NHL Rumors: Nugent-Hopkins turns down another Oilers offer; Panthers flirting with trading Driedger; Leafs and Jets deadline wildcards
Anthony Scultore
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The Edmonton Oilers put another offer on the table to pending UFA Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. It was a 5 year deal that obviously did not move the needle and was turned down. Does this put RNH on the block for the deadline? Not so fast.
NHL Rumors: Nugent-Hopkins and Oilers still talking
On the latest TSN Insider Trading, Frank Seravalli provided the latest on the situation in Edmonton. “At this point these two sides are going to continue talking,” he explained. “I have zero sense that the Oilers are going to move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at the deadline even without a contract.”
Way back in October of 2020 there was a lot of optimism surrounding the Edmonton Oilers and forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. At the time, Seravalli was reporting that the two sides were working on a longterm deal.
Oilers GM, Ken Holland admitted they were talking heavily around the start of free agency in October. “The marketplace has changed so much that basically our conversations have ended, and I would hope at some point once we get up and running we can pick back up and see if we can find a solution to keep Nuge in an Oilers uniform,” Holland explained. “Certainly that’s my goal, but the deal’s got to work for Ryan and for the Oilers.”
It appears this will have to be an offseason signing, and one that Holland would like done before the draft. The closer we get to that date; the more likely the Oilers may need to trade his rights for a pick.
NHL Rumors: Will the Panthers trade Chris Driedger?
Pierre LeBrun noted that upon the Panthers signing Spencer Knight on Wednesday three offers were made for 26 year-old goalie Chris Driedger. Now Florida has to decide if there’s any value in trading their stellar backup at the deadline. LeBrun stated that the Panthers are undecided at the moment.
Driedger has posted fantastic numbers this season. His record is 10-4-2 with a stellar 2.18 GAA and an excellent .927 SV%. He also has a cheap cap hit of $850,000. Rumor has it one of the teams that called on Driedger was the Philadelphia Flyers.
NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs and Jets deadline wild cards?
The NHL Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away and two North teams are fighting for first place in the division. They are also starting to look like wild cards for April 12. So far the Maple Leafs have been linked to almost everyone on the Trade Bait Tracker but have yet to pull off a deal. For all the talk they may not be able to pull the trigger.
Meanwhile, the Jets are talking a quiet game but many insiders believe they could be the team to make the biggest splash at the deadline. They are linked to Mattias Ekholm and could give up a nice amount for him if Nashville opts to deal him. Of course, Blake Wheeler recently went down with an injury so you can’t rule out a move for a goal scorer.