• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
NHL Rumors

NHL Rumors: Blue Jackets, Oilers, Flyers, Canadiens, More

By Jim Parsons August 20th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on the status of Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher after taking a cross check to the face. With that, is there any supplemental discipline coming for Matt Niskanen? In Edmonton, one scribe suggests the Oilers will kick tires on two big-name and expensive goaltenders. Finally, in Columbus, there is talk that head coach John Tortorella could get fined for walking off on reporters.

Could Tortorella Be Fined by the NHL?

After just 40 seconds of a post-game media avail, veteran coach John Tortorella walked out of his committed time with the gathered media, refusing to answer the second question asked. When Neal Mchale of Inside Hockey asked about what the team can take away from this unique playoff experience Tortorella said in frustration, “You know what guys? I’m not going to get into the touchy feely stuff and the moral victories and all that. You guys be safe.”

John Tortorella keeps things brief in his postgame presser.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/OUbsJpDksW

— FOX Sports Columbus (@FOXSportsCbus) August 19, 2020

TSN’s Darren Dreger notes that he believes the NHL might have finally had enough of this kind of behavior from the coach and sees this as a slap towards everything the league has tried to do make hockey meaningful during a pandemic. Dreger said he thinks Tortorella will be fined and added the league might argue, “We’re trying to do something here to keep the game relevant, for the most part it’s been great, and we don’t need a poopy pants like you showing up the media 40 seconds in.”

Related: From Sweep to Defeat: What Changed for the Blue Jackets?

Oilers Could Kick Tires on Markstrom and Lehner

In a recent article for The Athletic, hockey insider Pierre LeBrun suggested that Robin Lehner and Jacob Markstrom will be the two key goalies this offseason to watch and that their deals will influence what happens with the rest of the goaltenders.Wondering where they might land or who could show interest, LeBrun said, “Edmonton would be another possibility.”

Jacob Markstrom Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

LeBrun says about the Oilers:

Mike Smith, 38, is UFA this fall, so there’s a natural opening alongside Mikko Koskinen, 32, who still has two more years on his deal at a $4.5 million AAV. The problem, as it is for so many teams, is that the Oilers don’t have much cap flexibility. But if you’re looking to take the next step as an organization, finding a true No. 1 has to be a top priority. A Lehner-Koskinen tandem would do that.

By the way, if for whatever reason Markstrom isn’t able to re-sign with the Canucks, I think the Oilers will inquire on that front as well.

source – ‘LeBrun: Lehner, Markstrom expected to set tone for UFA goaltending market’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 08/19/2020

This is quite the interesting take on the Oilers situation because the team is so tight to the cap and while the club needs to make a decision on the goalies, goaltending wasn’t a glaring weakness for the franchise this past season.

In other news, the Oilers loaned back Philip Borberg to Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Hockey League. It is expected, after how he impressed this season, that Broberg will return to Edmonton for training camp with a legitimate shot to make the team.

Related: Oilers News & Rumors: Larsson, Green, Greiss, More

Flyers Niskanen Facing NHL Hearing

The Department of Player Safety has announced a scheduled hearing for today with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen. As most people know by now, Niskanen cross-checked Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher in the face and while head coach Alain Vigneault says “in my estimation Gallagher seemed fine” and adds that it’s not Niskanen’s fault Gallagher is a shorter player who got cut on a “hockey play.”, the league doesn’t seem to agree.

Niskanen was not penalized on the play, but it certainly was a penalty.

Gallagher Could Have a Fractured Jaw

Following the game, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports tweeted that it was circulating that Gallagher allegedly sustained a fracture in his jaw. LeBrun tweeted on Thursday that Gallagher has been scheduled for a CT scan today but that it was his understanding that Gallagher would not have to leave the bubble.

Brendan Gallagher Montreal Canadiens
Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

If Gallagher misses any real time, that would be a huge loss for the Canadiens despite his only having one goal in the playoffs. It was on his back of his inspired play that the Canadiens found the energy to get a big win against the Flyers.

Hurricanes to see Big Changes

ESPN.com’s Emily Kaplan speculates the Carolina Hurricanes could lose a few key pieces this offseason. She names pending UFA defensemen like Sami Vatanen, Joel Edmundson, or Trevor van Riemsdyk as potential exits and wonders if Justin Williams has played his final NHL game.

Kaplan also says she expects the budget-conscious Hurricanes to stick with their affordable goalie tandem of Petr Mrazek and James Reimer for one more season.

Catch up on all the latest NHL Rumors

  • Tags
  • Brendan Gallagher
  • Matt Niskanen
  • Robin Lehner
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 21st 5:55 PM
Edmonton Oilers

McDavid Has the Maple Leafs’ Number and Needs to Keep it That Way

Jan 21st 5:08 PM
Archives

NHLers by Country: On Top of Their Game and the World

Jan 21st 4:50 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Missing Klefbom and Neal on Power Play

Jan 21st 4:40 PM
Minnesota Wild

Wild’s Soucy & Sturm Look Comfortable Filling Roster Gaps

Jan 21st 4:30 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche With Career Milestones in Sight in 2020-21 Season

Jan 21st 3:45 PM
Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning & Pat Maroon Are a Really Good Fit…For Now

Jan 21st 3:35 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Depth Separates Them From the Rest

Jan 21st 3:15 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets’ Alexandre Texier, New Faces Shine to Begin Season

Jan 21st 2:45 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News & Rumors: Neal, Yamamoto, Tippett, More

Jan 21st 2:15 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: Stützle, Norris, Galchenyuk and More

Editor’s Picks
NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

The 1979 NHL – WHA Merger

The 1979 NHL – WHA Merger

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information