In an NHL Trade Talk weekend rumors update, the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks could both lose a player for a game or two as Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers were given hearings by the NHL Player Safety Committee after two crosschecks that occurred late in Saturday night’s game. Meanwhile, J.T. Miller was almost traded, and he commented on the rumors after the Canucks’ win. Finally, is Jamie Benn expected to sign an extension with the Dallas Stars?
McDavid and Myers Both Get NHL DoPS Hearings
Both Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers have been told they’ll have hearings for the crosschecks they delivered in the final seconds of Saturday’s game. The belief is that each will get one or two games, with Myers’ hit being the more predatory of the two.
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid will have a hearing for cross-checking Vancouver’s Conor Garland. Date and time TBD.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 19, 2025
No one is excusing McDavid from losing his cool, but many understand why he did. Conor Garland was essentially wrestling McDavid in the last 15-20 seconds of the third period to ensure he couldn’t get the space to do anything and wasn’t a factor as the Oilers tried to tie the game. There should have been two or three penalties called on Garland for interference or holding, but he got away with everything. McDavid lost his cool.
The Myers hit was retaliatory in nature, standing directly across from Evan Bouchard, cross-checked him in the face.
McDavid getting at least one game will mean he’ll miss Tuesday’s matchup with the Washington Capitals, and fans won’t get to see McDavid versus Alex Ovechkin. There is also some chatter about the NHL DoPS suspending both players for two games in an attempt to keep them out of the rematch between the Canucks and Oilers.
Miller Comments on Trade Rumors to Rangers
“I’m planning on being a Canuck today, tomorrow. Whatever happens, happens. I’m focused on the next game.” J.T. Miller said when asked about the trade speculation that surrounded him just as the game between the Oilers and Canucks was set to happen.
Elliotte Friedman revealed that trade discussions between the Canucks and the New York Rangers had taken place and Miller was likely to be left out of the lineup for trade reasons. Ultimately, things fell through. “I believe J.T. Miller was set to be scratched for the game against the Oilers because trade talks were advancing,” Friedman reported. “However, that trade is off right now.”
Jamie Benn to Sign Extension with Stars
Per our Jim Biringer, the Dallas Stars are expected to get business with their veteran star Jamie Benn taken care of. Benn is a pending free agent at the end of the season and Biringer reports that general manager Jim Nill wants to get an extension signed.
“Neither party is worried about Benn staying in Dallas. The expectation is he will finish his career as a member of the Dallas Stars,” a well-placed RG source said. “He wants to do that.”
He adds, “The understanding from both parties is that they will wait until the end of the season and see where things are before negotiating a new deal.”
Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Blackhawks, Oilers, Canucks, Rangers
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