In today';s rumor rundown, Erik Karlsson finally speaks on rumors of his
potential trade out of Ottawa. Meanwhile, Elliotte Friedman believes the
Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander are still not close on an extension,
Vegas is potentially interested in trying their luck with another Russian
forward out of the KHL and the Arizona Coyotes are going to give one newly
acquired player an opportunity.What';s Really Going on With Erik Karlsson?

Over the past couple days, the NHL has, once again, gone Karlsson crazy. A
report by Elliotte Friedman surfaced that Karlsson trade talks were picking up
and one of the teams rumors to be interested was the Vancouver Canucks. The
Canucks then shot down that rumor by saying they';d had no talks with the
Ottawa Senators about Karlsson and that they weren';t sure where that rumor
came from.

A day or two later, a report that surfaced that Karlsson would not sign an
extension with a Canadian city, suggesting it would make no sense for the
Senators to trade him to the Canucks or another Canadian market because he
wouldn';t be staying. The latest development comes from Karlsson himself,
stating that rumor is false.Karlsson';s grit and determination shouldn';t go
unnoticed in this year';s postseason. (Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports)

Karlsson reached out to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman to refute the report.
Friedman couldn';t add whether or not that meant specifically signing in Ottawa
 or Vancouver or with a team like Montreal or Edmonton, only that the reports
he wouldn';t sign with a Canadian team were untrue. Beyond that, Karlsson
refused to make any further comment.

One of the interesting things to note in this whole process is that Karlsson
has said very little to anyone about his status this or next season. That said,
 is it safe to assume that by speaking up now and shooting down rumors he
wouldn';t sign with a Canadian team, is he trying to help facilitate a trade?

When asked if he thought Karlsson would re-sign in Ottawa, Friedman responded,
"Not under this ownership. I have said a couple of times that I thought if the
team was sold or he believed the team was going to be sold that might change
things. I just don't see it under this ownership." He added, "I just feel that
he doesn't think they're going to have a chance to win."Related: NHL Rumors:
Karlsson, Bobrovsky, Davidson, MoreNylander and Toronto Not Close?

Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey wrote that Elliotte Friedman felt the
Toronto Maple Leafs and forward William Nylander are not close on a contract
extension. He said on Sportsnet 960 Thursday that articles written about this
negotiation dragging into September might not be far off base.It';ll cost a
pretty penny to catch William Nylander and the Maple Leafs at home during the
playoffs. (Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Suggesting the biggest hurdle was the decision to sign him to a bridge deal or
long-term contract, Friedman said, "If I was Nylander, I might be the kind of
guy who would bet on a bridge deal. But I think Toronto has kind of tried to
negotiate the waters with three guys at once, and it's not easy."

Saying that Toronto is probably having trouble navigating how to keep all four
guys - Nylander, John Tavares, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner - Friedman said
 of Nylander in particular, "the last I'd heard, it wasn't that close."

The belief is that GM Kyle Dubas will be telling the other three players agents
 that Tavares potentially left $15 to $20 million on the table to sign with
the Maple Leafs and that for the club to be successful, the other three players
 will need to consider doing the same.Related: NHL Rumors: Rangers, Leafs,
Predators in Trade Market?Vegas Linked to Vladimir Tkachyov

Igor Eronko of Sport-Express passes on a Russian report that the Vegas Golden
Knights GM George McPhee recently held a meeting with Vladimir
Tkachyov. Tkachyov is a 24-year-old center out of the KHL whose contract is
scheduled to expire next spring. Currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan, he was
linked to teams like the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton
Oilers in 2017, but ended up staying in Russia.Ak Bars Kazan (KHL) forward
Vladimir Tkachyov hurling his stick in a shootout. Photo: Instagram/@hcakbars

This past season he scored 22 goals and 36 points in 53 games and helped his
club win a Gagarin Cup. Interest by NHL teams will certainly still be there and
 the Golden Knights are rumored to be one of the teams considering bringing him
 over.

Tkachyov might see Vegas as an interesting option but it should be noted the
Golden Knights tried and failed miserably when it came to another Russian
prospect - Vadim Shipachyov.Related: NHL Rumors: Kronwall, Gardiner,
Reinhart, MoreArizona to Try Galchenyuk at Center

The Arizona Coyotes are deep at the center position with names like Derek
Stepan, Christian Dvorak, Brad Richardson, and Dylan Strome all expected to
compete for a full-time role this season. One player that will not be excluded
from that conversation is newly acquired Alex Galchenyuk.(James Guillory-USA
TODAY Sports)

Galchenyuk wants to prove he can be a top-tier center in the NHL and according
to a conversation with Dave Vest of NHL.com, Arizona head coach Rick Tocchet
will give him an opportunity there. On getting another shot at center,
Galchenyuk said, "That';s where my head is and what my goal is. I';m training
really hard and preparing myself for it. I can';t wait to get it started."

The post NHL Rumors: Karlsson, Nylander, Galchenyuk, More appeared first on The
 Hockey Writers.

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