In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the Detroit Red Wings are letting a couple of defensemen go test free agency after trading for Marc Staal. In Montreal, the Jeff Petry deal is getting a lot of buzz, primarily because of what it might mean for other free agents signing early. There is an update on what the Ottawa Senators might do with their pick and the New Jersey Devils are believed to have one of their first-round selections in play. Finally, if the Maple Leafs go after Alex Pietrangelo, what happens in goal?
Red Wings Cutting Ties with Daley and Ericsson
After acquiring Marc Staal from the New York Rangers on Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings have decided to move on from both Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman spoke with the media and stated that the team will allow Ericsson and Daley to test free agency as unrestricted free agents.
This isn’t surprising considering Ericsson spent a lot of time in the AHL last season and Daley recorded only seven points in 43 games, none of which were goals.
It’s not likely either will have an easy time finding work this coming season as teams will be tighter with their resources.
Did Petry Start Something Signing Early?
During Saturday’s Headlines report Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston said the deal Jeff Petry just signed with the Montreal Canadiens could be the first of a few similar deals around the NHL. Petry signed a four-year extension one year early. He did so because of the security that came with getting a long-term deal done in a very uncertain market.
Petry said he was excited when the Canadiens were interested in locking him in and noted, “When this opportunity came up, it was something that I couldn’t pass up.” As per Arpon Basu of The Athletic, Petry was concerned about what might happen next season with owners, teams, fans, and the league working through such difficult times. Basu writes:
He has three young boys, the eldest is ready to begin school, he knows and loves Montreal, and this is not exactly a time in our collective history when uncertainty is a comfortable feeling.
source-‘Jeff Petry’s belief that he can win in Montreal is a validation of the reset’ – Arpon Basu – The Athletic – 09/25/2020
Johnston mentions that other NHL players who have one season left on their deal might be looking to negotiate with their teams now, just as Petry did. Many want the security of having a deal in their pocket if things get worse before they get better.
Devils Willing to Move First-Round Pick
The New Jersey Devils pick at No. 7, No. 18 and No. 20 in the first round of this year’s NHL Entry Draft and Elliotte Friedman notes that the team is willing to move the No. 18 and/or No. 20 picks in the right situation.
If teams are looking to move good players that will help the Devils now, new GM Tom Fitzgerald is open for business. But, specifically, the Devils have made it known they want a good young player (26 or under) with some term or team control.
Related: Red Wings Gain Options With Staal Trade
Senators Are Busy on the Phones
Bruce Garrioch writer for the Ottawa Sun notes that Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion is in the midst of a ton of trade talk and he’s looking at different options. He’s not pulled the trigger on a deal and may not if he doesn’t find a deal that “makes sense.”
Garrioch adds that:
With three picks in the first round — including the No. 3, No. 5 and No. 28 selections — along with 13 overall, Dorion is open for business and is listening to all offers in an attempt to bolster the roster.
It is believed the Senators are looking at short-term goaltending options with uncertainty surrounding Anders Nilsson and it is believed the team is also negotiating new deals with restricted free agents Connor Brown, Anthony Duclair, Nick Paul, Filip Chlapik and Rudolfs Balcers.
Kings’ Trevor Lewis Heading to Free agency
As per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Los Angeles Kings won’t be re-signing forward Trevor Lewis who will be heading to free agency.
“It’s definitely different, a little tough to think about. I grew up here, been here my whole career. It’ll be different, but I’m excited. Change is always good. I’m excited to see what happens.”
Lewis brings some intangibles that some teams might find appealing. His hard work, gritty style and leadership could land him another job, even in a tight market.
Related: Maple Leafs: Trading Dermott Now Would Be a Costly Mistake
Leafs To Try to Hit With $3 Million Goalie?
Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle of the Athletic took a look at some serious questions facing the Toronto Maple Leafs and, of course, first on the list was whether or not the team should pursue Alex Pietrangelo.
The consensus seemed to be yes, but that the Leafs would have to be ok with a “mystery goalie” taking the reigns as Frederik Andersen would need to be moved out. Could the Leafs go with more of an unknown in net and top heavy lineup where six of your players are making almost all the money?
Siegle writes:
It can work — a super top-heavy approach that is — but it demands the stars being STARS. There’s no room for the kind of B-C list performances the Leafs got in the postseason from Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander. Those guys, plus Pietrangelo, plus Rielly, would all need to be pretty close to great. And the Leafs would have to hit on that mystery goalie.
source – ‘Mirtle and Siegel: Answering the five biggest Maple Leafs offseason questions’ – Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle – The Athletic – 09/22/2020
Whoever that mystery goalie is, he will need to come in at a price tag of around $3 million or less.
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