• 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: Wild, Oilers, Blues, Rangers, Maple Leafs, More

By Jim Parsons December 5th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news that the Minnesota Wild have lost a veteran forward for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, in Edmonton, a newly-acquired defenseman has changed agencies. In New York, the Rangers have elected not to release Alexis Lafreniere to Team Canada and there are questions in St. Louis about what to do with Vladimir Tarasenko. Finally, will Nick Robertson be released to Team USA?

Wild Will Be Without Mats Zuccarello

Michael Russo of The Athletic is reporting that Minnesota Wild veteran forward Mats Zuccarello will not be ready for the start of the season and it is unclear about how much time he’ll miss as the 2020-21 season gets underway.

Mats Zuccarello Minnesota Wild
Mats Zuccarello, Minnesota Wild (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Russo writes:

Right wing Mats Zuccarello won’t be ready for the start of the season and may be out a good bit longer after having right arm surgery a few weeks ago. He has flown to MN from Norway to see Wild docs.

He also adds that this is the same arm Zuccarello broke in his debut with the Dallas Stars two seasons ago. What this means for the Wild and how they’ll fill the hole left by Zuccarello’s absence is uncertain. They could move his $6 million salary to LTIR, but finding a replacement may depend on how long he is actually out of commission.

Blues Unlikely to Trade or Expose Tarasenko

A couple of NHL scribes were asked recently what the St. Louis Blues might do when it comes to the future of Vladimir Tarasenko. Both believed the Blues will stick with their forward.

The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford was asked if the Blues might try to trade the injury-prone forward considering his three shoulder surgeries might mean he’s less effective moving forward. Rutherford didn’t think the value in a trade would be there.

Vladimir Tarasenko
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 27: Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his second period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on May 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Rutherford writes:

Even if he never reaches superstar status again, there could be a better chance of him returning and helping the Blues than another team offering a player (or players) who can contribute.

source – ‘Alex Pietrangelo aftermath, Reverse Retro reaction and more: Blues mailbag’ Jeremy Rutherford – The Athletic – 12/04/2020

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch responded to a fan who asked if the Blues might leave Tarasenko (and David Perron) exposed in the NHL expansion draft. Thomas writes that he didn’t believe the Blues would let either player go. He notes:

Perron is playing better than he ever has in terms of production. And you’d hate to make the wrong decision on Vladi and see him end up a 30-goal scorer again — as a Kraken. Remember, at worst you’re losing only one player. So if you lose a Sammy Blais, you get to keep an Oskar Sundqvist, Zach Sanford, Ivan Barbashev and all the defensemen.

source – ‘Tarasenko a Kraken? Don’t bet on it. Highlights from our St. Louis Blues weekly chat’ – Jim Thomas – St. Louis Post Dispatch – 12/03/2020

Related: Sports Documentaries to Watch Right Now

Oilers’ Barrie Switches Agencies

As per NHL insider John Shannon: Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie has left Newport Sports agency and signed with CAA Hockey and will be represented by Pat Brisson and Bayne Pettinger. It’s not clear if this decision is related to his signing a team-friendly deal with the Oilers or if he’s thinking ahead and preparing for an interesting offseason next summer.

Barrie chose to take less money in free agency to play in Edmonton ($3.75 million for one year) in the hopes he would up his numbers in a major way quarterbacking the team’s lethal power play. The idea is that he’s trying to make himself as hot a commodity as possible so that even in a tighter salary cap situation he’ll be sought after.

Rangers Elect Not to Send Lafreniere to WJC

Multiple outlets, including Darren Dreger of TSN, picked up the story that the New York Rangers won’t be releasing Alexis Lafreniere to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships later this month. Instead, the Rangers have said they’d like the winger to prepare for training camp with the team.

Alexis Lafreniere
Canada’s Alexis Lafreniere (11) hoists the Hlinka Gretzky Cup following the Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal game against Sweden, in Edmonton on August 11, 2018. Serge Beausoleil might be the head coach of the Rimouski Oceanic, but even he can feel like a student when forward Alexis Lafreniere hits the ice. “Sometimes I have to shut my mouth, I don’t want to put him in a box,” Beausoleil said. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan)

It is assumed the risk of injury is the real cause of concern for the Rangers as they are hoping Lafreniere will be a big part of their offense. An injury could be disastrous.

In New Jersey, the Devils are also not releasing Jack Hughes.

Will Toronto Release Robertson?

In Toronto, the Maple Leafs might release Nick Robertson to Team USA, but it depends on more information about when the NHL season will start. Chris Johnston reports that Robertson is among those named to Team USA’s preliminary world junior roster, but his participation will hinge on when (or if?) NHL training camps get going.

Johnston says that he expects Robertson to remain with the Leafs training camp if one kicks up in December.


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

Catch up on all the latest NHL Rumors

  • Tags
  • Alexis Lafrenière
  • Mats Zuccarello
  • Nick Robertson
  • Top Story
  • Tyson Barrie
  • Vladimir Tarasenko
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 25th 11:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Vanecek Playing His Way Into Samsonov’s Starting Role

Jan 25th 11:25 AM
All-Star Weekend

5 Oilers You Didn’t Know Were All-Stars

Jan 25th 11:15 AM
Column

Wild Weekly: A Pair of Series Splits Against Ducks & Sharks

Jan 25th 11:05 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

3 Marlies Players to Watch This Season

Jan 25th 10:45 AM
New York Rangers

Rangers Facing Conundrum With DeAngelo

Jan 25th 10:35 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Shootouts Highlighted the Weekend Action

Jan 25th 10:25 AM
Anaheim Ducks

3 Takeaways From Ducks’ Series Against the Avalanche

Jan 25th 10:15 AM
San Jose Sharks

3 Takeaways From Sharks’ First Series With Wild

Jan 25th 10:05 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Takeaways: Simmonds, Marner & Milestones

Jan 25th 9:55 AM
Vancouver Canucks

Canucks’ Weekly Report: Turnovers, Pettersson, Horvat & More

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