We’re back for another edition of TLN Rumour Recap, our weekly column to keep you informed of all the buzz going around the NHL. The trade market has picked up in a major way and there could be more moves coming soon. There’s also a big-name free agent to worry about, among other things, so let’s jump right in.
Edmonton Oilers Considering Options
The Oilers sit 2-8-1 on the season and need to turn things around in a hurry. They waived veteran netminder Jack Campbell, who hasn’t been able to stop a beach ball this season. He’s likely going to buried in the minors for the entire season and eventually bought out this summer. For now, Oilers GM Ken Holland has called up Calvin Pickard to get some reps, but there’s been multiple reports that Edmonton is looking into the goalie market. One name that’s been linked to the team is Jordan Binnington of the St Louis Blues.
Binnington is likely available at the right price because the Blues see Joel Hofer as their goaltender of the future. As for Binnington, he has three more seasons on his contract at $6 million against the cap. He holds a full no-trade clause this season and would need to provide his stamp of approval to get shipped to Edmonton.
Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman also recently linked Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators as a complete long shot for the Oilers but someone the team could look to hit a home run on. Holland would have to give up multiple picks and top prospects to land Saros in Edmonton but Oilers fans can dream, right? Friedman points out there’s a ton of no-trade clauses around the NHL who have Canadian teams on them and he also thinks the Oilers make a significant trade that includes a number of different players coming back to Edmonton. The ol’ two birds with one stone trick.
There’s little doubt the Oilers are going to shuffle things around and while there’s been some attention on their goaltending and rightfully so, Holland has held discussions with Leafs GM Brad Treliving in the past on defenceman Vincent Desharnais. He is someone the Leafs have showed interest in earlier this season and could circle back on given the defensive woes going on in Toronto at the moment. Who knows if Desharnais moves the needle, but he’s a warm body and right now it can’t get much worse for the Maple Leafs and their ability to keep the puck out of their own net.
Patrick Kane Interviewing Like It’s July 1st
Future hockey hall of famer Patrick Kane is ready to get back into the NHL and is one step closer to signing on with a team. Kane and his agent Pat Brisson have been taking interviews with teams and are basically treating his November free agency like it’s the start of free agency in July. According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Kane has taken advantage of the extended lay off, appears to be in great shape recovering from his hip resurfacing procedure and has had the last month and a bit to really examine the teams interested in him to make a calculated decision.
As far as potential teams, Johnston sees the New York Rangers as a legit possibility, along with the Florida Panthers, as general manager Bill Zito has a very close relationship with Kane from their time together at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. Johnston also listed the Detroit Red Wings as a team who could make sense as well as Kane’s hometown Buffalo Sabres. They have Don Granato behind the bench who knows Kane well from his days as an assistant coach in Chicago and Johnston also pointed out during Kane’s rookie season, he would room with now Sabres GM Kevyn Adams. Lots of connections to consider.
Yes, the Maple Leafs were mentioned and have been linked to Kane in the past. It’s complicated because GM Brad Treliving would need to make a move or two just to fit Kane in financially and then he’d have to fill a potential hole that he’s just created from the trade in another fashion. Needless to say, it wouldn’t be easy to bring Kane to Toronto, and it’s almost certain that they’re more focused on fixing that back end instead of bringing in another scorer, but he has spent a lot of time in the GTA training and rehabbing, so who knows right?
Flames Have a Huberdeau Problem
Since recording 115 points in 80 games for the Florida Panthers in 2021-22 and then signing an 8-year, $84 million contract with the Calgary Flames, Jonathan Huberdeau has been a complete mess. Last season he blamed it on head coach Darryl Sutter, so what’s the excuse for this season? ‘Huby’ has recorded a dismal two goals in 12 games and sits with six points. 0.50 points per game for a $10.5 million? Yikes. It’s getting ugly in Calgary and there’s no denying it. He’s being benched late in games and the interviews afterwards, it’s becoming visible just how bad it really it.
Friedman thinks the Flames have started to make trade calls but not to get rid of Huberdeau, considering that would be one hell of a complicated trade, but that GM Craig Conroy is looking at who is available to fit in with Huberdeau and to get him going. Organizations rarely just give up on players this early into a contract extension and even though the price tag isn’t matching the production, don’t expect to see anything drastic out of Calgary unless it’s to add another forward to their top six to help get their stars going.
Nonetheless, there’s lots going on across the NHL, with trade talks becoming much louder these days. The Oilers are trying to figure out how to improve in a hurry, the Flames want to put Huberdeau is a situation to succeed and Kane is getting very close to signing on the dotted line. Another TLN Rumour recap is in the books, thanks for stopping by!
