Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Polls

Poll: Which Coach Is Feeling The Heat?

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The calendar has turned over to November, and with it the frustrations of many fans are bubbling up to the surface. Teams like Montreal, New York and Edmonton aren’t performing like they were expected to, and it has coaches feeling the heat. Just yesterday we looked at one in Detroit, and there was already chatter that another was on his last legs.

So who is under the most pressure, and who will be fired first? That question is hard to answer, given the amount of turnover the NHL saw at the head coaching position just a few months ago. Would any of the teams fire a head coach just a month into his tenure with the team? Or will it be a tenured veteran that gets the ax?

You can vote for as many names as you want, but remember to explain in the comments why you think their seat is getting hot. Also, let us know who you think will be the first to be fired this year. For what it’s worth, Jared Bednar and Paul Maurice led this poll when we last ran it in April. With the Avalanche and Jets both in playoff positions, it doesn’t seem like they’ll win this time around.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Which Team’s Position Is Furthest From Where It Will Finish?

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

On October 31st, several teams around the NHL standings are positioned far from where they were expected to be. Some have outproduced even the most optimistic predictions, while others have lagged far behind their role as “Stanley Cup Contender”. On a day where we each dress up as something fantastical, we ask you who you think is hiding behind a costume and will eventually be given their trick, or treat.

Is it the Vegas Golden Knights, who continue to shock the NHL with an 8-2 record? If the Knights falter few would be surprised (especially given their recent goaltending troubles), but perhaps they’re better than anyone gave them credit for this summer. They certainly look like one of the best teams on the ice. What about the Los Angeles Kings, who were criticized for not doing a ton to address their team but continue to allow the fewest goals in the league? Drew Doughty and company have a +16 goal differential in just 12 games, trailing only Tampa Bay.

Or, at the other end of the spectrum the Edmonton Oilers. Unable to score despite having one of the best players in the world, is there a Superman “S” under that Clark Kent-like start? The Oilers have just a 3-6-1 record, but were expected by many to cruise to the playoffs. The New York Rangers, coming off a 100+ point season aren’t far ahead, and seemed to have sparked the anemic Montreal offense with their poor performance on Saturday night. Is that big apple candy-coated, or does it have a rotten core?

Cast your vote below for whose record you believe is just a costume, and there is either a contender or pretender under the mask.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Which Player Being Kept In The AHL Is The Biggest Surprise?

at CDT | by 10 Comments

Sometimes the NHL can be a cruel mistress. Because of roster constraints, cap situations and contract specifications, players are often pushed down to the AHL out of necessity. It’s unfair, unfortunate and sometimes unexpected.

Today, the Vegas Golden Knights sent Vadim Shipachyov back to the AHL even in the face of his $4.5MM contract. Shipachyov is the victim of the expansion roster, as he’s one of just a handful of players in the organization that are waiver-exempt. The Golden Knights are clearly not willing to lose assets for nothing, and continue to carry nine defensemen on the roster.

Let’s exclude Shipachyov for now, since it’s not even clear whether he will report to the AHL (and it would likely be a landslide poll). He’s off the roster, but he didn’t play for the Chicago Wolves the first time around. Instead, tell us which player who is currently in the AHL is the most surprising to you, whether it be because of skill or salary. We’ve included some of the most obvious candidates, but since it’s almost impossible to list all options make sure to leave any other interesting names in the comments.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: What Has Been The Most Surprising Story Early On?

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The NHL season is alive and well, and teams around the league are beginning their pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Even the weakest of them are still in the race right now, and fighting to prove that they have gone underrated all summer long.

Improbable starts have happened all around the league, with teams like Chicago and Toronto putting on a goal-scoring clinic in their first few matches, while upstarts like Vegas and Colorado have shown they won’t just lie down this season. It’s early, and nothing is written in stone just yet but there have still been some huge surprises.

Jesper Bratt seemingly has come out of nowhere to steal the early lead in Calder Trophy consideration, while Dustin Brown looks healthy and rejuvinated in Los Angeles after several down years. Alex Ovechkin, the proverbial whipping boy of the Washington Capitals’ playoff failures, is scoring at a ridiculous pace that has him back near the top of the league’s most dangerous list.

All of this is happening while the St. Louis Blues, crushed with preseason injury after injury stand alone at the top of the standings at 4-0.

So what has surprised you the most through the first week of the season? We’ve listed some obvious choices, but make sure to leave your comments down below on any other improbable happenstances!

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Who Will Be The Top UFA Defenseman Available?

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With the 2017-18 season underway and several franchises off to inauspicious starts, fans are already looking ahead (somewhat prematurely) to next summer’s free agent class. While free agents can rarely be the fix-it-all answer for a struggling team, they are often pursued as such. That won’t change in 2018, when there projects to be a deep—but risky—free agent crop.

This year, Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner paced the defensive group and secured long-term deals. Both players have significant flaws in their games, which is something teams will have to live with next summer as well. Still, there are several players worthy of consideration for the top dog and many more that could help teams right the ship in their own end.

While many of these players will likely re-sign with their respective clubs before even getting close to free agency, we’ll take an early look at who should be crowned the jewel come July 1st. It will be interesting to compare to our rankings at the end of the season, to see who improved their rankings and who fell off the map. Make sure to leave your reasoning behind in the comments.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Which Playoff Team Is Most Likely To Falter In 2017-18?

at CDT | by 4 Comments

Earlier this summer we asked our readers which non-playoff team would make the jump this year and get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning easily paced the pack, with each receiving more than 18% of the votes. They were easy choices after both experienced one-year power outages, but made moves to right the ship in the offseason.

But, if teams like Dallas and Tampa Bay are to climb back into the postseason tournament, someone will have to drop out. After the first couple nights of the season, some teams have celebrated huge wins while others are still trying to figure out what went wrong. One game doesn’t mean much, but it was sure a fun way to start the year.

So now, we’ll ask you the opposite question. Which teams are most likely to fall out of the playoffs in 2017-18? Will it be a division leader, plummeting to the bottom of the standings like Dallas and Florida last season, or a bubble team who just can’t quite hold on to their spot? A former champion, struggling with cap issues or a young team who is struck by the sophomore slump?

Check any and all teams that you think will miss the playoffs this year, and make sure to explain your choices in the comments below. Tell us who you think will jump in, and where they’ll finish.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Where Will Matt Duchene Start His 2017-18 Season?

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Matt Duchene showed up for the start of training camp this morning with the Colorado Avalanche, clearly frustrated with how this offseason has played out. Duchene and agent J.P. Barry have made it clear they would like a resolution to the ongoing trade speculation, and instead of face countless more questions from the media, had a simple statement:

I’m here to honor my contract. I’m here out of respect for the fans, and I’m here for my teammates. I had a great summer training and I’m in great physical condition.

Duchene will take part in training camp now that he’s there, but questions continue to swirl around his future with the club. With only two years left on his current contract, the asking price of GM Joe Sakic has yet to be matched. Sakic has reportedly been looking for a first-round pick, a young NHL caliber defenseman and a top prospect, and while that may have changed slightly there still doesn’t seem to be any deal in sight. Many teams around the league could benefit from having Duchene on their roster, but giving up all that for two years of a player coming off a down season is almost impossible for anyone to do.

The question is asked nearly every week in our live chats (of which we’ll hold the latest in about an hour’s time), where will Duchene eventually end up? Does he end up going to one of the oft-rumored destinations like Columbus or Carolina? Will another team swoop in and snatch him up in a last second move? Or will he have to start the season with Colorado and hope his play draws more interested parties in? Vote below on where you think Duchene will play his first game this season, and make sure to leave your reasoning behind in the comments.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Where Would You Like To See The Next NHL Franchise?

at CDT | by 15 Comments

With news this morning that Seattle will approve a plan for a new arena, expansion and relocation talk has ramped up around the league once again. The NHL will head into next season with 31 teams, and though that’s not impossible to carry forward is far from ideal. A 32nd franchise is expected at some point, and Seattle now will have a new, privately funded arena and a backer—billionaire David Bonderman—who according to John Shannon of Sportsnet has privately expressed interest in a team.

The question now is whether expansion or relocation is right for Seattle (if they are to get a team at all) and if there are any other markets that could be in the running for the 32nd franchise. Obviously, Quebec City has long been rumored as a potential expansion location and even put in a bid in the last round. Houston, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Portland and Hamilton have all been mentioned as possible fits, along with a potential second team in Toronto. Nothing is imminent in any of these markets, but the idea of expansion is at least interesting in each of them.

Where do you think will be the next city with an NHL franchise, either through expansion or relocation? We’ve listed some options below, but feel free to comment with others you feel could be a good market for a growing US hockey base. Whatever you choose, make sure to tell us which method it will be, and if relocation which franchise you see packing up and leaving.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Who Will Win The Calder Trophy In 2017-18?

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Prospect tournaments across the league are starting today, and with it we get a good—and sometimes first—look at some of the potential impact rookies in the NHL this year. Even those who spent some time with their NHL club last year normally participate, and do battle against the top prospects of other teams.

Earlier this summer we looked at a handful of rookies that could make an impact on their teams right away. In part one, we reviewed some of the names that had already made their debuts to great fanfare, but had not exhausted their rookie status. In part two, we included some of the less heralded names who have immense upside and could experience a breakout.

Now, we’ll ask you what you think. Below we’ve included many of the names who are early favorites for the Calder Trophy, but feel free to list your own pick for Rookie of the Year in the comments below. Will it be a top draft pick who explodes onto the scene right away, or a ex-college player who is thrust into a better situation? Can a defenseman take home the trophy for the first time since Aaron Ekblad, or will it go to a forward for the tenth time in thirteen years?

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Poll: Who Will Be The Next RFA To Sign An NHL Contract?

at CDT | by 1 Comment

With the Detroit Red Wings signing defenseman Robbie Russo, only nine RFAs remain. Training camp kicks off in less than 10 days for some teams, so teams with unsigned RFAs are under a time crunch to get deals done. There are big names remaining, including Sam Bennett, Nikita Zadorov, and David Pastrnak. While many teams publicly display confidence in signing their RFA, the Boston Bruins seem to be at odds with Pastrnak’s contract demands.

Nine RFAs, and less than two weeks until training camp. Who do you think signs next?

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top