In today’s NHL rumor game, Dylan Holloway says he felt he had no other option but to sign a request sheet with the St. Louis Blues. Meanwhile, another source explains what the Winnipeg Jets offered Adam Henrique, who turned down a deal to stay in Edmonton for less. Finally, the Boston Bruins signed Tyler Johnson to a professional tryout.
Holloway Says Oilers Didn’t Really Interview Him
After his decision to sign the offer sheet, the new St. Louis Blues Dylan Holloway spoke with Andy Strickland in an interview and admitted that he doesn’t feel like the Oilers gave him a top pick. He commented:
“We knew about the offer sheet before we had the talks with Edmonton, which was strange. We were trying to make a deal and I didn’t think we were asking for anything crazy at all. If anything, we’ve been talking to Edmonton a lot the whole time, even through the offer sheet, explaining to them that this is our option, ‘Hey, can we get a deal?’”
Holloway thought it was strange how they handled it so he thought he had no choice but to sign the request sheet. Holloway said he had spoken to Doug Armstrong earlier and the Blues plan was laid out and excited Holloway for the future. He thinks he is in a good place with a team that has a good vision for the future.
Related: Top 10 WHL Draft Eligible Players for 2024-25: Preseason Edition
Holloway felt like Oilers fans wanted his head and probably still do, but he made the choice he felt he had to make.
Oilers Have First Talks With Two Former Players
According to Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal, the Oilers have had preliminary talks with free agent defensemen Tyson Barrie and Justin Schultz. It’s unclear if these talks have progressed, but Edmonton is considering its options at right tackle. Barrie loved his time with the Oilers and is determined to return, and Leavins reports that Schultz is also open to the idea despite his difficult departure from Edmonton.
Jets Offer Henrique Higher Contract Than Oilers
Leavins also noted that the Winnipeg Jets were one of the teams that pursued Adam Henrique in free agency before he chose to re-sign with the Oilers. Levins writes:
My contact in Winnipeg with knowledge of the negotiations says Adam Henrique turned down a 2-year, $3.5m contract from the Winnipeg Jets in free agency this summer. Instead, he opted for the Oilers on a 2-year, $3m deal to stay in Edmonton. While $500k may not seem like a lot in the world of $88m, that’s almost two-thirds of the lowest paid player.
source – ‘When you add Top-4 D to Edmonton Oilers good things come to those who wait: 9 Things’ – Kurt Leavins – Edmonton Journal – 09/01/2024
Boston Bruins Signed Tyler Johnson to a Professional Tryout Agreement
The Boston Bruins announced on Saturday that they have signed forward Tyler Johnson to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO). Johnson, 34, played in 67 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, scoring 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points. Surprisingly, given his experience and production last season, there wasn’t much interest in Johnson from NHL teams.
In his NHL career, Johnson played 738 games with Chicago and Tampa Bay, accumulating 431 points (193 goals, 238 assists) and a plus-20 average. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2020, 2021) and has appeared in 116 playoff games, recording 32 goals and 33 assists.
Source link
