NHL Daily: Ryan Strome Contract, Rickard Rakell Update
NHL Daily: Ryan Strome Contract Update, Rickard Rakell Illness Update, Other World Cup of Hockey Notes, and More (Morning Coffee Headlines)
Grab your morning cup of coffee and join us here at PuckProse for a compilation of NHL daily links that will help keep you updated with everything going on in the hockey world.
In today’s edition, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports that Ryan Strome and the New York Islanders continue to work towards a new deal as training camp nears. Also, we have an update on Sweden’s Rickard Rakell (illness) and several other reports from the World Cup of Hockey.
NHL Daily: Morning Coffee Headlines
Ryan Strome Contract Update
According to Newsday’s Arthur Staple, the Islanders and Ryan Strome continue to work towards a new contract with training camp set to begin September 22nd. Both sides are apparently optimistic that a deal will get done. [The Score]
Wild Forwards Off to Hot Start With Team Finland
Minnesota Wild forwards Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, and Erik Haula have turned in a pair of solid outings for Team Finland.
Playing alongside one another, Granlund and Koivu teamed up for a key game-tying goal in their opener which led to a 3-2 victory over Sweden. They lost their second game to the Swedes 6-3, but the Wild duo was a bright spot. Koivu had a goal and an assist, while Granlund generated numerous scoring chances (unfortunately failed to capitalize though). [Gone Puck Wild]
Canada-United States Lock Horns in Home-and-Home Series
If you didn’t get an opportunity to watch, Canada-United States squared off in a home-and-home series to kick off the World Cup pre-tournament schedule. The bitter rivalry got off to a quick start in Columbus on Friday night and things heated up even further on Saturday in Ottawa as Sidney Crosby sat in the press box. [ESPN]
Vladimir Tarasenko on Fire
St. Louis Blues F Vladimir Tarasenko is off to a hot start for Team Russia at the World Cup of Hockey. The 24-year-old is coming off career-highs of 40 goals (74 points) in 2015-16. His elite skill-set continues to elevate him closer to NHL superstar status. 50 goals, 100 points is not out of the realm of possibilities at some point in the future. [Bleedin’ Blue]
Rakell Remains in Hospital
It’s starting to look as though Team Sweden will need a replacement for Anaheim Ducks F Rickard Rakell. The 23-year-old restricted free agent remains in hospital with an unspecified illness. His status for the upcoming tournament remains in doubt according to Swedish coach Rickard Gronborg. [TSN]
Maple Leafs Need to Avoid Cam Fowler
“There’s a difference in playing in a team’s top four and actually being a top four defender”
Editor in Leaf’s Tim Chiasson doesn’t believe it would be wise for Toronto to pursue Ducks D Cam Fowler.
Technically it makes sense, why bring in another left-handed shot with Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner on the roster? His proclamation that Fowler “isn’t nearly as good” as Gardiner is however highly debatable. [Editor in Leaf]
Rise and Fall of Russian Hockey
Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet.ca speaks about the rise and fall of Russian Hockey, and how the country risks dropping out of the top-tier powerhouses if they are unable to win a major tournament in the near future. It’s a lengthy read, but highly recommended. [Sportsnet]
Yakupov Needs to Prove Himself Without McDavid
Many Oilers fans have expressed their desire to keep Connor McDavid with Nail Yakupov on a line together due to the chemistry the pair generated in 2015-16. Hockey experts Bob Stauffer and Sammi Silber (Oil on Whyte) believe it’s time for Yakupov to prove himself on his own. [Oil on Whyte]
Related Story: World Cup of Hockey: Impact Teams/Players Roundtable
NHL Daily Morning Rant
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Blue Line Station
Numerous sources including Arthur Staple have continued to beat this Islanders drum that players must be signed before training camp begins to play in the upcoming season.
Perhaps I’m missing some piece of news, but the last time I checked, Charles Wang gave up majority ownership early in the summer. This was his rule, and it would little sense for Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin to continue the ridiculous tradition.
By the way, that “Wang rule” has been used a single time well over a decade ago on a very special Sean Bergenheim circumstance.
Looking to the Oilers piece of news regarding Nail Yakupov. I agree with both Bob and Sammi that fans need to stop insisting that Edmonton keeps Connor McDavid with the Russian winger.
The 2012 first overall pick has been the center of criticism on numerous occasions in a failed organization. If he can’t spread his wings without a generational talent (that makes everyone around them better), Nail shouldn’t be part of the long-term plan in Edmonton.
Next: Fantasy Hockey Primer: Projections, 30-Team Analysis
Plus, we’ve seen what Connor can do with teammates who were around in 2015-16. Wouldn’t it make sense to give him an opportunity to play with gritty physical power forward Milan Lucic, or potential rookie sensation Jesse Puljujarvi, who draws comparisons to Corey Perry?