NHL rumors – Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Fredrik Andersen, Alex Pietrangelo, and more
Anthony Scultore
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Today’s NHL rumors mill is buzzing with a new and somewhat unexpected name. Arizona Coyotes star defenseman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson could be made available for the right price this off-season?
NHL rumors – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
NHL Insider, Elliotte Friedman recently reported on the situation in Arizona. He expects them to make some cost cutting moves for the rebuilding Yotes.
Several bonuses are due in September, including Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s. During their post-season appearance, players were upset about late payment of per diems. The goal will be to cut payroll and rebuild. The Coyotes have a tight cap situation for 2020-21, but then it eases.
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Oliver Ekman-Larsson signed an 8 year extension last season. This September he has a $4 million bonus coming to him. Could Larsson be a financial casualty? First off, he has a no-move clause with an AAV of $8.25M hit. That will make him hard to trade, but if he becomes available that would certainly make for an interesting summer with plenty of suitors.
NHL rumors – Frederik Andersen
So are the Toronto Maple Leafs ready to make a change in goal? Apparently the Carolina Hurricanes have interest in Frederik Andersen according to Elliotte Friedman. The Leafs can’t simply trade Andersen without knowing full well who they will have in net next season, so don’t expect this to happen until free agency opens.
Would the Leafs go after a Braden Holtby? Or a Jacob Markstrom? Possible. And of course, there is that possibility of trading for Henrik Lundqvist looming out there too.
NHL rumors – Alex Pietrangelo
The news out in St. Louis is that both sides have met this past week. Although Alex Pietrangelo wants to stay with the Blues, their cap situation makes that difficult.
A rumor is building that the Toronto Maple Leafs want to make a big run for him. In a recent piece by Luke Fox at Sportsnet, he speculates that Kyle Dubas who desperately needs a right-handed rearguard will make a run for him. If that’s the case, I just don’t see how William Nylander can remain with the team.
NHL rumors – Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were gutted on defense last year with the trade of Jacob Trouba and Dustin Byfuglien retiring. Winnipeg has holes and it’s possible they could use a big piece like Patrick Laine to fill them. We will see about this one. It’s hard to believe they would trade Laine or Nichols Ehlers.