NHL rumors roundup Week 3: Oilers-Leafs trade in the works?, and more (Image via Getty, IMAGN)NHL rumors roundup Week 3 (Image via Getty, IMAGN)

After last week’s NHL rumors were headlined by Igor Sheskterkin’s rejected $88M Rangers extension and disgruntled Liljegren’s future in Toronto, this week we see new entrants into the NHL rumor mill, the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars.

There have been no updates on Sheskterkin’s Rangers extension after the report of the rejected $88M deal. It’s been made clear that Sheskterkin wants to be the highest paid Ranger, which means the team would have to pay him more than Artemi Panarin’s $11.64M average annual value. These extension talks may well continue into the season, but the Rangers want to lock the elite goalie into a long-term deal.

Take a deep dive into this week’s hottest NHL rumors

This week’s NHL rumors include Sabres GM Kevyn Adams’ future with the organization, the Flames dipping into the market for a new center, the next player ready for a contract extension with the Stars and finally an Oilers’ defenseman targets after another struggling start to the season.

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#4. Sabres GM Adams on the hot seat, but with a twist

The Buffalo Sabres are off to a rough 2-4-1 start to the season. The Sabres have a 17-year drought of playoff appearances without a Stanley Cup win. Kevyn Adams has had four years as GM, since June 2020, but has failed to get the organization to the next level.

NHL insider David Pagnotta reported that the Sabres have a GM replacement in mind. Pagnotta added that Adams will not be fired from the organization, but iwill be promoted to a different managerial title.

#3. Calgary Flames in the market for centers after unexpected season start

The Calgary Flames got off to an unexpected 4-0-1 start to the season, and have yet to lose a game in regualtion, having lost in OT to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported early last week that Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy has been scouring the market for a middle-six center. Nazem Kadri, Martin Pospisil, Mikael Backlund and Justin Kirkland have all played at the center position. Given the dazzling start, and the increased expectations for the rest of the season, its understandable that GM Conroy wants to bolster his attack.

#2. Friedman speculates who is next in line for massive Stars contract extension

Dallas Stars locked Jake Oettinger to a 8-year, $66M extension last week, mirroring Jeremy Swayman’s extension from the Boston Bruins. Fun fact, Oettinger will end up making more than Swayman, despite both having the same AAV and contract length. Hockey writer Elliottte Friedman opines that star forward Wyatt Johnston is next in line for a massive extension with the Stars.

Friedman speculates the Stars have floated a long-term, “8-ish” figure, to Johnston’s camp, which will match the other AAVs that the Stars have signed, including Heiskanen at $8.45 million AAV, Hintz at $8.45 million AAV and Oettinger at $8.25 million.

#1. Struggling Oilers linked to three D-men to strengthen disappointing defense

Last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, the Edmonton Oilers, have not been able to reset after a gut-wrenching Game 7 loss to the champions Florida Panthers. Despite a strong offseason that saw the Oilers bolster the frontline, the team has struggled across all facets of the game, including offense, defense and goaltending.

The Oilers top this week’s NHL rumors roundup after being 29th in the standings at this very early point in the season. After losing the first four games, GM Stan Bowman may already be on the lookout to make some additions to the team.

Hockey insiders Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston link Kevin Shattenkirk and Mark Giordano, both unrestricted free agents, to the Oilers.

The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell adds Leafs’ disgruntled defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the list of blueline targets for the Oilers, who have allowed 24 goals in six games.