In The Maven's new weekly rumor column aptly named Rue De Rumeurs, he looks at where William Nylander could wind up, what the Colorado Avalanche will do in goal, the Vancouver Canucks helping out Quinn Hughes & more.
In The Maven's new weekly rumor column aptly named Rue De Rumeurs, he looks at where William Nylander could wind up, what the Colorado Avalanche will do in goal, the Vancouver Canucks helping out Quinn Hughes & more.
LANDING NYLANDER
Toronto's new GM Brad Treliving's challenge -- apart from the usual goaltending migraine -- is answering this question: Will William Nylander be a Maple Leaf?
We all know that defense in the Queen City has been one -- of many reasons -- why the dear boys from Toronto never win The Mug. That vice might be reversed if Treliving can land someone better than T.J. Brodie or Jake McCabe. (Nothing personal, guys!). The Maven believes that Colton Parayko fills that bill, but word has it that Brad T wants more -- and likely will get it for Bill Nylander.
Then again, a Parayko-plus would be another story. And that will depend on which route GM Doug Armstrong blueprints for his Blues.
In the absence of a Ny extension, William's future somewhere will be that of a skating bank. And the bank won't have "Maple Leafs" on its front window. Then again, as one insider puts it, "Treliving may have no choice but to salvage some assets for Nylander as opposed to losing him to unrestricted free agency for nothing in return."
THE AVS AND THE AVE-NOTS
Any serious thinking in Denver about an Avalanche Stanley Cup is predicated on goaltending being A-1. That suggests that Colorado can make it even with Alex Georgiev at the top of his game. Well, he was last season, and the Avalanche was unceremoniously dethroned.
We can figure out another strong Georgie Boy season once more, but what if he's hurt, and what about the backup? If Pavel Francouz is healthy; no problem, but that doesn't seem to be the case. And you know what that means. Rumors!
The word up and down Rue De Rumeur is that Avs' GM Chris MacFarlane is on the lookout for a goalie preserver. With that in mind, the "Av-Not" Canadiens have something to offer in Penguins expatriate Casey De Smith. And if that doesn't work, The Street says Buffalo's Eric Comrie might be the bill-filler.
HELPING HUGHES
Canucks coach Rick Tocchet did well anointing Quinn Hughes with the captaincy. After all, Brother Quinn plays almost half a game. Two-time Cup-winner Ian Cole will be a huge Hughes partner, but the other V addition -- Carson Soucy -- could inspire GM Patrik Allvin to unload Tyler Myers. As Ben Kuzma noted in The Hockey News Yearbook, Vancouver's blue line corps "wasn't structurally sound." Moving Myers might strengthen the structure; depending on who can be added. By the way, TSN's Travis Yost also reports that Myers "could be on the move" because of a "contract wrinkle."
And since the Canucks are going to live or die with Thatcher Demko between the pipes, you have to wonder whether Allvin feels secure with Spencer Martin as a backup. (The Maven would rather have what the Leafs have, Martin Jones; another bit of trade bait.)
KRAKEN ME UP
Since, surprisingly, Seattle is scraping the salary cap ceiling, GM Ron Francis will be anxious to clear the last year of goalie Chris Driedger's $3.5 million contract. Although recovered from an ACL tear, it's uncertain whether Driedger will beat out Joey Daccord for the Krak's backup goalie slot. Francis may not get much for a goalie who's barely played in a year, but gaining cap relief may be enough.
TIDBITS:
Figure Zac Jones as the first Rangers defenseman to be traded. He's on the small side and hasn't made an impact on a depth D. When the playoff push begins, Jones should be available.
Patrick Kane returning to the Rangers somewhere down the line is not an impossibility. Then again, PK expressed interest in joining the Avs last season. It could happen this season.
Despite miles of trade rumors, blue liner Brett Pesce still is with the Canes. But that could change overnight.
TSN' Frankie Corrado figures that the Avs or Canes are best bets to land Phil Kessel.
Florida's Dmitry Kulikov and Mike Reilly are set on the Cats' blue line, but what happens after injured Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour return? Either DK or MR could go. Rather than lose Kulikov and/or Reilly to waivers, GM Bill Zito would likely want something in return.
What's with Robin Lehner, coming off a pair of surgeries? If Big Bucks Robin is healthy, GM Kelly McCrimmon might consider putting the former No. 1 on the block.