In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are a few big names that haven’t come off the board following day one of NHL free agency. Where do they stand as far as their potential to sign with some of the rumored favorites?
What will Alex Pietrangelo do now that St. Louis has moved on without him? Where does Taylor Hall sit with his decision? Is Zdeno Chara coming back to Boston? Who is Tyson Barrie considering?
Finally, what are the Oilers going to do after learning Oscar Kelfbom is out and the team missed on their goaltending targets?
No Decision From Pietrangelo Today
According to a tweet from Carlo Colaiacovo (who has been all over this Alex Pietrangelo situation), Pietrangelo will not be making a decision about his playing future on Saturday. Colaiacovo writes ,”Alex Pietrangelo will spend the day evaluating his option and is not expected to make his decision today.”
This report comes after Pietrangelo was apparently blindsided by the news that the St. Louis Blues had signed defenseman Torey Krug to a seven-year deal on Friday evening. Pierre LeBrun reported on Friday night: “Don’t think Pietrangelo had closed the door on Blues. So I think the Krug signing would have caught him by surprise.”
And, with the Toronto Maple Leafs likely out of the running thanks to their signing of T.J. Brodie, one has to wonder if Pietrangelo is just waiting on Vegas or if he’s rethinking which teams he’s willing to consider.
Related: Hits & Misses: Revisiting the 2020 NHL Draft Rankings
Zdeno Chara Taking His Time
One would think a Zdeno Chara to Boston might be a foregone conculstion now that Torey Kurg has gone to St. Louis. Apparently not. LeBrun is reporting that after asking Chara’s agent Matt Keator about his client, the response was, “numerous teams have reached out today on the future HHOFer. Keator says Chara will take his time. In no hurry to make any decision. Will decide in due time.”
Tyson Barrie Still Weighing Options
Also as per LeBrun, “The Canucks have had more talks with Tyson Barrie’s camp tonight [Friday]. More to come tomorrow morning I think.” This is just one tweet of many similar ones suggesting there’s interest in the former Maple Leafs defenseman. The Edmonton Oilers are also said to be in the conversation. He writes: “The Oilers probably the best fit (QB that PP), but also probably the team offering the least with their cap restraints.” He adds, “Vancouver might end up making most sense, we shall see>’
Dreger had also listed Calgary as poking around, but that was before the team signed Chris Tanev. Not sure if they are still in on the Barrie sweepstakes.
Related: Canucks News & Rumors: Markstrom, Tanev, Holtby & More
Oilers Done Adding Up Front
According to GM Ken Holland, the Edmonton Oilers are done adding at the forward position. After signing Kyle Turris and bringing back Jesse Puljujarvi, he’s not looking at any more forwards. He is, however looking for a defenseman and a goalie.
Holland said that he’s operating under the expectation he won’t have Oscar Klefbom all season. That hints he’s out to find someone in the same price range to fill his spot for a season.
As for goalies, Holland admitted he’d looked into Jacob Markstrom and can’t answer why he chose to go to Calgary. The Oilers will need to regroup and find another option in that regard.
Where Taylor Hall is At
Dreger writes on Saturday morning, “Multiple teams. Multiple options be sorted through by the Hall camp this morning. Working on carving out a short list of clubs.”
The last word was that as many as 25 teams checked in on Hall’s availability and only a handful were told that they weren’t going to be considered so they didn’t make pitches. Hall is apparently weighing everything from short-term deals to big-money and longer-term ones.
Matt Porter of the Boston Globe wonders if a short-term deal with the Bruins would be a solid option. He writes:
Short-term Hall deal could be great for Bruins’ young guys. DeBrusk/Bjork shift down the lineup and crush lesser matchups. Easier break-in for Studnicka … ideally, everyone adds 40-odd playoff games to their resumes … also means 37/46/63/88 don’t always have to carry the load
A Hall decision may not come on Saturday as reports suggest his next steps is to determine how quickly he might need to make a choice based on the teams that presented. If he’s interested in an organization that is looking at other moves, he might feel a bit more pressure to decide sooner. If not, he could take some extra time.
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