Biggest Rumors In The NHL This Week

With the NHL season officially underway, there were plenty of rumors worth discussing in the hockey. From the Montreal Canadiens ready to deal a forward to the Toronto Maple Leafs possibly shifting focus when it comes to extending William Nylander, both the Eastern and Western Conferences have potential moves ready to be made.

Will Sam Bennett get traded out of Calgary? Will the Minnesota Wild shake up their team?

here are the biggest rumors of the week.

Montreal Canadiens Open For Business

Bob McKenzie said during TSN Insider Trading that the Montreal Canadiens are “open for business” when it comes to shopping some of their forward corps. He explained that with Nikita Scherbak and Tomas Plekanec have been healthy scratches and Nick Deslauriers and Jacob de la Rose ready to come back from injuries, the Canadiens could have 16 healthy forwards and things are too crowded up front.

The reason Bergevin is trying to make a trade is that by shipping out a forward he doesn't risk losing a player on waivers for nothing.

Minnesota Wild Eyeing Changes

Sarah McLellan of the Star Tribune recently reported the Minnesota Wild’s veteran core group of Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, and others all realize changes could be coming to the team and they could on the move if things don't go well for the team this season.

The Wild made the postseason six seasons in a row but if they fail to make the playoffs this season, new general manager Paul Fenton will look to make changes — changes he didn't make when he first walked through the door for the sake of continuity. Fenton didn't want to ruffle feathers when he first arrived but after a season where he can evaluate what he has, he isn't afraid to pull the trigger.

Rick Nash Not Ready to Retire

Rear Admiral posted on Twitter Rick Nash was prepping to file the paperwork and announce his retirement from the NHL. Nash quickly shot down those rumors and his agent, Joe Resnick, said to Darren Dreger of TSN, “There is no truth to the tweet that Rick Nash is retiring today. Our position has not changed since July 1.” Aaron Portzline of The Athletic then conducted an interview with Nash who said his family was first and foremost right now but, "There’s a chance I could get healthy, come back and be great."

If Nash is able to return, the Columbus Blue Jackets could be one of five or six teams that are interested. Speculation is that Nash would like to return to a Stanley Cup contending team and Shawn Simpson of TSN 1200 said, “I’m feeling a Rick Nash reporting to the Marlies in the New year, signs with the Leafs for the stretch drive and playoffs, at the league minimum.”

Calgary Not Ready To Trade Sam Bennett

Despite Bennett not finding a consistent role in Calgary, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet is reporting the Flames have not given up on the forward and despite interest from teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning, are not ready to trade Bennett. At only 22 years old, Calgary is thinking Bennett has the potential to still turn into the player they drafted at the No. 4 overall spot. They would hate for him to do so while playing for another team.

Auston Matthews Extension Before William Nylander Extension?

Elliotte Friedman was also on Sportsnet with Tim and Sid and said he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs might have to rethink how they are trying to get a William Nylander deal done. Friedman believes there might come a point where the Maple Leafs just focus on Auston Matthew's extension and say,'let’s get your deal done first and then we’ll worry about Nylander.'

Friedman believes with Matthews tearing it up in the NHL, if he signs for a big dollar figure, but one that is less than he could make, Nylander will see the trend starting where players take discounts and not be so afraid he's going to get shafted in negotiations or be the only player to take a deal.