NHL Rumors: Oilers, Maple Leafs, Senators, Canadiens – Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today’s NHL rumors, Leon Draisaitl’s agent talked about the possibility of the Edmonton Oilers making a deal with his client. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs had to get medical clearance before signing Jani Hakanpaa. Will his bad knee be a problem? Did the Ottawa Senators turn down a different, potentially better Jakob Chychrun trade offer? Finally, will the Montreal Canadiens turn to the trade market for a small left-handed scoring forward in free agency?

Draisaitl’s camp believes a contract extension can be done in Edmonton

Leon Draisaitl’s agent, Jiri Poner, told Michael Bauer of EishockeyNews that he hopes a contract extension can happen in Edmonton but the ball is in the Oilers’ court. Looking for a big raise over his current $8.5 million salary, Poner noted that Draisaitl “has been playing at least 30 percent below his value for three years.” But that’s not a complaint.”

Poner added:

“There is no rush yet, but it could happen soon, i.e. at the end of August, or it doesn’t work at all,” Poner said in German. “It will be clear whether Edmonton wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.”

It sounds like Draisaitl wants to stay and has no intention of leaving, but he has expectations for his next contract and it likely won’t be a major league discount. Poner pointed out that the Oilers have a lot to lose by allowing Draisaitl to leave for a while in the extension. It sounds like an eight-year contract is the focus for both parties.

Worried about Maple Leaf Injury with Jani Hakanpaa?

Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa signed a two-year contract worth $1.5 million per year with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Toronto-based reporter Steve Simmons reported concerns about Hakanpaa’s knee problems. There was a thought that Hakanpaa would not play again and that the Stars wanted to re-sign him but we decided against it.

The Maple Leafs medical staff reviewed his records and allowed him to sign them, Simmons reported. Simmons writes, “I was told his knee was bone on bone. I asked Mahlavu about this. They said their doctors have cleared him to be signed. We’ll find out in the fall – or later – if he can play again.” If Hakanpaa has chronic injury problems, that will put a lot of pressure on that signing.

Did Ottawa Have a Different Contribution to the Chycrhun Table?

TSN’s Darren Dreger said on a recent episode of the Ray and Dregs Podcast that GM Steve Staios was telling other managers in the draft that he had first and second round picks for Jakob Chychrun but wanted more. Ultimately, Ottawa traded Chychrun to the Washington Capitals for Nick Jensen and a third-round pick.

Related: Maple Leafs News and rumors: Marner, Cowan, Minten & Grebyonkin

Dreger doubted that those plans existed. Ray Ferraro added: “Obviously, the market was not what Ottawa expected. Chychrun hasn’t been in Ottawa for a long time, and there was a lot of talk beforehand about how much he was going to fetch.” Both believed that Chychrun’s value was slowly fading.

Will the Canadiens Explore the Trade Market?

Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reports that the Montreal Canadiens could turn to the trade market with the dwindling free agent market for a scoring forward. He writes of Tyler Johnson and Daniel Sprong as the two remaining goaltenders, “They’re definitely not top-six options for the Canadiens, if they’re still looking for help this way.” He adds, “I’m not sure they are.”

With a significant draft, including two first-round picks in 2025, general manager Kent Hughes said they could trade an existing player or move up the roster.

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