NHL Rumor Mill – January 31, 2026
The latest on Artemi Panarin and Evander Kane, plus updates on the Flames, Maple Leafs, and Predators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ARTEMI PANARIN RUMORS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports hearing that New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin seeks a contract extension worth $50 million before signing off on a trade.
“He is going to try and hit a contract home run, even though he’s 34 years old,” Friedman said. Panarin is earning an annual average value of $11.6 million on his current deal, which expires on July 1.
New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).
Friedman said several teams reportedly have varying degrees of interest in Panarin. The Colorado Avalanche are interested, but not in an extension. Ditto the Dallas Stars unless they pivot away from re-signing RFA-eligible winger Jason Robertson.
The Los Angeles Kings are wondering if this is the right time to give up future assets. Panarin would love to join the Florida Panthers, but Friedman doesn’t know if they’ll move heaven and earth to get the playmaking winger.
The Minnesota Wild made a big splash by acquiring Quinn Hughes and might be willing to make another, but Friedman wondered how much they have left in the bank to do so.
Friedman believes the Washington Capitals are a serious suitor, citing their willingness to sign Panarin to an extension. He also mentioned the Seattle Kraken, who seek a high-end forward and are reportedly willing to move young center Shane Wright.
Other clubs with potential interest include the San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan was asked if the Canadiens should kick tires on Panarin. He believes they should and will, pointing out that Canadiens president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton signed the winger to his current contract when he was general manager of the Rangers.
Cowan believes Panarin’s age and the Rangers’ asking price would be concerns. Nevertheless, he thinks the playmaking winger could be a good fit on the Canadiens’ top line.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin turns 35 in October, the first season of his new contract. It’s doubtful he’d get anything longer than five years, meaning he’d get $10 million annually on that type of deal. Even with the salary cap rising significantly over the next two seasons, spending that much on a winger heading into his late-thirties is not a wise investment of salary-cap dollars. That will likely scare off most of the rumored suitors.
Based on recent reports, the Avalanche, Ducks, and Stars are out unless Panarin is willing to be a rental player. It’s unlikely that the Rangers will trade him to the Islanders. This isn’t the same thing as sending a depth defenseman like Carson Soucy to the Isles.
The Golden Knights recently acquired Rasmus Andersson and want to re-sign him as a replacement for the permanently sidelined Alex Pietrangelo, so it’s unlikely they’ll have sufficient cap space or tradeable assets to land Panarin. The Wild seek a scoring forward, but their preference is a first-line center.
Panarin is the type of player a Stanley Cup contender acquires. The Flyers and Canadiens aren’t there yet. He’s too old and too expensive for those rebuilding teams, and he might not be interested in joining them.
The Capitals might be willing to do it if this season proves to be Alex Ovechkin’s last, but it would still be a risky investment, given his age and the associated expense. Understandably, the Kraken would be interested, but surely they can find young and more affordable options elsewhere.
The Mammoth could be intrigued by Panarin because he’s a superstar who could generate excitement in their new market, but his asking price could be a deal breaker. The same applies to the Sharks, who have some rising young stars that will soon require new contracts.
COULD THE STARS ACQUIRE EVANDER KANE?
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos recently cited reports claiming the Stars and Colorado Avalanche have inquired about Vancouver Canucks winger Evander Kane.
The Stars are seeking a top-six left winger. Kane has a history with Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan. It’s also believed the Canucks could be willing to retain part of Kane’s $5.125 million AAV.
However, Kane’s character could come into question given his off-ice issues in recent years. They also wouldn’t have the cap space to acquire him without salary retention by the Canucks.
Assimakopoulos believes Calgary Flames winger (and Plano, Texas native) Blake Coleman might be a better option for the Stars.
WHO COULD THE FLAMES TRADE NEXT?
CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson looked at which Flames players could be next on the trade block after the club recently shipped out Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Wilson believes Nazem Kadri could draw interest despite the recent decline in his production. The 35-year-old center could want to be moved to a contender, though his age and his contract could be sticking points. He’s signed through 2028-29 with an AAV of $7 million.
Winger Blake Coleman and recently-acquired defenseman Zach Whitecloud could be highly coveted. They both have Stanley Cup experience and have term left on their contracts. It could take a strong offer to pry them away from the Flames.
MCMANN, LAUGHTON COULD DRAW INTEREST
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday could send the club into sell mode in the trade market. The loss left the Maple Leafs sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference.
Friedman believes talks about Maple Leafs players will intensify, but doesn’t know if there will be any movement before the Olympic trade freeze goes into effect on Feb. 4. Forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton could draw interest in the trade market. Both are UFA-eligible on July 1.
Some observers might wonder about Auston Matthews’ future with the Maple Leafs. He’s eligible for UFA status in 2028. Friedman doesn’t believe the Leafs are at the stage yet where Matthews could request a trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMann and Laughton could bring in draft picks that help the Maple Leafs restock their prospect pool.
THE LATEST ON THE PREDATORS
SPORTSNET: During Friday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported the Nashville Predators are open to trading forwards Michael Bunting and Michael McCarron, and defenseman Nick Perbix.
Friedman stated that the New York Islanders attempted to acquire Bunting, but a deal couldn’t be reached. They opted instead for winger Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples wondered if the Oilers might look at acquiring one of those players.
Yesterday, in the Panarin discussion, Dino Rondelly posted – re the Oilers as a landing spot – “They have $12mill in cap space with almost all the team signed, you could make it a 6 year deal to bring down the cap hit.
With the cap for 2026-27 at $104,000,000, when I look at Puckpedia I see them committed to 9 F (McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins, Frederick, Mangiapane, Janmark, Podkolzin, Samanski and Savoie) at a total cap hit of $50,836,666 (the last 2 are on ELCs of $975,000 and $886,666 with minor league options) – 6 D (Bouchard, Nurse, Ekholm, Walman, Emberson and Regula) at a total cap hit of $32,825,000 (Regula is also on an two-way ELC of $775,000) – and 1 G (Jarry at $5,375,000). They also have dead cap of $2,600,000 for the Jack Campbell buy-out).
Counting Samanski, Savoie and Regula, and factoring in the buyout, that’s a total of 16 players committed to at a total cap hit of $91,636,666, leaving $12,363,334 with which to sign 7, including a back-up goalie.
Panarin’s expiring cap hit is $11,642,857 and the consensus seems to be that he’ll have to settle somewhere in the range of $10 to 12 mil on a new deal. Let’s say, as Dino suggests, the Oilers could get him for a combination of Savoie and top prospect Howard plus picks, and for a 6 year deal sign him at $10 mil per. That drops their cap reserve to $2,363,334 … and now 8 to sign.
Even if none among their 6 pending UFAs are brought back – Henrique ($3 mil), Roslovic ($1.5 mil), Kapanen ($1.3 mil), Lazar ($775,000), Ingram ($1,150,000) and Pickard ($1 mil) – they still have to find replacements as good or better, and they are nearly deep enough in the system to elevate ELCs to fill all the vacancies. There is also RFA Spencer Stastny (expiring $825,000 E:LC) to consider.
Unless I’m missing something obvious, I just don’t see how they could possibly swing a deal like that without hurting their bottom 6 F and/or D depth – not to mention getting a quality back-up goalie signed.
above should read “… and they are NOT nearly deep enough …”
The oilers aren’t trading Savoie and Howard for an old Panarin. End of story
I hope you did notice that that was not my suggestion. You can argue that point with Dino – lol.
As I pointed out yesterday, unless Drury is lying through his teeth, I don’t believe NY is looking for raw prospects in returns for any of their rumored players. Specifically Panarin , Trocheck.
Trading these guys for unproven prospects signals a rebuild, not a retool.
How do you rebuild around a handful of players like Fox, Zibanejad, Shesterkin and Miller who all have NMC’s , likely won’t waive and have long term / expensive contracts?
Here’s to hoping Drury isn’t lying!
Moving that boat anchor of a contract for Nurse would solve a lot of problems. He’s obviously got a low hockey IQ because he’s still making the same bad reads and mistakes from his rookie season.
Who’s the boat anchor?
The only Flame I’d like to see on the Habs is in the dog-house in Calgary, Brayden Paschal.
As for the NYR, I’m not crazy about Panarin but if it included Braden Schneider I’d be interested.
HF30: You might be interested in Panarin, as part of a package but his profile is just what Hughes said publicly the Habs don’t want: an aging player on an expensive contract.
Consider that having moved Slavkovski to Kapanen’ line, which is doing well, the Habs have been looking for a big winger who can forecheck and help the finesse of Suzuki an Caulfield.
Texier showed promise but his play has dropped off and I expect Dach will get an audition. Panarin does not fit the needed size and skill to compliment them.
I have always found Stu Cowan is good on reporting what has happened, but not what should happen. It is as if he’s completely disregarded Hugh’s very recent comment:
“If you’re bringing somebody in that’s in their mid-to-late thirties, you’re not looking at that player growing with you. You’re looking at that player, just based on data, regressing due to age.”
I know I frequently push back on your comments, HF30. Not trying to be a wet blanket. At the least, you make me think and I appreciate that.
That so, why are you so keen on Schneider? I don’t know anything about him, but based on stats I struggle to see where he would fit in the Habs top 4, and why you see Ghule as expendable.
I don’t believe the Panarin deal will be including any type of sweetener outside of salary retention.
Schneider has been fantastic in his development. Much like Skjei, he’s been forced into a larger role. Ny decided to prematurely trade Skjei. Hopefully, they don’t make that same mistake again.
Outside of this year, which the entire team looks awful most nights. He’s still a +6 overall in his career. He’s been around for 5 years and just turned 24 years old.
Not sure I’d use yahoo as a good gauge of analyzing players.
This kid is fine. Not a piece I’d be throwing in as a freebie that includes the #1 guy on the trade market.
I don’t see Montreal making a trade for Panarin, but out of curiosity. What do you see a return for in that trade proposal?
I am not advocating Yahoo as the premier source, Captain. It’s what came up on a search.
Schneider’s stats, this year – and last – do not indicate a basis to trade for, particularly having to swallow Panarin as well to get him. One can argue the +/- is a team stat, but his results show no offensive upside. How would he fit in the Habs’ top 4? And if not there, why bother?
If you have something from a legit source that says otherwise, I am listening/
I’m not all that interested in Panarinm it’s Schneider that I want.
He’s a Kaiden Guhle who doesn’t get injured and is a RD, so I don’t see him as the sweetener.
Struble, Dach, Texier Joshua Roy, for Panarin 50% retained and Braden Schneider.
Panarin’s age works against him but to be fair he hasn’t showed sign of dropping off yet and playing on a line with Demidov might be a factor.
I don’t think any teams in the hunt would consider Panarin the guy “they have to take” in a trade.
He is the best player on the block. Most teams would consider it “the prize”.
Schneider also played with a bad shoulder all of last year and partially the year prior. He had surgery in the offseason.
Habsfan , not the worst proposal I’ve seen. I think Texier would be the most interesting piece and best fit coming back.
Dach is just never going to get past these injuries imo. And not really a fit.
On paper, this trade is a loss for NY. Which is why I wouldn’t package anyone with Panarin.
Beyond the asset cost, teams need to realty gauge how much Panarin has left in the tank. That’s the bigger gamble hear, giving up young players and hoping he can keep it going for a few more years.
Not too many players are worth it after age 35.
CO
Any trade of Panarin will seem like a loss on paper because he’s the best player in the trade.
He’s 34 and UFA at the end of the year, if Drury plans to re-sign him then you’re right. If he doesn’t and wants to trade him he is not going to get the better player.
If it’s a retool he gets roster players if it’s a rebuild it’s draft picks.
My suggested offer is for 3 roster players who could immediately step in and a highly touted 22y/o prospect who hasn’t broken through yet.
I think it’s a reasonable offer
100% agree they will it get a better player or a player of equal value.
But as I said somewhere today. NY didn’t draft or develop him. Not like a Tavares, Marner or Stamkos asset mismanagement.
So basically whatever they get is a solid value. He cost Dolan money. Dolan won’t lose sleep over it .
*** they will NOT get a better player.
and of course all these players they want for nothing!!!
Let me add this, and tell me if you think this is a fair assessment, via Yahoo Sports:
“Through his first three NHL seasons, Schneider showed flashes of potential in a third-pairing role.
In 2024, Schneider signed a two-year, $4.4 million bridge deal with the Rangers. The hope was that he would eventually blossom into a reliable top-four defenseman for the Blueshirts.
Similar to Miller, Schneider hasn’t taken that next leap that the organization had anticipated, specifically this year where he’s struggled in a top-four role when the opportunity has been presented, while his defensive woes are becoming more and more prevalent, indicative of his -15 plus/minus rating (the worst of his NHL career).”
Thoughts?
Trocheck and Schneider to the Wings for 2 1sts (top 10 protected), JT Compher, and goalie Carter Gylander (24yo, 6′ 5″, .943 S% in 7 games in Grand Rapids, .913 S% in Toledo earlier this season in 15 games)
Hmm, make that a 2026 1st and a 2028 2nd , 2027 3rd, Compher and Gylander for Trocheck and Schneider
This trade proposal reeks of rebuild. Not retool. The best player coming back is 30 yo Copher? A guy playing 3rd line center?
I’d prefer they keep Trocheck and Schneider. This looks like desperation / rebuild. A trade for the sake of making a trade.
I also wouldn’t package Schneider in any trade involving Panarin or Trocheck as suggested today. That reeks of JT Miller / Mcdonagh to the bolts.
good thinking Johnny… but Wings already have Copp, which is 95% of Trocheck, and a very crowded young D core (so not sure how Schneider improves that situation).
What about same mix from Wings for Dylan Cozens? Bottom 8 is crowded and I don’t see Sens buoying up to wild card spot…. they might be sellers.
It’s amazing how fast fan (and media) angst and concern leading to trade speculation can disappear following a couple of wins – especially when they come against two top teams like Vegas and Colorado (and I include myself 🙂 ). But with 28 teams in action today/tonight, 13 of them Eastern teams, including New Jersey in Ottawa, and followed for the Senators next week by a tough back-to-back in Pittsburgh and Carolina, any steps back – especially game-altering goaltending inconsistencies – will re-set the angst and concern and spike up trade talk instantly.
And that applies to all teams. Right now, the full-court press is on in Toronto as a result of their current funk .. but a win tonight in Vancouver, followed by back-to-back wins Tuesday/Wednesday in Calgary and Edmonton, and that will blow over … at least until after the Olympic break. But 3 losses … whoa.
Again, using Ottawa as an example, any steps back in the games to be played before the Olympic break – particularly if it’s traced to goaltending inconsistencies – and the hue and cry will flare up.
And what is especially a huge ? is how Ullmark will perform when he does begin to start. We don’t know what was at the root of his problem (nor should we) … but if it was directly related to his mental approach to the pressures of the game and self-doubt, the possibility of it flaring up again is very real, I suppose. And in that event – with $8,250,000 per committed to 2028-29 – Staios is in a real pickle.
The East has been so much fun to watch. Every game seems like a playoff game, because no team can afford to go on a losing streak, even a short one.
That’s for sure Toronto St Pats. This afternoon Philadelphia has lost to L.A. 3-2 – and although that was in OT and so they do pick up a point, they are now 2-6-2 in their past 10.
Meanwhile, Colorado has finally come awake on their road trip and lead Detroit 5-0.
Treliving pulling the same crap as he did in Calgary . Over paying on everything. I like Laughton but a first. I like Carlo even with his injury history Mitten and a first ?
He gets fired sooner rather than later and likely Bérubé as well. To have a “play off” team you gave have to make in the first place.
I am not a fan of Panarin for the play offs . Regular season no question . He has eliminated the rental option so likely headed to a lower ranked team . Could he sit until March 6th or the unthinkable beyond ?
I couldn’t have said it better. Makes you wonder why the Leafs didn’t do more research when they made this hire. Did they talk to anyone or review some of the deals he made in Calgary?
All he has done in Toronto is overpay. Now the team is heading in the wrong direction, and they have very little draft capitol or cap space to change course.
Minten’s numbers in the NHL didn’t look all that good. Neither did his AHL numbers for that matter.
Carlo was absolutely an upgrade to the Tor blue line at the time. Prying away a piece from a historic division rival to get over the hump is always gonna be an overpayment unless it’s just a salary dump period.Who can sit here and say Tor’s 1st rd pick this year isn’t surprised it’s looking like a top 10 pick? If Minty didn’t take huge strides this year to become a better player and Tor doesn’t fall hard in the standings nobody is having this conversation
Paul
In Minten’s case it was all about opportunity. You can make the same case for Steeves.
Both highly touted prospects that when brought up to the Leafs, were asked to play a different style or very limited minutes.
O the flip side, you see a guy like Domi getting nearly a free pass to first line minutes.
Instead of trading for Laughton, they should have brought up Minten and Steeves and let them play.
Leafs season is not worth saving. Trade all UFA, retain salary on 3 of them to up their value, and finish bottom 5 and hope the lottery balls fall their way.
Daryl
Sometimes guys don’t fit the team system no matter how much playing time they get.Who’s to say that’s not the case with both of them? And that would add to the decision of letting them both go from the organization.
Obviously the head of scouting for Boston recognized Minten’s worth as he told Sweeney don’t do the deal if he’s not included.so that drove up the price as well.You have to give to get especially from a long time division rival. Fans always undervalue players when they aren’t doing well. Doesn’t mean they are correct.and had Tor had more success last year no one would be talking this much about it.
The way I see it is that overpay turned out to be that first rd pick as apposed to a 2nd rd pick. When the deal was made anyway. Anything after is hindsight and it took some certain things to go a certain way. Just happened to go all Boston’s way. If I’m Tor ownership I’d never allow another Boston/Tor deal ever lol
The only way TOR trades McMann or Laughton, is as a pure rental with some promise that they can bid on them again as free agents next summer.
Neither could be replaced with prospects or farm guys in the next 2 seasons.
It is because of a lack of depth that those 2 won’t be traded without a crazy return.
Though I could maybe see McMann dealt in a package that returns a youngish stud dman with years of control.
The easy trades for the Leafs will have to retain a solid core as anything else means a 3 year rebuild – minimum.
So maybe a goalie? Market is not big for one.
Maybe Reilly? Possible though again, uncertain a contender has the return it would take, plus the cap space, plus is a team Reilly would accept.
Jarnkrok or Stetcher areprobably the only obvious ones, or perhap one of the fringe dmen, Myers, Mermis, Benoit, Thrun, Benning…for weaker picks or younger prospects.
I could maybe see the Leafs sending Laughton back to Philly as a rental for Grebenkin and a pick…with some understanding of a later return or an overpayment of some kind.
,
I think when it comes to Rielly, it will take a team that is a legit Cup contender for him to waive his NMC.
He is clearly established in Toronto. His wife is from the area and they have a young son now. That can’t be taken lightly.
He already has a long term contract with his NMC negotiated. He doesn’t have to worry about playing for his next contract. He doesn’t have to worry about being sent down to the minors. All the Leafs can do is sit him in the press box. But, that does not relieve them of his cap hit.
For the Leafs to buy him out, it would require them to take a cap hit of $3.5M for the next 4 years and another 4 years of $2M per year after that.
Why not bite the bullet now and offer to retain the $3.5M now? Rielly at a cap hit of $4M per season might be something a GM of a contender might jump at.
Lyle
I have been reading your rumors for more years then I’ve been married and I just wanted to say keep up the great work. I’ve never posted before but after all this time I needed to say how much I appreciate all the work you do. Thank you for years of hockey rumors and news.
Thank you, Tim!
Leafs! I don’t think I will ever see them win in my lifetime.
Lots of teams are looking for the center position. Trade Roy, someone will overpay. Recoup more from the Marner deal. Who they should have traded a year earlier for a power play quarterback defence man. Also Laughton should go, another center. I like McMann but he is older, so do really want to give him 4/5 years on a contract. Macelli maybe a draft pick. Also Carlo, the right side Dman teams are looking for those. Finally if you can get a deal done with Reilly, it’s time. Give him a fresh start.
I was a big fan of Bérubé coming in but now very disappointed. Did he change his coaching style here. I don’t know. They did play a little tougher but right now watching them. They look no different than they did with Sheldon behind the bench.
Cheers!
Yes Guy, don’t mean to alarm you, but lengthy championship droughts among professional team sports is fairly widespread.
The longest on record is the 108 year gap experienced by MLB’s Chicago Cubs (1908 to 2016). Other suffering fans in that sport are those of the Boston Red Sox fans, who had to wait 86 years (1918 to 2004) for a World Series title (the infamous “Curse Of The Bambino”), while those in Cleveland haven’t witnessed one since 1954 – now going on 66 years.
In the NFL, the Cardinals last won a title in 1947, 78 year ago, Detroit Lions fans have been waiting since their last win in 1957 (68 years), and living NY Jets fans have grown 57 years older waiting for them to repeat.
In the NBA, those cheering for the Sacramento Kings have yet to see a championship since their franchise moved from Rochester, N.Y. in 1951 – 74 years, the Hawks – now in Atlanta – last won that title in 1958 when they were in St. Louis (67 years).
U.K. football (soccer) fans of the Blackburn Rovers were born lived and died over the 81 years between their titles (1914 to 1995), while those pulling for West Bromwich Albion haven’t had a parade since 1920 (105 years).
The longest drought in the NHL belongs to your Leafs, of course, who last won in 1967 (pre-expansion) – some 58 years ago (so paling by comparison to most of the above). But the current Utah franchise, which originally entered the league as the Winnipeg Jets in 1979 before becoming the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, have never even been to the Cup finals in 46 years, while Canucks and Sabres fans have been waiting 54 years, and Flyers fans 50 years.
Having grown up in Detroit, a Wings fan, I’ve always felt bad for Leafs fans. I’d say the vast majority of WIngs fans are closet Leafs fans as well because we’ve always had access to CBC.
I think this current Leafs team was destined for trouble the minute they signed Tavares. Great player, but it blew up their cap too early. Babcock also was the wrong hire for that young team. As a coach I loved him when he was in Detroit, but he had a veteran team that could buffer how horrible he was as a human being. The young guys in Toronto didn’t have that. They had an intense market under an abusive coach. I think thats still impacting them and why they never play with any heart when it matters. I love Matthews, but in the playoffs he is one of the most listless leaders in the league. For the life of me I can’t figure out why they’ve remained so loyal to Reilly. I don’t know that they need to blow it up, but I can see that happening if they don’t change the culture that’s been instilled by the management.
They’re going to have to take a gamble like the Panthers did and trade a Hubrdeau to rebuild that core.
The operative word faith in every sentence of Panarin speculation is “but” or “however”. Panarin has control over where he’s going if in fact he agrees to go at all.
I don’t see him agreeing to go to many cities…certainly he’s not going to agree to go to a tier 2 city as Seattle or Salt Lake…and the contending teams all have cap constraint so a 3rd team to retain cap is going to be needed in those scenarios.
The return will have conditions…as with most 34 yr old rentals it’s a conditional first round pick based upon how the acquiring team does in the playoffs and let’s be honest Panarin is not necessarily a playoff dominant force…he can however be good secondary scoring and help a power play. Contending teams could look to pull a Tampa or Vegas and move cap big hits to LTIR…I don’t see any NHL team giving a turning 35 yr also a 5 yr $50M deal…that’s just insane.
From all appearances, it seems talks with other teams are going well. It does not appear Panarin is holding Drury hostage or he’ll refuse a trade.
The 50 million that was broken by Friedman, was also disputed by Friedman as “partially false” or intentional misinformation.
All that aside, I believe Panarin has a few more good years in him. And going by past GM signings, I won’t be shocked if he gets a 5 year 50 million deal or similar.
Since when do GMs think beyond right now come the deadline? Half the deals signed usually are known they won’t age well before the ink dries.
Here’s a comparison for arguments sake. Ovechkin was 35 when he signed his current 5 year 47.5 mil contract. Taking into account the cap was lower back then, 50 mil isn’t totally unreasonable.
Also saw today the Rangers claimed a 23 yo defenseman off waivers. Big right shot kid who is a former 2nd rd pick. Not sure that signals anything, but there’s been smoke around Schneider.
Yeah. 6′ 4″ 220 lbs RD Vincent Lorio, a Round 2 2021 pick by Washington, where he played 9 games before being claimed off waivers by San Jose last October 16, where he had played 21.
Could be a small step in a re-tool … or a re-build if other more significant moves occur leading up to the trade deadline.
At what point does “off ice issues in recent years” become “off ice issues of the past” Kane is on his second team since the off ice issues in recent years and churned up no such off ice during his last two tenures. Third team, fourth, retirement?
Reminds of of Chychrun and the Injury prone label. You know when he had unrelated injuries and a surgery to prevent future injuries to book end it all. Its been a couple of years now. Is he still considered injury prone? What’s the statute in these regards
Well, just watched Penguins beat Rangers. Still think they would be a fit for Panarin. Wonder what their young coach thinks. He was NY assistant last couple years. Over 90% chance of making playoffs. Do they believe they can go far with this group? Is the goal to keep young assets while your top players gradually fade out in coming years?
Can’t see the Avs being interested in Kane and his 64 PIMs. Bednar’s a stickler for undisciplined penalties.
I wonder if McFarlane has told Panarin’s agent “hey, if you can get a $50M extension somewhere else, knock yourself out. But if not, your best bet at improving your stock over the summer is with a long playoff run on a line with MacKinnon and Necas.”