Islanders NHL rumor round-up: Barzal offer sheet, Boeser, Gaudreau

A weekly look at rumors that could interest New York Islanders fans.

With hockey soon to return the rumor mill has opened back up. Here’s a look at some of the latest rumors from around the league that either directly impacts the New York Islanders or are of interest to the Islanders.

In this week’s review, the idea of an offer sheet for Mathew Barzal is popping up again. Vancouver gives an update on the Brock Boeser trade rumor. And the Calgary Flames explain that they aren’t punishing Johnny Gaudreau.

Mathew Barzal Offer Sheet

We’ve heard this rumor for some time now. Four months ago, while on Barstool’s Spittin’ Chiclets, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman stated that offer sheets will come for Islanders center Mathew Barzal.

With $8.119 million in cap space for the 2020-21 season and with Ryan Pulock, Devon Toews, and Mathew Barzal to sign, the Islanders are in a tough space financially to get them all under the salary cap ceiling.

An offer sheet is a real threat to the Islanders. A threat that Lou Lamoriello addressed in March when a fan asked the Isles President and GM if the team plans on matching any possible offer sheet Barzal signs:

"Question from Tyler McGivney: If Mat Barzal is presented with an offer sheet, will you match?Lou Lamoriello: It is our intention to not allow it to get to that point, but should that happen, the answer is yes."

But a rumor believes that the Montreal Canadiens could try their hands at landing a top-line center through offer sheet again this offseason. Remember, Sebastian Aho signed an offer sheet with the Canadiens just last offseason.

The Habs have $18.357 million in cap space for the 2020-21 season but will they have enough cap space after extending RFAs Max Domi, Charles Hudon, and Xavier Ouellet for Mathew Barzal?

Hudon and Ouellet aren’t likely to get significant raises but Max Domi could see his cap hit at least double to above $6 million. That’s still plenty of room to sign Barzal to a large offer sheet.

Brock Boeser Off the Market

Last week, a rumor circulated that the Vancouver Canucks were going to be shopping Brock Boeser in the trade market. The young sniper who has 75 goals in his short career would be an incredible addition to the Islanders roster if they could make it work.

Canucks GM Jim Benning was quick to squash that rumor:

It was an enticing rumor while it was around. Adding Brock Boeser, the runner up for the 2018 Calder Trophy won by Mathew Barzal, is exactly what the Islanders need.

Clearly they’ll have to find a sniper elsewhere.

Johnny Gaudreau Not Being Punished

In the same vein, Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving had to get on the mic to squash rumors about one of his star players; Johnny Gaudreau.

At Flames camp, Gaudreau was noticeably made to practice with a separate group. Leading some to speculate that the Flames weren’t happy with Gaudreau’s post-quarantine shape and conditioning.

Treliving was adamant that wasn’t the case at all:

Johnny Gaudreau is might be available in the trade market. It all depends on how the Calgary Flames perform in the playoffs. So the thought of him training outside of the regular group just added fuel to the trade speculation fire.

Gaudreau has since returned to the regular group and is playing with his regular linemates again.