NHL Rumors: Devils, Penguins, Senators, Islanders, More

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on the New Jersey Devils and their goaltending woes, the Pittsburgh Penguins might showcase a goalie and there’s buzz surrounding Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Finally, what is the latest news on two big-time restricted free agents?

Devils to Go Goaltender Fishing

Jared Clinton of The Hockey News suggests that GM Ray Shero should look into improving the goaltending for the Devils while the team continues to struggle. His take is that a bigger move than that of picking up Louis Domingue needs to be made.

A combined save percentage of .880 from Cory Schneider and MacKenzie Blackwood is killing the team and Clinton writes:

If New Jersey is going to take the step forward that was expected – and have a legitimate shot at retaining Hall, a pending free agent who has made clear he wants nothing more than to win – it’s their only hope.

The question is, who would the Devils target?

Latest on Senators Pageau

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports there is buzz surrounding the Ottawa Senators and Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s contract status. There’s a sense he might want to see what the market will bare when his contract comes due and the Senators aren’t talking at all about how things are going negotiation wise.

McKenzie suggests that won’t change as the team has no intention of speaking publicly about Pageau’s situation until the winger is re-signed or traded. Some are suggesting a trade is more likely.

Rumors are that he’s going to ask for no less than $3.65 million per season and could want over $4 million. His current salary plus his overall effectiveness will make him one of the more attractive options for teams as the trade deadlines draws near. It may be hard to pass up on that if you’re the Senators.

Latest on Pending RFAs Barzal and Dubois

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic is reporting that there have been casual talks between the New York Islanders and Mathew Barzal when it comes to a new contract but nothing that would suggest a deal is close.

LeBrun writes:

It may be that Isles GM Lou Lamoriello decides to wait until after the season to get things rolling on that front, which he’s done in the past with other young players, so that it’s not a distraction for Barzal. Or at least wait until later in the season.

source – ‘LeBrun Notebook: Wayne Gretzky considering Spengler Cup coaching opportunity’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 11/12/2019

LeBrun also notes that there have been no official talks between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pierre-Luc Dubois‘ agent Pat Brisson but that this is just a matter of the two sides deciding when to get talking.

“Nobody is trying to wait this out,” said LeBrun. He believes sometime in the New Year there will be more news on both contracts.

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