NHL Rumour Roundup: Latest on Nylander, Flames chaos, Dubois blockbuster
Two days out from the draft and five days away from the beginning of free agency, the NHL rumour mill is spinning wildly. We take a look at the latest buzz around the biggest names.
Flyers-Blues deal hinging on Krug's decision
Another multi-piece deal seemingly in the works, but potentially in danger in falling through, is the swap being discussed by the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues. Rumours have swirled around a trade sending Kevin Hayes and young Philly defender Travis Sanheim to the Blues for veteran rearguard Torey Krug.
Friedman broke down what he’s heard of the negotiations.
“Kevin Hayes, I think, is going to get traded to St. Louis. However this goes, Hayes, I believe, is going to be a Blue,” he said. “The question is what’s going with him and around him. Travis Sanheim, Philly tried to keep his name pretty quiet, and for a while they did. But his name got out there. He has a clause, a protection, that kicks in July 1. I think there were some teams that kind of kicked tires on him, but then I think St. Louis got really interested. And one of the things I think St. Louis liked is the idea of pairing him with Colton Parayko, that he would be a good partner for him."
“This broke on Saturday. I don’t know when exactly it was, but about 24-48 hours before it broke, I think Torey Krug was asked how he would feel about going to Philadelphia. Now, Torey Krug has a no-trade clause, so he has say. And he’s also on vacation, I believe, so that added another layer to it.”
As it stands, it appears Krug — who has four years left on the seven-year, $45.5-million deal he signed with the Blues in 2020 — does not want to waive his no-trade clause to go to Philly.
“Philadelphia was hoping to convince him. I know there were some reports that Philly was going to flip him — I don’t think that was true, initially,” Friedman continued. “It may have entered the picture, but initially, I think it was Philly’s goal to keep him, that they would need a defenceman who can run their power play. Krug is a pretty respected, hard-playing guy. … The reports were that it was going to be Hayes and Sanheim for Krug and a first-round pick."
“I just don’t think that Torey Krug was ready to say yes. As we tape this on Sunday night, I’ve heard everything from, ‘It’s a hard no’ to ‘Right now, it’s a no.’ As of Sunday night, I don’t think anything had been presented to Krug that’s going to get him to change his mind.”
Friedman added that both clubs continue to chip away at the negotiations, with Flyers front-office members and players trying to convince Krug to come to Philadelphia, and the deal as a whole at risk of falling through if Krug opts to remain in St. Louis.
