In a quick Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, there is talk out of the organization that it’s been relayed to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins that there’s a cap on how much the Oilers are willing to pay on an extension. There’s also talk that the Carolina Hurricanes might have strategically claimed Anton Forsberg with the intention of moving him back to Edmonton. The Oilers have signed a tryout forward, there’s quarantine news, opening night also means a special Happy Birthday to Connor McDavid!
Nugent-Hopkins Capped at $7 Million?
As per a report from TSN’s Frank Seravalli, the Oilers “have made it clear they have no plans to go north of $7 million per year on a long-term extension” with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The center-turned-winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and there’s some debate about what the player will be worth in this particular market and how long to extend him.
While there’s uncertainty over term, it sounds like $7 million is absolute maximum the Oilers will go on any Nugent-Hopkins extension. Seravalli notes:
There is no question fan (and team) favourite RNH wants to remain in Edmonton. But to this point, negotiations have gone in fits and starts, and the Oilers have made it clear they have no plans to go north of $7 million per year on a long-term extension.
If Nugent-Hopkins wants more, he’ll have to test free agency and Seravalli projects the forward will be the top free agent on TSN’s list heading into the offseason.
Related: Edmonton Oilers: 3 Questions Ahead of the 2020-21 Season Start
Forsberg Coming Back to the Oilers?
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports that goaltender Anton Forsberg has remained in Edmonton since being claimed on waivers by Carolina this week. He adds that the reason could be because Carolina expects he’ll work his way back to the Oilers in some capacity.
The team is taking calls on Forsberg and Carolina believes the Oilers could be one of those teams to call. He adds:
Should Forsberg end up with a Canadian team — perhaps even back with the Oilers — he won’t have to observe a 14-day quarantine since he stayed where he was and didn’t cross the border.
As per the rules of trading waiver claims, it can only be done if the Hurricanes were the lone team to put a claim in on the player. That seems to suggest the Hurricanes made this claim strategically, thinking they could acquire an asset in the transaction.
Neal and Haas Quarantined
Oilers GM Ken Holland confirms that both James Neal and Gaetan Haas are out due to COVID restrictions. He said he expects Neal to be back next week. Haas is apparently still a ways away from a return.
Oilers Sign Devin Shore
It was announced on Wednesday and also covered in our league-wide news and rumors report that the Oilers have signed forward Devin Shore to a one-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $700,000. They placed him on waivers right after the deal was signed.
It is likely that Shore will join the Oilers taxi squad if he clears. The 26-year-old centre has appeared in 288 career NHL games over five seasons with Dallas, Anaheim & Columbus, posting 39 goals & 67 assists.
Happy Birthday McDavid
Connor McDavid turned 24 on opening night for the Oilers. Does this mean he’s bound to have a breakout game? It would be hard to bet money against that theory.
McDavid is already the player many predict will earn the most points this season. It would be quite the birthday present if he showed up against the Vancouver Canucks and scored three or four points in the 2020-21 season debut.
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