NHL Rumors: Oilers, Blues, Maple Leafs – The Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today’s NHL Rumors, the Edmonton Oilers got some good news on Connor McDavid’s injury timeline, but it’s said the team may be considering an unexpected trade to make room for a top-four defenseman and the return of Evander Kane . Meanwhile, former Oiler and St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg went down with an injury on Saturday. How bad is it? Finally, have the Toronto Maple Leafs told defenseman Matt Benning they want to trade him?

Oilers could make unexpected trade and McDavid timeline updates

The Oilers may be gearing up for a bit of a roster move as they look to improve their top-four defense as they prepare for the return of Evander Kane. With Kane potentially ahead of schedule, Edmonton would ideally be able to free up roster space and they could make a ‘wildcard’ trade to clear things up.

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer recently hinted at his Oil makers now showing: “I think it’s inevitable that the Oilers trade for a right-handed shooting defenseman… it will be the picks used for the most part.” However, Stauffer added a surprising twist: Kane’s return could displace someone on the left wing, with Jeff Skinner and Mattias Janmark mentioned as potential trade candidates.

Considering Skinner was signed for $3 million on a one-year deal to increase the scoring, the idea of ​​moving him seems unlikely. He also has a full no-move clause and wanted to play with a team that could make the playoffs. There is no reason to expect him to agree to a move. As for Janmark, the Oilers are locked in for two more seasons after this, but at a reasonable cap. He has a no-trade clause for 10 teams.

Related: 6 facts about Oilers Noah Philp’s amazing journey to the NHL

The Oilers also received news about Connor McDavid. Sportsnet’s Gene Principe tweeted a quote from head coach Kris Knoblauch: “He went on the ice for a moment, but I wouldn’t say skating.” The good news was that Knoblauch said McDavid “could be closer to two weeks than three weeks.”

Philip Broberg’s injury doesn’t sound good

Philip Broberg left Saturday’s game with a knee injury after colliding with Toronto’s Mitch Marner along the boards. Broberg appeared to be in pain and walked through the tunnel. Potential knee injuries from these types of collisions can include a torn MCL, ACL, or meniscus, with recovery times varying from weeks to months depending on the severity. Broberg’s condition will be further evaluated on Sunday.

Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletics noted that the reaction of Blues GM Doug Armstrong and GM-in-waiting Alexander Steen suggested a somber mood, possibly a reference to the severity of the injury.

Rutherford added:

“There was no update after the game from Blues coach Drew Bannister, who said Broberg would be further evaluated on Sunday…. It would be premature to speculate on Broberg’s condition, but alongside Bannister’s sobering comment, other Blues expressed a similar sentiment about the potential loss of arguably the team’s best player this season.”

source – ‘If the Blues are without Philip Broberg, the impact will be huge: ‘We are thinking of him” – Jeremy Rutherford – The Athletic – 11/03/2024

Matt Benning told Maple Leafs about trade options

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported during the Saturday Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada that the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to do the right thing for defenseman Matt Benning and have let teams know he is available in a trade.

Friedman noted, “In Toronto. Of course, the Maple Leafs have two players, Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar, starting conditioning stints. Dewar has scored and the Marlies (AHL) don’t have a game in the coming week, so they have some time here.” The hint here is that there isn’t room for everyone on a healthy Maple Leafs roster and Benning has been put on notice that the organization will try to find him another home.