Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Oilers, Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Caps

NHL Trade Talk Recap Dec. 5: Miller and Ovechkin back skating, Hyman returns to Oilers, Minten surprises Leafs, Hawks fire Richardson.

by
Old Prof
December 5, 2024

In today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap (Dec. 5), the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers were prominently featured. J.T. Miller’s return to skating was a pleasant surprise, while Nils Höglander trade rumors swirled. In Edmonton, Viktor Arvidsson’s injury is concerning, but Zach Hyman’s return ignited scoring, with two goals already tonight. Meanwhile, a key Oilers goal reportedly sparked trade talks between the Senators and Rangers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had an eventful day, with updates on Jani Hakanpaa’s knee recovery and Fraser Minten giving the team options at the trade deadline. Finally, speculation around Auston Matthews’ path to reaching a significant milestone added interest for Maple Leafs fans.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Blackhawks made news by firing head coach Luke Richardson. Alex Ovechkin stunned fans by returning to the ice, and there was a ton of 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament talk.

NHL Trade Talk Recap Main Story: Blackhawks Fire Luke Richardson

Chicago felt they had to make a change and did on Thursday firing head coach Luke Richardson. Rockford IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen will be promoted in the interim. He will coach and Chicago assistant GM of player development Mark Eaton will take over as the interim in Rockford.

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How Good Can Fraser Minten Become for the Maple Leafs?

So far, in a small sample size, Fraser Minten has looked like an old pro. Does his unexpected rise as a rookie help the Maple Leafs rethink their trade deadline strategy and aim for a game-changing acquisition instead of depth additions?

Read Beyond the Recap Here:

Zach Hyman Returns In Hyman Fashion

Zach Hyman to back into the lineup for the Oilers on Thursday and made an immediate impact. He scored twice (as of this writing) and had one of the other Oilers goals reviewed because he was in the blue paint. It’s exactly the type of play Hyman is known for and the Oilers are glad to have it back.

There is also no timeline on Viktor Arvidsson’s injury and we wondered if Darnell Nurse’s goal against the New York Rangers was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Read The Rest of the NHL Trade Talk Recap Post Here

Are the Canucks Gearing Up to Trade Höglander?

Could the Canucks trade Nils Höglander to address their defensive issues and land a top-four blueliner like Marcus Pettersson? If Vancouver pulls the trigger on such a deal, would it mark the turning point the team needs or become a missed chance for Höglander to fulfill his potential with the Canucks?

The Rest of the NHL Trade Talk Story:

Is J.T. Miller’s Return a Game-Changer for the Canucks?

J.T. Miller is back on the ice, with signs pointing to a potential return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup as early as tomorrow. If Miller returns, will his presence reignite the Canucks’ playoff hopes—or could lingering questions about his absence impact team chemistry?

Full NHL Trade Talk Story Here: