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In the latest NHL rumor mill, the Edmonton Oilers' coaching situation has taken an intriguing turn. The team ultimately hired Mike Babcock, but reports suggest he wasn't their initial preference. The Oilers had strong interest in Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights and requested permission to speak with him, but Vegas declined, forcing Edmonton to pivot.
Veteran broadcaster Rod Pedersen has suggested that if Edmonton had waited just one more week, Cassidy might have become available. While this remains speculative—there's no guarantee Vegas would have allowed a division rival to poach him—Pedersen claims multiple agents told him that's exactly how it would have unfolded. Ultimately, the Oilers moved forward with Babcock after discussions with team leadership. Babcock brings a solid resume and could prove to be the perfect fit, but Cassidy was the original plan.
Key Analysis
Meanwhile, in Columbus, the situation with star defenseman Zach Werenski appears to have calmed, but the drama may not be entirely over. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic told SiriusXM NHL Network Radio that while Werenski never formally requested a trade, there were internal discussions about his future and the team's direction. With two years left on his deal, Werenski is said to want proof that Columbus can become a playoff contender before committing long-term. The uncertainty surrounding Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli's extension adds to the complexity. While tensions have softened, insiders believe this could quickly resurface if the Blue Jackets struggle early in the season. For now, both sides seem aligned in wanting to move forward, but Columbus faces a pivotal season in convincing its top defenseman that the team is on the right track.
Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins entered the offseason with plans to make a splash but came up short. General Manager Kyle Dubas reportedly hoped to move up in the first round of the draft, potentially by dealing players like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell, but the market proved difficult. He also wanted to trade for Jason Robertson but couldn't get a deal done before Robertson signed a one-year extension with Dallas. Dubas ultimately chose not to sell the farm, signaling that the Penguins may not see themselves as true contenders just yet. However, there's cautious optimism about the roster, and Dubas may pivot to focusing on next summer. Josh Yohe of The Athletic notes that next summer, the Penguins could have over $70 million in cap space, a much better market, and a clearer picture of which aging players can still contribute and which prospects are NHL-ready. Still, with the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang aging and no playoff series wins since 2018, Pittsburgh is walking a fine line between competing and retooling.
Originally reported by yardbarker.