In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the Edmonton Oilers have grabbed another depth forward in free agency and most fans are loving the signing. Why did he choose Edmonton at such a discounted rate? In Winnipeg, there’s an update on Patrik Laine and whether or not he’ll be traded before camp. If not, how will the Jets improve their blue line? In Philadelphia, are the Flyers one of the teams interested in Mike Hoffman? Finally, could former Arizona Coyotes draft selection Mitchell Miller be headed to the KHL?
Laine Likely to Stay With Jets
Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet has updated the situation on Patrik Laine this week and notes that unless the Winnipeg Jets are blown away by a trade offer, he expects Laine to report to training camp.
The situation between the Jets and Laine could very well end in a trade because Laine is in the final year of his deal at a $6.75 million but the Jets are being patient as he is under team control for three more seasons. Winnipeg may know that Laine would prefer to move on, but they aren’t giving him away.
Wiebe also doesn’t believe there’s anything to the rumors the Columbus Blue Jackets would consider moving Zach Werenski and his $5 million salary cap hit for two years for Laine.
Potentially, a more likely move out of Winnipeg would be that the Jets deal either Jack Roslovic and Sami Niku in an attempt to land a defenseman.
Related: Prospects News & Rumors: Kaut, Dahlen, Robertsson & Rosen
Flyers Need Scoring, But Not Interested in Hoffman
While a number of teams have been listed as waiting on Mike Hoffman to make a decision, the Philadelphia Flyers are apparently not one of them. Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia cited Pierre LeBrun’s recent report that Hoffman is being patient because offers have been low but that “dozen or so” teams have shown interest. Hall says the Flyers aren’t in that group.
This news comes despite obvious issues with the Flyers ability to score in the playoffs and the fact they’ve not added a forward in NHL free agency. They don’t exactly have a ton of cap room, (just under $5 million in salary cap space) but they could make room if they had interest.
Hall says the team should be looking in his direction but he doesn’t believe they will.
Oilers Add Dominik Kahun
The Edmonton Oilers made it official on Monday that they were adding Dominik Kahun to their left wing depth on a one-year deal worth $975K. There was some speculation the Los Angeles Kings had kicked tires on the player, but he elected to join the Oilers.
What’s interesting about the deal is that the Oilers were said to have expressed interest early in free agency but Kahun wanted to see if there was better money out there. There wasn’t, or it didn’t come from teams he was interested in joining. As a result, he circled back to Edmonton and signed.
Kahun, 25, is a boyhood friend and former teammate of Oilers star Leon Draisaitl. They were frequent linemates for Germany in several international tournaments, including the World Championships. Fans in Edmonton will be wondering if these two will play together.
Also worth watching is how this signing affects Edmonton’s plans to re-sign RFA defenseman Ethan Bear. The Oilers don’t have much cap flexibility now, but will when Oscar Klefbom hits LTIR. That could mean Bear’s signing is held off until that time.
Related: Top 10 NHL Backup Goaltenders
Mitchell Miller Headed to KHL?
With the Arizona Coyotes renouncing their draft selection of Mitchell Miller and with the University of North Dakota revoking his right to play hockey, the former NHL prospect might be looking at other alternatives to play next season. Apparently, the Continental League of the KHL.
Reports out of Russia are that Miller is being potentially linked to SKA. Obviously, none of this is official and we’ll have more on the story as it develops.
