In right this moment’s NHL rumors rundown, there’s nonetheless commerce chatter concerning Patrik Laine with 5 groups talked about as excellent matches. Of the 5, might the Pittsburgh Penguins be the very best match? In the meantime, some information is surfacing as to why distinguished sports activities broadcaster Jeff Marek immediately parted methods with Sportsnet. A possible playing investigation is the very last thing followers would have assumed once they discovered he was not with the community.
5 Groups as Greatest Match For Patrik Laine Commerce
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine was launched from the NHL/NHLPA participant help program on Friday, elevating hypothesis a couple of potential commerce. Rumors of a deal date again to June and the brand new president of hockey operations and GM Don Waddell famous that groups had been keen on Laine however wished to talk with him instantly. With Laine now accessible for talks, hypothesis is ramping up.
There isn’t a assure of a transfer attributable to Laine’s restricted play within the 2023-24 season (simply 18 video games and 9 factors) and his $8.7-million cap hit for the subsequent two seasons can also be a big hurdle. Nonetheless, Josh Wegman of The Rating recommended 5 groups which may make for the very best match.
Wegman argues that a number of groups may gain advantage from buying Laine, together with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken, and Buffalo Sabres. Every group gives totally different alternatives and challenges for Laine, making the upcoming commerce talks extremely anticipated.
He notes the Penguins as a five-star match and writes, “There could also be no higher spot for Laine to rejuvenate his profession than in Pittsburgh.” Noting that Sidney Crosby and Laine has the potential for fast chemistry and the Penguins might use Laine on their struggling energy play, Laine’s deadly one-timer seems to be engaging.
Wegman provides:
Pittsburgh additionally has $3.5 million in cap area and will create extra room by together with a depth ahead reminiscent of Lars Eller ($2.45-million AAV) or Noel Acciari ($2 million) in a deal for Laine. It’s the kind of massive swing president of hockey operations and GM Kyle Dubas must make if he needs to present his getting old core one final probability of creating a run.
Extra on Jeff Marek’s Departure from Sportsnet
In line with a report in The Athletic, Jeff Marek’s sudden departure from Sportsnet could be associated to an investigation into betting associated to this yr’s NHL Entry Draft. The Nevada Gaming Management Board wouldn’t touch upon what could possibly be an lively investigation and the NHL and Sportsnet each declined to touch upon the matter. Marek didn’t reply both.
Marek had come underneath scrutiny from the NHL through the first spherical of the draft for allegedly revealing to a buddy which gamers groups had been drafting moments earlier than these picks had been publicly introduced, in response to league and media trade sources. The NHL shared considerations concerning the scenario with the Nevada Gaming Management Board, which probed additional, in response to a number of sources briefed on that investigation.
supply – ‘Why was a beloved hockey broadcaster pulled off the air?’ – Katie Strang and Dan Robson – The Athletic – 08/01/2024
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In Las Vegas, Mark Seidel, a former NHL scout with the Minnesota Wild, accurately predicted a number of picks on X, which prompted considerations that Marek had knowledgeable him of who these groups had been choosing. League and media sources reported that Marek did so to assist him higher put together and supply evaluation on social media, not for playing functions.
Because the story factors out, although Marek just isn’t recognized for playing, the actual fact he was alleged to have shared proprietary info with somebody exterior the corporate doubtlessly broken the connection between Sportsnet and the NHL. The community confronted a difficult scenario involving considered one of its most well-known broadcasters.
