NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 5, 2023
A brief look at the top remaining unrestricted free agents, Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim is off the trade block and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
DAILY FACEOFF: Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrick Kane and Matt Dumba top Frank Seravalli’s list of this summer’s top remaining unrestricted free agents.
Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko is said to be mulling over half-a-dozen offers and has been linked to the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators. He’s reportedly close to reaching a decision that could come before the end of this week.
Kane is rehabbing from a hip resurfacing procedure and is expected to be sidelined for four to six months. It could be weeks before he signs with a new club, perhaps before training camp opens in September.
As for Dumba, the Arizona Coyotes are reportedly pursuing the 28-year-old defenseman. They’ve had a busy couple of weeks stocking up with veterans, signing forwards Jason Zucker, Alex Kerfoot and Nick Bjugstad and acquiring blueliner Sean Durzi from the Los Angeles Kings.
Jonathan Toews is another notable still available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toews is reportedly taking his time considering his future before deciding whether he’ll return to action or retire. He’s been battling health issues for the past three seasons.
Other noteworthy UFAs include Max Comtois, Tomas Tatar, Oskar Sundqvist, Jaroslav Halak, Paul Stastny and Phil Kessel.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said he’s received calls from clubs expressing interest in Travis Sanheim. However, he doesn’t think he’ll be moving the 27-year-old defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sanheim’s contract is likely the reason why Briere doubts he’ll be moving the blueliner. Signed last October, the eight-year, $50 million deal kicked in on July 1 with a full no-trade clause. Unless Sanheim waives it, he’s not going anywhere.
WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: The Capitals signed defenseman Martin Fehervary to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2.675 million.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators are bringing back Travis Hamonic for two more years. The 32-year-old defenseman’s new contract carries an AAV of $1.1 million.
TSN: The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Robert Hagg to a one-year contract worth $775K.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Filip Zadina cleared waivers yesterday and will be staying with the Red Wings. At the 23-year-old winger’s request, GM Steve Yzerman tried moving him to a new club via trade but couldn’t find any takers.
Wish that Armstrong would have brought back “Sunny” to St. Lou, instead of MacEachern.
A fan favorite and played alot of roles–PK and more
Dumba deserves better than Yotes
Hoping either Dubas flips Petry ++ for Karlsson; or trades Petry elsewhere and signs Dumba
Tanger/Pettersson
EK or Dumba/P-O J
Friedman/ Smith
🙏🤞🙏🤞
Pengy ..i agree brother..Matt Dumba 28 5 years younger than EK, can skate, has an edge to his game, and cheaper..
Im hearing have heard listening and reports out of Pittsburgh is that Dubas and the Penguins due have a third team now…and your boy Pojoseph…
Is involved in a blockbuster to that third team…or it maybe san Jose..
Which is why the Penguins signed will butcher to battle ty smith for 3rd left pair..looks like Marcus Pettersson is staying thats good.
It comes down to whether san jose likes Carolinas offer
Jarvis
and number #1
and a nu.ber # 2
Or whatever the Penguins are offer along with P o Joseph.
We shall see..
The fact that Tomas Tatar is still available says all we need to know about why Mike Hoffman is still a Hab. Tatar turned in a better season than him and is there for any team to sign. Yet, five days into free agency, he’s still around.
Money’s tight around the league, especially among the contending teams, and there’s no great rush to sign aging goal scoring wingers whose games have slipped. The good teams don’t have the cap space or roster space and the rebuilding teams are better served going with younger players.
Hoffman is pretty much like a free agent in that the Habs will give him away, but the acquiring team will have to absorb half his cap hit – $2.25m. Tatar will likely sign for less than half that. The only way Hoffman goes without a sweetener is if a team is really desperate for scoring depth on the wings as camp approaches or if a team runs into injury problems during camp.
As for Tarasenko, rumors were circulating yesterday that he’d agreed to a deal with the Canes. Then nothing was announced all day. He’ll likely wind up with a one year deal as well.
Can anyone explain the David Reinbacher deal. Montreal signed him to 3 years at $950,000 per season. How does that add up to 6.35 million?
He’s eligible for bonus money, as is the case with entry level contracts. I guess if he gets them all it’ll add up to $6.35m.