Weekly Rumours – Defensemen on the block and more
3 years ago
The big story this week is obviously what’s been happening in New York between the Rangers and Tony DeAngelo. The Rangers have made it clear that DeAngelo has played his last game with the organization and that they’re trying to move on from him.
The first step was putting him on waivers and I’ll be honest, I was a little bit surprised that he cleared. The guy got votes to win the Norris last season and was one of the most productive defensemen in the NHL and now, no team is even willing to take him for free.
The fact he cleared waivers just cements the fact that his office issues and attitude problems greatly outweigh what he can bring on the ice. I totally get it too. I wouldn’t want my favourite team bringing this guy into their room.
Still, we did get a report from TSN’s Darren Dreger that there is plenty of interest in DeAngelo and has a source telling him a move could happen in the next few days. Elliotte Friedman is also reporting that the Rangers would be willing to retain some money in a trade.
Some Oilers fans were wondering if Edmonton should be looking at DeAngelo and I just don’t think that’s a good idea. First, the Oilers have plenty of young defensemen fighting for ice time right now and I’m not sure DeAngelo and his struggles in his own end help them all that much. Also, he makes almost $5 million, so they don’t have the cap space. Also, if I’m Ken Holland, I wouldn’t want to bring someone like that into my locker room. Just doesn’t make sense.
I’m sure if the Rangers are willing to keep some money, there will be a few teams willing to give DeAngelo a shot. His attitude is a problem and the stuff he’s said on social media is problematic to say the least but I still think a team will think they can ‘fix’ him. We’ll see how long it takes for a move to transpire.
@VICTOR METE WANTS OUT
The agent for Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete has asked the Canadiens for a trade as his client continues to struggle to get into the lineup on a crowded Habs blueline. Since the request became public, Mete has gotten into the lineup twice which led to some speculation that they might be showcasing him to potential trade partners but Eric Engels says that’s not the case.
He’s getting close to the 200 game mark and he’s still very young. He moves the puck well which teams always value. I think the Habs will have no problem finding a team that will take Mete, it’s just simply a matter of how much they’re looking to get for him. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been linked to Mete, as have the Vancouver Canucks.
@SAM BENNETT WANTS A FRESH START
On Saturday night, Elliotte Friedman reported that Flames forward and 2014 fourth overall pick Sam Bennett has requested a trade. The 24-year-old has 129 points in 373 career games.
Darren Dreger has added that the Flames aren’t in a rush to move Bennett and there will have to be a move out there that benefits the team. Basically, they’re saying the same stuff that every organization says when they have a player requests a trade.
Personally, I actually think Bennett would be a good fit on the Oilers but I wouldn’t trade a young asset like Jesse Puljujarvi for him. Bennett just doesn’t have as much upside as Puljujarvi. If the asking price was a mid-round pick, I’d be all over it but I’m sure the Flames are looking for much more than that.
QUICK NOTES
- There has been some talk that the Leafs could move Travis Dermott. Emily Kaplan of ESPN said the Leafs have a bit of a log jam on their blueline and mentioned the Penguins as a potential fit. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet did say that he doesn’t think that the Leafs will move Dermott though.
- The Penguins are hoping to hire a new GM sooner rather than later. Current NHL Network Analyst Kevin Weekes will interview for the job according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli. Current Penguins Assistant GM Patrik Allvin is in the mix as well.
- Chris Drury, who’s currently working for the New York Rangers, was considered one of the top candidates for the job but TSN’s Bob McKenzie says that Drury has informed the Penguins he wants to stay in New York.
- Elliotte Friedman says to keep an eye on Panthers winger @Brett Connolly. The 28-year-old winger has been a healthy scratch twice now and the Panthers might look to move him. He was two-more years on a deal that carries a cap hit of $3.5 million.
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