In today’s NHL rumors rundown, there is news on the seriousness of Nick Robertson’s injury and how long the Toronto Maple Leafs will be without their young forward prospect. The Edmonton Oilers goalie carousel continues to turn as the results of the waiver claims roll in. Patrik Laine left the ice early today at the Winnipeg Jets practice and people are keeping eye on a potential injury. The Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in Jack Roslovic and could the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers work out a deal for a defenseman that needs a fresh start?
Laine Leaves Practice Early
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reported today that Laine was on the ice for today’s skate and quickly left. Johnston was keeping any eye on Laine after the forward — who also happens to be near the front of the line for trade rumors — left practice early with an undisclosed issue yesterday.
Reports were on Sunday that he was clutching the area above his left hip and in obvious discomfort. He skated over to head coach Paul Maurice then left the ice and didn’t return. We’ll see if this is something that continues to nag the forward and if he’ll be in the lineup against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.
Robertson Injury News
When it comes to the Maple Leafs, the injury news on forward Nick Robertson is better than it could have been. According to head coach Sheldon Keefe, he’ll miss about four weeks.
Robertson suffered a knee injury in his NHL regular-season debut over the weekend and it forced the team to do some salary cap juggling which required placing goaltender Aaron Dell and Jason Spezza on waivers Sunday.
Spezza cleared waivers (likely after threats he would retire if claimed) and Dell was claimed by the New Jersey Devils on Monday morning.
Oilers Goalie Carousel Continues
With Dell going to New Jersey, that means the Oilers won’t be able to claim him and Dell is not likely to go back on waivers because the Devils were looking for a backup to Mackenzie Blackwood after Corey Crawford decided not to play this season.
Now, the Oilers are left with either claiming another goalie off of waivers should someone like Eric Comrie become available or, they can do with Troy Grosenick who is on his way to Edmonton as we speak and a player they claimed from the Los Angeles Kings last week.
Jason Gregor reports that Grosenick is driving to the city but had yet to cross the border while waiting to see if the Oilers were going to be successful in their claim on Dell. Since the Oilers did not land Dell, Grosenick will complete his drive to Edmonton.
Still with the Oilers, TSN’s Frank Seravalli predicts that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could become the top target on TSN’s top free-agent list for 2021. The 27-year-old forward wants to stay with the Oilers but the club has put a cap at any future contract offer at $7 million annually on a long-term deal.
Penguins Interested in Roslovic
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman the Pittsburgh Penguins are believed to be one of the teams keenly interested in Winnipeg Jets unsigned forward Jack Roslovic.
Friedman writes:
“Jack Roslovic is unsigned, he’s asked for a trade, he’s not with the Jets, The Pittsburgh Penguins have started the season 0-2 and we know Jim Rutherford is not afraid. I also believe they’re one of the teams who’s very interested. We’ll see if there’s a match.”
Penguins’ GM Jim Rutherford has been public in the past about how tricky in-season trades would be, but if he’s able to land Roslovic without moving a key piece from this roster, he might try to make a move here.
Yandle Would Waive for the Bruins
Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now writes that if the Panthers are still looking to trade defenseman Keith Yandle (which they probably are), it would require GM Bill Zito to ask Yandle to waive his no-movement and no-trade clauses. The GM says he’s yet to do so. But, as per Murphy, if and when he does, the Bruins would be one team that he’d waive them for.
Yandle did end up playing in Sunday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks to keep his iron man streak alive and he actually scored a goal.
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