NHL Rumors: Oilers interested in Eric Staal, Maple Leafs may make their move soon, and will the Sabres fire Ralph Krueger
Anthony Scultore
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The Buffalo Sabres are scouring the league and talking to every team about potential trades. It’s been reported for over a week that they are not only open for business, but open for anything.
Eric Staal could be the first chip moved.
NHL Rumors: Oilers looking at Eric Staal
Eric Staal is quickly becoming one of the most talked about rentals at the deadline. He is absolutely open to a trade and an exit out of the Sabres mess.
Yesterday it was noted the Panthers would be a possible destination but on TSN’s Insider Trading another team entered the mix.
“Keep an eye on Edmonton,” Pierre LeBrun revealed. “A trade with the Oilers would have to be dollar-in dollar-out, they’re right at the cap, they are in LTIR, but they are looking to upgrade their third line and I’m told that Staal is a name that has been mentioned internally by the Oilers brass.”
The 36 year-old center has nine points on the season. His production should improve wherever he goes.
NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs may make their move soon
The 14 day quarantine issue in Canada is not changing anytime soon. That means the Maple Leafs may up their timetable about two weeks prior to the NHL Trade Deadline on April 12.
After Thursday, Toronto has five games in 14 days. It would not be a stunner if the Maple Leafs tried to make their move during this time to minimize quarantine on any player coming from the U.S. In the last week, Toronto’s been rumoured to be in on half the league, from Mattias Ekholm to Filip Forsberg to Mikael Granlund to Eric Staal to Marc Staal. We will see what GM Kyle Dubas decides to do.
Elliotte Friedman
From what I’ve been able to discern from all the reports and rumors is the Kyle Dubas really likes Mikael Granlund. The 29 year-old center gives them added depth down the middle and can play that 3rd line – top 9 role Kyle Dubas is looking for. He has 10 points on the year for a bad Predators team.
NHL Rumors: Changes coming for Sabres, firing Ralph Krueger an option
It seems that while GM Kevyn Adams is looking at every trade possibility he’ may be ready to dismiss his head coach, Ralph Krueger.
“It’s too soon to say but I know that GM Kevyn Adams continues to try and make trades,” Darren Dreger explained. “He’s evaluating the entire hockey operations department, including his roster, throughout this process. And he’s willing to consider pretty much every position. Some think that Krueger is unlikely to be let go in-season, but I think it is way too early to say that.”
Krueger has a 55-67-19 record in 141 NHL career games coaching the Oilers and Sabres.