The Pittsburgh Penguins have been actively looking for an upgrade at forward since Jake Guentzel was ruled out for the rest of the season, and GM Jim Rutherford told Josh Yohe of The Athletic (subscription required) that he is open to anything, including pure rentals that will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the year.
One thing Rutherford explained however is that he is happy with Pittsburgh’s defensive group and will likely not be pursuing an upgrade on the back end. The team will get Brian Dumoulin back at some point, who hasn’t played since November after ankle surgery.
- Hockey Canada has named their management groups for the various junior age groups, while also announcing that Andre Tourigny will coach the u20 World Junior squad. Tourigny was an assistant coach with the team that recently won gold at the annual tournament, and serves as head coach of the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. A former NHL assistant with the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators, he has plenty of experience at the international level.
- David Andrews will retire from his position as AHL President and CEO in a few months, but held a press conference today to discuss the state of the league. Patrick Williams of NHL.com tweeted out several of the biggest news items, including the fact that the Vegas Golden Knights are interested in buying an AHL franchise. The Golden Knights are currently affiliated with the Chicago Wolves. Palm Springs is set to become the 32nd franchise in the AHL when they begin play in the 2021-22 season as the affiliate for the Seattle NHL expansion.
Guessing VGK wants to get a team closer. Like Reno or Salt Lake City
Vegas, Orleans Hotel.
Guys! The *obvious* answer: Area 51…outer space aliens don’t count against the cap…especially if they can’t backcheck their butts out of a wet paper bag.
I know the answer is probably money but I don’t understand why Seattle’s AHL team is gonna be in Palm Springs and not… I don’t know, Portland, Spokane, Tacoma, or even just over the border in Idaho. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense if you ask me.
@aloop – money and competition with WHL markets and the ECHL, although Seattle will be siphoning off $$$ from the WHL teams in the vicinity, which shouldn’t make the WHL-ers happy unless business doesn’t suffer, for some unforeseen reason. Not sure banking on those Microshaft-ers from Redmond is a good strategy, either.