In today’s NHL rumor rundown, less than 24 hours removed from the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, there is plenty of talk surrounding players and teams but not a lot of action. There were no player-centered trades in the first round, but Tuesday morning started with a signing (Dylan DeMelo) and there’s significant buzz.
The Edmonton Oilers are rumored to be in on a goaltender after deciding not to qualify two players. In Boston, it was rumored the team was trying to get back into the first round of the draft yesterday and had dangled a forward as a way to do so. Where does the team sit with Jake DeBrusk?
Oilers Don’t Qualify Athanasiou or Benning, Could Be in On Markstrom
As per Elliotte Friedman after Tuesday night’s first round came to a close, he provided updates on a few lingering rumors. In relation to the Oilers, he believes that should Jacob Markstrom shake loose out of Vancouver, the Oilers are players on that front.
Edmonton has been rumored to be in on a few goaltenders and Ken Holland did say that his priority is to find a partner for Mikko Koskinen, but Markstrom’s name is interesting because that’s a potentially expensive partner. And, as seems evident by other teams inability to move goalies, trading Koskinen won’t be easy if that’s on Holland’s to-do list.
In other Oilers news, the team has decided not to qualify the contracts of either Andreas Athanasiou or Matt Benning. Both will become unrestricted free agents on Friday and it is believed both will move on.
Related: Canadiens Make Splash With Josh Anderson Acquisition Prior to NHL Draft
Tyler Toffoli Headed to Free Agency
In other Canucks news, it’s being reported that the team simply doesn’t have enough cap space to hang onto forward Tyler Toffoli and as such, he’ll head to free agency.
This is an interesting development on a couple of fronts. First, it was believed the Canucks were heavily invested into re-signing Toffoli. That means, either he’s asked for a hefty raise, or the Canucks have decided to invest their money elsewhere. Some are wondering if this means they are trying to complete the deal for Oliver Ekman-Larsson?
Bruins Dangled DeBrusk on Draft Day
Boston Hockey Now was reporting on Tuesday that Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney was feverishly working the phones trying to get the team back into the first round of the draft and was offering up forward Jake DeBrusk.
But, as the draft was deep and a few teams went off the board, teams stayed put. The only trades included picks and both times it was the Calgary Flames who moved down to get a player they wanted a little later in the draft.
What that means for DeBrusk is unclear as there are still some pretty good players available on Wednesday.
Related: Senators Add Skill, Size & Grit on Day 1
Senators In Talks About Adding a Goalie
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Ottawa Senators have held talks with all the teams wanting to move goalies. Among the names the Senators have looked at are Matt Murray out of Pittsburgh, Arizona’s Darcy Kuemper, and Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins from Columbus.
The Senators have four second round picks and a lot of prospects so a trade is being considered a likely reality on Wednesday morning.
Teams Really Sticking it to Golden Knights
Brian Lawton added to the speculation surrounding Marc-Andre Fleury and the Vegas Golden Knights ability to get a team to take on his salary or a third party coming in to help retain money. He notes:
“Hearing from NHL teams the ask to take on Marc Andre Fleury and his 7 million AAV is not just a 1st & 2nd rounder as reported but also that the club must pay a minimum of 33% of the salary!”
That means, if the Golden Knights really want to move him, they have to keep over $2 million in salary and give up two high draft picks. It seems more likely the team will look to another player to clear up space, the talk being that Nate Schmidt might be on the move.
All of this seems to stem from rumors the team is trying to make space for Alex Pietrangelo.
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