NHL Rumor Mill – August 24, 2024
Are the Canucks shopping for a goaltender? Could the Oilers look into adding a defenseman? What’s the latest on Max Pacioretty? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
ARE THE CANUCKS IN THE GOALIE MARKET?
THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal cite multiple sources claiming that Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko won’t be ready for training camp and preseason next month as he continues to rehab a knee injury.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).
The Canucks hope that Demko, 28, will be ready for their season-opener on Oct. 9 against the Calgary Flames. However, that seems in question at this stage of the offseason.
Dhaliwal reported earlier this week that the Canucks were poking around in the goalie market. They’re exploring all their options for additional insurance in net.
The Canucks reached out to unrestricted free agent Kevin Lankinen. The 29-year-old netminder played solid hockey for the Nashville Predators last season as a backup. There’s some familiarity between Lankinen and Canucks goalie coach Marko Torenius.
THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas suggested Antti Raanta and Martin Jones as other free-agent options for the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lankinen would be the best option for the Canucks. However, Dhaliwal and Drance noted that he had a one-year, $2 million contract last season and likely won’t be interested in a one-year deal for near the league minimum. They also suggest adding another goalie could affect their plans to accrue cap space this season to put toward the March trade deadline.
OILERS SEEK A DEFENSEMAN
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports the Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a right-shot defenseman after trading Cody Ceci to the San Jose Sharks and losing Philip Broberg to an offer sheet from the St. Louis Blues.
Former Oilers Tyson Barrie and Justin Schultz are believed to be on the Oilers radar. Kevin Shattenkirk is another possible target.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples wondered if Tony DeAngelo could be an option. The 28-year-old is much younger than Barrie, Schultz and Shattenkirk, and played his junior hockey with Oilers blueliner Darnell Nurse. Travis Dermott is a left-hand shot but he’s 27 and knows Connor McDavid and Connor Brown from their days with the Erie Otters.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seeing what the Oilers do will be interesting. They could go with Barrie as he’s more familiar with the current roster though his defensive deficiencies could be a concern. Schultz and Shattenkirk are now past their prime. DeAngelo comes with personal baggage while Dermott struggled last season in Arizona.
LATEST ON PACIORETTY
DAILY FACEOFF’s Frank Seravalli reports former Washington Capitals winger Max Pacioretty has “firm in-hand offers from three teams.” The 35-year-old winger is expected to make a decision soon.
DeAngelo and McDavid would be filthy together.
I hope they miss the playoffs.
Never mind that, SOP. I see Chara has taken up triathalons.
Didn’t like playing against him, but I think he is one of the most remarkable specimens in pro sports.
Wings have a bit of a logjam with several 1B goalies (could be argued they are all mostly backups on other teams). Might be interesting if Stevie Y could get some return for one of them
Not certain if Armstrong and Bowman are on speaking terms, BUT I would say that Perunovich or Suter would be inexpensive, viable RD options for Edmonton to explore. The Blues have a logjam on defense.
IP
When the Oilers lost Ceci they lost defense, not offense.
Trying to replace him with names like Barrie, Klingberg, DeAngelo, etc would not be a step in the right direction defensively.
Could they actually rely on those guys come playoff time?
Merzlinkins to Vancouver for 10lbs of smoked salmon.
Ha! Ive been watching his activities for a while now.
He is a special person, LJ.
He started with marathons, and now he’s moved onto Triathlons.
By all accounts, he seems to be doing well.
I envy his drive.
What an athlete.
Now, why did that reply move down here?
I am surprised Lankinen Is still available. He played pretty well last year.