NHL Rumors: Bruins, Blues, Red Wings, Oilers, More

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is plenty to digest from Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts article. In addition, Taylor Hall comments in his unhappiness with the fans in New Jersey and there’s some buzz the Edmonton Oilers and Jesse Puljujarvi aren’t quite finished with each other.

Bruins Won’t Trade Krug

Torey Krug has nine points in his first 12 games. As an offensive defenseman, he’s living up to his end of the bargain in a contract year. As a result, Friedman points out that whatever the Bruins decide to do with Krug long-term, no one expects him to be dealt if he’s unsigned by the deadline.

Krug has made it clear he’d like to stay in Boston but the Bruins haven’t made re-signing him a priority. Set for a hefty pay bump he’s important to any playoff run and the team can’t afford to lose him, even if they can’t keep him. 

Dustin Byfuglien Issue Getting Complicated

It was recently learned that Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien had surgery on an ankle issue last week. The recovery on said surgery is expected to keep him out until the New Year, assuming he decides to return to the NHL — to this point, no decision has been relayed to the Jets organization.

Where this could get tricky, is around his contract situation, because he can argue he deserves to be paid while recovering from a legitimate injury. At this time, he’s being suspended by the Jets and not entitled to his salary for the season. Going on LTIR could/would change that.

Blues and Pietrangelo Waiting in Each Other

Friedman also says, that while things could change with one phone call, negotiations aren’t going well in St. Louis where Blues GM Doug Armstrong and Alex Pietrangelo’s representatives are “circling each other like two elite cage fighters, waiting for their opponent to make the first move.”

The Roman Josi extension should have given both sides a better idea as to where Pietrangelo might sit, but the over $9 million on an eight-year deal given to Josi is considered high by many people.

Also with the Blues, Friedman notes that with the injury to Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues might look to enter the marketplace and one name to watch is Chris Kreider out of New York. Friedman suggests he’d be perfect for them.