It’s time for another round of NHL rumours as we roll towards the start of training camp. We’re nearing the month of September and the NHL rumours are going to heat up. General managers still have to think about the future despite the start of the 2023-24 campaign starting soon. There are contract extensions to worry about and how those will fit into the salary cap. Teams are also trying to solve roster situations that they may face this season. Today’s NHL rumours is a West Coast bias edition with the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings at the centre.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman appeared on NHL Network recently to talk about an Elias Pettersson extension.
Analysis: Pettersson is eligible to sign an extension, but Friedman said the Swede is locked into the upcoming 2023-24 season. The dynamic forward does have another season after this year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Some Canucks fans may take Pettersson not signing a new deal right away as worrisome. However, Friedman was quick to point that it’s not Pettersson wanting to leave. Pettersson just wants to make sure the team is in a good spot before committing to a long-term deal.
The Canucks star moved to Sweden over the off-season to be closer to his trainer and get in better shape. He’s been putting in plenty of effort and wants to hit the ground running this campaign. Petterson currently makes $7.35 million per season in the final two years of his deal. Our own Erin Butler took a look at the directions a Pettersson contract could go. The Canucks and general manager Patrik Allvin would love a long-term deal a la David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins. However, the mid-range deal that Jason Robertson got might be the one Pettersson agrees to so he can have one more shot at a big payday.
Los Angeles Kings
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon tried to answer some of the unanswered questions about Pacific Division teams. Today’s edition looks at the Los Angeles Kings goaltending for the coming season.
In our look at questions facing each NHL team, @dixononsports shifts his attention to the Pacific, where one of the best young players in the game is still without a contract and a Canadian team could still make monster trade or two. https://t.co/Y4CxnVAg0r
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 25, 2023
Analysis: General manager Rob Blake might dip back into the goalie market to see if he can shore up that position. The duo of Pheonix Copley and Cam Talbot will start the season, but will they be up to par? Los Angeles could be looking for an upgrade come December if the team doesn’t get off to a good start.
The large elephant in the room is could the Kings take a swing at Connor Hellebuyck, who has one year left on his contract. Hellebuyck wants a large payday and to go to a contender. Los Angeles has been a Stanley Cup Playoff team and could be an enticing destination. The Kings also have some good prospects that could come to the Winnipeg Jets.
Blake would have to do some cap juggling in order to make that deal happen. However, he could go with a lower-cost option in order to ease some of the cap crunch. The Kings have a good squad, but it seems like goaltending could be a major question this season.
Main photo by: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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