Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with 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 NHLTradeRumors.me
Dougie Hamilton Leaving the Carolina Hurricanes
Luke Decock of The News and Observer feels Hamilton has priced himself out of Carolina and is heading somewhere else:
- “And there are difficult decisions to be made. Dougie Hamilton has almost certainly played his last game for the Hurricanes, and possibly Jordan Martinook, Brock McGinn and Mrazek as well. Even Brind’Amour isn’t under contract for next season, although owner Tom Dundon would be insane to let it come to that.”
Hamilton is expected to receive interest from a number of teams including the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers who will right in the thick of the bidding war. While it was a bittersweet end to the season for Hamilton and his Hurricanes’ teammates, this summer it will be all forgotten when he signs on the dotted line and sets himself up for life.
(LINK)
BLH’s Thoughts: Geez, it wouldn’t be a shock if the Hurricanes let Hamilton go, but it’d be a huge shot to their defense if they did. Jake Bean has arrived but I’m not prepared to say he’s good enough to replace Dougie Hamilton on that roster.
What’ll be interesting is watching how Carolina will navigate Hamilton’s deal in conjunction with Andrei Svechnikov’s. Those two could be earning a huge portion of the Canes’ available salary cap going into next season, but one might argue that good players should be paid what they’re worth and it’d be in the Hurricanes’ best interests to explore trading other assets who are considered overpaid like Nino Niederreiter and Jake Gardiner for example.
Pittsburgh Penguins Eyeing Free-Agent Goaltender
According to Dan Kingserksi of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, the Pittsburgh Penguins recent rumors are true and the team is looking to acquire a veteran netminder to pair with Tristan Jarry. Frederik Andersen of the Toronto Maple Leafs appears to be the Penguins #1 target this offseason and is likely to receive a contract offer from the team.
- “Circle Andersen’s name as someone the Pittsburgh Penguins are already watching. The team could make a solid pitch pending the goalie market, which was a heavy buyer’s market last fall and figures to be again with the flat salary cap.”
- “However, Andersen has been very good in the playoffs. In the Toronto “bubble” Qualifying Round against Columbus, Andersen posted a .936 save percentage, though lost in the pivotal Game 5. In Toronto’s heartbreaking seven-game Round One loss to the fearsome Boston Bruins in 2018-19, Andersen posted a .922 save percentage and was a big reason Toronto pushed the series to seven games.”
(LINK)
BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t personally believe that Frederik Andersen is as bad as the Toronto media portray him to be and I’m a fan. So I ask, has it really come to the point in his career where he’s now considered a 1B or possibly a backup goalie?
Now, as a fan of the Oilers, there is a part of me that wonders if Mike Smith could take his talents elsewhere because another team would be willing to pay him a little bit more than Edmonton is and in turn, would that force Ken Holland to look at a goalie like Frederik Andersen?
In the last five years, he ranks fairly high statistically amongst his peers, does he not?
- Games Played (3rd) – 267
- Wins (5th) – 149
- SV% (18th) – .918
- GAA (tied 33rd) – 2.79
- Shutouts (tied 14th) – 13
With all of that in mind, Andersen’s regular season stats are trending down. Three seasons ago his GAA and SV% was 2.77/.917%, this past year they were 2.96/.895%…
For me, that downward trend is concerning and being usurped by Jack Campbell doesn’t help. Then again, I still think there’s some game left in this guy’s pads and maybe a change of scenery could re-energize him a bit. What do you think?
He’s not going to get $5M per year again, but would something starting with a three be out of the question?
2 Carolina Hurricanes Likely To Be Traded This Offseason
- Jesper Fast: The 29-year-old winger appeared in 46 games this season, recording 19 points. Add this to three points in 11 playoff games and Fast couldn’t keep up to the pace. It was the former New York Ranger’s first season in Carolina after signing a three-year deal worth $2 million and the Hurricanes will now be looking to see what kind of market exists.
- Jake Gardiner: To say it hasn’t worked out in Carolina for Gardiner since arriving from the Toronto Maple Leafs would be an understatement. After signing a four-year deal worth $16.2 million, Gardiner has never been able to find his place on the ‘Canes d-core. The versatile smooth-skater has a huge ceiling of potential that he’s just never been able to tap into.
(LINK)
BLH’s Thoughts: There was a time back in the Chiarelli days where the Oilers were looking at Jesper Fast but his offense wasn’t there at the time. If his wheels are leaving him, he’s not going to have much more use in the NHL for longer.
From The Daily Goal Horn
New York Rangers Interest in Jack Eichel has Cooled Tremendously
Back in May, a team source told me that the Rangers interest in Eichel also cooled. As to why, three major factors were pointed out to me.
- A) His $10 million dollar cap hit could be easily fit into next season. However, come 2022-23 with Mika Zibanejad up for a new deal it becomes difficult. Also Ryan Strome is a UFA, but it would safe to assume he’d be moved out to make room for Eichel. The real problem comes in the form of RFA’s Adam Fox, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov. All should be a higher priority in signing.
- B) His neck injury is a serious concern. Obviously that impacts everyone looking to trade for him, but that health uncertainty has backed the Rangers off.
- C) The Sabres are still asking for way too much. We know the Blueshirts had a “reasonable offer” last year that was considered but ultimately declined. Now the demands have gone up and despite neck issues have not come down. Buffalo is just not being realistic.
(LINK)
BLH’s Thoughts: Buffalo dragging it’s ass with Jack Eichel is going to cost them down the line here, isn’t it?
These Sabres are a long ways away from the Sabres I knew growing up with Alex Mogilny, Pierre Turgeon, Dale Hawerchuk, Dominik Hasek, Mike Peca, Brad May, Alexei Zhitnik, Pat LaFontaine, Darren Puppa, Miro Satan, Uwe Krupp, etc.
It’s a shame. It used to be fun watching them because nobody gave Buffalo the time of day but they had some real competitive teams.
Well, here’s to hoping they can get back on their feet soon. Building around Rasmus Dahlin and potentially Owen Power is an excellent start, for what it’s worth. Now, ownership has to invest as much in their front-office, coaching, and scouting as they have in Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo.
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