On the Vegas Golden Knights …
Eric Engels: It is expected that if the Golden Knights can’t trade Vadim Shipachyov, his contract could be terminated and a return to Russia could happen.
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Offseason KHL signee Alexei Bereglazov didn’t make the Rangers out of camp and is in the AHL. He has a KHL out and is considering a return to Russia.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Talks are increasing that Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights could determine the fate of head coach Alain Vigneault. The Rangers are 3-7-2 to start the season.
Vigneault is 195-115-30 with the Rangers and his contract runs through 2019-20.
Brooks notes:
“If a transformative trade that might include Ryan McDonagh, Chris Kreider or Mats Zuccarello — marquee names united in falling far below expectations, but hardly the only guilty parties — were available to Jeff Gorton, the GM could choose to go that route rather than dismiss Vigneault”
Making a big trade this early in the season with all the cap constraints a lot of teams have is a long-shot.
If the Rangers fire Vigneault, assistant coach Lindy Ruff is the most likely to be promoted. Ruff’s style may be better suited on an interim basis.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Allan Mitchell (Lowetide) of The Athletic: The Oilers entered this season with some issues on the blue line, partially due to Andrej Sekera’s offseason surgery, as well as down the middle and on right wing.
GM Peter Chiarelli has used some internal options but to date, they haven’t been satisfactory.
The Oilers need to add some speed to their lineup. Jesse Puljujarvi could be an internal option on the right side. Joey Laleggia and Ty Rattie are other internal options.
Draft picks and young players are trade chips that Chiarelli would likely be looking move. Jesse Puljujarvi could hold enough trade value to get them the NHL help they need.
