It’s time for another round of NHL rumours to start the workweek. Some teams are going through major changes while others are making small tweaks. There’s plenty to get through and we look at the possible timetable for the Chicago Blackhawks coach and general manager search. We also possible defensive moves involving the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators.
All NHL Rumours are subject to change and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Chicago Blackhawks
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Blackhawks don’t have a timeline for when they’ll replace their coach and general manager.
Analysis: Chicago just fired Jeremy Colliton over the weekend with Derek King taking over on an interim basis. The Hawks are 2-9-2 and have struggled after an off-season of bold moves. King did get a win over the Nashville Predators in his first game behind the bench. However, there will be some interested parties in that job.
The Blackhawks are also looking for a replacement for Stan Bowman after he resigned on Oct. 26. He and others were part of the fallout from the Kyle Beach sexual abuse investigation. Bowman had been the team’s GM since 2009 and with the club since 2001. Kyle Davidson is currently serving as the team’s interim general manager.
Friedman added that people will need to wait and see when those positions will be filled. He also noted that there’s no sense of pressure to fill the jobs quickly. The Wirtz family will likely take their time and try to install someone that will run a tight ship. There’s no shortage of candidates that want the high-profile jobs of coach and general manager.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Nick Kypreos appeared on Sportsnet 590 late last week to reveal that Leafs have made blueliner Justin Holl available via trade.
Besides Travis Dermott, hearing that @leafs have also made it clear to @NHL clubs Justin Holl is available in trade discussions. More detail with @jtbourne and @SamAMcKee today 3-5pm est @FAN590 pic.twitter.com/N3HPcRZ9ct
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) November 4, 2021
Analysis: Holl doesn’t have a point in seven games this season and has been a healthy scratch mostly. The play of Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren gives Toronto some options on the backend.
The Minnesota native carries a cap hit of $2 million and the Leafs could ship that out to a team that needs help. Defencemen are hard to come by and that could give Toronto a decent return. Dealing the 29-year-old for picks or prospects would also give the Maple Leafs some cap flexibility. Every little bit of cap relief helps general manager Kyle Dubas, who is usually trying to juggle the numbers.
Toronto currently only has 21 players on the roster and that means injuries could cause cap headaches. A deal would allow some reinforcements to come in. Travis Dermott‘s injury forced an emergency call-up of Kristians Rubins. The Leafs had trouble with Petr Mrazek‘s injury forcing an amateur goalie because of salary cap issues. Toronto doesn’t want to have to deal with that again.
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: TSN’s Darren Dreger said that Senators general manager Pierre Dorion is looking to add a defenceman.
TSN hockey insider @DarrenDreger: "I wouldn't be surprised if Dorion is looking to add a defenceman" #Sens https://t.co/rdOtlVfDO4
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) November 6, 2021
Analysis: Dreger appeared on TSN 1200 to discuss possible moves the Sens might make. Ottawa has struggled on the blueline other than Thomas Chabot and Artyom Zub. Head coach D.J. Smith had to break the pair up so the team could try to have more balance in the D pairings.
The overall defensive game has struggled and Dorion might try to make a move. It’s getting to the point of the season where teams likely know where they stand what needs they have. Ottawa does need some help in the forward group, but Dorion may have to get active in the quest for defence.
Dreger did point out that Holl might be a name that the Senators could look into. He said rival general managers see players that are healthy scratches and a phone call could be made.
