In today';s rumor rundown, the Leafs are holding firm on their offer to William
 Nylander, there is talk the Edmonton Oilers have to respond to San Jose
acquiring Erik Karlsson, Kevin Hayes thinks he';ll stay in New York and a
Blues'; goaltender might be back sooner than expected.Nylander and Leafs Still
in Standstill Mode

Regardless of how important William Nylander is going to be to the Toronto
Maple Leafs upcoming season, GM Kyle Dubas is sticking firm on his
unwillingness to give Nylander more money than what works for the team moving
forward. Dubas conducted a Q&A with students from Brock University on
Saturday morning and his response to a question about Nylander was telling.
After being asked when he thought the team might get Nylander signed, Dubas
responded, "As soon as possible. Interestingly, he added, "if we want to
sustain success here we can't be setting any marketplace records."William
Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dec. 12, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

According to Kevin McGran of the Star, rumors are Nylander wants $8 million per
 season and the Leafs have him valued at $6.5 million. Dubas isn';t going to
budge and isn';t concerned if Nylander misses some of training camp. The optics
 of Nylander missing a few games versus Dubas putting the Leafs in a precarious
 salary cap position make the decision to let Nylander sit an easy
one.Related: NHL Rumors: Boeser, Nurse, Zetterberg, MoreJake Allen Back
Earlier Than Expected?

According to Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis
Blues got good news when it was told to them goaltender Jake Allen was ahead
of schedule in respect to his return from back spasm injuries. It was expected
Allen might miss the first 10-14 days of training camp, but Allen said, "It's
progressed way better than when it first happened." He added, "It's a lot
better than I thought it was and I'm feeling really good right now."Jake Allen,
 St. Louis Blues, January 6, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

While St. Louis made some big changes this summer, a key to their success will
be a strong showing by their goaltending and Allen bouncing back is important
for the organization. He posted a career-low 2.75 GAA and a poor .906 save
percentage last season. He will share netminding duties with Chad Johnson who
appeared in 36 games for the Buffalo Sabres last season and had a 3.55 GAA and
.891 save percentage.Sticking With the Blues

Defenseman Colton Parayko is considered one of the game';s good young d-men
but he had a bit of down year after signing a five-year, $27.5MM contract a
year ago. According to Fox Sports' Andy Strickland, Parayko has come to camp in
 great shape, finishing near the top in off-ice testing. Many in St. Louis are
expecting that a big year could follow.Related: NHL Rumors: Karlsson, Shore,
Reinhart, MoreEdmonton Oilers Response to Erik Karlsson Trade

While the Edmonton Oilers were not really a team in the forefront of any rumors
 that included Erik Karlsson before the star defenseman was traded to the San
Jose Sharks, there was talk about how badly the Oilers could have used a
top-tier blueliner. Not only did they not get one, more importantly, Karlsson
went to a division rival in just another example of teams the Oilers will have
to play regularly getting much stronger.CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: General manager
Peter Chiarelli (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

Oilers'; GM Peter Chiarelli did admit that an expletive came out of his mouth
when he heard Karlsson was headed to the Sharks and said, "You know, he'd be
nice to have here. We weren't on his list. It was really a non-starter from the
 beginning." He also said the Oilers were never in any negotiations.

It does lead to questions about what the Oilers might do in response
considering Calgary, Vegas, San Jose, and Los Angeles all added major pieces
while the Oilers did not. There is some speculation that the Oilers might make
a move to free up space to sign Darnell Nurse on a longer-term deal and go
after a defenseman like Justin Faulk but that is all speculation at this
point.Related: The Karlsson Trade Drama: Who Saw That Coming?Hayes Did Not
Sign One-Year to Hit Free Agency

John Giannone is reporting New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes said, "I had
a great conversation with Dru (Chris Drury) and Gorts (GM Jeff Gorton) as soon
as I signed my contract. I believe there's no inclination of me being trade
bait or me thinking that I'm going to be out of here. I did not sign a one-year
 deal to go to free agency."Kevin Hayes, New York Rangers, Mar. 22, 2018 (Amy
Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Hayes said he loves the Rangers and wants to stay there over his entire career.
 Hayes was hoping a long-term deal was possible and while it wasn';t, believes
that one could cover over time. He believes things will take care of themselves
 when the time is right.Related: NHL Rumors: Yzerman, Melnyk, Karlsson,
MoreMiles Wood and New Jersey Not Talking

Chris Ryan of NJ.com reported that restricted free agent Miles Wood wants to
 join teammates at the Devils'; training camp but the two sides are not
talking. Devils GM Ray Shero said on Thursday there hasn't been communications
this past week and Wood's agent Peter Fish agreed things have been quiet. Both
sides agreed the gap between the two sides is not something that they can';t
overcome but right now it sounds like the Devils aren';t making any secondary
offers.

Fish said, "Miles would be open to anything." That comment suggests Wood would
just like an offer he can find acceptable. Fish added that his client "just
wants to be there and keep proving to the Devils that he can help them."

The post NHL Rumors: Nylander, Hayes, Blues, Oilers, More appeared first on The
 Hockey Writers.

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