After a fairly lengthy hiatus, we're back in the saddle and ready to break down the latest rumour chatter across the NHL.
- There's still plenty of hockey left to be played, but many GMs have already pivoted towards the NHL offseason. Especially for teams on the outside of the playoff picture, the offseason has more or less begun. Here's what we're tracking as the NHL draft and free agency approaches.
- Big shoes still to drop this offseason: Erik Karlsson, JT Miller, Brock Boeser, Ivan Provorov, Carter Hart, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Mark Scheifele, Kevin Hayes, Juuse Saros and plenty more.
- Kevin Hayes: The team to watch here - at least in the early going - are the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lacking veteran center depth, the Jackets will want to shore that up and provide 2022 free agent prize Johnny Gaudreau with some more offensive help. It doesn't hurt that Gaudreau and Hayes are friends off the ice as well. If the Flyers can't find a deal for Hayes, there is some chatter that they would even consider the buyout option.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois: All signs point to Montreal, but the question is when it happens. Slated to hit unrestricted free agency in 2024, Dubois can simply walk on the Jets after accepting his RFA qualifying offer if he wants. That is why he's one of the premier names to watch this offseason. Despite being an RFA with arbitration rights, there could be teams other than the Canadiens which would be interested in a season plus of Dubois, or the Jets could simply try to make it happen with Montreal this offseason. A sign-and-trade deal, not dissimilar from the one the Flames completed with the Panthers for Matthew Tkachuk last offseason, could be the optimal solution for both sides.
- Mark Scheifele: When the Jets bombed out of the playoff picture in 2022, Schiefele publicly wondered whether it might be time for a change of scenery. That chatter dissipated for a few months as the new season began, but it's likely to reemerge this offseason. Rumblings suggest a rebuild on the fly could be in the offing, and the 2024 UFA could be on the way out, especially if Dubois is moved first.
- JT Miller and Brock Boeser: It's no secret that the Canucks tried, and failed, to move both of these players this past trade deadline. Those talks are expected to resume in the offseason, with the Wild in the mix for Boeser and the Penguins for Miller. Boeser, in particular, wants a change of scenery. Miller, who just locked in long term, is ambivalent about a move but would likely be happy to land with his hometown Pittsburgh Penguins. Both players come with hefty price tags, but should still draw a decent amount of interest around the league.
- Ivan Provorov: This one has been simmering for years. Both sides would like to move on, although trading a premier defenseman under contract in their prime isn't the easiest deal to work out (see: Jakob Chychrun). This relationship souring predates the Pride Night controversy. If he's moved, and that's still an if, the Golden Knights should be among the teams with interest. The Flyers are likely headed into a lengthy rebuild under new GM Daniel Briere, so Provorov will be far from the only Flyer in the NHL rumour mill this offseason.
- More coming in part two: Karlsson, Hart, Saros and more rumours from around the NHL.
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RUMOURS BY NHL TEAM
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