Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The trade deadline chaos has long passed us and the push for the playoffs is in full swing. However, it is not too early to look towards the offseason. There are going to be many teams that are looking to make bold moves in the summer to improve there teams. Today’s rumours swirl around the Pittsburgh Penguins and the league itself.
NHL Rumours
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on 32 Thoughts discusses the Penguins and Erik Karlsson
Oh how the tables have turned. After being named the General Manager, Kyle Dubas made the big splash trade to acquire Erik Karlsson. Even though Karlsson has been good this year for the Penguins, things have spiraled for the team. They were big sellers at the trade deadline, as they traded Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. It is a shame that a great season of Sidney Crosby has gone down the drain but there could be more to come.
Friedman talks about the possibility of the Penguins parting ways with Karlsson. The deal would be extremely hard to facilitate but it’s not impossible. He has a hefty contract but a team could be willing to add him. One team Friedman links to him is the Ottawa Senators.
Karlsson had his best years as a Senator and would be a nice addition to their blue line. It would give them a puck moving defenceman on the right side and bolster their core group. One key indicator, is the fact that fellow Swede Daniel Alfredsson is within the organization. That could sway things and have him land there. Hockey is poetic at times and having Karlsson finish where he started would be awesome.
Playoff Salary Cap
Rumour: Friedman on 32 Thoughts discusses the Salary Cap in the playoffs
The next set of NHL Rumours circles around the league itself. As everyone has seen, the Vegas Golden Knights had quite the trade deadline. They landed the biggest fish for a defenceman on the market in Noah Hanifin , but the blockbuster trade for Tomas Hertl took the cake. With Mark Stone on long term injured reserve with a lacerated spleen, the team opted to use the space to impact the roster. Also, this is well within the rules and is in the current CBA.
There is much discussion over this scenario and what could change moving forward. Friedman made a good point, dating back to something Ken Holland said regarding the 2002 playoffs. Friedman said,
“you remember in the 2002 playoffs when Toronto went to the ECF against Carolina and lost, the Leafs had like 10 guys injured, and Holland said what if that happens to you and you can’t field a team in the playoffs, you’re not going to want that, and he was right, nobody wanted that, so that’s why there is no cap in the playoffs”
It is hard to fault Vegas for going all in and constantly competing. Because to Friedman’s quote, if you can’t field a team in the playoffs that stings. Especially if you believe you have a chance to win. However, there will likely be a conversation for the next CBA.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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