Biggest NHL Rumors This Week - December 1, 2018

For the week of December 1, 2018, and as the official month of Christmas gets underway, there's plenty of buzz in the NHL.

With the deadline for William Nylander's contract extension sometime later today, most of the buzz surrounds the Toronto Maple Leafs, although the Philadephia Flyers made news by firing their GM, Ron Hextall. There are rumors of goaltenders being on the trade block and buzz the NHL might come down hard on Tom Wilson who delivered another dirty hit on Friday night.

Here are the biggest rumors in the NHL for the week of December 1, 2018.

Wilson In Trouble Again

On Friday, often suspended Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson delivered another questionable hit, this time to the New Jersey Devils Brett Seney. There are some arguing that the hit itself was more late than illegal, but it will be investigated by the NHL after he was given a match penalty. At the very least, Wilson will almost certainly face a suspension.

What comes next will be questions about whether or not the game has time for a player like Wilson. While Capitals head coach Todd Reirden suggested Wilson wasn't even trying to make a hit, that will only play a small role in how the NHL will deal with this. Wilson has far too many strikes against him as a repeat offender and the NHL may come down hard with a suspension that could see him miss the rest of the season.

Auston Matthews To Receive An Offer Sheet

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via Sporting News[/caption] Technically, no other team can offer Toronto Maple Leafs star center Auston Matthews an offer sheet as a restricted free agent until the summer, but that hasn't stopped people from speculating one might be coming. Somewhat lost in the shadow of the William Nylander drama is the fact that the Maple Leafs have huge salary cap issues, especially if they sign Nylander on December 1st. This could open things up for another team to offer as much as $14 million to Matthews on a long-term deal.

Fox Sports’ Andy Strickland has shared speculation that Matthews could be a prime target for an offer sheet this off-season and that because Matthews is such a rare talent, the idea isn't too far fetched. Mitch Marner is also up for an extension and that could factor into Matthews next deal as well.

Nylander To Be Traded No Matter What Happens

The Maple Leafs may, in fact, sign Nylander to an extension on Saturday but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently wondered whether Nylander signs or not if there is a future in Toronto for him. Friedman believes that even if Nylander does sign, Toronto will trade him by the draft at the latest. “One way or the other, I think this is over. I would be surprised if he plays for Toronto next season.”

This whole process may be too far gone to salvage a long-term relationship between Nylander and the team and that Toronto may keep him for a run at the postseason and then ship him out as soon as the season ends.

Flyers Looking For New GM

After firing Ron Hextall this past week, the Philadelphia Flyers are looking for a new general manager. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnett suggested that process should take “weeks, not months” and the leading candidates for the job include Chuck Fletcher and Ron Francis while lesser candidates but still possibles include Tom Fitzgerald, Mark Hunter or Chris Drury.

Names like Scott Mellanby and Chris Pronger have come up, but don’t seem to be likely options, nor does Steve Yzerman. Sam Carchidi figures Yzerman is a longshot considering his ties to the Detroit Red Wings.

Oilers To Trade Cam Talbot?

There is talk these days about trading Cam Talbot out of Edmonton. The reason is the consistently strong play of backup goaltender Mikko Koskinen, who the Oilers signed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal in the offseason. Since the start of the season, Koskinen has played in 11 games, has a 7-2-1 record and a .924 SV%.

There are no official teams connected to Talbot and no confirmation the Oilers are even considering moving him but if Koskinen keeps playing well and getting the starting roles, the Oilers might choose to try and shake free of Talbot's over $4 million in salary, get a different backup and try and fill holes in other areas.

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