NHL Rumors: Avalanche looking for scoring; Blackhawks halt coaching search; and Matthew Tkachuk dismissed trade talk

Originally posted on The Daily Goal Horn | Last updated 11/8/21

The Colorado Avalanche are in some unfamiliar territory after the first month of the season.

First off, they are below .500 with a 4-5-1 record. Secondly, they are a middle of the pack team in scoring with just 2.90 goals per game. That could explain why the Avs were sniffing around Buffalo to try and acquire Jack Eichel.

NHL Rumors: Avalanche need scoring help

Joe Sakic made a play for Jack Eichel but needed the Sabres to pick up some of his $10M hit against the cap. It was something they were unwilling to do, and in the end the Vegas Golden Knights picked up the full tab.

“The whole process was a pretty long one,” Eichel told Elliotte Friedman. “For awhile I thought maybe I was going to Minnesota and there was a short time where I was like, ‘Wow, I really think it’s a possibility I’m going to go to Colorado’ and that seemed like it could’ve gotten done.”

So, what are the Avs up to? Secondary scoring is something this team needs to find and may look to acquire it by the trade deadline.

One player they should probably set their sights on is Phil Kessel in Arizona.

Blackhawks will go with Derek King for the remainder of the season

Interim head coach Derek King picked up a win in his debut on Sunday. Prior to the game, interim GM Kyle Davidson stated that the team will not look for a new coach in season. That process will begin in earnest in the offseason.

Coaches of note that are available include:

John Tortorella
Rick Tocchet
Mike Babcock
David Quinn
Patrick Roy
Claude Julien

Other possibilities could be some assistants like Montreal’s Luke Richardson and NY Islanders’ Lane Lambert.

Matthew Tkachuk scoffed at trade rumors

There was a lot of hype leading up to the Jack Eichel trade with one name in particular sending shockwaves through the rumor mill.

According to Kevin Weekes’ the Flames offer for Jack Eichel contained Matthew Tkachuk, an upcoming first round selection, a former first, and two prospects. That send Calgary fans frantic, but not Matthew.

“I’m sure it’s different for everybody but I had a hard time believing it was true,” he said about the rumor. “I went about my business like I normally do the night before the game to get prepared for [the next game].”

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said after the trade that the rumor was inaccurate.

#Flames LW Matthew Tkachuk on his name being tossed in Jack Eichel rumours: "I'm sure it's different for everybody but I had a hard time believing it was true, so I went about my business like I normally do the night before the game to get prepared for tonight."
— Kristen Anderson (@KdotAnderson) November 4, 2021