NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2021

by | Jul 22, 2021 | Rumors | 68 comments

With the expansion draft over, here’s the latest on the Kraken, Oilers, Islanders, Canadiens, Capitals, Senators, Kings and Sharks in today’s NHL rumor mill.

TIME TO GET KRAKEN IN THE TRADE AND UFA MARKETS?

RDS.CA: Francois Gagnon reports the Seattle Kraken’s inaugural roster is thin on scoring punch. However, that could change once the expansion draft roster freeze lifts at 1 pm ET Thursday.

Francis has approximately $29 million in salary-cap space to put toward adding players to help his club over the short and long term. The Kraken GM could target cap-strapped clubs looking to shed salary. He could also try his luck in the free-agent market when it opens on July 28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trades involving the Kraken could be announced as early as today following the lifting of the roster freeze. It will be interesting to see how Francis navigates the trade and free-agent markets this summer. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t land one or two quality players before the puck drops in October.

LATEST OILERS RUMORS

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran reports Zach Hyman was in Edmonton yesterday discussing a possible long-term contract that could be announced as early as Thursday. The 29-year-old winger’s preference is to remain with the Leafs but his asking price of eight years at $5 million annually could be too much for the cap-strapped Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Zach Hyman (NHL Images).

If Hyman agrees to terms with the Oilers, his rights could be traded to Edmonton before the free-agent market opens on July 28. It’s believed the Leafs would want draft picks in return. The winger has drawn interest around the league, with one offer (not from the Oilers) said to be as high as $7 million annually. Hyman is only interested in playing for a contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The reason for the sign-and-trade is for the Oilers to get an extra year on the contract. Teams can re-sign players to a maximum of eight years. Unrestricted free agents from other teams can be signed for no more than seven years.

Whoever the general manager is that’s offering Hyman $7 million should be fired at once. The winger’s a good player but he’s not worth $7 million per season. With some GMs apparently succumbing to auction fever already, Hyman’s going to make a lot of money on his next contract.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector reports the Oilers are trying to figure out how to replace Adam Larsson following his signing with the Seattle Kraken yesterday. General manager Ken Holland will look at bringing back Tyson Barrie but they still need a shutdown defenseman on the right side. If Barrie is signed, Ethan Bear could become a trade candidate.

Should Holland pass on Barrie, his options in the free-agent market include Tampa Bay’s David Savard or Vancouver’s Travis Hamonic.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports yesterday indicated the Oilers were circling back to Barrie. He seeks a long-term deal that could prove more expensive than the four-year, $16 million contract Larsson signed with the Kraken. Savard could cost less than Barrie but perhaps a little more than Larsson.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE ISLANDERS?

THE ATHLETIC: With Jordan Eberle gone, Arthur Staple wondered what the New York Islanders will do with the cap space they’ve freed up. Eberle’s selection by the Kraken in the expansion draft plus the recent trades of Nick Leddy to Detroit and Andrew Ladd to Arizona give the Isles over $17.6 million in cap room.

Restricted free agents Anthony Beauvillier, Adam Pelech and Ilya Sorokin need new contracts. Pending UFA Casey Cizikas could also return. It’s believed former Minnesota Wild winger Zach Parise is on the Isles radar plus they must find a left-side defenseman to replace Leddy.

The Islanders have also been linked to St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko and Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog. Adding one or the other could involve making a cost-cutting move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staple also noted the Islanders can put the permanently sidelined Johnny Boychuk ($6 million annual cap hit) on long-term injury reserve if necessary to free up additional cap room. They could go that route depending on what it takes to re-sign those RFAs and Cizikas. Landeskog will cost a fortune as a free agent so I don’t see a fit there. Tarasenko is a possibility in the trade market but making the dollars work will be difficult.

CANADIENS LINKED TO BEAUVILLIER, DVORAK

TVA SPORTS: reports the Montreal Canadiens were linked to New York Islanders winger Anthony Beauvillier and Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak. The Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins are also said to be interested in Dvorak. The 25-year-old forward carries a $4.45 million annual cap hit through 2024-25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ rumored pursuit of both players could depend on what the future holds for Shea Weber and Jonathan Drouin. They have over $14 million in cap space but could get more wiggle room if necessary should Weber ($7.85 million) and/or Drouin ($5.5 million) end up on long-term injury reserve.

The Canadiens’ supposed interest in Beauvillier is tied to the small number of Quebec-born players on their roster. Drouin and Phillip Danault were the only two in the lineup this season and Danault is expected to depart via free agency next week. I think Beauvillier will be staying on Long Island. The Coyotes, meanwhile, are rebuilding their roster and believed to be listening to offers for Dvorak.

CAPITALS MUST SHED SALARY

NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON: J.J. Regan reports the Seattle Kraken’s selection of goaltender Vitek Vanecek leaves the Capitals facing a salary-cap crunch. They have just $8.9 million in cap space with captain Alex Ovechkin and goalie Ilya Samsonov to re-sign. They also have to find a replacement for Vanecek.

With eight defensemen under contract, the Capitals could end up moving one of Dmitry Orlov ($5.1 million cap hit), Brenden Dillon ($3.9 million), Justin Schultz ($4 million) or Nick Jensen ($2.5 million). Depending on the cost of re-signing Ovechkin and Samsonov, that still might not be enough. A bolder move could be trying to trade center Evgeny Kuznetsov and his $7.8 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A salary dump or two is in the cards for the Capitals this summer. Kuznetsov’s been a fixture in the rumor mill for weeks but his cap hit and personal baggage could be difficult to move without tossing in a sweetener like a draft pick or prospect.

UPDATES ON THE SENATORS, KINGS AND SHARKS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Chris Tierney may have played his final game with the Senators. He and forward Evgenii Dadonov and defenseman Josh Brown were exposed in the expansion draft.

Garrioch also reports the Los Angeles Kings are willing to move their first-round pick (eighth overall) in this year’s draft.

THE ATHLETIC’s Kevin Kurz reports the San Jose Sharks are seeking a veteran goaltender to pair with recently acquired Adin Hill. That means Martin Jones has played his final game with the Sharks.







68 Comments

  1. I’m not sure I believe these reports of a $7m. offer to Hyman. Plenty of unsubstantiated reports out there, most of them invented. Over the past couple of years, there have been many reports of big contracts about to be signed which turned out to be inaccurate.
    I don’t see Beauvilier or Dvorak traded. Thankfully, there will be other options for the Habs. I do think the Isles could be a landing spot for Tarasenko, with St. Louis retaining some salary.

    • I’m not sure about Hyman signing with the Oilers, particularly if he is only interested in signing with a contender. And isn’t the Oil’s greatest need on D?

    • 100% agree, Howard.

      I also think Weber and his 7.85 mill$ is going to go LTIR.

      But that Savard and Risto will more than eat that up.

      My guesstimate is at 4.5-5$mill contract for Savard and $5.5 mill (now) going to $6-6.5 mill for Risto on an extension.

      So 10-12$mill for the pair, long term.

    • 7m is doable, but on a 2-3 year deal. Would you rather have Hyman at 5×8=40m or 3×7=21 and then he is UFA again at 32/33. I would rather do the 7m deal

    • I find the Dvorak rumour interesting.

      Arizona is looking to move actual cash dollars & Dvorak was paid below his cap hit the past two seasons, this year it jumps up by almost $2 mill & the last two years are $1.3 mill above his cap hit.

      The Habs have hometown Scottsdale boy, Jesse Ylonen close to being NHL ready to pkg in a trade.

      Dvorak’s faceoff % is only 0.4% less than Danault, while scoring 12 more goals.

      I can see it being very doable.

    • I find the Dvorak to Habs very interesting.

      The Habs have almost NHL ready, Scottsdale born prospect, Jesse Ylonen to offer in a pkg deal.

      Dvorak’s actual money increases above the his cap hit three of the next four seasons.

      Dvorak’s faceoff % is within a half of a % point below Danault’s while scoring 12 more goals than Phillip this past season.

      I think it is very doable for the Habs.

      Not sure, but Dvorak & Anderson may have history from their days in London.

      • Hey Lyle,

        Dump that last post please.

  2. $7 mill for Hyman??? I dunno about that. I think the $5-5.5 mill for 7-8 yrs is too much. Let him hit the market to see what’s REALLY being offered.

    The Oil needs 3 things now that Larsson is gone – Shutdown D, Goalie and a scoring left winger.

    My wish list – David Savard, Darcy Kuemper and Brenden Saad.

    Does anyone get a sneaky suspicion that a few players might price themselves out of the League…a la Cody Franson?

    Also…why didn’t the Kraken take Price? $10.5 mill worth of #1 goalie or $10.5 mill worth of money in the bank (LTIR)….It’s a win-win in my eyes!

    • Artsy19

      Left winger you say…. Make Pens an offer for Zucker

      Shore for Zucker?

      • Pengy

        I don’t think you can move Zucker after having dealt McCann. How about Pitlick as a replacement for Tanev?

      • Hi Sjf928

        The energy impact from losing Turbo is big. I don’t see Pitlick as a replacement for Turbo

        Re Zucker… he still needs to go…. Cap hit to production is very low and he has quite a negative impact on Gino’s play. He did not work out well with Sid (and breaking up top line is not a good idea)

        $5.5 M with his production , on 3rd line …. Ouch!

        No…. He still needs to be jettisoned

      • @ Pengy.. two ideas for Zucker.

        To Anaheim:

        LW Jason Zucker 29, 2 years left at $5.5 million

        To Pittsburgh:

        RHD Josh Manson 29, 1 year left $ 4.5 (Only $4.1 actual cap hit)

        Anaheim needs offense badly and cant score. They couldn’t hit air if they jumped out of a plane. They are relying too heavily on Getzlaf, Henrique, and Rakell and they have cap space.

        We badly need some sandpaper and grit on defense…works for both teams.

        Zucker to Seattle for Carson Soucy. Seattle has like 12 defenseman and they need some goal scoring and we need defense…

        Hearing THAT Satin sweet Lou is in on Landeskog and if not that the package of Parise and Suter good grief.

        Ranger interested in Kutnetzov…in a trade Washington fed up with Kutzy

        Penguins apparently back in on Fluery good grief…Hockeybuzz

        Look Fluery was a good Penguin, a veniza trophy winner this year, but that is because he is on a good defensive team…penguins are not that.

        Maybe a Brandon Saad..we will see

      • Hi BnG

        Pens already have loads of D…. Especially at LHD

        That said… Manson is RHD

        I love him

        Longshot that Murray does that deal… but if he does…

        Marino at $4.4 M as 3RD is too much … so he’d have to be moved

        Still a log jam at LHD…. that means Pettersson would be moved…. Not sure of who takes him

        Setting aside trade partners and returns in those trades …. If it was Zucker , Marino, Pettersson leaving and Manson coming in….

        That’s almost $10 M in space added…$16.4 M total…. To fill 7 spots….

        I dream…. but with that much space….

        Sid/Guentz/Rusty
        Gino/Landeskog/Kappy
        Carter/Poulin/Hoffman
        Blueger/Gaudreau/Czikas

        Tanger/Dumo
        Manson/Matheson
        Montour/P-OJ
        Friedman/Riikola

        Jarry/Ulmark

    • Re Hyman… possible 8 yr sign and trade

      Per new CBA

      “ For all “Front-Loaded SPCs” (as defined below), the difference between the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any immediately adjacent League Years of that SPC cannot exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the stated Player Salary and Bonuses of the first League Year of such Front-Loaded SPC. Additionally, under no circumstances may the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any League Year of a Front-Loaded SPC be less than sixty (60) percent of the highest stated Player Salary and Bonuses in a League Year of that same Front-Loaded SPC.”

      So lowest year can’t be less than 40% of highest years; and adjacent years limit slides to 25%

      So let’s say he signs an 8 year structured like:

      *7,*7,*6,5,4,3,2.8,2.8

      *includes $4M SB (deferral only, no escrow)

      That meets the CBA criteria

      Effectively his first 4 years avg $6.25; first 5 average $5.8

      Cap hit…. $4.7 M

      It is not out f the realm of possibilities

      • Hey Pengy….Looks like Buffalo is extending Linus Ullmark he would have been great.

        I doubt Islanders let czikas go.

        Winnipeg is in desperate need for defense. Marcus petersson there for a pick save add cap space and recoup a pick

        Having Letang, Manson and Marino that is a strong right side.
        Montour is interesting like Manson better.

        look moving Petersson, Zucker, Rikola that is $7.7 million

        Winnipeg needs defenseman badly would take Marcus Petersson even Jusso Rikola who is serviceable.

        teams like Anaheim, Seattle, Los Angeles Kings Detroit have cap space and needs some goal scorers…get a pick in return

        we shall see..

  3. All I can say ESPN is terrible. That draft last night was boring if that is how they will promote hockey they should not have bided. Brutal.

    • agreed, first take was bad. It did not help there was no drama, all players were already known and that took a lot away from it. But you cannot have a football guy do a hockey show.

      • absolutely.hope espn doesn’t turn this into a sideshow.chris fowler???. where were the rest of the football lunkheads.guess sportscenter will feature shootout goals , goofy fans and maybe stephen a smith can become a hockey insider. lord help us hockey fans

      • Oh great, thanks rich. We finally get rid of Pierre McGuire only to be replaced by Stephen Smith.

      • Pierre McGuire has forgotten more about hockey than Smith will ever know in a lifetime.

  4. Ken Holland is about to make a massive mistake.

    Hyman??? 7 million dollars??!?!!?

    Fireable offence.

    • Ron agree with you on Hyman, Holland and the Oilers.
      big mistake.

      Hyman good player not worth that much for that long…

  5. Can’t see Hyman being worth anything more than Josh Anderson on a long term deal. MAYBE if someone is throwing him a 1-2 year deal then the $ goes up enough to get to 7, but if anyone is going 7mill with any term then this is the next David Clarkson deal.

    • just what I was thinking SCJ , Clarkson , Leino and Ladd came to mind . I like the player but thinking he is not that worth much and that long term.

    • Anderson got 7 years at $5.5m. AAV, pretty similar to what Hyman will get. It may be an extra year for slightly less AAV. Of course, Anderson was 3 years younger when he signed his deal.

  6. Hyman is a good player. Unless you are a cornerstone if not generational player I don’t see anyone getting 8 yr terms in a salary cap freeze. Hyman is not that player. The fact he stated he would prefer to sign with the Leafs but only wants to go to a contender is in and of itself am anomaly.

  7. Hyman is a good player. Unless you are a cornerstone if not generational player I don’t see anyone getting 8 yr terms in a salary cap freeze. Hyman is not that player. The fact he stated he would prefer to sign with the Leafs but only wants to go to a contender is in and of itself an anomaly.

  8. The oilers are now a retirement home for all these old players. I can see McDavid leave in 4 years because there is no hope for the oilers.I don’t think Hyman is the answer for the money and term . I think Holland time is up he is too old school for today nhl. Oh well I guess this is what oiler fans are use to.

    • Robo yes McD will leave the Oil to replace Matthews when he leaves for his home team the Yotes!
      That’s something I gathered only here.

    • This is true. Edmonton is a mess. There is no chance of that team getting anywhere near Lord Stanley’s Cup anytime soon. Someday Draisaitl and McDavid will come to the realization that they will never win a cup there and will request a trade.
      That being said, it is also Draisaitl and McDavid’s contracts that are reason why they won’t win a cup. Edmonton just can’t afford to put the right players around those two. One of them has to leave for that team to have any chance of success.

      • How do you figure either McDavid or Draisaitl’s contracts are out of line?

        Draisaitl is $8.5 million and just had his third 100 point (prorated) season in a row.

        I can list at least 20 players that make more than him that haven’t had a 100 point season in their career.

  9. Hey George.
    Random thought:

    Would the Sens consider bringing back Nick Foligno on a one or 2 year deal?
    He checks off a number boxes. Can play center or wing. Veteran presence. Respected. Plays hard. Can score. You can put a letter on his jersey instantly. Quality human, and he’s been here before. Might not cost much either.

    • I doubt it Dark G. He’ll wind up back in Columbus on a lower deal. The Senators are going young.

  10. Ray Bark where r u? lots happening in Edmonton, Losing Larsson, adding Hyman and now rumors they maybe going after Hamilton.

    Need to make some moves, sound like their going for the 8-7 score

    • Just been busy Caper, was in Calgary and listened to those guys trash the Oil.

      My take:
      Losing Larsson hurts, bad. Like really bad. Perhaps why they traded for Keith as well. It would be worse without him.
      Not chasing Hamilton.
      If they go after Hyman it may be a lower AAV with longer term fully knowing it will be a problem in 5 years, but wanting the space now.
      I get it, take advantage of the prime Draisaitl/McDavid years. Best do some damage or fan base will revolt.

      If they don’t find a larger physical RD to replace Larsson and a tender it doesn’t matter who else is up front. Holland will have to over spend or give up more assets to get one. If you’re gonna go, then go.

      I hear Seattle has a stockpile of D!

      Seattle is thinking long game as teams had longer to prepare for this one and didn’t make the same mistakes. Weak up the middle. Hello Danualt?

      Some of those extra D get dealt for assets, prospect or picks IMO. Or that elusive quality C.

  11. WSH may have to bite the proverbial bullet and just except a ton less than market value in order to clear cap space to make the signings they need

    To LA: Kuzy & 5th
    To WSH: AA & 1st

    AA can slot 3C move Eller to 2C and Oshi back to RW

    creates enough room. Perhaps trading Schultz and making a play for Savard.

    • Omg no. If LA is trading a first, its in a package for a top 4 LD, not an overpriced prima donna Russian. LA is stacked at centre with prospects, no sense wasting assets bringing in another one. Use your precious assets to fill holes not create log jams.

  12. So, Garrioch thinks Tierney “may” have played his last game with the Senators. May have? If what he also writes is true (that Dorion is dickering to obtain a Top 2 C), and that transpires, there will simply be no room for Tierney with Norris, Pinto and perhaps Stutzle moving over to C holding down 3 of the spots.

    Josh Brown is also guaranteed to go with the log-jam building up at D.

    The only one exposed that I can still see performing a role in the line-up is Dadonov who, despite a rough start to the last season (who didn’t have a rough start?), showed signs of settling in down the stretch and becoming the players they envisaged when they got him.

    • Strome for Dadinov. Panarins old line mate in KHL.

  13. Could Marshawn Lynch have looked any more fried yesterday? Completely baked. Weekes look pretty uncomfortable.

    Hope they had pizza at the shoot.

    lol

  14. does anyone know if freddie anderson can be traded prior to july 28 ?

    • Hi Crazy Cannuck

      Yes… basically it would be his “negotiating rights”…. Giving acquiring team sole right to negotiate a contract before 28/7…. I think this scenario is unlikely though

  15. ESPN sure likes the gimmicks . A failed attempt to jazz things up… Letterman Top 10. Might as well get football players trying to pronounce Euro names. How about asking how it is pronounced prior to getting the mic… Bush league.

    Hyman is not getting $7m. Pietrangelo only got $8 and change

    Oilers backend today is brutal. Has to be addressed. Kraken backend is quite good and better than a lot in the league. Upfront no scorers yet. We will see in the coming days.
    With the dire need on a lot of squads, UFA D just got a raise

  16. with Weber LTIR perhaps OEL to MTL for a 1st only and move Romanov to RD (since he plays both sides.

  17. Bergevin just held his press conference. The Habs don’t think Price’s injury is long term, Drouin will be back at camp, still a chance of Danault re-signing and Weber is likely done (certainly out next season)
    With all that, and assuming Perry re-signs a Simmonds-like deal, say two years at $1m. AAV, and assuming reasonable short-term deals for UFAs Lehkonen and Kotkaniemi, they will have between $15-16m. in cap space.
    The biggest need will obviously be a RD who can play big minutes and add offense. A 6/7 RD at low cost would help as well, as Josh Brook will likely need another year in Laval. I figure that leaves them with $9-9.5m. (Assuming they don’t break the bank for Hamilton). So if they prioritize a veteran 2-way center to replace or re-sign Danault, they wouldn’t have the cap space for a guy like Hoffman. Conversely, they can go for a solid scoring winger and a cheaper option at center.

  18. Not unless you trade tierney

  19. Bergevin was interviewed today and he gave news on both Weber and Drouin.

    Weber will be out at least for this season, cue the Nashville interest regarding recapture.
    The rumours appear to have been true.

    Drouin seems to be okay and will be at training camp.
    Drouin has excellent rapport with Coach Ducharme and this may be his season.

    David Savard(UFA)? Cernak (RFA)?, Ristolainen ?

    Montreal has tons of GMs and most are so much smarter than GMMB, but the changes and signings he made last year were unforseen by anybody and they all worked .

    Interesting times.

    • Re: “Montreal has tons of GMs and most are so much smarter than GMMB …” LOL. So true – and most are on antichambre

  20. Re Hyman contract…

    Per CBA…

    “For all “Front-Loaded SPCs” (as defined below), the difference between the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any immediately adjacent League Years of that SPC cannot exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the stated Player Salary and Bonuses of the first League Year of such Front-Loaded SPC. Additionally, under no circumstances may the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any League Year of a Front-Loaded SPC be less than sixty (60) percent of the highest stated Player Salary and Bonuses in a League Year of that same Front-Loaded SPC.”

    So lowest year has to be Min of 40% of highest and adjacent years can’t differ more than 25%

    Going *7,*7,*6, *5, 4; 3.2, 2.8 , 2.8….total $37.8 M

    *Heavy on the SB (SB subject to deferral but NOT escrow)

    First 4 years… $25 M… $6.25 M AAV
    FIrst 5 years… $29 M…$5.8 M AAV

    Cap hit…. $4.7 M

    Not out of the realm of possibilities

  21. Re Hyman contract…

    Per CBA…

    “For all “Front-Loaded SPCs” (as defined below), the difference between the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any immediately adjacent League Years of that SPC cannot exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the stated Player Salary and Bonuses of the first League Year of such Front-Loaded SPC. Additionally, under no circumstances may the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any League Year of a Front-Loaded SPC be less than sixty (60) percent of the highest stated Player Salary and Bonuses in a League Year of that same Front-Loaded SPC.”

    So lowest year has to be Min of 40% of highest and adjacent years can’t differ more than 25%

    Going *7,*7,*6, *5, 4; 3.2, 2.8 , 2.8….total $37.8 M

    *Heavy on the SB (SB subject to deferral but NOT escrow)

    First 4 years… $25 M… $6.25 M AAV
    FIrst 5 years… $29 M…$5.8 M AAV

    Cap hit…. $4.7 M

    Not out of the realm of possibilities

    • @ Pengy..see my post above with 2 ideas for Jason Zucker…..your thoughts?

      • Hi BnG

        Responded above but it didn’t get posted until later

        There now

  22. Jaroslav Halak to San Jose? He would be a perfect fit for the Sharks and their need for a veteran goalie. Watch it happen! 🙂

  23. Can someone explain the hurricanes trading Nedeljkovic to Detroit for Bernier?
    This came out of nowhere. Why would the canes do this?

    • Taz: the only reason I can think of is they could be pursuing a better goalie via trade or free agency. Otherwise, this makes no sense.

      • I have been wrong on this site plenty of times, but I’ll keep firing:

        I’m fairly confident it has nothing to do with Bernier. He’ll be, at best, the 1B. I’m guessing not even that – maybe included by DET due to roster limitations.

        The Hurricanes simply didn’t want to pay Nedeljkovic north of $3m/year, and were worried that arbitration would have bumped it up way higher than that.

        Once you decide you’re not bringing him back, you get something for him while you can, and free up the $’s for something(s) else.

        Plus, I’m confident that GM DW has multiple balls in the air and I’ll await those before getting too worked up.

        I will note that 31 other teams didn’t offer anything more than that, which leads me to think that they generally agree with DW.

        But yeah, on the surface it looks ridiculous.

      • Thanks Lyle, glad I’m not the only one. very surprised, Nedel made 3M/year so I guess that is cap saved.
        What you said makes sense, I suppose it will be mildly amusing if the pursue Andersen.

      • Whalercane….I don’t understand the trade to Detroit, but don’t underestimate Bernier. He has played excellent goal behind a suspect roster for the last two seasons. If Carolina signs him, you will be pleasantly surprised.

  24. LL now has 23 million to play with.

    Who’s voted on the Island?

    My Dark Horse is Hamilton.

    Isles need production from the back end.

    • good call nevinsrp , Hamilton or maybe Martinez , Suter?

    • He’s going to bring in both guys from Minny

    • Yeah – Old Lou is really past it, ain’t he?? Surpassed by a figure-filbert.

  25. Bruins want to bring Kade back for $2.6 million on a 1 year …. Is Sweeney nuts ?

    Sweeney has enough cap $$$ and if he uses it right he can really improve this team ….

    • Kase

  26. Zach Hyman- what’s this sign and trade nonsense about? A 29 y/o UFA that the Oilers will give TML any kind of draft pick to get a 9th year contract?

    He has to continue a style of play that his body no longer can handle for a full season and they will give up an asset to get a year which he won’t play? He’s going to be long done by that point.

    They’ll be lucky to get 5 years out of him.

  27. Lee will be back as well…
    Canes have to have something specific in hand for goaltending . Ned was a Calder finalist. A distant one but nonetheless.
    There will be some league goaltender musical chairs after the 28th.

  28. Hyman wants 8 yrs.

    Any GM giving him 8 yrs or anyone else unless they are McDavid needs to be fired on the spot.

  29. Here’s the thing with Hyman that bugs me. Rumor around Feb was that there was a gentlemen’s agreement (wink wink nudge nudge) that a deal for Hyman was ready to sign – the understanding was that he waited to officially sign it until after the expansion draft so they would not have to protect him (like they would have had to if he had signed it during the season obviously). Problem is he outplayed the contract that was “on the table” and now in a way is kinda screwing with The Leafs? Shoulda signed him to the extension when they had a chance… Edmonton can have him for 8 years. Last I checked he doesn’t play net or D so… Anyone else remember this gentlemen’s agreement talk?