NHL Rumors: Insider predicts Patrik Laine in Columbus or Carolina, Seattle Kraken’s head coach, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the way out?
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL season is underway as the action is already hot! Today, one of the top insiders, Frank Seravalli of TSN put out some predictions for this season.
In it were some seriously interesting tidbits, so let’s dive in.
NHL Rumors: Patrick Laine will be traded this season to Columbus or Carolina
Patrik Laine WILL be traded before the April 12 TradeCentre deadline. Feels like much will be determined by Laine’s start to a pressure-packed season. Keep an eye on two potential destinations: Columbus (Pierre-Luc Dubois?) and Carolina (Brett Pesce/Vincent Trocheck?).
Frank Seravalli, TSN
Pierre LeBrun made the possible connection of a Laine for Dubois swap. That’s probably unlikely unless Dubois tells the Jets he wants to sign there in the future longterm.
As for the Hurricanes – keep an eye on them as they’ve been after Laine for awhile. It was reported that they were talking this offseason until the Jets demanded both Brett Pesce and Martin Necas.
NHL Rumors: Gerard Gallant will be the Seattle Kraken’s head coach
The Seattle Kraken will hire Gerard Gallant as the first coach in franchise history. No one knows better how to bring together a collection of expansion cast-offs, turning the Golden Misfits into the Golden Knights and nearly leading Vegas to the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Frank Seravalli, TSN
Hard to disagree here. Gerard Gallant would be a great coach, but who knows which coach will be fired during the season or available well before the July 21st expansion draft.
NHL Rumors: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the block?
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will become the No. 1 target on TSN’s Top Free Agent list for 2021. There is no question fan (and team) favourite RNH wants to remain in Edmonton. But to this point, negotiations have gone in fits and starts, and the Oilers have made it clear they have no plans to go north of $7 million per year on a long-term extension.
Frank Seravalli, TSN
If the Oilers aren’t willing to go over $7 million, I can’t see Nugent-Hopkins sticking around. It’s very early, but as we near the trade deadline we will find out just how true this all is.