NHL Rumors: Nolan Patrick wants a trade, Blue Jackets buzz, Mitch Marner not being moved and Leafs news
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL Rumors will pick up now that more teams have been added to the offseason mix. The Maple Leafs will probably dominate the talk, but you can be assured Columbus and Philadelphia will be making noise too.
Nolan Patrick wants out of Philadelphia
Anthony San Filippo who covers the Flyers speculated that Nolan Patrick wants to be traded. On his podcast, he gave the reasonings.
“The reason Nolan Patrick switched agents is because he is going to request a trade,” said SanFilippo. “Nolan Patrick does not want to be here anymore; he doesn’t like the criticism that he’s facing, he doesn’t like the spotlight that’s on him, he doesn’t like the coach, at all. I don’t think Nolan Patrick wants to be here.”
via The Fourth Period
That’s quite an indictment. When it comes to Alain Vigneault’s track record with rookies, this one is easy to believe. Patrick has struggled in Philadelphia ever since they drafted him and missed time with migraine issues. He’s been speculated to being dealt for awhile now and it may just happen this summer.
Patrick is likely going to be used as a piece in acquiring a defenseman.
Mitch Marner not being traded
Mitch Marner has been the subject of trade rumors even before the final buzzer sounded in Game 7 against the Habs. Yesterday, Auston Matthews scoffed at the idea of trading Marner and GM Kyle Dubas called it “foolish.”
Maple Leafs President, Brendan Shanahan also weighed in on the notion of breaking up their top four (Tavares, Matthews, Marner, Nylander).
“I’ll say this about our top four: I think any team would love to have any one of them,” Shanahan said. “But we like them, we want them here. They’re special players. They’re all deeply, deeply committed here to win in Toronto.”
NHL.com
Toronto will certainly have some potential changes with players like Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds on expiring deals. Same for Frederick Andersen and Zach Hyman who may leave via free agency.
Blue Jackets Buzz
Elliotte Friedman, who reported that Seth Jones would be heading to Free Agency added more context to the situation in his latest 31 Thoughts Blog.
The team is coming off a hard season, and their identity is changing. It’s time to build something new, and the return for Jones will be a big part of that. It’s a complex transaction, because unless someone is willing to give up a major package for Jones as a rental, this is essentially a trade and free agency at the same time. But he’s a hell of a player, greatly respected, and there will be a ton of interest.
31 Thoughts
I’ve already written that whomever is trading for him would need assurances Jones will talk contract extension with them. One team I mentioned were the Flyers with Nolan Patrick going the other way.
Friedman also noted that the Jackets have had conversations about Sam Reinhart with the possibility that Columbus would include one of their two starting goalies in a package for him.