Could the Oilers attempt to acquire Blues winger Jordan Kyrou, trade Darnell Nurse to the Sharks, or hire Mike Babcock? What’s the latest on the Maple Leafs and Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST OILERS RUMORS
DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek believes the Edmonton Oilers speculated that the Edmonton Oilers could pursue a speedy winger who can play alongside team captain Connor McDavid.
Marek expects that Jordan Kyrou will be mentioned “a ton” as a trade target. The 27-year-old St. Louis Blues winger has been in the rumor mill for the past couple of years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou would first have to waive his full no-trade clause. Another hurdle is meeting the Blues’ high asking price. Kyrou’s production dropped this season, mostly because of injuries, but the Blues won’t sell low. They could seek a good young NHL player, a prospect, and a first-round draft pick.
The Oilers have over $16 million in salary-cap space with 15 roster players under contract. They would likely have to shed salary to make room for Kyrou’s $8.125 million average annual value for the next seven seasons.
And no, the Blues won’t retain salary in this deal. You want Kyrou, you meet their asking price, and take on his full cap hit. They’re under no pressure to move him.
Marek believed the Oilers would attempt to re-sign defenseman Connor Murphy, who is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. Failing that, he wondered if Michael Kesselring of the Buffalo Sabres might be a fit.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (NHL Images).
The San Jose Sharks are looking for a defenseman, and they have a surplus of young forwards. Marek wondered if there might be a deal in which the Oilers send them veteran blueliner Darnell Nurse for one of their young excess forwards, such as Colin Graf.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman would probably love a move like that, assuming Nurse waives his no-movement clause. However, Sharks GM Mike Grier could have other trade options in mind to bolster his blueline, especially ones that aren’t carrying a $9.25 million AAV for the next four years.
Marek also mentioned the Oilers’ need to upgrade their goaltending. He mused about whether there might be something there with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers need stability between the pipes, but Luukkonen has had his consistency issues. The Sabres could also prefer to keep their current goaltending tandem intact for next season.
Devon Levi has recently surfaced as a trade candidate given his struggles to crack the Sabres’ lineup. However, the Oilers might prefer a more established NHL starter.
TSN: Darren Dreger contacted former NHL head coach Mike Babcock regarding rumors linking him to the Oilers. “Dregs, I’m retired. Loving it,” Babcock replied.
Babcock last coached in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019-20. He was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets three years later, but resigned before the start of the season after it was reported he had asked his players to share personal photos from their mobile devices.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite Dreger’s report, the speculation persists suggesting the Oilers should hire Babcock. However, the Oilers players might not be pleased with that possibility, given what went down in Columbus and his treatment of Mitch Marner when he coached the Maple Leafs.
MATTHEWS COULD BE THE MAPLE LEAFS’ ONLY UNTOUCHABLE
SDPN: During the latest episode of The Chris Johnston Show, Johnston said the Toronto Maple Leafs’ new management is open to listening to offers on any player other than team captain Auston Matthews.
Johnston pointed out that some players, such as William Nylander and Morgan Rielly, have no-movement clauses, meaning they could be unwilling to move. Nevertheless, it seems that new GM John Chayka is “basically considering everything but his captain.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka will also set high prices for some of those players, especially Nylander, right wing Matthew Knies, and center John Tavares. Even though he might be open to listening to offers, it doesn’t mean that he’s going to move those players or stage a fire sale.
Remember, Chayka’s taking his marching orders from Leafs ownership. They made it clear that they are retooling, not rebuilding, with the intent of staging a bounce-back performance next season.
SUGGESTED TRADE TARGETS FOR THE PENGUINS
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggested four young players as potential trade targets for the Penguins.
They include winger Brad Lambert of the Winnipeg Jets, defenseman Mason Lohrei of the Boston Bruins, center Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, and blueliner Pavel Mintyukov of the Anaheim Ducks.
Kingerski noted that the four have struggled with their current clubs and might benefit from a change of scenery with a retooling team like the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lambert, Lohrei, Wright, and Mintyukov have surfaced in the rumor mill from time to time this season. Their respective clubs aren’t facing any serious pressure to move them, but they could be worth monitoring in what could be a busy summer for trade activity.