As the NHL season gains momentum, several intriguing rumors are circulating, involving contract negotiations, potential trades, and teams positioning themselves for future success. Here's a breakdown of some of the latest buzz.
Pinto's Contract Pause with the Senators
The Ottawa Senators have reportedly presented Shane Pinto with an eight-year contract offer, but negotiations are far from straightforward. While the offer signifies the Senators' long-term interest in Pinto, the two sides are not close to an agreement. The Senators are grappling with Pinto's worth relative to their existing top players like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Jake Sanderson. An eight-year deal could see Pinto earning upwards of $8 million per season, potentially placing him above these established stars, which makes the Senators uncomfortable. A shorter "bridge" contract might be the only viable option to avoid these complications. Pinto is in the final year of his contract, and while talks were paused, they are expected to resume soon. There is some risk in restarting discussions while Pinto is in the middle of a hot streak.
Red Wings: Early Buyers?
The Detroit Red Wings are exceeding expectations early in the season, with impressive wins against Toronto, Florida, Tampa Bay, and Edmonton. This strong start has fueled speculation that General Manager Steve Yzerman might accelerate his plans and become an early buyer in the trade market. Strong goaltending from John Gibson and Cam Talbot, coupled with the emergence of young talents like Emmett Finnie and Moritz Seider, has energized the team. With cap space and potential trade targets available, Yzerman could seek to add a significant piece to the roster. Erik Karlsson has been mentioned as a potential target. A pairing of Seider and Karlsson on the right side could be a formidable combination.
Oilers' Trade Considerations
The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly considering making a couple of trades to adjust their roster. Defenseman Ty Emberson and forward Mattias Janmark are names to watch. With Jake Walman nearing his return and Zach Hyman expected back in a couple of weeks, the Oilers need to make moves to remain cap-compliant. Moving players like Emberson and Janmark could provide the Oilers with more roster flexibility. Other moves could include sending Ike Howard down to the AHL. The Oilers have limited cap space and assets. The Oilers are open to moving their 2027 first-round pick.
Other Rumblings
- Buffalo Sabres: There is speculation that the Sabres might consider trading Devon Levi, given their crowded goaltending situation.
- Vancouver Canucks: Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Tom Willander are top prospects that could be traded.
- Montreal Canadiens: The Canadiens may be interested in Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby if he decides to chase another Stanley Cup.
- Los Angeles Kings: The Edmonton Oilers are "quasi lurking in the weeds" regarding Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings.
- Vegas Golden Knights: Carter Hart has signed a PTO with the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Philadelphia Flyers: There is speculation that Flyers winger Owen Tippett could be a trade candidate.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Anthony Stolarz was very candid about criticizing the Toronto Maple Leafs for their play in overtime.
