Speculation Station (8/14/20): Boudreau, Oilers, Penguins prospects, Jets cap space, and more.

Today's edition of the #PuckReport Speculation Station features Bruce Boudreau, the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets, and more.

1. Bob Stauffer on 630CHED: “I would expect to see a change in goaltending for the Oilers and at least one change to the defense this off-season. Take that for what it’s worth.”

2. Dan Kingerski: Samuel Poulin is “borderline ready” for NHL hockey next season. The Penguins will likely give him the 9-game trial period and send him back to juniors, if they have room in the lineup for him. Has a 75% chance of making the roster next season.

   Pierre-Oliver Joseph is basically a lock for the NHL next season, but he probably won’t start in the top six D. The Penguins will need to move out one of Jack Johnson or Juuso Riikola for him to make the lineup regularly. GM Jim Rutherford could also look to add a defensive anchor on the right side.

   Daniel Nugent-Bowman @DNBsports

   "Teams that win are the teams that defend. We haven't figured that out yet." -- Connor McDavid.

3. Terry Jones (Edmonton Journal): “With Oilers GM Ken Holland talking about the flat salary cap, my read was guys like Andreas Athanasiou, Mike Smith and James Neal might not be coming back and raised the possibility of moving one of his top four veteran defensemen not named Ethan Bear. I’d guess Adam Larsson might be available in a semi-major trade.”

   

4. Lance Hornby: There’s talk Bruce Boudreau would consider applying for an assistant GM role - but only if it meant a chance to work with his hometown Maple Leafs. His preference is to explore potential NHL head coach options first before “giving himself a demotion.”

5. Lisa Dillman, TheAthletic: “The speculation up here is that Ottawa is going to offer the 3rd and 5th overall picks to the Rangers for 1st overall. But I wouldn’t do that.”

   Graeme Nichols adds he hopes those rumors are unfounded, but it would be a very “Melnyk-esque” deal if it did happen.

6. Winnipeg Sun: Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says they’ll look to add NHL players to the roster, whether it’s by free agency or trade. Friesen writes a second-line center and a proven top-four defender are must-haves for the Jets to become competitive again. They have the cap space this off-season to do it.

   

7. Pierre LeBrun, TheAthletic (subscription required): Former Flyers GM Ron Hextall wants to get back in the GM fold again after being let go by the club a few seasons back. His new advisory role with the LA Kings has re-energized him after what he called a “surprise dismissal” in Philadelphia.

   LeBrun adds: “It just so happens there’s an opening in Florida, where the Panthers are planning an extensive GM search. It would surprise me if they don’t at least talk to Hextall as part of that process.”

   CapFriendly @CapFriendly

   While many of the off-season critical dates have been delayed, the 'Must Sign By' date of Aug 15 for certain players drafted out of College is still in effect. Here is the list of players that each club must sign by tomorrow at 5pm ET, or they will lose their signing rights.

   

8. Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice: “For Bryan Little, from the Winnipeg Jets and from me personally, I want his life and health to be great, and if that means he doesn’t step on the ice again then that’s what I want.”

   Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet reiterates that there will be significant turnover on the Jets’ roster this off-season with all the pending free agents they have. GM Cheveldayoff hasn’t begun discussions yet with Dylan DeMelo on a new contract, but says they’ll take a hard look at it.

   It’s also possible the Jets opt to go big-game hunting, perhaps making a pitch to St. Louis Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo.