• 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: Bruins, Oilers, Wild, Penguins, Maple Leafs, More

By Jim Parsons December 4th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, could the Boston Bruins move a number of key veterans at the NHL trade deadline this season? In Edmonton, the team plans to make more moves before the season starts, but when is the best time to do so? The Minnesota Wild could still trade Matt Dumba, but will they wait until next offseason? And, what are the Toronto Maple Leafs thinking when it comes to the expansion draft? Finally, is Evgeni Malkin worth $10 million per season on a three-year extension?

Bruins Could Shake Things Up at Trade Deadline

James O’Brien of NBC Sports recently looked at the Boston Bruins and what their plan might be for the season. First, he talked about whether or not their offseason moves were enough to keep them competitive and if not, who they might deal before the trade deadline.

Tuukka Rask Boston Bruins
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

O’Brien writes that management won’t blow the team up if they aren’t at the top of the standings but they could consider moving a handful of veterans at the trade deadline. Among the names mentioned were goaltenders Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak along with center David Krejci. All are unrestricted free agents next summer. He also believes there might be some discussion about moving a player like Charlie Coyle or Jake DeBrusk.

In an interesting update from Joe Haggerty of Boston Hockey Now, he believes defenseman Zdeno Chara will not return for another season. Suggesting he wouldn’t want to be on the third pairing, the Bruins are ready to move on to a younger, more mobile defense corps.

Related: Blackhawks News & Rumours: Team USA, Swiss Cup, Outdoor Games & More

Oilers to Make More Moves, But Not Right Away

With the news today that the NHL season will be delayed, it also pushes back the urgency for some teams to make moves, including the Edmonton Oilers.

There was already talk from Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal that he was hearing the Oilers’ know they need to make additional changes to their roster before the club returns to play. However, he didn’t expect those changes to come before the middle of January when training camp might be underway. Now, it might be even longer.

Among the changes, it is expected the Oilers will look for a bit more toughness, perhaps clear out a contract and a possible Jujhar Khaira move may be on the way.

Dumba to Be Moved Next Offsesason?

Tom Gulitti of NHL.com writes that there is still talk out of the Minnesota Wild organization that the team might trade defenseman Matt Dumba before the season is over. Dumba is projected to start the season in the top four, but the club still has to make a decision on him before the expansion draft.

Matt Dumba Minnesota Wild
Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

What could change plans is the fact that in-season trades might not be terribly popular among teams for quarantine reasons. Any club acquiring Dumba is going to want him to play and contribute but, depending on where he’s moved to, he might have to sit a couple of weeks before hopping on the ice. That could mean an offseason trade before the Seattle expansion draft is more likely.

Related: Ranking the Kraken’s Most Likely Rivalries

Should Penguins Extend Malkin on Multi-Year Deal?

The Athletic’s Rob Rossi, cites that NHL superstar Evgeni Malkin has publicly stated he envisions signing a three-year contract extension when his current contract comes due in about 15 months. And, at that time, it is believed Malkin would be looking at around $10 million per season.

Rossi writes:

Both sides have expressed interest in a contract that would allow Malkin to retire as a Penguin — likely a three-year deal that would run concurrently with the final seasons of Crosby’s current contract.

source – ‘What we’re hearing as Penguins trade talks heat up’ – Rob Rossi and Josh Yohe – The Athletic – 09/22/2020

The question becomes, will Malkin still be productive at that age and for that kind of money? With the Penguins window to be a Stanley Cup contender closing, are players like Malkin and Crosby really the best investments on big-money deals when the team should potentially rebuild or, at the very least, leave room for other contracts on younger players?

Maple Leafs Expansion Draft Talk

James Mirtle of The Athletic writes that the Toronto Maple Leafs could lose one of Alex Kerfoot, Justin Holl or Travis Dermott in the NHL expansion draft to Seattle and while the Leafs could try to protect one of them, the club is more likely to trade an asset to Kraken GM Ron Francis to avoid losing a specific player.

In talking about the salary cap space issues going into next season and how it affects the Maple Leafs expansion plans, Mirtle writes:

The one thing not considered here is the expansion draft, and it’s likely the Leafs lose someone off the NHL roster. There’s a real debate now for the Leafs between protecting 7-3-1 (seven forwards, three defencemen and a goalie) or 4-4-1 (four forwards, four defencemen and a goalie) after signing Brodie.

source – ‘Mirtle: Projecting the Maple Leafs roster and cap outlook all the way to 2023-24’ – James Mirtle – The Athletic – 11/23/2020

Sign up for our regular 'Rumors Newsletter' for all the latest.

Catch up on all the latest NHL Rumors

  • Tags
  • Evgeni Malkin
  • Matt Dumba
  • Top Story
  • Tuukka Rask
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 25th 6:30 PM
Archives

San Jose Sharks Coaching History

Jan 25th 6:15 PM
Fantasy

4 Bounceback Candidates for the 2020-21 Fantasy Hockey Season

Jan 25th 6:13 PM
Archives

Blackhawks & Chelios: Together Again

Jan 25th 5:50 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Power-Play Strategy: A Wayne Simmonds’ Net-Front Statue

Jan 25th 5:40 PM
Ottawa Senators

Senators Loading Up Top Line Is a Mistake

Jan 25th 5:30 PM
Buffalo Sabres

3 Sabres Takeaways From Shootout Win Over the Capitals

Jan 25th 5:03 PM
Archives

Edmonton Oilers Jersey History

Jan 25th 4:25 PM
Column

NHL Players of the Week: Kopitar, Varlamov & More

Jan 25th 4:15 PM
Editor's Choice

A Look Back: Grading the Canes’ 2014 Draft Class

Jan 25th 3:45 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Weekly: Injuries, Milestones and Armstrong

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

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