Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! So many good things are happening around the league and there is alot to tune into. The rumour mill is churning quicker now that the season is a quarter of the way through. Today’s rumours focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Meafs
Rumour: Elliote Friedman discusses that Toronto is still looking for defence help
John Klingberg is on long term injured reserve but the final verdict on him is still to be determined. Regardless, Brad Treliving pivoted to a familiar face in the organization he once belonged to. With the amount of pending free agents Calgary has on the blue line, Toronto was eyeballing not one but two Defencemen.
According to Friedman, Toronto was close to landing Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev. With the need for an upgrade that would have been a major boost for Toronto on the back end. Each player can eat big minutes and also responsible defensively. However, the problem was compensation.
Toronto is in a pickle financially and has little cap space to work with. In order to facilitate a move they would need Calgary to retain salary. Both sides could not come to an agreement and therefore Zadorov is now a Vancouver Canuck. Tanev makes more money than Zadorov does, so retaining would be more heftier on that front.
Toronto has always been a skill team that possesses finesse and can score goals. However, with Klingberg’s future uncertain the search for a defenceman is still underway. A deal could still get done for one of the Calgary blue liners but Treliving will continue his search elsewhere for the time being.
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Elliote Friedman says that management has met with Elias Pettersson
The next set of NHL Rumours sticks in Canada. All eyes are on the Vancouver Canucks this season and deservedly so. Rich Tocchet has this team playing great hockey and the teams’ best players are shining brightly. Quinn Hughes is playing like a Norris Trophy winner and Thatcher Demko is the best goalie in hockey right now. However, one player that has stood out among the club is superstar centre Elias Pettersson.
Pettersson has been the focal point of the Vancouver attack for years. He has been consistent, surpassing the 60 point mark four times in five season. Last year was a career year for the centre, scoring a career high 39 goals and 104 points. This season he is off to a rocking start with 30 points in 24 games. Given the level of play and him being in the prime of his career, he is due a new contract. Friedman says he and management have met face to face.
It was nothing more than a conversation but being able to sit face to face is a step in the right direction. Pettersson currently makes $7.3 million and is due a significant raise. All eyes will be on Vancouver regarding their star player.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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