NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Rantanen, Kings, Laine, More

In today’s NHL news and rumors update, the Toronto Maple Leafs have made some significant cuts to their roster. What does it mean? There’s a wild rumor out there that the Buffalo Sabres have made a pretty lucrative offer to the Winnipeg Jets for Patrick Laine. Is there anything to this rumor? Finally, there is news coming out of Detroit and Los Angeles.

Maple Leafs Cut 11

According to multiple reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have cut several NHL veterans from camp. Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun is reporting that Maple Leafs’ forwards Pontus Aberg and Tyler Gaudet as well as Maple Leafs’ defensemen Ben Harpur and Jordan Schmaltz have all been placed on waivers today.

Leafs move D Ben Harpur, Jordan Schmaltz, F Tyler Gaudet and Pontis Aberg to waivers. Assign F Jeremy Bracco, Adam Brooks, Rich Clune, Hudson Elynuik, Darren Archibald, Pierre Engvall and D Teemu Kivihalme to Marlies.

— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) September 28, 2019

While the Maple Leafs are aiming for those players to make it to the Toronto Marlies, is there a chance anyone claims them through waivers?

Related: Ex-Maple Leafs’ Connor Brown Is Happy to Be in Ottawa

Blockbuster Trade Offer for Laine?

This story comes just hours after Patrick Laine signed an extension with the Winnipeg Jets, but it’s interesting.

Take this rumor for what it is, (maybe nothing), but Wheelhouse Hockey on writes on social media, “Apparently, the Buffalo Sabres have offered Ristolainen, Sheary & 2x first round picks to the Winnipeg Jets for Patrik Laine.” They add the question, “What do you think? Fair deal? Is Laine good enough for second line in Buffalo?”

If there’s anything to this rumor, the Jets have decided that they need to fix their depleted blue line more than they need a 30-goal scorer in the lineup. Keep in mind, there’s been no word from trusted insiders like Pierre LeBrun, Elliotte Friedman, Darren Dreger, Chris Johnston or otherwise on this story.

Related: Should the Montreal Canadiens Trade Jonathan Drouin for Jason Zucker?

Kings Future in Goal?

Josh Cooper of The Athletic writes that the Los Angeles Kings could entertain the idea of trading goaltender Jonathan Quick. He’s been in the rumor mill for some time.

It's weird to think of the Jonathan Quick era coming to an end, but the Kings must start thinking of a succession plan. @JoshuaCooper looks into what the Kings might do with Jack Campbell and Cal Petersen.https://t.co/KVTlOwn8Qk

— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) September 24, 2019

Part of the reason is the development of Jack Campbell who could be ready for the starters role. The Kings also have prospect Cal Petersen working and waiting for more responsibility. All three goaltenders are under contract and in the Kings’ system for the next three seasons, at least.

Because of the potential wealth at the position and because the Kings might lose one of their young prospects in the NHL expansion draft, a Quick deal looks more likely than ever. Cooper writes:

“The expansion draft factors into all your planning,” an NHL team executive said when asked about the Kings’ goaltending. “In the end though you just have to know you’re going to lose a player somewhere in your organization.”

source – ‘When will Jack Campbell or Cal Petersen take over for Jonathan Quick? Both seem ready to start now’ – The Athletic – Josh Cooper – 09/23/2019

Red Wings and Jonathan Ericsson

According to Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News, the Detroit Red Wings aren’t sure whether or not defenseman Jonathan Ericsson will be ready for the start of the regular season. He’s still dealing with a soft tissue injury issues and has already been ruled out of their final two preseason games. 

Could this be an opening for Dennis Cholowski? Cholowski is a waiver-exempt prospect who is high on the list as having a bright NHL future.

Avalanche and Rantanen Closer to a Deal?

Chris Johnston reports that one of the biggest RFA’s still yet to sign an extension, Mikko Rantanen, might be closer with the Colorado Avalanche today than he’s been in some time. Rantanen is not skating with SC Bern anymore and is going back to Helskinki.

Unsigned RFA Mikko Rantanen is also on his way back to Helsinki after skating with SC Bern, and there's belief he and the #avs are making progress on an extension.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 27, 2019

Pierre LeBrun notes there is still some work to be done to get a deal finalized and questions about the term and length of the deal. He thinks $9 million is the magic number on a long-term deal.