NHL rumors – Johnny Gaudreau, Marc-Andre Fluery, and more

Anthony Scultore |

Aug 24, 2020

The NHL rumors mill is buzzing right now. As team’s get eliminated, front offices, players, and reporters are shifting gears to the draft and free agency. Here’s the latest daily serving.

NHL rumors Johnny Gaudreau

Johnny Gaudreau has been in the NHL trade rumor mill dating back to early this season. The Flames left winger just turned 27 this month. He had a decent year with 58 points in 70 games, but a far cry from last year’s 99 point campaign.

In a recent interview with The Calgary Sun, Johnny Hockey said that the Flames are team he could play his whole career for.

#Flames LW Johnny Gaudreau on trade speculation and how it impacts him: "To be honest, I hear it every once in a while now. But, to be honest, Calgary has been a second home to me … It's a team I could see myself playing for for the rest of my career."
— Kristen Anderson (@KdotAnderson) August 24, 2020

The speculation started in The Athletic back in November but died down. Those rumors picked up at the deadline and went off the charts when Gaudreau temporarily took the Flames out of his Twitter bio. Now here we are again and it will be this way until free agency passes.

NHL rumors Marc-Andre Fleury

So is Marc-Andre Fleury done in Vegas? Robin Lehner appears to have taken over the starting role. This prompted Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh to put out a now deleted tweet of Fleury being stabbed in the back.

Listen to this clip and you’ll have a better understanding of who ⁦@walsha⁩ is and where he’s coming from. ⁦@camandstrickpod⁩ pic.twitter.com/mT5oRyON8T
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) August 23, 2020

This has started conversations about Fleury’s future in Vegas. Over at Spector’s Hockey, they feel that this will become an even bigger problem if Fleury continues to be the backup.

The 35 year-old backstop has 2 years remaining on a deal with a cap hit of $7 million. Trading him could prove difficult with what many believe will be a flooded goalie market this offseason. Fleury also has a 10 team no-trade list which will increase the difficulty.

NHL rumors Braden Holtby

nhl rumors capitals — Holtby could be skating away from the Caps (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

Speaking of that flooded goalie market, Braden Holtby will be the prize of the field. When that domino falls the other goalies on the market (free agency or trade) will move.

Recently, Holtby admitted that he has likely played his last game for the Capitals. This point was further driven when Caps GM, Brian MacLellan said that bringing him back would be difficult.

Look for the Carolina Hurricanes to make a big push for the Stanley Cup winner.

Caps GM Brian MacLellan said bringing Braden Holtby back is “going to be difficult.” His future with WSH is “still to be decided.”
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) August 23, 2020