While the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup title win over the Dallas Stars is still fresh in everyone’s minds, NHL franchises, their fans and hockey betting buffs everywhere are already looking toward the upcoming 2020-21 regular season. With that said, and rumors running rampant across the NHL landscape, it’s time to find out which players could be on the move prior to the start of the upcoming campaign. Let’s get right to it so you can put your bets against their NHL odds.
NHL Rumors Flying Fast and Furious | October 20th Edition
While the start of the new season is being delayed until at least Jan. 1, 2021, now is a great time to find out which possible trades and free agent moves could potentially alter the NHL’s balance of power.
The Champs
Could the reigning champs part ways with franchise cornerstone Steven Stamkos? If rumors are true that the Lightning have approached Stamkos about waiving his no-trade clause, it could happen. Lest anyone forget, Tampa Bay won it all, mostly without Stamkos so they could look to free up his $8.5 million deal.
Boston Bruins
With Torey Krug now calling St. Louis home, Boston re-signed 26-year old defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a four-year, $14.75 million extension.
“I think I definitely wanted to avoid arbitration. I think both sides had that in common and just about finding middle ground and wanting to find a fair deal for both sides and I feel like it moved pretty swiftly,” Grzelcyk said.
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara may not be back in 2020-21 after playing out a one-year deal last season.
Rolling the Dice in Vegas
As widely expected, the Vegas Golden Knights have signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Alex Pietrangelo to seven-year deal worth
$8.8 million per season that will make Pietrangelo the second highest paid Golden Knight behind only forward Mark Stone. Last season, Pietrangelo recorded 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points for St. Louis while helping the Blues win it all in 2018-19.
Turning Over a New Leaf in Toronto
Toronto has been one of the busiest teams since the start of free agency. The Leafs signed veteran goalie Aaron Dell, defensemen Zach Bogosian and TJ Brodie, and forwards Jimmy Vesey, Wayne Simmonds and former superstar Joe Thornton while moving winger Andreas Johnsson for youngster Joey Anderson.
Whining in Winnipeg
The Jets have been rumored to be set to move disgruntled superstar forward Patrik Laine, but it hasn’t happened yet. Laine isn’t happy with the way he was used this past season and rightfully so. The 22-year-old has 138 goals in 305 career games. Laine had scored at least 30 goals in each of his first three seasons until being limited to 28 last season. I think things could ugly in Winnipeg before the Jets have to eventually move Laine.
Trouble in Chi-Town
Rumors out of Chicago say the Blackhawks aren’t close to finalizing a deal with center Dylan Strome that would extend the restricted free agent on a new contract.
Mess in Montreal
The Canadiens may not e-sign center Phillip Danault is his demands continue to be what Montreal’s front office considers to be too high.
Isles Making Moves
Rumors out of the Big Apple say the Islanders are close to re-signing unrestricted free agents Andy Greene and Matt Martin after their fantastic run to the conference finals.
Flames Fired Up
The Calgary Flames are looking to make a few more moves with just under $4 million in salary cap space remaining. Calgary made the biggest splash on the first day of free agency with a $36 million deal given to veteran net-minder Jacob Markstrom.
Flames general manager Brad Treliving spoke with the media and said, “We’re not done.” and added, “We don’t expect this is the team we’ll go to training camp with.”
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