In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Edmonton Oilers’ GM Ken Holland talked about the likelihood he gets Ryan McLeod inked to a new deal. He also spoke about the young players bubbling up for the Oilers and where he sits with other plans for the offseason.
As per one report, the New York Rangers are going to name Jacob Trouba the team’s next captain and is there a possible trade fit between the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings?
Holland Talks About McLeod, Other Younger Oilers Prospects
While a guest on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, Holland was asked if he sees Ryan McLeod as a deal he’ll have trouble getting finalized. He didn’t think getting a contract done with McLeod would be challenging and said he fully expects the forward to be at training camp on either a one-year or two-year deal.
Holland also mentioned that the last he’s heard on defenseman Slater Koekkoek — who took some time away from the team last season for a personal matter — is that he’ll be ready to go for training camp. He also expects young defenseman Philip Broberg to be on the opening night roster and that forward Dylan Holloway might be challenged to make the team with the depth Edmonton has. He did say that Holloway will compete for a spot at camp, but only stay with the team if head coach Jay Woodcroft wants him to play.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Suzuki, Gaudette & Anderson
Holland also expects there to be major competition for jobs on the blue line as Markus Niemelainen, Dimitri Samorukov, and Vincent Desharnais are all at an age where they’re ready to push for a spot.
Rangers to Name Trouba Captain
As per a report by Kevin Weekes, his sources say that the New York Rangers will be naming Jacob Trouba the next captain of the team. Trouba has been with the team for three seasons and is one of the organization’s top blueliners.
Islanders Willing to Trade Barzal to Fit In Kadri?
According to Lyle Richardson of The Hockey News: “Rumors have linked the New York Islanders to Nazem Kadri for several weeks now. Given their need to free up salary-cap space if they’re to sign the 31-year-old center, it’s been suggested they move Mathew Barzal in a cost-cutting trade.” These comments come on the heels of a suggestion the Islanders could consider trading Barzal to the Detroit Red Wings. Barzal makes $7 million in 2022-23.
Considering Barzal is set to become an RFA with arbitration rights and is close to UFA status, there is also a report by Stefan Rosner that there has been no word of contract extension talks between Barzal and the Islanders. And, if you consider what’s happened in Calgary this offseason and what’s happened with the Islanders in the past — John Tavares left for nothing four years ago — it would make sense the organization might be considering their options.
Barzal has been public about his desire to remain with the Islanders long-term but Rosner writes, “the Islanders will need to decide if Mathew Barzal is, in fact, part of their future plans before it’s too late.”
The suggestion might be that one of Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi could come back the other way in a trade.
Jim Parsons is a senior THW freelance writer, part-time journalist and audio/video host who lives, eats, sleeps and breathes NHL news and rumors, while also writing features on the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been a trusted source for five-plus years at The Hockey Writers, but more than that, he’s on a mission to keep readers up to date with the latest NHL rumors and trade talk. Jim is a daily must for readers who want to be “in the know.”
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