• 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: Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Blues, More

By Jim Parsons January 8th, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp


In today’s rumor rundown, the Montreal Canadiens would like to make some improvements but aren’t prepared to bet the future to do it. Meanwhile, Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is heading to Russia to check out some of the talents there. In San Jose, the Sharks are worried about their goaltending and there is some speculation the team might look to the trade market to shore up that issue. Finally, Doug Armstrong is not happy in St. Louis and big changes are expected.

Canadiens Not Interested in Rental Market

Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reports that Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin doesn’t intend to be busy in the rental market leading up to the Feb. 25 trade deadline. The idea is that Bergevin is not prepared to part with future assets for a short-term addition that may or may not make the team Stanley Cup contenders.

Marc Bergevin Canadiens

Marc Bergevin, Montreal Canadiens, 2018 NHL Draft, Dallas, TX, June 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

“Again, if there’s a young player available and there’s assets that need to go [to acquire that player], I get it. But I don’t think I’ll be in the rental business, ” said Bergevin. In fact, Bergevin may go the opposite direction at the deadline and look to move out veterans for futures and prospects in an attempt to improve the long-term future for the franchise.

Basically, if there is a good player to be had at the deadline but it will require a first-round pick to acquire him, don’t expect the Canadiens to be involved.

Related: NHL Trade Deadline: Our Top 10 Must-Watch List

Kyle Dubas Scouting in Russia for Maple Leafs

While Dubas has said he’s not going to be a heavy player in the rental market prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, he didn’t say he wouldn’t look internationally at players that could help his team moving forward. Pierre LeBrun tweeted that is in Russia the week watching some teams who have potential free agents, as well as some of their own prospects.

Kyle Dubas Maple Leafs

Kyle Dubas, Toronto Maple Leafs, 2018 NHL Draft, Dallas, TX, June 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Darren Dreger added that “KHL centerman, Sergei Andronov is a player of interest to the Leafs.” Dreger noted that a number of NHL teams are interested in Andronov and Toronto might be squeezed out of the negotiations based on cost. If Andronov is going to cost $1.5 to $2 million next season, Toronto likely can’t go there based on the cap issues the team will have when this season ends.

Alternatives for Dubas might be Yegor Korshkov, Alexander Yelesin, or Artyom Blazhiyevsky.

Related: NHL Rumors: Sabres, Rangers, Edler, Maroon, More

Sharks Looking for a Goalie?

While Erik Karlsson has really come on in San Jose of late, the goaltender situation for the Sharks is troubling. If the play of Martin Jones doesn’t improve, speculation by Paul Gackle of The Mercury News is that the Sharks may look to call up either Josef Korenar or Antoine Bibeau from the AHL.

Martin Jones- San Jose Sharks

Martin Jones had a monstrous start (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Gackle does suggest that the Sharks may look to a veteran available on the trade market and package Aaron Dell with something to acquire one of  Jimmy Howard, Brian Elliott, Michal Neuvirth, Keith Kinkaid, or Petr Mrazek.

Related: NHL Rumors: Hamilton, Duchene, Eberle, Lucic, More

Doug Armstrong: “The Alpha Male”

Pierre LeBrun had a Tuesday morning radio hit on Vancouver’s TSN 1040 that he believes two teams to watch are the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues.

LeBrun said one GM called the Blues’ Doug Armstrong “an alpha male” who won’t sit on his hands during this trade deadline. He may make changes for the sake of making changes because he’s so disappointed with the way the season turned out. “But I think the Blues are an absolute wildcard in terms of having a GM who’s unafraid to make change if he’s pissed off. So yeah, that’s a team that is worth monitoring,” LeBrun said.

The most common names coming out of St. Louis are Patrick Maroon, Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko, Colton Parayko, and Alex Pietrangelo.

Listen to the Latest Version of The Hockey Writers Podcast

  • Tags
  • Doug Armstrong
  • Kyle Dubas
  • Marc Bergevin
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 6:25 PM
Column

Winnipeg Jets News & Rumors: Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Ehlers & Connor

Jan 22nd 5:35 PM
Advanced Stats

Kings’ Anze Kopitar Still Has Trade Value, But Big Cap Hit Hurts

Jan 22nd 5:25 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Held Back By John Tortorella’s Stubbornness

Jan 22nd 5:15 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Newcomers Finding Their Roles

Jan 22nd 5:05 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ New Third Pairing Paying Early Dividends

Jan 22nd 4:55 PM
Winnipeg Jets

Jets Could Use Heinola’s Offensive Skill & Hockey IQ for Seasons to Come

Jan 22nd 4:45 PM
Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes Must Improve After COVID-19 Pause

Jan 22nd 4:30 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ Power Play Lacks A Lot

Jan 22nd 4:20 PM
Women's Hockey

Meet the NWHL’s EBUG: Mariah Fujimagari

Jan 22nd 4:10 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Rewarded Early by New Top Line of Tkachuk, Lindholm & Dube

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

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

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