid or Draisaitl. So, granted, 20% of the year he’s had to center a line by himself and that might be high.Mark, he has TWO primary even-strength assists. He doesn’t put up points at even strength but he’s good on the penalty kill and he’s a terrific powerplay player.

I look at him and think, “Find a way to get it done.” If Rick Veillette was listening to the show, you know what Rick, get it done here in Edmonton. Get it done.

My attitude is, I know that there’s not a compelling analytics argument for Nugent-Hopkins, Mark, but I think this is a case where the player brings additional things, find a way to get it done.

MS: Well I guess I would say that I want to compartmentalize what he does for you. To me, he’s not a centerman anymore. You’re dealing with a left-winger here. Yeah, he slots into the center slot but he hasn’t produced when he’s been a center this year and he’s still never going to be a faceoff guy, Bob. He’s a 45% faceoff guy.

What kind of player would you lose if you didn’t have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? Well, you’d lose a penalty killer but the 3C you’re going to sign is going to be that guy anyway. You’d lose a left-winger that can play well with Draisaitl and McDavid but I think I’d say to you, Bob, that there’s lots of left-wingers out there who could play pretty well with McDavid and Draisaitl.

Now, you’d need a 2nd left-winger because right now they have RNH on left-wing and they STILL require a top-six left-winger. So basically they’d need two good left-wingers and a third line center.

For $6M, could you find the replacements for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? I wonder. Could you find those replacements in a bigger rougher body that’s harder to play against? I wonder. Could you find a guy who’s better on faceoffs when he plays center? I wonder.

BLH’s Thoughts: You know when the media starts talking about how personable a player is and how nice they are with regards to why the club should keep him that his time is up in that market. 

My feeling is that similar to the trade deadline, Holland has a number in mind for all of his UFAs and if they’re unwilling to meet that figure, he’s comfortable with letting them walk. They are his rentals for this year that he didn’t have to spend anything on at the deadline, right?

So if Nuge walks, he’ll definitely have some targets like the guy you’ll read about below. If Barrie walks, maybe that’s because the reports on Oscar Klefbom are more promising than before. Also, the team has an overripe Evan Bouchard chomping at the bit here and we can’t forget about Ethan Bear either. 

The internal options are there. 

Spector said in that same interview that he expects Adam Larsson to return and possibly at a price point that is lower that what he currently makes. I know there was some talk at the beginning of the year, when the Oilers were in that slump, that Larsson might come back for around $2.5M per year but I would say that isn’t the case any more. The number I’m hearing is $3.5M-ish which is quite acceptable in my eyes. 

BS: There’s a guy out there, Rich Winter represents Tomas Tatar. He’s got really good analytics for pts/60 @ even strength. Would you rather have Tomas Tatar or Nugent-Hopkins? They both had 61pts last year, Spec.

MS: What’s Tatar going to make? What’s he making this year? I think he’s a $4M guy. My question to you would be, Bob, if you’re telling me that I’m not taking RNH and I am taking Tatar, if I pick up $2M in cap space that means I can find another player. I think it really becomes, to me, about what Nugent-Hopkins is going to be paid.

$6M was in the old economy. $6M was when he was a center. $6M was when they regarded him as someone who was going to be a bigger point producer. I think at his age, we like the player, we all like the player, this is the player he is. There’s no more prospect here. There’s no more, “He’s going to improve this, he’s going to improve that.” I know exactly the player Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is. Is he worth $6M in this economy? I think that’s a fair question to ask.

Let me add one more thing, if you could promise me that I could have Adam Lowry (WPG) as a UFA, I’d take him and I’d let RNH walk and with the extra money, I’d find a left-winger for that money. What about you?

BS: I would sign RNH, sign another LW and have RNH as an option at center…

BLH’s Thoughts: Ken Holland has said in the past that you can’t have the same team every year and there has to be change. So I believe it’s reasonable to expect RNH to be playing elsewhere next season. 

As for the LWs that Spector and Stauffer are speaking to, Tatar has a history with Holland from his time in Detroit plus he’s good for 50pts at least. The last three years in MTL his pts/60 relative has been over 2.30 and his xGF% over 8.40. Meaning when he’s on the ice, it tilts in his favor in a big way.

The other “bigger rougher body to play against”, that has to be Zach Hyman and the Oilers would most likely have to pay the same for him as they would RNH. The two aren’t as comparable stat-wise but he’s got the kind of playing style and heart that would have Oilers fans reliving the old Ryan Smyth days. 

I will throw one wildcard name out there for you though and that’s Jaden Schwartz. He’s a good ol’ Saskatchewan boy and Holland would definitely be familiar with him going back to the old Central Division days. 

Offensively, Schwartz and Nuge are comparable but the Wilcox, SK native has had troubles staying healthy during his career and that could be a drawback or it could be a factor in signing him to a deal that is lower than what he makes now.

Early in his career, Schwartz has played on the PK a lot. He was used on the Blues’ first PK unit but it looks like he’s been relegated to the second or third unit now. From 2013-2016, he was averaging over a minute on the PK per game but from 2017 to now, he’s only getting about 30-35 seconds. I’m betting his ankle injuries probably have contributed to that.

A big selling point for the Oilers to consider Schwartz would be his 54pts in 84 playoff games. This guy comes to play in the post-season. 

For me, I’m okay if they let Barrie and RNH walk but Holland needs to invest that money very wisely. I think adding Tatar would be a good start but I’d also want to see the team really shore up that third line center spot. Be that with Brandon Sutter or Derek Ryan or both, whatever. Don’t f*ck that up because it’s long been a sore spot for the Oilers. Hell, if Philip Danault is willing and the price is right, grab him all day long.

There are tons of options for bottom-six centers so that spot shouldn’t be a problem. Left-wing, not so much. Holland can’t muck that up.

If Dmitry Kulikov does well, see if he’d be interested in coming back on a similar deal for another year to allow Broberg and others to marinate.

For the netminder’s position, I like the idea of moving Koskinen for whatever feasible return. Possibly even adding a sweetener to move him and then re-signing Smith and signing Chris Driedger (who just happens to have an Edmonton-based agent). This position has a lot of potential options as well.

Edmonton has a possible $30M in cap space to work with. Ken Holland’s work will be cut out for him.

The Tidbit

So, what I’ve heard from a source on the West Coast is that the Seattle Kraken really like RNH and they know that he’s probably not a no.1 center in this league anymore but they’re willing to pay him like one and the same sentiment goes for Tyson Barrie.

As far as what’s been reported and speculated upon publicly, it sounds like the Oilers have set a ceiling with Nuge’s new deal around $6M-$6.5M and the Kraken could possibly be willing to top that by a million dollars or more. Barrie would be in a range closer to what he made in Colorado from what I’m told.

So it comes down to if these two gentlemen want to win or hit the jackpot. Who says it can’t be both? That said, they’d both be closer to where they grew up in Seattle and they’d be the face of that franchise but they’d also get to visit Edmonton multiple times per year when they played the Oilers.

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(2/27/21) BLH’s NHL Trade Rumors Quick Hits Edition

BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Elias Pettersson (VAN), Chris Driedger (FLA), Marc Bergevin (MTL), John Tortorella (CBJ), and more!

BLH has some ideas for the Oilers lineup card. Check those out here!

NEW: Keith Jones and Patrick Sharp think the Calgary Flames have a better chance at the playoffs this year than the Oilers. Read about that here. 

Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.

A new name in the rumor mill for Oilers fans! Check out who it is here.

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NHL Rumors and Speculation

  • Pierre LeBrun (TSN): reports that the Seattle Kraken are probably keeping their eyes on Florida Panthers goaltende Chris Driedger as he’ll likely be an expansion draft casualty.
    • When Claude Julien was hired by the Montreal Canadiens, it was believed by many that Gerard Gallant was the backup option on GM Marc Bergeving’s list.
  • Mike Johnston (TSN): Says that this will be Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin’s last coaching hire. The next firing will be his own and he’s certainly aware of that.
  • Darren Dreger (TSN): There was a rumor of a Jonathan Quick Trade going around recently, but the Los Angeles Kings quickly denied it.
    • The Pittsburgh Penguins were in the market for a goaltender a few weeks ago, but things are unclear on that front at this point.
    • John Tortorella is the next head coach that could be on the hot seat.
    • Nothing new on the status of Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews as of late.
  • Thomas Drance (The Athletic): Prior to Elias Pettersson switching agents and joining Quinn Hughes at CAA, negotiations had been virtually nonexistent between the Vancouver Canucks and their two franchise players.
  • Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): Buffalo has made defenseman Brandon Montour available. He will be a UFA this summer.
    • There were reports out of Russia last week that the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings were chasing Damir Zhafyarov, but they’re not the only teams according to Friedman.
    • Chances of the NHL entry draft being delayed took a turn for the worse last week. The biggest issues were rights retention, service years for arbitration/free agency, unsigned players drafted from CHL re-entering in two years, etc.
    • The Arizona Coyotes have considered dealing for Vancouver Canucks winger Tanner Pearson if he becomes available, but there’s no indication that he is or will become available. Vancouver hasn’t put him on the trade block but if he does head there he’ll be a priority for Arizona.

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