In today';s rumor rundown, Josh Morrissey';s new deal should set the bar for
Darnell Nurse';s contract in Edmonton, the Carolina Hurricanes got bad news
when it was reported Victor Rask might be out for "months" with a hand injury,
there are updates as to which teams were interested in securing Rick Nash';s
services and some details as to why Steve Yzerman stepped down as suddenly and
unexpectedly as he did.Morrissey Just Set the Nurse Bar

With Josh Morrissey now signed in Winnipeg, there are many NHL insiders
suggesting the bar was just set for Edmonton';s Darnell Nurse and that a deal
should come in the next few days.(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Signing restricted free agents is often about comparables and the numbers of
these two defensemen are extremely similar. Morrissey played 81 games last
season, scored seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points while Nurse played in
82 games, scored six goals, 20 assists and 26 points. Morrissey played an
average of 20:27 per game while Nurse played 22:15.

There was a report by Oilers radio analyst Dustin Nielsen that he';d heard
Nurse';s camp was asking for $4 million and while the Oilers were/are never
going to pay that, Edmonton can now use Morrissey';s deal to show Nurse isn';t
worth more than the $3.15 million per season Morrissey signed for. If the
Oilers up him a little, Nurse might come in around $3.25 million per
season.Related: NHL Rumors: Nylander, Hayes, Blues, Oilers, MoreVictor Rask
Out Long-Term

After cutting his hand in his own kitchen, Victor Rask will miss significant
time this NHL season due to an injury he suffered that required surgery. It is
 now being rumored that Rask will much of the season with an injury that was
reported as much more serious than originally anticipated. Rask cut tendons in
his hand and management has said he could "be out months."Victor Rask (Amy
Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

A former 25-goal scorer with some expectations placed upon his shoulders - the
team traded Elias Lindholm and Jeff Skinner during the offseason - it will be
interesting to see what the Hurricanes choose to do now. Speculation will be
that Carolina may look at what kind of offensive help they can get for Justin
Faulk considering they have a surplus of good defenseman and rumors were the
Hurricanes were considering trading Faulk this summer.

One team that could be interested in Faulk is the Edmonton Oilers who just
admitted they were unhappy with the fact the San Jose Sharks signed Erik
Karlsson and the rest of the Pacific Division got much stronger this
offseason.Related: NHL Rumors: Boeser, Nurse, Zetterberg, MoreRick Nash Update

According to Elliotte Friedman';s 31 Thoughts column, there has been no real
update on Rick Nash';s future other than naming some of the teams that were
rumored to have made pitches to the veteran forward. Vegas and Toronto were
said to have made offers and one GM indicated one club was willing to offer $16
 million over three years.Boston Bruins former left wing Rick Nash (Bob
DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

Still, Nash';s agent Joe Resnick has said, "Nothing has changed since July 1.
Status quo." Nash';s wife Jessica recently gave birth to their third child, and
 he';s still dealing with multiple concussions that have him seriously
considering retirement.Related: NHL Rumors: Karlsson, Shore, Reinhart,
MoreTampa Was Concerned About Losing Julien BriseBois

Friedman also explained that while it is likely true Steve Yzerman stepped down
 as GM of the Lightning to be closer to his family that lives in Detroit, part
of the reason he did so as quickly and unexpectedly as he did was that the
Tampa Bay Lightning were worried about losing Julien BriseBois to another
team.

It was also reported that Yzerman didn';t let anyone know what was coming with
other GM';s texting him their shocking reactions to his decision. One GM
asking "Are you drunk?"Dubas Wants Nylander Long-Term

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was on TSN 1050 radio a couple days ago and
said that despite any talk in the media that the team and Nylander might settle
 on a short-term bridge contract, Dubas is focused on a long-term contract.
"The whole time I'm here until they kick me out one day, William is a part of
the group. That's been our focus," Dubas said. He then called Nylander a good
young player and they hope things get sorted out and he'll be back with the
team soon.

The post NHL Rumors: Nurse, Rask, Nash, More appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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