Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 26, 2024
Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel, Steven Stamkos, Elias Lindholm, and the other top unrestricted free agents in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the latest speculation on some of this summer’s top NHL unrestricted free agents.
Jake Guentzel and the Carolina Hurricanes have a mutual interest in negotiating a new contract. LeBrun wonders if an eight-year contract at $8 million per season might keep him in Carolina.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel could seek a higher annual cap hit but the eight-year term offers greater long-term security.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).
Contract extension talks between the cap-strapped Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos continue even after reacquiring Ryan McDonagh (and his $6.75 million cap hit) from Nashville last week. LeBrun speculates this could go right up to when the free-agent market opens on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have just over $4.1 million of cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. They’ll have to shed salary to re-sign Stamkos unless he’s taking the biggest pay cut in franchise history.
The Vancouver Canucks could make a strong push to re-sign Elias Lindholm. However, LeBrun believes he could be too expensive to retain.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm is coming off a six-year deal earning an average annual value of $4.85 million. This is his best opportunity to land a big money deal. He’ll find it somewhere else on July 1 if he can’t get it from the Canucks.
The Vegas Golden Knights have made re-signing Jonathan Marchessault their priority. Both sides are expected to begin discussions soon and could get a deal done.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have $1.79 million of cap space with 18 roster players under contract for next season. They’ll get $5 million in cap relief if Robin Lehner remains on long-term injury reserve.
Marchessault is completing a six-year contract with an AAV of $5 million. Assuming he accepts a similar salary, there won’t be enough to fill out the rest of the roster. That’s prompted speculation suggesting Shea Theodore ($5.2 million cap hit for next season) could become a cost-cutting trade chip.
LeBrun believes Winnipeg Jets winger Tyler Toffoli will be heading to the free-agent market. He wondered if the Nashville Predators might be interested as they could use more offense.
LeBrun was surprised that the Hurricanes haven’t yet gotten Brady Skjei under contract. He reported contract talks have been ongoing since last summer and feels Skjei is their priority on defense to get re-signed. The 30-year-old blueliner could get a six or seven-year deal with an AAV of $6 million but LeBrun thinks he’d accept a little less to stay in Carolina.
Brett Pesce is likely heading to market. The 29-year-old Hurricanes defenseman could get a six-year contract at between $6 million and $6.5 million annually.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have held contract discussions with forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. No numbers have been discussed yet.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sean Walker is one of several right-shot defensemen who could draw plenty of interest in this summer’s free-agent market. LeBrun wondered if he might get a five-year deal at $5 million annually.
Bruins…. Did the Bruins season ending press conference sound familiar because it was …. Same exact speech every year … faster quicker and harder to the puck, winning the board battles .. secondly scoring ..I for one don’t believe the Bruins go after the big ticket UFA’s ….. they do need a faceoff winning center, a scoring winger with size and a solid tough Dman who cleans the crease …. Sprinkle in some solid depth ….
Joe we’re on the same page only difference is i think they chase Elias Lindholm.
If Sweeney wants to go on the cheaper side he could chase after Chandler Stephenson.
Then bring Anthony Mantha with him and add Joshua Dakota and Nikita Zadorov out of Vancouver.
That would definitely change the team dynamic, obviously this would mean Debrusk isn’t coming back and would have to move out Zacha.
Hey Caper,
I think Boston will go after Elias Lindholm to fill the Big Hole a centre, maybe 6 or 7 years
at $6.M or $6.5 M…❓
Chandler Stephenson could be a Cheaper option for Boston….
I think they go a couple of Scoring Wingers for there top 6,
Like A Tyler Toffoli or Martin Necas or a
Anthony Duclair
Then Trade Ullmark for a top 4 LD/man like Sen’s Jackob Chychrun
not sure if boston need a Zadorov type…
They need more of a puck mover who can set up like A Chychrun Type 🤔
If the rumors of Ullmark to Carolina for Necas are true, that would solve some of the center issues. Either way, they need to go after Lindholm and that puts Coyle back to 3rd line center.
Boston does not need another puck moving defenseman as a priority. They have that in Lohrei and I think Zadarov is the perfect choice to clear in front of the net. That was a weakness that was obvious in the playoffs.
Mantah, Duclair, Taffoli and Drouin could be options on wing, or maybe Lysell gets a shot.
i would trade Ullmark to carolina for necas then sign swayman for 7.5 millions per for 8 years sign necas for 6 million for 5 years lindholm for 6 million for 7 years and patrick kane for 3.5 million per for 3 years solves a lot of bruins scoring problems would still have a great defense and goaltending
Interesting comments Joe and Caper, and the needs you identified for Boston are almost identical to those I have thought about for Detroit – a #2 center who is good at faceoffs, a big scoring LW, and defenseman who can learn the crease (we need both a LD and a RD). I have even thought that Stephenson, Zadorov, and Joshua are players to target.
I guess we will have to wait another month or so to see if Sweeney and Yzerman are thinking as we do, and which fill those needs.
How about clear the crease, not learn it !
Even if Stamkos plays for free, the Lightning will have to dump salary. They still have other roster spots to fill.
Unless they have someone like Vegas and Lehner to stash on LTIR!
7 UFAs including Stamkos, Howard. And there’s little point in strengthening their d with the acquisition of McDonagh if they lose a quality forward. Their issue was a weak bottom six.
Interesting times in Tampa …
For the price of Marner’s expected ask on his next contract you could get Pesce and Skeji (if they would come). I would try and dump Marner’s contracts for picks and prospects. Reilly McCabe Pesce, and Skeji would be a decent top 4 however still no true number one D. Lots of good RD in this year’s draft though. Like they always say if you want a true number one D you have to draft them.
The following year you can use Taveres cap hit to fill out the roster and become a serious contender with Depth.
If Marners unwilling to sign an extension with any new team the return for the Leafs will be far less than what many Leaf fans think.
NMC – the Scooby gift that keeps on giving.
Leafs need a defenceman that can shoot from the point on the power play
I would like to see Walker back with the Avalanche! And Drouin definitely coming back, would be surprised if that didn’t happen. I thought I read in some denver publication that both sides are already discussing Drouin ‘s return?
Ottawa should trade Chychrun and sign Pesce to play with Sanderson or Chabot.
Boston should think about taking on someone else’s cap problem. Usually can get a good player on the cheap. Maybe Hertl from Vegas for example.
Karlsson maybe……Hertl is staying.