Subj : NHL Rumors: Oilers, Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Senators, More
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers - Main
Date : Sat Jan 02 2021 04:40 am
In today';s NHL rumor rundown, even after signing with the Columbus Blue
Jackets, rumors persist that Pierre-Luc Dubois wants out of the organization.
What are the next steps for both sides? The Edmonton Oilers think they';ve got
an answer to their questions about the penalty kill, and the Ottawa Senators
may have too many players and need to make a trade. Finally, who will head to
the Montreal Canadiens taxi squad as they continue to sign players?Pierre-Luc
Dubois Trade Rumors Persist
Thursday was a busy day for reporting when it came to covering the story of
Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Columbus Blue Jackets. First he wanted a trade, then
he signed a two-year extension. Now, he';s signed, but still wants out.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, Columbus Blue Jackets (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
According to Aaron Portzline�of The Athletic, as Dubois was fielding interest
from other teams he realized he'd like to play elsewhere. Apparently, that
hasn';t changed even though he';s now signed to a bridge contract. "Dubois'
desire to leave Columbus was made clear," Portzline writes. He adds:
As a restricted free agent, Dubois was allowed to speak with other NHL
franchises since free agency began on Oct. 9. Dubois did not sign an offer
sheet, but the Blue Jackets were extremely wary of one, which is why they
traded defensemen Ryan Murray and Markus Nutivaara at liquidation prices on the
eve of free agency.source - 'Pierre-Luc Dubois signs new deal with Blue
Jackets, but desire for trade remains'; Aaron Portzline - The Athletic -
12/31/2020
Portzline notes now that the team is hoping Dubois will change his mind, but
they might have to use much of the next two years to test the market and see
what';s out there for Dubois, a player who should field plenty of interest.
There';s a lot of talk that GM Jarmo Kekäläinen is to blame for what';s
happening here as he has a history of playing hardball with RFA';s and this is
now the third time it';s come back to bite him (Ryan Johansen and Josh Anderson
being the other two times.)Related: 2020-21 NHL Season Will Bring One-and-Only
Stanley Cup MatchupsOilers Using Turris to Kill Penalties
After letting Riley Sheahan walk this offseason, the Oilers are down one key
member of their penalty kill team. Questions in Edmonton about who will fill
that role to ensure the kill stays strong are circulating and head coach Dave
Tippett believes newly-acquired center Kyle Turris can do the job. Kyle Turris,
Nashville Predators (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
Pegged to be the Oilers third line center this season, Tippett hinted in media
interviews that Turris will see some time killing penalties. The only problem
is, that outside of winning defensive zone faceoffs, he';s not very proficient
at playing a man down. He rarely did so in Nashville and when he did in Ottawa,
the Senators were badly outshot compared to other penalty killers.
The backup plan if Turris doesn';t do well seems to be Gaetan Haas which gives
a hint that Haas will be one of the regular members of the Oilers and not
necessarily a taxi squad member. Canadiens Might Put Surprising Player on Taxi
Squad
The Montreal Canadiens signed a couple of extra forwards recently to add to
their depth but Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette writes the challenge for GM
Marc Bergevin and head coach Claude Julien is to figure out how to fit players
into the lineup and under the salary cap. Is it possible that one of recently
signed Corey Perry or Michael Frolik wind up on the taxi squad?
Hickey writes specifically about Frolik and his chances when he noted:
Frolik is aware there will be competition for jobs and ice time in Montreal and
he said that's always a good situation. He faces one disadvantage because the
Sabres didn't make the playoffs and he hasn't played a game since March.source
- 'Corey Perry, Michael Frolik give Canadiens'; special-teams units a boost';
Pat Hickey - Montreal Gazette - 12/29/2020
The recent signings leave the Canadiens $1.1 million over the $81.5-million
cap, which means decisions will have to be made before the season
starts.Related: 10 NHL Oddities We'll Never See AgainSenators Need a Trade?
Ken Warren of the Ottawa Sun recently took a look at how logjammed the Senators
are at center and on defense. The additions of Derek Stepan and Cedric
Paquette gives them five centers and there may be talk of the team trying to
move Artem Anisimov or Logan Brown.Artem Anisimov, Ottawa Senators (Amy Irvin /
The Hockey Writers)
On defense, Warren writes:
It's a packed house on defence, too, with Thomas Chabot, Nikita Zaitsev, Erik
Gudbranson, Braydon Coburn, Mike Reilly, Josh Brown, Christian Wolanin, Erik
Brannstrom, Artem Zub, Lassi Thomson and Christian Jaros all searching for
playing time."
Some of the above will likely be resolved with the Senators trading away
veterans before the trade deadline, but there will be a tricky challenge for
coach D.J. Smith to play in the short term.source - ' WARREN: Breaking down
Dorion';s busy trade weekend'; - Ken Warren - Ottawa Sun - 12/28/2020
To solve the issue of too many players for not enough spots, Warren believes
some of the veterans could be moved by the trade deadline.
Catch up on all the latest NHL Rumors
The post NHL Rumors: Oilers, Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Senators, More appeared
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