Subj : NHL Rumors: Blue Jackets, Penguins, Lightning, Kraken, More
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers
Date : Sat Jul 25 2020 04:40 am
In today';s NHL rumor rundown, Columbus Blue Jackets'; coach John Tortorella is
not happy with his team and explains why. In Pittsburgh, there are questions
about who starts in goal and the GM has an opinion that might not match the
coach. Who will the Tampa Bay Lightning be forced to trade and finally, who is
in line to be the first head coach of the new Seattle Kraken franchise?
Blue Jackets Coach Unhappy With Players
Blue Jackets head coach�John Tortorella�has a tendency to be boisterous and
opinionated at the best of times. When he sees something he doesn';t like,
he';s not afraid to say so. Now, he';s targeting his own team and their
preparation for the play-in round of the NHL';s return to play.
John Tortorella, Columbus Blue Jackets bench, Feb. 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The
Hockey Writers)
Tortorella told NHL.com's Craig Merz he doesn't like what he has seen so far.
"My concern is some of the people that we are going to need to make a
difference for us to win a series, I don't think they're ready right now," said
Tortorella. He added:
"This isn't getting ready for the regular season and then trying to find your
game in 15 games during the regular season. This is a sprint… I don't want us
to fall into this trap of wading in. We need to be ready to go."
With the play-in rounds, the series'; are shortened to a maximum of five games,
so if a team doesn';t come out of the gate hot, they could be eliminated in a
matter of three games.
Who Starts in Goal for Penguins?
Even though it';s not up to him, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford told Josh Yohe of
The Athletic that he believes Matt Murray will be the starting netminder for
the team after seeing how well Murray has performed in this week's practices.
"I was watching him in that practice closely," Rutherford said.
Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
He added:
"He was the goaltender of 2016 and 2017 during that practice. He really was. I
saw the fundamentals, the ones that he shows when he's really on. That was very
encouraging. And plus, he has a little bit more time. I think he's going to be
just fine. Really good, in fact."
The interesting thing is, Jarry has dazzled in camp thus far while Murray has
allowed multiple goals during scrimmages. Murray has also lost his last six
postseason outings. This is certainly not a slam dunk decision.
Related: Jack Adams, the Man and the Award
Will Lightning Have to Trade Cirelli or Sergachev?
Joe Smith of The Athletic wrote in his mailbag report earlier this week that
the Tampa Bay Lightning might have to look at trading one their restricted free
agents in center Anthony Cirelli or defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.
If this comes to pass due to salary cap issues, Smith notes teams like the
Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres would be interested and the Lightning could
get a really good prospect, one or more high draft picks, and an NHL-ready
player in return.
Smith writes of Cirelli:
There would have to be a significant prospect and pick coming back to land
Cirelli, who has been the Lightning's top shutdown center and Selke-caliber
player. The coaching staff�loves�him, and there's no doubt GM Julien BriseBois
will do anything in his power to sign the RFA.source - Lightning mailbag: On
RFA dilemmas, playoff X-factors, trade talk and more'; - Joe Smith - The
Athletic- 07/20/2020
Smith feels the Lightning will keep both players on shorter bridge deals but
suggests Alex Killorn will be moved this summer thanks to the cap crunch.
Seattle Kraken Head Coach?
TSN';s Darren Dreger notes that after the news of Seattle';s new team name,
there is talk of who the next head coach will be. He said Kraken general
manager Ron Francis still intends to take his time finding the right bench boss
but that former Vegas Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant is certainly in the
mix.
Vegas Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant (AP Photo/David Becker)
Dreger also believes a flat salary cap of $81.5 million will help the Kraken
who may be able to pluck good players from teams who have to make tough
decisions heading into 2021-22.
Related: Ottawa Senators'; Coaching History
What Will Areas Look Like for Game Play?
The NHL released a rendering of what the arena will look like during the NHL
restart. According to Sportsnet';s Chris Johnston, "The league is promising a
unique look and feel to every game played, including the local goal horns and
songs of each team participating." He included a photo that shows screens and a
giant television board where fans on the player';s side would normally sit.
Here's a rendering of what the arena will look like during the NHL restart. The
league is promising a unique look and feel to every game played, including the
local goal horns and songs of each team participating.
pic.twitter.com/dwMAocHe2c- Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 24, 2020
Catch up on all the latest NHL Rumors
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