In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has stated the team is ready to move forward with Tuukka Rask in net. In Minnesota, the Wild are expecting to get a defenseman back this coming season and in Edmonton, the Oilers may put one of their blueliners on LTIR right away. In Calgary, is there any more news on a potential Johnny Gaudreau trade? Finally, is Carl Soderberg headed to Switzerland or Sweden to play hockey next season?
Rask Ready to Return to Bruins
While there was some uncertainty as last season came to a close about goaltender Tuukka Rask and his future in Boston, NHL.com is reporting that the Bruins are “full steam ahead” with Rask in net this coming season.
Rask left the bubble during last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs and there was talk about him potentially hanging up his skates. Still, head coach Bruce Cassidy claims, “I think everything that happened in the bubble has been addressed, dealt with.” He added, “We’re moving on, getting ready to win next year. That includes our goaltender.”
Cassidy noted that Rask wants to return and is ready to play and fully expects they’ll be no concerns as far as his taking the net for the Bruins goes.
Wild Should Get Greg Pateryn Back
Michael Russo of The Athletic is reporting that the Minnesota Wild are expecting defenseman Greg Pateryn to return in time for training camp next season.
It was a bit of a mystery when he didn’t attend the team’s camp as the NHL bubbles were organized and it was learned he had back surgery. Russo detailed what kept him out of the lineup when he wrote:
Back surgery at the end of June, a microdiscectomy to repair a herniated disc pinching on a nerve. It’s the same type of operation that Zach Parise had in 2017 and Nick Bjugstad had this past May.
source – ‘Where has Greg Pateryn been? Injured Wild defenseman eyes return for camp’ – Michael Russo – The Athletic – 11/11/2020
Russo also notes that the news isn’t all wonderful, considering Pateryn is entering the final year of his contract and may have a condensed time to prove himself all over again. He needs to earn another contract with a Wild team that has been making a lot of changes.
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Flames Not Ready to Trade Gaudreau
Tracey Myers of NHL.com said in a recent mailbag segment that there was talk the Philadelphia Flyers might have some interest in Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau but she doesn’t expect the Flames will move him. Speculation is that GM Brad Treliving believes Gaudreau could have a bounce-back season and with two years left on his contract, there’s time to make a decision on the player.
Myers writes, “There’s just too much talent there, and anyone can have an off season.” The Flames will watch closely to make sure that Gaudreau is trending higher than the 58 points he scored last season and closer to the 75-plus points he’s scored in seasons past.
Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson Retires from Hockey
On Wednesday, former NHL netminder Jonas Gustavsson announced his retirement from hockey at the age if 36. He spent eight years in the NHL and three years in the SHL.
He spent time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers before leaving the league after the 2016-17 season.
Oilers to Put Klefbom on LTIR Sooner than Later
Jason Gregor at Oilers Nation writes that he believes the Edmonton Oilers will place defenseman Oscar Klefbom on LTIR before next season begins so they can get a deal done with Ethan Bear. Gregor notes the team can choose to either do LITR now or wait until the season starts.
Why this matters is because whenever you invoke LTI, whether it be before the season or after, the cap you submit at that time is what your cap number is for that season. For the Oilers, it would put their cap at around $85.3 million. That said, doing this affects the Oilers ability to call players up and what happens with performance bonuses.
This also means that teams who do this often ensure their players with the highest performance bonuses are on the opening night roster. For the Oilers, this means Evan Bouchard could be with the team when the season kicks off.
Carl Soderberg Leaving the NHL?
The Swiss Hockey News cites sources suggesting that forward Carl Soderberg is looking for a well-paid deal in Switzerland. The article notes however, that given the current situation and uncertainty around the continuation of the season, this might prove to be difficult. There is however interest from SHL’s Malmo in Sweden.
Soderberg spent his first eight pro seasons with this team and reports are there is mutual interest to go there. Since Soderberg has not landed a job in the NHL, it seems logical to assume he might look to international hockey as his next step.
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