NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 18, 2023

by | Jun 18, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 18, 2023

The Golden Knights celebrate their Stanley Cup win on the Las Vegas Strip, the Panthers believe their playoff run signals better days ahead, the Senators new owner will meet with Daniel Alfredsson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL/LAS VEGAS SUN: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrated their Stanley Cup win with a parade on Las Vegas’ famous Strip and a rally at Toshiba Plaza on Saturday. Tens of thousands of fans turned out to watch the parade while at least 7,000 fans jammed the plaza.

Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup parade (NHL.com).

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone, Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Marchessault and center William Karlsson were among several players who spoke to the fans during the rally.

THE SCORE: Josh Gold-Smith has clips of the best moments from the Golden Knights Stanley Cup parade.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Despite the disappointment of failing to win the Stanley Cup, the Florida Panthers believe their 2023 playoff run points to a bright future for the franchise. “We can build on this, and we’ll only get better,” said captain Aleksander Barkov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Returning to the Stanley Cup Final is a difficult task. Few teams in the salary cap era are able to maintain a Cup-contending roster.

Salary-cap constraints this season led to the depletion of a Panthers roster that won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2021-22. Management will have more room to maneuver for next season with around $10 million in cap space with all their core players under contract for 2023-23. They’ll likely invest that money in attempting to shore up the supporting cast to match the depth of clubs like the Cup champion Golden Knights.

OTTAWA SUN: Michael Andlauer, the prospective new owner of the Senators, is preparing to meet this week with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Sens Hall-of-Famer Daniel Alfredsson. He and Sutcliffe are expected to discuss a new arena in the city while his discussions with Alfredsson will be about bringing him into the organization in a possible front-office role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The discussions with the mayor will likely focus on the size of the arena project and possible locations. Alfredsson, meanwhile, seeks what the report calls a “meaningful” hockey operations role.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Future Hall-of-Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist debut his “Open Heart” documentary last week at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film follows Lundqvist, his family and his team members following his open heart surgery and recovery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link to see a trailer of Lundqvist’s documentary.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Dawson Mercer has a year remaining on his entry-level contract but Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald hopes to sign the 21-year-old forward to a long-term extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mercer followed up a solid 2021-22 NHL debut (17 goals and 42 points in 82 games) with a 27-goal, 56-point performance in his sophomore season while skating on the Devils’ second line. Given his upside, it’s no wonder Fitzgerald wants to lock the young forward into a lengthy deal before his value rises even higher.

Whether Mercer and his agent will agree remains to be seen. His development projects to a 70-point season in 2023-24 skating alongside Jack Hughes and Timo Meier. Meanwhile, first-line right wing Jesper Bratt just got an eight-year deal worth an average annual salary of over $7.8 million after reaching 73 points for the second straight season.

Mercer won’t get that much but his agent could make the case for a new contract worth between $6 million and $7 million. His camp could also push for a three-year deal so he can cash in again well before his UFA eligibility.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Former Flyers star Simon Gagne has taken over as the new general manager of the Memorial Cup champion Quebec Remparts. He was their assistant coach under head coach and GM Patrick Roy, who recently stepped down from both roles.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 17, 2023

by | Jun 17, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – June 17, 2023

Check out the latest on Pierre-Luc Dubois, Noah Hanifin, Tom Wilson and Ross Colton plus the latest Oilers speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE KINGS ACQUIRE PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens examined the recent trade speculation tying Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings in a possible sign-and-trade deal. The 24-year-old Dubois is a restricted free agent who’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.

Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois (NHL Images).

Payroll could prevent this deal from taking place. The Kings have $7.3 million in projected cap space with 17 active roster players under contract for 2023-24.

Dubois is coming off a one-year, $6 million contract and his agent is reportedly seeking a long-term deal averaging out to $9 million per season. Acquiring him would mean having to shed some salary to make room for his new contract.

Stephens also worried about compatibility, citing Dubois’ trade request from Winnipeg and from Columbus before that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stephens also pointed out that Dubois is not a first-line center nor is he a franchise player. Spending $9 million annually on a long-term deal would be an expensive investment that could prove costly in more ways than one for the Kings or anyone else.

Landing a goaltender should be the Kings’ priority after trading away Cal Petersen and with Joonas Korpisalo slated to become a UFA on July 1. Stephens wonders if the cost of acquiring Dubois in trade assets and the contract might be better invested in Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

FLAMES COULD SHOP NOAH HANIFIN

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports all signs pointing to defenseman Noah Hanifin not signing a contract extension with the Calgary Flames. He believes this situation is likely headed for a trade. Hanifin carries an average annual value of $4.95 million for 2023-24.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Randy Sportak believes Hanifin would draw plenty of interest in the trade market. The 26-year-old blueliner is entering his playing prime and is capable of putting up 50-point seasons in a top-four role. He could fetch a quality return for the Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportak points out the lack of quality defenseman in this summer’s free-agent market could work to the Flames’ favor if they decide to peddle Hanifin. Perhaps that move takes place leading up to the opening round of the draft on June 28.

CAPITALS AREN’T TRADING TOM WILSON

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating the Washington Capitals have no intention of trading Tom Wilson.

This news comes on the heels of reports claiming the Los Angeles Kings “kicked tires” on Wilson, who is slated to become a UFA next summer. Friedman said he was told the Capitals intend to keep the power forward as they see him as a big part of their future.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wilson and Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan have previously stated their mutual interest in getting a contract extension done at some point before next summer. Unless those negotiations go off the rails by next season’s trade deadline, I wouldn’t put much stock in the Wilson trade rumors.

LATEST OILERS SPECULATION

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes an offer sheet for Evan Bouchard could put the Oilers in a salary-cap bind. The 23-year-old is a restricted free agent who could become a 50-60 point player next season.

Oilers GM Ken Holland is aware of the possibility of Bouchard getting an offer sheet. However, he appeared unconcerned as he anticipated that his club would be able to match. Matheson also wondered if Bouchard would be willing to sign an offer sheet. Most of the teams that can afford to send him one are rebuilding.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Playing for a cap-strapped club, Bouchard is a tempting offer-sheet target. However, most playoff contenders have less than $15 million in cap space for next season. Those with more have a large number of players to re-sign or they don’t need a puck-moving blueliner like Bouchard. Never say never but I think the odds of Bouchard signing an offer sheet are low.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector cited colleague Elliotte Friedman reporting teams are interested in Edmonton Oilers winger Warren Foegele. The big, speedy winger isn’t untouchable but the Oilers were pleased with his performance this season. Moving him would leave a big hole to fill.

There’s some talk of the Oilers signing former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews as a fourth-line center. Spector expects the 35-year-old would be a one-year, $1 million signing. Toews’ former teammate Duncan Keith, now the Oilers’ scout and advisor, has been put in charge of monitoring this situation.

COULD THE LIGHTNING TRADE ROSS COLTON?

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Tampa Bay Lightning are trying to free up salary-cap space. They could be open to moving Ross Colton. The 26-year-old restricted free agent could prove too expensive if he files for arbitration.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With LTIR cap space, the Lightning have $7.3 million in cap room for next season with 17 active roster players under contract. Colton is completing a two-year contract worth $2.25 million. He could seek over $3 million annually which could price him out of Tampa Bay.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 17, 2023

by | Jun 17, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 17, 2023

The Canucks buy out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Timo Meier seeks a long-term deal with the Devils, the Leafs will discuss a contract extension with head coach Sheldon Keefe, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE PROVINCE/CAP FRIENDLY: The Vancouver Canucks are buying out the contract of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

The Canucks acquired Ekman-Larsson from the Arizona Coyotes in 2021. He had four seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. Vancouver was carrying $7.26 million while the Coyotes retained the remainder. The buyout will affect the salary-cap payrolls of both clubs for the next eight seasons.

Vancouver Canucks buy out Oliver Ekman-Larsson (NHL Images).

This move was made to free up much-needed cap space for the Canucks, who were sitting above next season’s projected $83.5 million salary cap. It provides $7.1 million in cap room this summer and $4.9 million in 2024-25.

They’ll face a cap hit of over $4.7 million annually in 2025-26 and 2026-27 before dropping to over $2.1 million annually over the remaining four years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks had no choice. They had to create cap room to become cap compliant at the start of next season and to improve their roster after missing the playoffs over the past three years. They obviously couldn’t find any takers for Ekman-Larsson in the trade market because of his contract and the decline in his performance over the past few years. He now becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Coyotes’ cap hit isn’t as harsh. It’s $20K in 2023-24 and $320K in 2024-25, rising to $650K in 2025-26 and 2026-27 and dropping to $290K for the final four years. However, they lose one of their three retained salary slots over the eight-year period of the buyout.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL teams can only have three contracts with salary retained on their books at any one time. The Coyotes now have two slots remaining.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils filed to take Timo Meier to arbitration but the club could soon have an agreement on a new contract with the 26-year-old winger. General manager Tom Fitzgerald indicated that Meier has instructed his agent to negotiate an eight-year contract with the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils filed for arbitration to set a date to reach an agreement with Meier on a new contract rather than have it drag out throughout the offseason. The move also prevents the winger from signing his qualifying offer and prevents a rival team from swooping in with an offer sheet.

This report indicates there’s a mutual desire to get a long-term contract done. Fitzgerald indicated both sides are in constant communication.

The arbitration period is from late July into early August. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the two sides hammer out a new deal by the end of this month.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs and head coach Sheldon Keefe are expected to discuss a contract extension later this summer. Keefe’s current contract expires at the end of 2023-24.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for Keefe losing his job. It appears the only significant shakeup for the Leafs this summer took place in the management office.

Keefe and Brad Treliving, the Leafs new general manager, are currently interviewing candidates to replace former assistant coach Spencer Carbery, who’s now the head coach of the Washington Capitals.

YAHOO! SPORTS: cited NHL insider Chris Johnston reporting the Leafs are unlikely to re-sign pending unrestricted free agents Michael Bunting, Alex Kerfoot and Justin Holl.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bunting is the most notable of this trio after exceeding expectations on a two-year deal worth $1.9 million. He’s evidently priced himself out of Toronto.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: It appears the Red Wings are unlikely to re-sign any of their pending UFAs. They reportedly made contract offers to Pius Suter and Alex Chiasson but both players passed on those offers.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers re-signed defenseman Zac Jones to a one-year, two-way contract worth $800K in the first season and $825 K in 2024-25.

SPORTS MEDIA WATCH: Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights was the least-watched Game 5 in 29 years. That game was the Cup-clincher for the Golden Knights as they won the series in five games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Critics of the NHL’s expansion into non-traditional markets have pounced on this as proof that hockey fans don’t want to see Stanley Cup Finals involving Sun Belt teams. UFC president Dana White believes it’s because the league is run by “old dumb f**king people who have no idea what’s going on” when it comes to marketing their product.

White’s salty assessment of NHL marketing isn’t without its merits. However, the ratings for Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final saw an increase of 11 percent compared to the average Cup Final viewership from 2017-21 and was the second-most watched Stanley Cup Final game ever on cable.

I’d argue that the low ratings for Game 5 had more to do with how lopsided this series became as the Golden Knights dominated the underdog Panthers. Three of their five wins were by a margin of at least three goals, with Game 5 a 9-3 blowout in which Vegas was up 6-1 by the end of the second period.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 16, 2023

by | Jun 16, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – June 16, 2023

Check out the latest on Erik Karlsson, Alex DeBrincat, and Brett Pesce in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SHARKS WILL ATTEMPT TO TRADE KARLSSON

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports San Jose Sharks management met with Erik Karlsson’s representatives last week with both sides agreeing they’ll attempt to get a trade done. The 33-year-old defenseman wants to play for a winner and the Sharks are rebuilding.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Karlsson has four more years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $11.5 million. LeBrun wonders if there’s a team out there willing to take on that contract or how much the Sharks will have to retain to get a deal done. Karlsson also has a full no-movement clause giving him the final say.

LeBrun said there’s no guarantee a trade gets done. Nevertheless, several teams have been “kicking tires” in recent days.

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman and Harman Dayal recently listed the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators as clubs that could be interested. They admitted it would take “a lot of creativity to overcome the logistical challenges and this exercise revealed the lack of optimal fits.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goldman and Dayal didn’t state that those teams were in fact interested but merely suggested that they could be good destinations for Karlsson. They also went into greater detail than what I’ve summarized regarding why he might fit with those clubs as well as the considerable obstacles.

Karlsson’s career-best 101-point season would make him a very enticing trade target if not for that hefty contract. His age makes it a gamble for any club taking on those final four years. His cap hit is probably too expensive for any team to acquire with a salary cap rising by just $1 million for next season. His no-movement clause limits where the Sharks can send him.

It was rumored before the trade deadline that the Sharks were willing to retain 20 percent of Karlsson’s cap hit. They’ll have to go much higher than that. The creativity Goldman and Dayal referred to includes a three-team trade where the cap hit gets spread around so the receiving team pays considerably less. However, that could still mean the Sharks retain up to 50 percent.

Anything’s possible, of course, and the Sharks might surprise us and pull this off. Still, it’s going to be a daunting challenge.

WILL THE SENATORS AND DEBRINCAT END UP IN ARBITRATION?

TSN: Chris Johnston noted the Ottawa Senators electing to take Alex DeBrincat to arbitration is setting a window for when the 25-year-old winger is traded. DeBrincat would be more valuable to them in the trade market if he’s on a multi-year contract. Johnston anticipates they’ll want to trade him by the end of July or early August when the arbitration hearings are underway.

Johnston believes the Senators will push to get a trade done much sooner than that, perhaps sooner than the upcoming NHL Draft (June 28-29). There’s said to be very strong interest from the small list of trade destinations the DeBrincat camp provided to the Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Taking DeBrincat to arbitration has given the Senators control of the situation. As the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch pointed out, the winger can’t sign his $9 million qualifying offer nor can he sign an offer sheet from a rival club. If they do trade him, it gives DeBrincat the opportunity to discuss a contract extension with his new club.

Garrioch believes the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Detroit Red Wings are on DeBrincat’s list. He also suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken as destinations, reminding us that the winger lacks no-trade protection.

COULD THE HURRICANES TRADE PESCE?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes hope to re-sign Brett Pesce to a contract extension this summer. Failing that, however, he believes they could shop the 28-year-old defenseman for the best possible return.

LeBrun indicated the Buffalo Sabres have reached out to the Hurricanes regarding Pesce’s status. Darren Dreger, meanwhile, believes the Edmonton Oilers could also be interested. He acknowledged the cap-strapped Oilers would have to shed salary by perhaps trading winger Warren Foegele or defenseman Cody Ceci in a cost-cutting move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Edmonton Journal’s David Staples expressed skepticism over whether the Oilers can acquire Pesce. He believes the Hurricanes’ asking price will be high (likely a first-rounder and a good young player) plus he doesn’t think the Oilers can afford to sign Pesce to a long-term contract. He also doubted the Hurricanes would be interested in Foegele or Ceci or Kailer Yamamoto as part of the return.

Buffalo Hockey Now’s Michael Augello, meanwhile, suggested the Sabres could be in on Pesce as a one-year rental, though it would also make sense for them to try and sign him to a long-term extension.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 16, 2023

by | Jun 16, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 16, 2023

The Devils sign Jesper Bratt to an eight-year deal but will take Timo Meier to arbitration, the Senators also elect arbitration for Alex DeBrincat, Jarome Iginla returns to the Flames and John LeClair to the Flyers. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils re-signed Jesper Bratt to an eight-year, $63 million contract on Thursday. The average annual value is $7.87 million.

New Jersey Devils winger Jesper Bratt (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bratt was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. He is completing a one-year contract worth $5.45 million. The cap hit also keeps him below Jack Hughes’ $8 million AAV, which leads all Devils forwards.

The 24-year-old winger’s new contract is front-loaded. He’ll earn $10 million in actual salary next season, declining gradually down to $6 million in 2030-31. He also gets a full no-movement clause from 2024-25 to 2027-28, after which it becomes a 15-team no-trade clause with his no-movement preventing him from being sent to the minors.

It’s a significant investment in Bratt by the Devils. He earned this raise with back-to-back 73-point performances. With their Stanley Cup window opening, they obviously consider the winger to be a key part of their future. It will be money well-invested if Bratt maintains that level of production through most of this contract.

The Devils also filed team-elected arbitration with Timo Meier. They had hoped to get the 26-year-old winger signed up for the same term as Bratt but he seeks more money.

Meier was acquired from the San Jose Sharks before the March trade deadline. The Sharks reportedly went over $9 million annually in their efforts to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This report suggests that taking Meier to arbitration is a way of buying time as the two sides continue to negotiate a new contract. The date for his hearing will be sometime in July or August but both sides could hammer out an agreement on a deal before then.

Meier is coming off a four-year contract with an AAV of $6 million. However, he earned $10 million in actual salary, which is what it would’ve cost the Devils to qualify his rights. In the worst-case scenario, the team-elected arbitration would reduce that qualifying offer to $8.5 million as one-year arbitration awards can be at 85 percent of the QO.

This move also ensures Meier won’t receive an offer sheet. Given how high his qualifying offer amount would’ve been, it’s doubtful that any club would’ve attempted to go that route.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators are taking winger Alex DeBrincat to team-elected arbitration. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a new contract, the arbitration award would be 85 percent of his $9 million qualifying offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrincat, 25, earned $6.4 million annually on his current contract but $9 million in actual salary this season. The report also indicates the Senators are actively shopping him and would prefer to get a deal done before July 1.

If they’re unable to move him, getting him signed to a one-year deal at $7.65 million provides them with cap flexibility to add another player. It would also perhaps make him more enticing as a trade candidate.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Jarome Iginla has returned to the Flames as the special advisor to general manager Craig Conroy. The all-time franchise leader in scoring and games played, the popular former captain was traded by the Flames to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Iginla spent 16 of his 20 NHL seasons in Calgary. He retired as a player in 2018 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.

It was long assumed that Iginla might one day return to the Flames in a front-office role. Conroy said he and his former teammate used to talk about one day working together in the NHL.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers yesterday announced John LeClair is returning to the club as a special advisor of hockey operations. He spent 10 seasons with the Flyers from 1994-95 to 2003-04, scoring 333 goals and 310 assists.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeClair was part of the Flyers’ famed “Legion of Doom” line alongside Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg. He’s among their single-season leaders in goals (51) and career leaders in goals and points (643).

LeClair joins general manager Daniel Briere, president of hockey operations Keith Jones and special advisor to hockey ops Patrick Sharp among former Flyers recently hired to front-office roles.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will undergo shoulder surgery that could keep him out of training camp in September. He expects to be ready to go by the time the regular season begins in October.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad is the second Panthers blueliner undergoing shoulder surgery. However, he’s expected to be ready to return in time for the start of training camp.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars traded forward Fredrik Olofsson’s rights to the Colorado Avalanche for future considerations. They also re-signed goaltender Matt Murray to a one-year, two-way contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No, not that Matt Murray, Leafs fans…

NHL.COM: The order of selection for all seven rounds of the upcoming 2023 NHL Draft has been released. Round one begins on June 28 with the following six rounds on June 29.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear in mind that this list could be revised if there are trades involving 2023 draft picks leading up to June 28.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Tampa Bay Lightning are reportedly set to sell a minority stake of their franchise to private equity group Arctos Sports Partners for a record $1.4 billion.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Last fall, Forbes indicated that 14 of the NHL’s 32 teams were valued at $1 billion or higher, with the Lightning sitting 14th at $1 billion. Selling their minority stake for more than its estimated value will have a ripple effect on the value of the other NHL franchises.

ESPN.COM: Las Vegas police arrested a man who threatened to carry out a mass shooting at T-Mobile Arena just four hours before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final was played there.

Court records indicate the man has arrests in Las Vegas on various charges stretching back to 2014. He was also arrested last October on a felony charge of threatening an act of terrorism or mass destruction.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 15, 2023

by | Jun 15, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – June 15, 2023

How will the impending sale of the Senators affect their offseason plans? What’s the latest on the Canadiens? Could the Predators explore this summer’s trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports speculation began over what changes Michael Andlauer could make to the Senators following news of his agreement in principle to purchase the club. Whatever he has in store must wait until the sale is officially completed, which could take several weeks or months.

Ottawa Senators winger Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).

That won’t affect the offseason plans of general manager Pierre Dorion and his staff as they prepare for the upcoming draft in Nashville (June 28-29) and the start of the free-agent period on July 1. Dorion must also consider possible trade options for restricted free-agent winger Alex DeBrincat.

DeBrincat lacks a no-trade clause but he and his agent provided the Senators with a list of preferred trade destinations. Garrioch reports the list includes his hometown Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars. He pointed out that the Panthers and Golden Knights lack the salary-cap space to make a deal for DeBrincat so there would have to be some major juggling to do that.

Garrioch also indicated that DeBrincat will receive his $9 million qualifying offer from the Senators on June 25. Dorion will have until 5 pm Monday to determine if he’ll elect arbitration in the hope of getting a 15 percent discount on that qualifying offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s anticipated that the Senators will attempt to move DeBrincat prior to the first round (June 28) of this year’s draft. As Garrioch noted, this is the time to strike when the iron’s hot while general managers have the cap space and the willingness to spend in the trade market.

The Red Wings have plenty of cap space and need additional scoring. However, they could be seeking more of a power forward than a finesse player.

I doubt the Golden Knights and Panthers will get into the bidding. Nevertheless, their respective general managers have well-earned reputations for making significant moves.

Like the Golden Knights and Panthers, the Stars lack sufficient cap room. GM Jim Nill could be in the market for more affordable depth. Encouraged by the play of promising young players like Wyatt Johnston, he could also promote a youngster such as Mavrik Bourque.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu confirmed a Radio-Canada report claiming the Montreal Canadiens are attempting to move up in the 2023 first-round draft order. Currently holding the fifth-overall pick, they’ve attempted to swap picks with the fourth-overall San Jose Sharks and have contacted the Anaheim Ducks about the second-overall selection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Basu observed that the cost of jumping to second overall would be astronomical but worth it to land a highly-touted prospect like Adam Fantilli. If this wasn’t Connor Bedard’s draft year, Fantilli would be the favorite to go first overall.

I don’t see the Habs prying that pick away from the Ducks but it doesn’t hurt to ask. The same goes for trying to get the Sharks’ pick.

Basu also reports the Canadiens will not buy out winger Mike Hoffman. The first contract buyout window for NHL teams opens today and runs until 5 pm ET on June 30. They are willing to retain half of Hoffman’s $4.5 million cap hit in a trade but that seems unlikely to happen given he didn’t produce enough to justify the cost.

The Canadiens won’t be tendering a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Denis Gurianov. However, they haven’t ruled out signing him as an unrestricted free agent to a one-year deal at a reduced rate.

They’re also interested in signing pending UFA center Sean Monahan to an affordable one-year deal to give him a chance to prove he can stay healthy and improve his value in next summer’s free-agent market.

PREDATORS EXPLORING THE TRADE MARKET

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher reports Predators general manager Barry Trotz intends to go shopping for offensive-minded players in this summer’s trade market. He’s willing to spend as much of the club’s $15.5 million in projected cap space for 2023-24 as possible to achieve that aim.

Trotz doesn’t anticipate he’ll be a big player in this summer’s UFA market, describing it as “a little bit lean.” He also wants to add players “that fit our culture.” He’s pitched trade offers to clubs that are looking to shed salary.

Gallagher observed there are three teams (Montreal, Tampa Bay and Vancouver) with less than $1 million in cap space. He also noted there will be several others looking to move a player with a sizable cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens will garner $10.5 million in cap relief by placing all-but-retired sidelined goalie Carey Price on long-term injury reserve. Still, they’ll be open to moving out a veteran forward like Mike Hoffman to free up cap room.

Meanwhile, the Lightning will garner over $6.8 million in LTIR cap relief due to permanently sidelined defenseman Brent Seabrook.

It’s been well-documented the Canucks are actively trying to shed salary. They’re believed to be shopping Conor Garland but Trotz might have his eye on scoring winger Brock Boeser.