In at the moment’s NHL Rumors rundown, are the Vancouver Canucks trying to transfer defenseman Troy Stecher? May the Ottawa Senators have curiosity in making extra trades following their acquisition of Vladislav Namestnikov? What’s the most recent surrounding the negotiations between the Nashville Predators and Roman Josi? Lastly, Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy had some attention-grabbing feedback on Anders Bjork.
Associated: NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Penguins, Oilers, Seattle Names
Is Stecher on the Canucks’ Commerce Block?
In yesterday’s Insider Buying and selling on TSN, Pierre LeBrun was requested about Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher. After the Canucks added Tyler Myers and Jordie Benn over the offseason, plus the arrival of Quinn Hughes and the well being of Chris Tanev, the group has extra defensive depth than they’ve had in years. It’s resulted in Stecher being moved down the blue line ranks regardless of being a top-four defenseman earlier in his profession.
Troy Stecher, Vancouver Canucks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
He’s presently averaging 13:02 of ice time per sport, lowest amongst Canucks defensemen and greater than 5 minute beneath his earlier profession low. And with him within the final yr of his contract, it’s straightforward to see why the rumors have begun swirling about his future in Vancouver. LeBrun believes that, regardless of these rumors, the Canucks are pleased with Stecher:
…Stecher is on the third D pairing. However I can inform you this, the Canucks are lastly glad to have depth. I imply, because of this they constructed this group the best way they did. They haven’t had depth in a very long time, significantly on the defence. And it’s a group that’s been hit onerous by accidents on the blue line the final couple of years. So proper now that’s the plan is to maintain a man like Stecher for that cause.Pierre LeBrun
In response to those rumors, Vancouver Courier author Daniel Wagner tried to give you the explanation why the Canucks would commerce Stecher. (from ‘Why would the Canucks take into account buying and selling Troy Stecher?,’ Vancouver Courier, 10/22/2019) The primary is they need to commerce him if the return is value it, nonetheless, he doesn’t suppose that will occur as a result of a group is unlikely to surrender top-four worth when he isn’t presently a top-four defenseman.
If they’ll’t get the best return, Stecher’s extra helpful on the Canucks than he’s in a commerce. Daniel Wagner
The second is the creation of cap area, however Wagner factors out that the Canucks don’t want the area. He additionally brings up that the Canucks don’t have high quality defensive depth within the American Hockey League who may change Stecher. He in the end believes that the Canucks will maintain Stecher and preserve their defensive depth, particularly with the lengthy listing of accidents the group’s blue line has confronted in current seasons.
Senators Trying to Make Extra Strikes?
One other rumor introduced up on Insider Buying and selling is the Senators taking a look at making one other transfer following their acquisition of Vladislav Namestnikov. This rumor is rooted within the Senators’ 1-6-1 begin to the season and the way they’re ranked at or close to the underside of the league in mainly each statistical class. TSN’s Darren Dreger believes that the Senators may have curiosity in bringing in assist given how poor of a begin the group has gotten off to.
Ottawa Senators centre Vladislav Namestnikov scores on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Curtis McElhinney (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand)
Dreger means that basic supervisor Pierre Dorian is trying to usher in one other Namestnikov, whom they acquired on a budget and has slot in fairly nicely with six factors in six video games as a Senator. The Senators anticipated to be dangerous, nevertheless it’s unlikely they thought they’d be this dangerous. Bringing in a veteran who may create competitors for roster spots, particularly at a cut price worth, wouldn’t damage issues or alter their rebuild plan.
Josi Negotiations Hit Snag
LeBrun additionally stories that negotiations between the Predators and captain Roman Josi have hit a snag. He believes that Predators GM David Poile met with Josi’s agent when the group was in Los Angeles final week and that no progress was made. He additionally believes that Josi and his camp need him to change into the third-highest paid defenseman within the league after Erik Karlsson ($11.5 million) and Drew Doughty ($11 million). Nonetheless, the Predators have been unwilling to go that far in negotiations up to now. Provided that Josi’s present contract carries a $Four-million cap hit, he’s due a elevate, and the Predators can’t afford to lose him to free company. Now, the shortage of a state revenue tax in Tennessee may maintain the cap hit decrease than anticipated, however Josi is without doubt one of the five-to-seven greatest defensemen within the league and deserves to be paid prefer it.
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi is congratulated by the bench. (AP Picture/Mark Humphrey)
The difficulty for Poile and the Predators is that the longer they wait to get an extension completed, the extra Josi’s price ticket goes up. As Paul Skrbina of The Tennessean reported on Oct. eight, the higher Josi performs, the extra he might be on the lookout for on his subsequent deal. (from ‘Is price ticket going up for the Nashville Predators relating to captain Roman Josi?,’ The Tennessean, 10/08/2019) And, since Oct. eight, his play has solely gotten higher, and he presently has 9 factors in 9 video games, one of the best begin to a season of his profession. Josi is the Predators’ greatest and most essential participant, so getting him locked all the way down to a long-term contract is significant.
Bjork Carving Out Function in Boston
With Bruins winger Karson Kuhlman out for a minimum of one month with a fractured tibia, the group has been on the lookout for his substitute within the lineup. One participant who might need established himself within the lineup is Anders Bjork. Regardless of going forwards and backwards between the NHL and AHL the previous three seasons, the 23-year-old Bjork has but to carve out a constant function for himself.
Boston Bruins left wing Anders Bjork (Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports activities)
However, in accordance with NBC Sports activities Boston’s Joe Haggerty, Bjork might have simply completed that along with his efficiency within the group’s Four-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. As Haggerty factors out, Bjork didn’t report any factors, however his presence was felt all through the sport as he performed a quick, aggressive sport. His play was even acknowledged by Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy:
We’ll see the place Bjork matches greatest. I don’t suppose he damage himself in any respect tonight. With [Karson] Kuhlman out, you lose a little bit of that motor, a youthful man that get on pucks, and that’s the place Bjorkie was good tonight. That’s what we’re on the lookout for. Can he maintain it, can he be sturdy on it? He was. He didn’t damage us defensively, in order that’s a great factor and that bodes nicely for him. We’ll see if we discover a spot for him on Saturday. However it’s trying that means. Bruce Cassidy
Haggerty thinks Bjork would greatest match on the Bruins’ third line after Joakim Nordstrom returns, and that if he can play persistently good hockey in Kuhlman’s absence, he may nail down enjoying time even in a wholesome lineup.
