In today’s NHL rumors rundown, William Nylander will start at center for the Toronto Maple Leafs at camp, but what kind of deal did he strike up with his new head coach? Meanwhile, did Sidney Crosby turn down more money from the Pittsburgh Penguins before signing his $8.7 million extension? Are things getting so bad between the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman that a trade might be a possibility? Finally, Thatcher Demko discussed his unique injury with the media. What is his timeline?
Nylander Agrees To Play Center, But With A Condition
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed that William Nylander will begin training camp at center alongside Max Domi. Nylander confirmed the decision with media, but added that he had a conversation with the coach and laid out one very specific condition.
He noted, “I’m excited. I told Chief that the most important thing is I can’t just play one game if you want to try center. We agree on that,” he stated. Luke Fox of Sportsnet suggests that Berube, who was hired specifically by GM Brad Treliving, has more sway this season than Sheldon Keefe had last season which is why this experiment might actually be given time to play out. Treliving is will to let Berube make this decision and the team will live with whether it works or doesn’t work.
Berube wants three scoring lines all which have a defensive element to them.
Crosby Likely Turned Down More Money From the Penguins
Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas talked about the Sidney Crosby contract extension on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast suggested Crosby played coy when Friedman asked him if his news deal was going to have an “87” in it. Crosby always knew it did but Friedman didn’t think that the two-year $8.7 million per season deal was the original offer.
Friedman figured the number was probably $10.875 and said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we found out somewhere down the road that the Penguins had more money on the table. That their actual offer to Sid was higher than this.” He added, “As a matter of fact, I would be shocked if it wasn’t higher.”
Would the Bruins Actually Consider Trading Jeremy Swayman?
Friedman also discussed the situation surrounding the Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman, commenting on some of the false reports he had signed an eight-year deal. Friedman understands that sometimes reports are…
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