As we drop the puck on today’s NHL roundup, we start by looking at the top five trade candidates for this season.

NHL Roundup: Top 5 Trade Candidates

It should not surprise anyone that Jack Eichel would top the list followed by Vladimir Tarasenko. Phil Kessel is most likely to soon be traded within the group. Both Johnny Gaudreau and Tomas Hertl are pending UFA’s and likely to be dealt by the trade deadline if contract extensions can’t be reached.

NHL would like to talk with Robin Lehner

While the MLB playoff races came down to the wire, and the NFL action was starting to pick up this weekend, the NHL found itself reading serious claims from Robin Lehner on social media.

The Vegas Golden Knights goaltender was questioning the use of anxiety medication and ambien among teams around the league.

“Is it common for work places to give out benzodiazepines to employees when they travel and ambien? Should that not be done by doctors or psychiatrist? Asking for a friend,” he said. “This doesn’t happen in Vegas to be clear. But I know many other teams. I also been in on teams that do.”

Lehner then called on the NHL and NHLPA for answers. Yesterday, it was reported that the league would reach out to the 30 year-old netminder for an interview. Additional reports noted that it was not disciplinary but to get more information.

Habs extend Jake Evans

The Montreal Canadiens announced they have extended forward Jake Evans on Sunday. The deal is a 3 year-deal deal worth $1.7 million AAV starting in 2022-23.

Evans, 25, picked up 3 goals, 10 assists for 13 points in 47 games with the Habs. He was selected in the seventh round, 207th overall by Montreal in the 2014 NHL Draft. For his career, Evans has 16 points in 60 NHL games all with the Canadiens.

Oilers Josh Archibald out with COVID related issues

Edmonton Oilers forward Josh Archibald is sidelined indefinitely with myocarditis, a heart condition related to his summertime bout with COVID-19.

Archibald was one of the known players in the NHL that was not vaccinated. A list that includes the Red Wings’ Tyler Bertuzzi.

Head coach Dave Tippett provided the update Sunday, and it is the same diagnosis that is expected to sideline Edmonton goaltender Alex Stalock for the entire 2021-22 season.

“He had a severe viral infection coming out of his quarantine,” he said. “What the tests showed is that at some point this summer he’d had COVID, and he tested positive for the antibodies. He has also been diagnosed with myocarditis.”

Archibald, who turns 29 on Wednesday, tallied seven goals and six assists in 52 games with the Oilers last season.

Penguins Jake Guentzel out with COVID

Per the Penguins, forward Jake Guentzel was confirmed positive for COVID-19 this morning. He is being monitored by the Penguins medical staff and will follow the protocols set forth by the National Hockey League.

Guentzel, 26, recorded 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 56 games last season.

Canucks announce signings off Pettersson and Hughes

The Vancouver Canucks made it official Sunday, confirming the signing of franchise cornerstones Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson to multi-year deals.

Hughes, a defenseman, re-signed for six years at an average annual value of $7.85 million, and Pettersson, a forward, re-signed for three years at an average annual value of $7.35 million.

“We’re extremely pleased to have agreed to terms with both Quinn and Elias,” general manager Jim Benning said in a news release. “Quinn has emerged as one of the premier young defensemen in the league, and we’re happy that we were able to make a deal that keeps him in Vancouver long-term. Elias is an exceptional offensive player whose speed and skill are complimented by a strong work ethic and desire to win. Both players will continue to be important parts of this team moving forward.”

Both players were restricted free agents.

–Field Level Media contributed to this report

While some simply questioned the decision, social media is also known for its “trash talking” and “hot takes”. Apparently, Lehner set some time aside to read through much of it in preparation for his start.

Robin Lehner used Twitter for motivation

After the game, Robin Lehner told the media exactly what he did with his game day preparation. “Not many people know I come to the game four hours early,” the goalie revealed. “I get my own bus, I come four hours early. I sat for two hours and watched you guys talk shit on Twitter on me to get me motivated. It was great you know, just to see all what you guys had to say, I don’t care what people think. It’s been a weird season with my concussion and my surgery – I’ve been battling hard lately to be a good teammate. It’s great motivation for me”

Robin Lehner says thank you to the Twitter haters. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/DDPwAifrNm— David Schoen ?? (@DavidSchoenLVRJ) June 21, 2021

Lehner’s postgame comments may not have reached enough people for him to get his message across. So at some point he took out his phone and sent out a tweet. “Thanks for all the nice words today guys,” he said. “Appreciate all the love.”

NHL Playoffs: Robin Lehner lifts Golden Knights

After Marc-Andre Fleury’s costly gaffe cost the Golden Knights a late lead on Thursday, and eventually the game, Vegas coach Peter DeBoer made a bold move by giving Lehner just his second start of this year’s playoffs and he delivered.

Lehner made a glorious first-period stop on Eric Staal, while his Vegas teammates managed only four shots on goal in the opening frame.

Lehner came up with an even bigger save when he denied Cole Caufield’s breakaway attempt while it was a 1-0 game in the middle of the third period.

“It’s a world-class player coming down,” Lehner said. “I just tried to play it even like I played the first goal, I just challenged him. In the prescout, either he goes high or he goes five-hole, and it just looked like he was going five-hole, so I closed my legs.”

NHL.com

New York Rangers news

Gerard Gallant will be introduced as the Rangers head coach tomorrow at 10AM, read more here.

-Field Level Media contributed to this article
–This article originally appeared at The Daily Goal Horn

Update: NHL responds to Lehner

Robin Lehner unloads on the NHL over vaccine promises

According to Vince Sapienza of Fox5 Las Vegas, Lehner spoke for over 10 minutes to convey his anger and frustrations with the NHL. “At some point we got to start looking at the mental health of the people around us, not just the NHL, but everyone in society – how can we start getting back to normalcy,” he explained. “The problem is going to be huge, but being lied to about things changing to kinda force us to take the vaccine – unacceptable.”

Lehner expanded his comments even further as to why it appears the league is not easing the restrictions that were apparently promised when the NHLPA agreed to comeback. “Now that we have taken the vaccine – to use the excuse of saying, ‘Nah, we’re not changing’ because of competitive advantage? It’s outrageous.”

Robin Lehner’s full remarks are below.

Robin Lehner just spoke for over 10 minutes, extremely upset, frustrated, & disappointed with the NHL, who said players were promised COVID quarantine/isolation restrictions would ease if players were vaccinated.

He says that they were lied to.#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/CaGzgbz4DF

— Vince Sapienza (@VinceSapienza) April 21, 2021

More from Robin Lehner on the NHL, NHLPA lying to the players about how getting vaccinated would lead to getting out of isolation and back to normalcy.#VegasBorn @RobinLehner pic.twitter.com/TWGT4lkqSa

— Vince Sapienza (@VinceSapienza) April 21, 2021

Robin Lehner releases statement to help clarify his message

After his comments, the hockey world certainly took notice. Lehner then went on to social media to clarify what he said.

As I’m frustrated like a lot of people in the world right now everything didn’t come out of today’s press in the right way. Main point is that we need to start take the mental health important as well In this situation. It has a huge impact on everyone in society right now.

To put competitive edge before well being of people lives is wrong. As I said people are struggling with many different things mentally and we need to consider that as well. Then being lied to makes it worse. I love hockey and the league has done a lot of good things.

But this missed the mark. My bad to say it’s like prison and I apologize but with mental health issues that is developing in the world it develops problems mentally. We will see exactly how this effects everything with time. I don’t mean to offend anyone.

I hope we can all work together to help people that suffers trough mental help from this going forward. I’ve heard how a lot of people are doing trough this as people talk to me about it.

Check out the latest New York Rangers news

The Rangers help practice today, and there was a lot of updates on the Trouba injury front and potential lineup changes. Read more.

Joe Thornton has a short list

Adrian Dater reported yesterday that Joe Thornton has a short list which includes the Colorado Avalanche, Bruins, Lightning, Stars, and Penguins. In addition, Kevin Kurz spoke with Thornton who finds the prospect of going to a contender very tempting.

Carolina Goalie Problems

The Carolina Hurricanes are now without an NHL goalie after both James Reimer and Petr Mrazek went down to injury in Toronto. They are currently looking at both Blackhawks goalies who could be big seller’s by 3PM tomorrow. It sounds like they have been after Chicago’s Robin Lehner for some time too.

Playoffs will not impact Rangers moves

Elliotte Friedman last night on Sportsnet said that the Rangers won’t let the playoffs impact their decision to move Chris Kreider. If they don’t feel they can sign him they will trade him. The Avalanche are still considered the top destination and according to Chris Johnston in the same segment, Tyson Jost may be one of those pieces they can use to land Kreider. Dennis Bernstein last night noted that the Rangers had 2 scouts at the Avalanche game last night.

Sens Sellers

Don’t forget that Jean Gabriel Pageau is also very likely to moved. Once Kreider is traded, he should be the next hot target at forward.

Hab Not

Jeff Petry is a name that has come up but according to reports, they already turned down a big offer from the Carolina Hurricanes and it is unlikely he goes anywhere. On the Ilya Kovalchuk front, sounds like they may still investigate trading him at the deadline with Colorado recently being linked.

Big Buyers

Colorado, Tampa, Boston, St. Louis, Dallas, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Vegas.

Big Sellers

Chicago, L.A., Ottawa, New Jersey, Detroit, and Anaheim

Wild Cards

NYR, Edmonton, Calgary, Minnesota, Buffalo, and NYI

Lost Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs were just dealt a huge blow as it has just been announced they have lost forward Andreas Johnsson for 6 months. This will handcuff them in making a deal for a defenseman with term like Matt Dumba as it means they will likely need to pull Kasperi Kapanen off the table.

In response the Leafs have acquired forward Denis Malgin from Florida in exchange for forward prospect Mason Marchment. Malgin has 12 points in 36 games this season.

Islanders in on Kreider?

When it first came across, I thought “No Way!”. Then Darren Dreger piggybacked on it and it made me at least pause.

Today…yeah, still no way. I can’t see the Rangers trading Kreider to the Island nor can I see Lou Lamoriello take a risk in giving up a huge package to only see Kreider possibly re-sign with the Rangers in July.

And also keep your eyes on the Rangers after acquiring Julien Gauthier, he was not sent to Hartford as it may be time to bubble warp Jesper Fast or Chris Kreider.

Alec Martinez to Vegas?

Looks like that is being finalized per the Insiders.

Robin Lehner available?

If the rumors are true, don’t be surprised if the Colorado Avalanche don’t make a play for him.

I do think Colorado checked out Corey Crawford. But Robin Lehner’s future ties into Chicago’s decision. Lehner’s performance during Chicago’s 5-3 loss to Edmonton raised eyebrows. Not because he was bad or anything, but because he was “quiet.” Lehner plays a “loud” game, both in terms of his voice and activity.

Elliotte Friedman

Winging it in Detroit?

Another name that could be moved for the right offer is Detroit’s Andreas Anthanasiou. The 25 year old RFA could give the Wings just what they need to start building for the future.

THE DETROIT NEWS: Ted Kulfan reports injuries to contending teams could bolster the trade value of Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou. The Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks could be in play.

Spector’s Hockey