NHL Rumors: Futures of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby uncertain, several teams interested in Sam Bennett, and more

Anthony Scultore |

Feb 10, 2021

The NHL Rumor Mill is starting to pick up again. Just a day after the hiring of Brin Burke and Ron Hextall in Pittsburgh, many are wondering if both Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby will finish their careers there.

NHL Rumors: Penguins could consider trading Malkin and/or Crosby?

Make no mistake about it, the Penguins are going for it and that was reiterated by Ron Hextall after his hiring. Of course, that’s for this season but what about beyond that?

“We’re looking to make the Pittsburgh Penguins the best team we can this year. We’ll see where it goes, we’ll see how good we are, we’ll see how our players respond and we’ll address things as we go along,” Hextall said. “You always have to look at the future, but you have to look at the present and the focus right now is on making the Pittsburgh Penguins the best we can right now until the end of the year.”
Ron Hextall via Sportsnet

This has raised questions about the futures of Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang. While some can contemplate a Penguins team without Sid, I can’t. As for Malkin and Letang, they are two very obvious candidates to be traded this offseason or before their contracts expire. Both have already been discussed in trade talks and most likely will again.

NHL Rumors: Several teams in on Sam Bennett

Sam Bennett trade rumors — Aug 13, 2020; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Sam Bennett (93) scores a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop (30) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

There’s already been an early connection with the Rangers in a possible Tony DeAngelo for Sam Bennett swap, but that has died down.

Elliotte Friedman is noting in his latest column that, “Anaheim, Colorado and Columbus are among those who checked in.” He concluded by wondering if Brian Burke will get in the mix now that he’s in Pittsburgh.

NHL Rumors: Interest in some Canucks players as they continue to slide

The heat is on in Vancouver and it sounds like changes are coming. Friedman noted this about two Canucks in the rumor mill.

Sounds like Nashville is one of the teams interested in Vancouver’s Adam Gaudette. Boston was checking out Jake Virtanen, but I’m not sure where that stands. The Sharks poked around during the off-season.
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