NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2024

by | Dec 12, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2024

A look at some intriguing trade candidates and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos released his first trade board of the 2024-25 NHL season. He’s broken his list down into several categories.

Under “Intriguing Names to Watch,” Kypreos includes Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett, Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot, San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro, and Nashville Predators blueliner Alexandre Carrier.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

Bennett is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Kypreos indicates there’s a risk the Panthers could lose him to the UFA market which isn’t appealing to general manager Bill Zito. From what Kypreos has been told, Zito will listen to offers.

Kypreos believes the Colorado Avalanche would pursue Bennett to fill the void of Gabriel Landeskog’s ongoing absence. He also speculated the Dallas Stars would seek a replacement for sidelined forward Tyler Seguin, wondering if they’d part with Mason Marchment to get Bennett.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Bennett before the March 7 deadline would be a bold move by Zito. However, I don’t see him going that route with his club attempting to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. The return would have to be significant. Marchment might do it but the Stars could be reluctant to part with him.

Kypreos thinks the Senators could make a big trade involving Chabot to shake things up if they’re out of playoff contention by the deadline. He has three years left on his contract with a 10-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A Chabot trade is more likely to occur in the offseason when teams have the cap space to take on his $8 million annual salary-cap hit. The Senators could retain half of it but having $4 million in dead cap space for each of the next three seasons might not appeal to them.

Ferraro surfaced in trade rumors last season and will be present again in 2024-25. The 26-year-old Sharks blueliner has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $3.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks could entertain offers for Ferraro if he intends to test the market in 2026.

If the Predators continue to struggled they could be forced to make some changes. Carrier has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carrier also surfaced in last season’s rumor mill before he signed his current contract with the Predators.

Kypreos also included Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri, New York Islanders center Brock Nelson, Senators center Josh Norris, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider, and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Those players have frequently appeared here and on other trade boards in recent weeks so there was no point in rehashing their situations.

Kypreos also listed the pending UFAs likely to be trade candidates. They include Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov and forward Mathieu Olivier, Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers, Pittsburgh Penguins blueliner Marcus Pettersson, the Islanders’ Brock Nelson, Chicago Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall, Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde and winger Brandon Tanev, Ducks forward Frank Vatrano, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These players have frequently appeared here and on other trade boards because of their pending UFA status.

The Jets could hang onto Ehlers as an own rental as they attempt to stage a run for the Cup this season. The Islanders could also hang onto Nelson if they’re in playoff contention by the deadline. Kypreos noted that Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell downplayed the Olivier rumors and is working on re-signing him.

Kypreos suggested the Kraken could attempt to peddle goaltender Philipp Grubauer. They’ll have to retain part of his $5.9 million AAV that runs through 2026-27. The Kraken could buy him out this summer if they find no takers in the trade market.

The Ducks’ John Gibson was included with Grubauer as two goalies of note in the market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not impossible to move Grubauer or Gibson during the season but such attempts are more likely in the offseason. It’s possible they’re both bought out this summer if there’s no trade market for their services.

Kypreos also listed energy players like the Flyers’ Scott Laughton, the Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow, and the Penguins’ Drew O’Connor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton and Goodrow have term left on their contracts which could make it tougher to move them during the season. O’Connor is UFA-eligible and more likely to move.

TORONTO STAR: Kypreos also reports it sounds unlikely the Ducks will attempt to flip recently acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba at the trade deadline. He claims they see him as a big part of their rebuild plus it will provide his wife with wonderful opportunities in the medical field. Kypreos claims the Ducks are exploring signing Trouba to a contract extension on July 1.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 13, 2024

by | Nov 13, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 13, 2024

Connor McDavid is on the verge of 1,000 points, the Jets win again, candidates for the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025, the Penguins trade Lars Eller to the Capitals, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: A four-point performance lifted Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid to within one point of 1,000 for his career in a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders. McDavid had a goal and three assists for 999 career regular-season points, including the primary assist on the overtime goal by Leon Draisaitl, who tallied twice in this game. Evan Bouchard had three points for the Oilers. Anders Lee scored two goals for the Islanders, who got a 38-save performance from goaltender Ilya Sorokin.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid can become the fourth-fastest and fourth-youngest player to reach the 1,000-point plateau when the Oilers faced the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Draisaitl has 12 goals, tying Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield and Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart for the league lead.

The Winnipeg Jets beat the New York Rangers 6-3, becoming the fastest team in NHL history to reach 15 wins while extending their winning streak to seven games. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each scored two goals, Neal Pionk had three assists and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 33 shots for the league-leading Jets (15-1-0, 30 points). Will Cuylle had a goal and an assist for the Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets announced earlier in the day that defenseman Logan Stanley was placed on injured reserve with a middle-body injury. They also claimed goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche.

New Jersey Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom kicked out 34 shots in a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers. Jesper Bratt and Dougie Hamilton each had two assists for the Devils. Sam Reinhart tallied for the Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers center Sam Bennett missed this game with an upper-body injury.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak scored with 1:47 remaining in the third period to lift his club over the St. Louis Blues 3-2. The Bruins overcame a 2-0 deficit on goals by Morgan Geekie and Charlie McAvoy, setting the stage for Pastrnak’s winner. Brayden Schenn and Oskar Sundqvist scored for the Blues, who’ve lost three in a row.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly win for the Bruins as defenseman Hampus Lindholm left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury. There was no postgame update on his condition.

Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark made 27 saves in a 3-0 shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Josh Norris, Tim Stutzle and Michael Amadio were the goalscorers and Artem Zub picked up two assists for the Senators. Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz turned aside 38 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators dominated the Leafs in this game. They would’ve won by a wider margin if not for Stolarz’s performance in the Leafs net.

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson had a goal and an assist to defeat the Calgary Flames 3-1. J.T. Miller picked up two assists and Kevin Lankinen made 28 stops for the Canucks. Justin Kirkland replied for the Flames, who got a 29-save effort from goalie Dan Vladar.

A four-goal second period carried the Seattle Kraken to a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle each had two assists and Joey Daccord made 38 saves for the Kraken. Sean Kuraly and Zach Aston-Reese each had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who’ve dropped three in a row.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith, Carey Price and Ryan Getzlaf highlight the first-year eligible candidates for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025. The Hall’s bylaws allow the selection of four male inductees per year.

Other potential NHL player first-year eligible candidates include Tuukka Rask, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal and Dustin Brown.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chara, Thornton and Keith should be locks for next season. Price and Getzlaf could get in for 2026.

Jarome Iginla and Ed Olczyk will join the Hall of Fame selection committee commencing with 2025 nomination and election proceedings.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins traded center Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder originally from Chicago.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eller previously spent nearly seven seasons with the Capitals (2016-17 to 2022-23), helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2018. He’ll help them shore up their third-line center position for this season. Eller is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said he’d been working on trading Eller since the spring. He added that this move brought in additional assets while freeing up space on their roster for a younger player.

Does this trade signal a fire sale in Pittsburgh? I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumors update.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Anaheim Ducks placed Robby Fabbri (lower body) and Cam Fowler (upper body) on injured reserve and listed center Mason McTavish as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. They also placed veteran goaltender James Reimer on waivers.

NHL.COM: Former Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland has joined the league’s hockey operations department as a consultant.

SPORTSNET: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league could look at playing more games overseas in the coming years as it continues to grow its brand globally.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2024

by | Oct 25, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the Canadiens and the Utah Hockey Club are exploring the trade market plus updates on Panthers forward Sam Bennett and Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson.

CANADIENS, UTAH SHOPPING AROUND FOR DEFENSEMEN

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports he’s been talking with teams around the league who say that Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has started making calls to conduct due diligence and determine which players might be available in the trade market.

He believes Hughes is open to making a move that could shake up his roster a bit and help his rebuilding club win some games this season. So far, there’s no activity in the trade market and nothing imminent for the Canadiens.

LeBrun points out the Canadiens aren’t going to mortgage their future as their long-term plan remains in place. They also have limited cap space this season so any deal would have to be dollar-in, dollar-out.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli told Sportsnet the Canadiens are checking prices for a top-four, right-shot defenseman.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens aren’t the only team looking for that kind of blueliner…

LeBrun also said the Utah Hockey Club is looking to plug some holes in their defense with Sean Durzi and John Marino sidelined for months recovering from surgeries.

They’ve reportedly contacted the Columbus Blue Jackets about Ivan Provorov. The 27-year-old rearguard is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July and could be in demand as a playoff rental player by the March 7 trade deadline. However, the Blue Jackets aren’t ready to part with him yet as they don’t want to take away from their roster this early in the season.

LeBrun mentioned the Toronto Maple Leafs might be open to moving Timothy Liljegren. However, the 25-year-old might not appeal to Utah because he has term remaining on his deal. Liljegren is signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $3 million.

Darren Dreger pointed out that Dante Fabbro of the Nashville Predators might be available. The 26-year-old has been available before in the trade market. He also carries an affordable $2.5 million cap hit. Dreger noted the Predators are in the market for a center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also mentioned Utah could shop around for a right-shot defenseman. He also mentioned the emergence of Michael Kesselring has partially alleviated that problem. LeBrun believes they’ll look to within and see if they can ride this out. Nevertheless, they could be worth monitoring if losses mount because of their depleted defense.

Friedman also pointed out that Predators GM Barry Trotz wants to add a center. Maybe there’s a deal there to be had with the Canadiens or Utah.

LATEST ON BENNETT AND GIBSON

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports the Florida Panthers could find it trickier getting Sam Bennett under contract compared to their signings of Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe. He claims both sides are miles apart with little chance of a resolution anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson will soon return to the lineup following an emergency appendectomy earlier this month. Kypreos claimed the Carolina Hurricanes were close to acquiring the 31-year-old netminder in the offseason but the deal fell through. Interest in Gibson could heat up with Colorado, Detroit and Pittsburgh having problems between the pipes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson carries an AAV of $6.4 million through 2026-27. Kypreos claims Ducks GM Pat Verbeek is willing to retain part of it if he gets a top asset in return. We’ll see if one of those teams will bite.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 11, 2024

by | Oct 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 11, 2024

The latest on Igor Shesterkin, Mikko Rantanen, Sam Bennett and Alexis Lafreniere, an update on the Islanders, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Darren Dreger provided updates on the contract negotiations between Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers.

Dreger said Shesterkin is just focusing on playing his game now that the season has begun. The recent report claiming he rejected an eight-year, $88 million offer hasn’t fazed him at all. Some believe his range is $11.5 million and $11.7 million, which would make him the highest-paid Ranger.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cited a source who believes Shesterkin wants to set the market for goaltenders so high that no one will top him for a while. He knows that the Rangers need him and have to sign him.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

D’Amico’s source said the Rangers don’t have an issue making him the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender. “Where the number starts with an 11 or 12, he will be the standard.

Both sides are still negotiating. Shesterkin wants to stay in New York and the Rangers want to keep him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’re not even a week into this season and Shesterkin’s contract situation is dominating the rumor mill. This risks becoming an unnecessary distraction for the Rangers this season.

Turning to Mikko Rantanen, Pierre LeBrun doesn’t think anything’s imminent regarding his contract talks with the Colorado Avalanche. He believes Rantanen’s agent will factor in the rise of the salary cap and the percentage of the cap.

LeBrun thinks Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million average annual value is a bit of an internal cap for the Avalanche. This could get done but not everyone knows for sure if it will.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: $12.5 million annually for eight years could do it but the Avs could be trying to keep it in the $11 million range.

The Florida Panthers signing Carter Verhaeghe to a long-term extension earlier this week prompted Dreger to wonder whether they’ll re-sign versatile two-way forward Sam Bennett.

Dreger believes the Panthers want to keep Bennett. However, he could become a big-ticket player in next summer’s free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett is that guy you hate to play against but love to have on your team. He’s making over $4.4 million annually on his current contract and could seek an average annual value of around $7 million.

THE SCORE: cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting the Rangers have been working on a new contract with Alexis Lafreniere since the summer. Different options are on the table, including an eight-year deal with an AAV of $8 million.

Lafreniere, 23, is in the final season of a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.33 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lafreniere’s breakout performance last season signals better things to come for the 2020 first-overall pick. Getting him locked into a new long-term deal as soon as possible could pay significant dividends against the salary cap down the road.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes New York Islanders winger Pierre Engvall could be a great trade target for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Engvall, 28, cleared waivers earlier this week and was sent to the Isles’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. He’s in the second season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $3 million.

Bailey believes Flyers head coach John Tortorella might be able to unlock something more from Engvall, whose inconsistent play with the Isles led to his demotion. He pointed to the winger’s size, speed and solid puck possession numbers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of you might suggest that if the Flyers wanted him they could’ve claimed him off waivers without giving up anything in return. However, trading for him now means he doesn’t have to pass through waivers again if the Flyers decide to demote him to their AHL affiliate.

Nevertheless, I doubt the Flyers will be interested. Engvall may be an analytics darling but his overall game needs improvement. He failed to produce more offense as a middle-six forward. The length of his contract is also a concern.

TSN: Chris Johnston reports Mark Giordano, John Klingberg, Kevin Shattenkirk and Justin Schultz remain available. The four defensemen are unrestricted free agents still hoping to land NHL jobs. Johnston indicated Schultz turned down some NHL offers and could play in Europe if he doesn’t find the right fit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They could still land jobs if injuries strike early in the season or if cap-strapped clubs find themselves seeking affordable blueline depth.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 28, 2024

by | Aug 28, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 28, 2024

The latest on Panthers center Sam Bennett, the Canucks’ goalie options if Thatcher Demko is unavailable for training camp, Wild GM Bill Guerin talks about his expectations for this season and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett offers no apologies for his physical style of play and that of his teammates.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

“There’s definitely a lot of people that don’t like the way I play,” said Bennett during his appearance on TSN’s “First Up with Korolnek and Colaiacovo”. “I think it goes for a lot of guys on our team. It’s kind of part of what makes us successful, I think. We have so many guys willing to do what it takes to win.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Two straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final and a championship this season speaks to the success of the Panthers’ style of play. However, physicality isn’t the only reason. They have stars like Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Sergei Bobrovsky, underrated players like Carter Verhaeghe and Gustav Forsling, and skilled, gritty versatile two-way players like Bennett.

This season could be more challenging for Bennett and his teammates. The Panthers lost Brandon Montour, Vladimir Tarasenko, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz, Nick Cousins and Kevin Stenlund to free agency this summer. Meanwhile, injuries have hampered long-time defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

The Panthers face a daunting challenge reaching the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight year. The Tampa Bay Lightning did it in 2022, making them the first team to do so since the 1985 Edmonton Oilers.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston examined the options for the Vancouver Canucks to shore up their goaltending depth. Starter Thatcher Demko remains questionable for training camp as he rehabs an undisclosed injury.

Netminders Arturs Silovs, Jiri Patera, and Nikita Tolopilo will be in training camp, with Silovs and Patera having some NHL experience.

Options include a professional tryout offer to unrestricted free agent goalies, signing a UFA like Kevin Lankinen to a one-year contract, claiming a netminder off waivers, or making a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cost of adding another goalie will be a factor. Vancouver is pressed against the $88 million salary cap but can garner some cap relief by placing sidelined defenseman Tucker Poolman and his $2.5 million contract on long-term injury reserve.

THE SCORE: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin acknowledged the difficulties his club has faced due to the ongoing salary-cap constraints from the contract buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Nevertheless, he’s expecting a bounce-back performance following their disappointing 2023-24 campaign.

Guerin believes injuries were to blame for his club missing the playoffs last season. “If we can stay healthy, we can get back to our 100-point seasons and get back into the playoffs and improve on what we’ve done.”

The Wild GM also believes his scorers must get off to a better start this season. He’s also hoping 2022 draft pick Liam Ohgren can be an impact player and expects promising goalie Jesper Wallstedt will see more playing time.

TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have concerns about Jani Hakanpaa’s knee injury.

The Leafs reportedly agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the 32-year-old defenseman. However, Johnston reports he hasn’t signed a deal with them.

Johnston claims Hakanpaa’s knee is “basically bone on bone by this point”. The blueliner believes he can still play but medical opinions suggest otherwise.

The longer this goes, the less likely Hakanpaa will have a contract with the Leafs for the coming season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston noted the last time Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke about Hakanpaa’s status was during the introduction of Auston Matthews as their new captain two weeks ago.

At the time, Treliving said the situation would be resolved one way or another soon. We’ll likely know by the start of the Leafs training camp on Sep. 22.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford hired Justin Pogge as their new goaltending coach.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2024

by | Aug 10, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2024

An early look at next summer’s top potential unrestricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill. 

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl topped Carol Schram’s recent list of next summer’s top potential NHL unrestricted free agents. She considered it inevitable that they would re-sign with their respective clubs

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since Schram’s list was published on Aug. 1, Crosby and the Penguins are reportedly close to an agreement on a contract extension. Meanwhile, talks between Draisaitl and the Oilers are in the preliminary stage but look positive thus far. 

Turning to the 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, Aaron Ekblad, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett could face uncertain futures. Verhaeghe and Bennett could price themselves out of Florida. Schram wouldn’t be surprised if the 29-year-old Ekblad is traded this season. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers speculate Ekblad might re-sign with the Panthers if his value in the UFA market is lower than expected. Others think he could be moved while Verhaeghe and Bennett are re-signed. 

Turning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the cone of silence has dropped on Mitch Marner. “Extend? Get traded? Leave in free agency? All three options still seem like very real possibilities,” writes Schram. She also considers it “highly possible” that Leafs captain John Tavares moves on next summer. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner’s no-movement clause ensures he’ll finish this season with the Leafs unless he changes his mind about a trade. Signing an extension or departing next July as a UFA seems the more likely. As for Tavares, some observers suggested that they might keep him if he’s willing to accept a big pay cut on a short-term deal. 

Schram believes the Colorado Avalanche intends to re-sign winger Mikko Rantanen but must determine what the future holds for sidelined captain Gabriel Landeskog and suspended winger Valeri Nichushkin. 

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser finally realized his potential last season with a 40-goal campaign. However, he could be headed to a change of scenery if he seeks more than the Canucks are willing to pay. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche will find a way to sign Rantanen and keep their Stanley Cup window open. It will become easier if Landeskog and his $7 million annual cap hit remain on long-term injury reserve. Meanwhile, Boeser’s situation will be interesting to monitor. Another 40-goal campaign could price him out of Vancouver’s market. Then again, it seemed almost certain he was going to be traded two years ago and the Canucks held onto him. 

Jamie Benn’s days of averaging $9.5 million annually are ending. However, the Dallas Stars could hang onto their 35-year-old captain with a series of one-year, bonus-laden contracts. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn likely wants to stay in Dallas and lead the Stars to the Stanley Cup. They’ll want to keep him around. 

Schram also noted there’s a decent crop of UFA defensemen. They included Ryan Lindgren of the New York Rangers, Jake McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals, Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets, Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights, Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings, and Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad is the most notable name among next summer’s top UFAs but it’s clear that next summer’s UFA market is much deeper in big-name forwards. Schram expects some will be re-signed before July 1 and some retained by their teams as “own-rentals” for the 2025 playoffs. 

The most likely to be moved could be Chychrun, Gavrikov, and Provorov if their respective teams are out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline. 

Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers tops Schram’s list of the notable UFA goaltenders. He’s likely to be re-signed but could be seeking a record-breaking salary for a netminder. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s assumed Shesterkin could get around $12.5 million annually. If the Rangers won’t pay it, another club will happily do so via free agency. I’ll be shocked if he ends up signing elsewhere on July 1. 

Linus Ullmark could set himself up for a big payday if he replicates his 2023 Vezina Trophy form with the Ottawa Senators. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: What Ullmark does in that scenario will be interesting to observe. Will he stay with the Senators if they meet his asking price? Does he spurn them regardless and hit the open market? Most will assume the latter but you never know.

Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken rose to prominence after all but stealing the starter’s job from Philipp Grubauer. Schram wondered if the Kraken could tempt him to stay. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daccord carries a $1.2 million cap hit. A decent raise on a four or five-year contract and the opportunity to be the Kraken’s starting goalie could be all the enticement he’d need.