Whenever TSN‘s Bob McKenzie tweets — the Twitter-verified McKenzie and not one of those fake McKenzie accounts run by some assholes who crave short-lived laughs at the expense of some suckers on the internet — about NHL hockey rumours, it’s bound to garner some attention.
But after Sportsnet‘s Elliotte Friedman published his latest ’30 Thoughts’ column that delved into how NHL trade talk is ramping up sans any news pertaining to the Ottawa Senators, McKenzie’s two tweets regarding the Senators’ goaltending situation, was welcomed. Even if the news isn’t really new.
OTT stepping up efforts to trade a goalie this week. Still talking to other clubs about possible deals for Robin Lehner and Craig Anderson.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 22, 2015
Suspect Lehner is more likely to be dealt than Anderson, but talks on both are ongoing.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 22, 2015
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With day one of the NHL’s draft scheduled for Friday night, popular opinion speculated that Senators trade would likely go down some time this week, so it’s not really surprising to hear that the Senators are not only playing teams off of each other to create leverage in trade demands, but also play the markets for their own goaltenders off of each other in an effort to drive up the price.
As much as I suspect some of this information is being put out there by the Senators to help spur interest and trade dialogue, I’m beginning to wonder if the leaked information regarding Lehner being the popular candidate to move is simply a ploy to force teams that are interested in Anderson to spice up their offers.
“Oh, cool. You really prefer Craig Anderson? That’s interesting, (Team A) just offered us a really enticing package for Robin Lehner. If you really, really want a veteran goaltender, pony up.”
It’s not like management ignores the fear or possibility of Lehner panning out elsewhere. Not after Ben Bishop helped lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. They’re also cognizant of the idea that Lehner can potentially be locked up under team control for a much longer period and that his age is congruent with the rest of the organization’s young core.
For all of the reasons that I outlined above, maybe it’s plausible that management would prefer to keep Lehner.
Or maybe he’ll be the one to go. Who the hell knows?
Whatever the case, the risks in any scenario will be pointed out and there’s inevitably going to be a sect of the fan base that will make their voices heard and share these concerns like it hasn’t been mentioned before.
Can’t wait.
Edmonton Gets Permission to Speak to Paul MacLean
According to Elliote Friedman, the Oilers have received permission to speak with Paul MacLean and gauge his interest in joining Todd McLellan’s coaching staff as an assistant. As an aside, the Anaheim Ducks reportedly received permission to speak to MacLean as well.
Some may wonder why MacLean would have any interest in a lesser position, but from my understanding, the Senators would continue to pay the remainder of MacLean’s head coaching contract while another organization would pay the portion of his contract that covers his assistant coaching salary. In other words, he would still receive his full rate of pay, while Ottawa would at least get off the hook for some of his contract.
It’s not the best-case scenario in which the Senators are able to recoup most of the value of his deal, but should MacLean leave, at least it could give him the opportunity to get back into the game and help rebuild some of his coaching reputation after it was torched in the Senators’ second half last season.
From a familiarity standpoint, this move makes more sense than a move to the Ducks. For starters, he has a work relationship with McLellan where both coaches worked together under Mike Babcock in Detroit. Perhaps most importantly, he could coach under McLellan without ever being viewed as a heir apparent for the gig – unlike the position in Anaheim where Bruce Boudreau could get axed if that team struggles to live up to expectations.
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