NHL Rumors: Expansion, Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, and the Anaheim Ducks

Slow down on that NHL expansion idea

TSN: NHL expansion to Texas seemed like it was happening sooner rather than later, but that may not be the case, as it was pushed to the back burner and is moving more slowly.

“There’s some NHL owners who want to be heard because they do not feel like expansion is a good idea. They don’t believe that the talent pool is deep enough to sustain a competitive balance. Furthermore, another team in a non-taxed state like Texas, in Houston or Austin, further erodes competitive balance. So there’s a ton of work before they get close to saying they’re moving forward.”

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Nashville Predators veterans know a good start is key to their future

TSN: Nashville Predators GM Chris MacFarland has laid out his plan for the team to veterans Roman Josi, Steven Stamkos, Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault. They didn’t say, but have the feeling they were told that if they got off to a slow start and were out of playoff contention, there would be some big changes. Since early June, MacFarland has already made nine trades.

Josi has a year left after this season, and the same with Stamkos.

The Winnipeg Jets and Connor Hellebuyck are struggling to find a deal

TSN: Darren Dreger said Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck remains suspended, and he’s losing a lot of money daily.

“Both sides are struggling, navigating, trying to find a trade situation that works for the Jets and works for the goaltender. That’s the ‘best-case scenario.’

Interesting to note that the National Hockey League remains very much on the scene in terms of staying apprised of any sort of developments around the Hellebuyck situation and the Jets – but the league also supports its organization in Winnipeg simply because Hellebuyck elected not to report to camp.”

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The Anaheim Ducks may eventually need to add a veteran defenseman

TSN: Chris Johnston said that no one on the Anaheim Ducks blue line is over the age of 26, after losing John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and Radko Gudas in free agency.

Johnston adds that “some of this has been forced upon them, and I do think that as we get deeper into trade season, the Ducks will be a team to watch when it comes to moving for a defenceman.”

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