NHL Rumors: Kings, Oilers, Bruins, and Blackhawks
Los Angeles Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks are two teams that could be looking at some significant changes.
Change coming in LA?

Dennis Bernstein: A couple of takes after last night’s Los Angeles Kings game.

  • When you hear whispers about dealing Jonathan Quick, tonight’s performance by Cal Petersen is Exhibit A.
  • For those who think Jake Muzzin isn’t worth a significant return from a contending team, tonight’s performance is Exhibit B.

John Hoven: (going off of Bernstein’s tweet)

  • Exhibit A nets a 1st, a 2nd, + pick/prospect in return.
  • Exhibit B nets a 1st + another asset (preferably 2nd or prospect).

* Either deal could involve player coming back to LA if needed for cap reasons. Makes that deal more complicated, not preferred, specific to trade partner

On the Bruins-Oilers rumors

Jason Gregor: The Oilers are not trading Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Torey Krug. Why would they?

The Oilers aren’t trading any of their top three forwards.

Kurt Leavins: “I’ve been very quiet on the Boston Bruins/Nugent-Hopkins/Torrey Krug rumour for one, specific reason: The are on Krug’s NT list.”

The Oilers and Ken Hitchcock

TSN: If the Edmonton Oilers keep on winning, they could be looking at extending Ken Hitchcock according to Darren Dreger.

“I don’t think the brass of the Oilers will have any choice but to extend Hitchcock’s contract beyond the end of this season. Maybe it mirrors something similar to the deal Hitchcock had formerly with the Dallas Stars whereby if he’s not the head coach of the Oilers, then it morphs into a consultant or an advisory role. I believe that Hitchcock will get an extended opportunity with the Oilers well beyond this season”

Bigger Blackhawks discussions may come this offseason

TSN: Pierre LeBrun doesn’t think any of the Chicago Blackhawks core players are in play given they all have no-movement clauses. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews may only move on if they want to move on as they don’t want to be part of the transition. That may be an offseason conversation they have.

Now 35-year old Duncan Keith?

“He’s got a decent (salary) cap hit. He’s still a very good player. And when I talk to other teams around the league, he’s the guy they talk about that if he’s ever in play, that they would like to talk about. I have no evidence to suggest that he is in play right now. I think this is an off-season discussion. What does Keith want? He’s got a full no-move (contract).”