Although Scottie Upshall was released from his PTO by Edmonton on Monday as his leg injury continues to linger, his time with the organization may not be over just yet. Postmedia’s Robert Tychkowski reports that the Oilers have offered him the chance to rehab in Edmonton and an opportunity to play with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield once he gets the green light to return to game action. Upshall has yet to decide whether or not to take them up on their offer. If he wants to return to the NHL this season though, it’s likely that he will need to spend some time at the minor league level to show he’s fully healthy.
More from around the hockey world:
- While shifting the focus to a bridge deal with winger William Nylander might help get him locked up before the season starts, Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas stated in an interview on Sportsnet 590 (audio link) that doing so would be a “sub-optimal” He reiterated that both sides’ preference remains to get a long-term deal done although there is still a sizable gap to be bridged. Dubas also acknowledged that they have received inquiries from other teams regarding Nylander’s availability but emphasized that they are not shopping the 22-year-old.
- It’s never too early to think about the next college free agent market and 11 teams have already expressed some interest in Miami (Ohio) defenseman Grant Hutton, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Among those teams is Ottawa, as GM Pierre Dorion met with the 23-year-old. Hutton is entering his senior year and is coming off of a productive junior campaign with 13 goals and 14 assists in 36 games.
Not shopping, but you can still listen and maybe there’s an offer that’ll improve the team overall instead of having a one dimensional selfish winger on the top line.
Ducks and Leafs have had D for Winger trade rumors for a while. They would match up well on a trade
Really any team deep on D with a need for scoring would match up. Nashville, Carolina, maybe Minnesota jump to mind. Ducks as well, I’m not too familiar with those rumours though. Toronto is said to have had discussions about Faulk though. Dubas should do his due diligence on any team that calls before saying he’s not available.
If the leafs dont squash this quick it could easily become an issue next off season. It wasnt much until now. But if Nylander continues to hold and the leafs hands are tied what does that say when the others come up? Matthews and Marner say no to matching McDavid and Draisaitl and want more because they saw Willy say no to the first offers and win? Might have been a situation where they wish they bridged him or extended him before 18. Could be an interesting offseason in TO next year too.
Also, those saying they match up with any team in surplus of d… Oilers have been searching and trying to connect with them for 3+ years. Cost them Hall for Larsson (which is as horrible to me as some believe) it will cost them more than Nylander for a top up and coming d.