In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the fallout from some of the trades made at the deadline is becoming clear, with at least two players taking not-so-subtle shots at their former teams. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to undergo a full review in the offseason. Will Brad Treliving survive the purge? Is Sidney Crosby nearing a return for the Pittsburgh Penguins?
Finally, are there issues between the Oilers and Tristan Jarry? Or was this entire talk of teammates not getting along overblown?
Could Crosby Be Back Soon with the Penguins?
Sidney Crosby is on the current road trip with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play. He started skating with the group before the trip, and he could be nearing a return to the ice. However, a date has not been determined.
Tristan Jarry Drama in Edmonton Overblown?
More than a few reports have suggested there is potential drama in Edmonton, specifically between goaltender Tristan Jarry and his teammates. Those reports may have exaggerated the situation.
Related: What’s Next for Patrik Laine and the Canadiens After a Disappointing Trade Deadline
A few reports have now surfaced, and one insider who hinted at the original friction has slightly walked back his feelings on the matter. Bob Stauffer spoke with Frank Seravalli. Stauffer seemed to hint that he wasn’t saying he had directly heard Jarry and another teammate fighting, but that what he saw at practice might have indicated some frustration. Seravalli called the entire thing “overblown.”
Jarry is the Oilers’ goaltender. There is no way around that now. Both sides need to find a way to make it work.
Schenn Felt Pushed Out by Blues
After years as a key figure holding the captaincy in St. Louis, Brayden Schenn said it eventually became clear the organization was ready to move in a different direction. The veteran forward explained that when the team approached him about waiving his no-trade clause for the second time in two years, the message was obvious.
Schenn said that when an organization repeatedly asks about moving you, it’s a sign you may no longer be part of its long-term plans. Rather than fight it, he decided it was time for a fresh opportunity with a team that clearly wanted him.
According to insider Elliotte Friedman, Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche and head coach Patrick Roy even met Schenn face-to-face while the teams were staying at the same hotel to help seal the deal. The meeting reportedly helped convince Schenn that Long Island was the right destination.
Blues Didn’t Ask Robert Thomas to Waive No-Trade
Schenn’s departure was big news in St. Louis, but so was the fact that Robert Thomas was not moved. He cleared up any rumors about how close things got, saying he was never asked to waive his no-trade clause by the organization, nor did he ask to be traded.
There was a lot of chatter that the Blues were close to trading Thomas to the Buffalo Sabres. Some reports indicated the deal was done, with only Thomas needing to sign off on it. Things never got that far, according to the Blues center.
Mangiapane Happy for Fresh Start in Chicago
Meanwhile, Mangiapane didn’t hide his excitement after being traded from Edmonton to the Chicago Blackhawks. After signing with the Oilers in the offseason, the winger struggled to find his footing and saw his production fall off early in the year.
Dealt to Chicago in a move that brought Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach to Edmonton, Mangiapane responded that he was simply happy to “get out” and start fresh.
He acknowledged things were tough in Edmonton as his role shrank, though the comments likely sounded harsher than intended. In Chicago, the forward said the coaching staff told him to play his usual hardworking, high-energy game—something he hopes will help him rediscover the form the Oilers expected when they signed him.
How Safe Is Brad Treliving in Toronto?
NHL insider Darren Dreger appeared on the “First Up” podcast, and explained that Brad Treliving is safe in Toronto, for now. That said, this summer the Maple Leafs will review the state of the team and determine what changes are needed.
“There’s no point having a guy around that you know you’re going to fire. (…) Obviously, coming off the trade deadline, there has to be a full review of hockey operations at the end of the year. Has to be. There’s no other way around it. And, you know, that doesn’t always end up with the general manager getting gashed, or the coach getting fired.”
