In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news that two free agents are expected to return to the New York Islanders organization. In Calgary, the GM said the team is not done making moves and could the Edmonton Oilers be looking at a defenseman from the Detroit Red Wings? Finally, might the Minnesota Wild still be looking to move Matt Dumba? And, do they have a potential trade partner?
Greene and Martin Expected Back With Islanders
As per Arthur Staple of The Athletic, unrestricted free agents Andy Greene and Matt Martin are expected to return with the New York Islanders this offseason. On Greene, Staple notes that Lamoriello said in his Tuesday Zoom call there’s a “strong chance” of it happening.
On Martin, Staple writes:
Matt Martin had some options when the free-agent market opened on Friday. A source said seven teams inquired about the 31-year-old, but he has ultimately decided he wants to stay an Islander and the two sides are working toward a deal, possibly for two years to knock the AAV down.
source – ‘Two Islanders veterans likely returning and what else is on the horizon’ – Arthur Staple – The Athletic – 10/16/2020
The article also notes that the Islanders could be looking to add more in free agency and might have their eyes on a third-line center. The names Derick Brassard, Carl Soderberg, Erik Haula, Alex Galchenyuk and Riley Sheahan all came up.
Flames Aren’t Finished Making Moves
According to Eric Francis of Sportsnet, the Calgary Flames are looking to do more with the just under $4 million in salary cap space they have left this offseason. Flames general manager Brad Treliving spoke with the media and said, “We’re not done.” and added, “We don’t expect this is the team we’ll go to training camp with.”
There were rumors out there that perhaps Johnny Gaudreau could be on the move but that seems unlikely at this point. Treliving commented on the possibility of making a trade that includes a core member of the team. He said:
“We have taken steps. But if I can do something to make our team better I’ll act on it. We haven’t made a deal because we haven’t found one that’s made us better yet. But at the same time it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re done. It’s a hard question to answer. I think it’s a very close-knit group, but I’m not going to sit here and not make a deal because they’re tight-knit.”
Oilers Looking at Madison Bowey?
The Edmonton Oilers have said they might be looking to add one more defenseman who can go up and down from the AHL to the NHL. According to the Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins, that defenseman could be former Detroit Red Wings blueliner Madison Bowey.
The Red Wings did not qualify the 25-year-old which made him a free-agent. Oilers GM Ken Holland knows his well from their time in Detroit and he traded for him back when he was with the Red Wings. He’s 6-foot-2, averaged 17:54 last season, and posted three goals and 17 points.
Leavins writes that one of the main reasons the Oilers could be interested is because of how many NHL games Bowey has played in his career. He explains:
But here’s the key: The 25-year old Bowey has also only played 268 professional games. As such, he could be sent to AHL Bakersfield and not count as a veteran, allowing him to play lots and stay sharp. That’s because the AHL Veteran Rule has an exception to the 260-game cut-off, allowing one more player on the rookie list who has played fewer than 320 pro games.
source: ‘Edmonton Oilers G.M. Ken Holland may not be done just yet, after all: 9 Things’ Kurt Leavins – Edmonton Journal – 10/18/2020
The Athletic’s Michael Russo writes that the Minnesota Wild were actively trying to move Matt Dumba at this year’s NHL Draft and thought they might have a deal in place with the Florida Panthers for their first-round pick. Ultimately, the Panthers chose to select Anton Lundell. But, Florida might still be interested in defenseman.
Russo noted that possible deals with other teams fell through. He said:
Vancouver never seemed really interested. I don’t get the sense the Wild have interest in Calgary’s Sean Monahan. I don’t see a trade to be made with Winnipeg because the Jets don’t have the centers. Ottawa wasn’t interested despite the ability to add Dumba for a bunch of futures. Toronto moved on when it knew it wasn’t getting Alex Pietrangelo. Vegas got Pietrangelo. St. Louis signed Torey Krug when Pietrangelo priced himself out of there.
source – ‘Ask Russo: Marco Rossi’s chances, Matt Dumba’s future, trades, FAs and more’ Michael Russo – The Athletic – 10/16/2020
Russo says the Wild may stay patient on a deal if Florida is the only interested team as they want to maximize any possible return.
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