NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2024

by | Aug 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the ongoing concern over Sidney Crosby’s contract talks while the Blues’ addition of Philip Broberg leaves them with a logjam on defense.

LATEST ON SIDNEY CROSBY

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Jason Mackey last weekend observed the “weird amount of silence” regarding Sidney Crosby’s contract extension talks with the Penguins. He considers the situation “worrisome”.

Mackey suggested the 37-year-old center’s best shot of winning his fourth Stanley Cup isn’t in Pittsburgh and it might be best for the Penguins to blow up the roster and start over. However, he doesn’t expect Crosby to depart or the Penguins to start rebuilding.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, the longer this situation goes the more Mackey believes one side doesn’t want to dance.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Josh Yohe believes Crosby wants to finish his career with the Penguins even if it means he might not get another shot at winning the Cup. Calling the future Hall-of-Famer “a man of integrity and loyalty”, Yohe thinks that winning the Cup with Pittsburgh over the next five years means more than winning it with another team.

Asked by a reader what a hypothetical Crosby trade might look like, Yohe doesn’t see the Penguins captain getting moved. However, if it came to pass, he expects the return would be “a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, a top prospect, and a young NHL player.” He also thinks they’d have to take on a heavily salaried player to make up the difference under the salary cap for whatever club took on Crosby.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the dog days of the offseason for Penguins followers so there’s little to talk about other than Crosby’s contract. It’s a bit surprising that it hasn’t been done yet but not concerning. As I said before, there’s plenty of time between now and the start of the season to get it done.

It could take until sometime during the season before it’s done However, both sides probably want to avoid that situation as it would become an unnecessary distraction for Crosby and the club.

BLUES FACE A BLUELINE LOGJAM

STLTODAY.COM: Matthew DeFranks noted that the addition of Philip Broberg leaves the St. Louis Blues with 10 defensemen on one-way contracts, joining Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, Nick Leddy, Scott Perunovich, Matthew Kessel, Tyler Tucker, Ryan Suter and Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

At most, the Blues will keep eight defensemen on their roster, leaving two as the odd men out.

Krug’s status is uncertain as he receives treatment for pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle. He could need season-ending surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Surgery for Krug will partly address that crowded blueline. Olivier, Tucker and Kessel can be sent to the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

A trade is also possible but demotions seem the easiest way to address this situation.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2024

by | Aug 21, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2024

The Flyers intend to terminate Ryan Johansen’s contract, the Kraken signed Matty Beniers to a seven-year contract, concerns are raised over Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko’s readiness for this season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers announced Tuesday they were placing center Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract due to a “material breach.”

Johansen, 32, was acquired by the Flyers from the Colorado Avalanche on March 6. He was placed on waivers to be sent to their AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley. However, he missed the remainder of the season with a hip injury despite playing his final game with the Avs two days before the trade.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Ryan Johansen (NHL Images).

Kurt Overhardt, Johansen’s agent, released a statement claiming his client has a severe hockey injury and is scheduled for surgery. He indicated his client has been working “in good faith” with the club, its medical staff, and authorized third-party physicians.

Calling the Flyers’ move “disappointing,”, Overhardt stated he’s been in contact with the NHL Players’ Association to defend his client and his rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Johansen camp intends to contest the contract termination by filing a grievance. This will drag out for several weeks before a decision is reached.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Flyers’ termination of Johansen’s contract could create additional salary cap space for the Nashville Predators. They retained half his $8 million contract when they traded him to the Colorado Avalanche last summer.

Johansen is in the final year of his eight-year contract. If a mediator rules in favor of the Flyers, it will clear $4 million from the Predators’ books for 2024-25.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed Matty Beniers to a seven-year, $50 million contract. Beniers, 21, was a restricted free agent. The average annual value is $7.142 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Beniers won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2022-23 with 24 goals and 57 points in 80 games, helping the Kraken reach the playoffs in their NHL second season. However, he followed up with a disappointing sophomore performance, netting 37 points in 77 games.

The Kraken are betting that Beniers’ 20-point slide last season was merely a blip in his development.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the lack of offseason news about Thatcher Demko has raised media speculation over the health of the Vancouver Canucks goaltender,

Demko, 28, played in Game 1 of the Canucks’ first-round series before being sidelined by a lower-body injury. He missed the remainder of that series and the entirety of their second-round matchup with the Edmonton Oilers but was reportedly close to returning to action before that series ended.

On July 1, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin claimed Demko would be ready for training camp. However, CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reported Tuesday that the netminder is progressing but there’s no timetable for when he’ll be 100 percent healthy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston suggested the Canucks could end this speculation by publishing a statement about Demko’s health. Meanwhile, Dhaliwal speculated they might “continue to poke around the goalie market again” seeking insurance between the pipes.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said limited salary cap space was why his club opted not to match the offer sheets signed last week by Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway with the St. Louis Blues.

Bowman said the decision wasn’t reflective of Broberg and Holloway but rather concerns over the club’s short and long-term salary cap flexibility. The Oilers must ensure they have sufficient cap space to re-sign Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard next summer and Connor McDavid in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Over the weekend, the Oilers acquired winger Vasily Podkolzin from the Canucks and shipped defenseman Cody Ceci to San Jose for blueliner Ty Emberson. Those moves were to address the imminent departures of Broberg and Holloway.

SPORTSNET: Blues GM Doug Armstrong dismissed the belief that he wouldn’t have signed Broberg and Holloway to offer sheets if his friend Ken Holland remained as Oilers general manager.

Armstrong claimed that was the furthest from the truth. “Honestly, I’d do it to my mother if she was managing the Oilers.”

He also laughed off the notion that there was an agreement among general managers not to target each other’s players with offer sheets. “I’ve read what people are writing – if there is a GM code not to do offer sheets, nobody emailed it to me.” He added that offer sheets are a tool everyone uses, “and should use.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: General managers rarely share their true intentions about trades or player signings with friendly pundits. Most trades and free-agent signings take place that media insiders never see coming.

Offer sheet signings are few and far between in the salary cap era. Most general managers prefer not to use that tool as Armstrong suggests. There could be more efforts to go that route but restricted free agents seem to favor negotiating with their clubs.

TSN: At the same time it was confirmed the Oilers wouldn’t match the offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway, the Blues traded prospect defenseman Paul Fischer and a 2028 third-round pick to the Oilers for future considerations.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights signed free-agent forward Tanner Pearson to a professional tryout offer. An 11-season NHL veteran, the 32-year-old winger had 13 points in 54 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens.

CBC.CA: Allan Andrews, the founder of Andrews Hockey School in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, passed away on Monday at age 83.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon. Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand, and former NHL star (and PEI native) Brad Richards are among the graduates of Andrews Hockey School.

Following the news of Andrews’ death, Crosby and Richards praised the impact he and his hockey school had on their lives and careers.

Andrews was awarded the Order of Canada in 2017 and inducted into the PEI Hall of Fame in 2021.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My sincere condolences to Andrews’ family, friends, colleagues, and the staff and alumni of his hockey school.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2024

by | Aug 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2024

What’s the latest on the Oilers’ offer sheet saga? Did Penguins defenseman Kris Letang request a trade to the Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE OILERS’ OFFER SHEET SAGA

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he expects the Oilers will match the St. Louis Blues’ offer sheet to Dylan Holloway but not the one to Philip Broberg.

Speaking with Bob Stauffer of “Oilers Now”, Friedman also believes there’s no way that St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would’ve signed Holloway and Broberg if Ken Holland was still the Oilers GM. “I do think that…Armstrong’s friendship with Ken Holland absolutely plays a role in how this played out,” said Friedman.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg (NHL Images).

The Sportsnet insider also thinks there’s lingering unhappiness on Broberg’s part over how the Oilers handled him this season. He spent much of this season with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

Friedman claimed Broberg asked for a trade in December. He doesn’t believe the blueliner changed his mind. He also claimed Broberg sought $1.8 million annually on his next contract with the Oilers before receiving a two-year offer from the Blues with an annual cap hit of $4.58 million.

Staples colleague Jim Matheson pointed out that signing Broberg would give the Blues 10 defensemen on one-way contracts. He believes the young defenseman could replace Scott Perunovich as the Blues’ second-pairing left-side defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those defensemen is Torey Krug, who could miss this season after being diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch scolded the Oilers for putting themselves in a position where they risk losing two promising young players like Broberg and Holloway to another team via offer sheets.

He believes they should’ve taken a page from the Ottawa Senators’ blueprint with Shane Pinto. Senators GM Steve Staios didn’t waste time signing the 23-year-old center in early July, especially after word got out that Pinto’s agent was shopping around for an offer sheet.

Garrioch claimed the Oilers are trying to trade Cody Ceci ($3.25 million AAV) and Brett Kulak ($2.75 million) to free up cap space to match the offer sheets. He also indicated teams were showing an interest but the Oilers will have to package those players with draft picks like their 2026 first and second-rounders.

The Oilers could also place winger Evander Kane ($5.125 million) on long-term injury reserve if he undergoes surgery for a sports hernia. However, that’s not a given.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are above the cap by over $7.225 million factoring in the new contracts for Broberg and Holloway. That’s how much they must free up to become cap-compliant by their season-opener in October. Trading away Ceci and Kulak won’t achieve that goal if Kane doesn’t go on LTIR. If he does, they must clear cap space for when he returns to action later in the season.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston wondered if the Vancouver Canucks might be one of those clubs interested in Brett Kulak.

Rather than asking for a draft pick along with Kulak, Johnston suggested the Oilers acquire sidelined Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman. He’s been sidelined with migraines since January 2023 and isn’t expected to play again. The Oilers could place Poolman on LTIR, freeing up $2.5 million to match one of those offer sheets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s an interesting suggestion by Johnston. The Oilers could be considering that type of scenario, if not with the Canucks, perhaps with another club carrying a player on permanent LTIR.

DID KRIS LETANG REQUEST A TRADE TO THE CANADIENS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Conor Tomalty recently cited Pittsburgh radio host Mark Madden claiming he’d heard Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang sought a trade to the Montreal Canadiens.

During an Aug. 5 episode of the “Breakfast with Benz” podcast, Madden said he’d heard “there were discussions to try and bring Letang to Montreal at his request, but nothing came of it.”

Letang, 37, is a Montreal native. However, Tomalty doubted the Canadiens would make this move, pointing out they already have a logjam on defense. Even if they did a defenseman-for-defenseman swap, Letang would take up a roster spot from one of their promising blueliners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation linked Letang to the Canadiens when he was negotiating his current contract with the Penguins two years ago but he dismissed it, saying he wanted to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

If Letang changed his mind, why would he request a trade from a team starting to rebuild to another club already deep in their rebuilding process? Surely, he’d prefer a move to a contender where he’d have one last shot at winning another Stanley Cup?

All due respect to Madden but I’m not buying that Letang asked to be traded to Montreal. Assuming he did, I don’t believe the rebuilding Canadiens want a 37-year-old defenseman whose best years are behind him with four years left on his contract at an AAV of $6.1 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2024

by | Aug 16, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2024

Jeremy Swayman updates his contract negotiations with the Bruins, Milan Lucic hopes to continue his playing career, Tony DeAngelo talks about his fight with former Rangers teammate Alexandar Georgiev, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

WEEI.COM: Jeremy Swayman has yet to re-sign with the Boston Bruins. However, he believes they will get a deal done.

“There’s a lot of confidence,” said Swayman. “And I say that because I’ve treated it like a business as usual this year.” He said he’s been working out with his Bruins teammates and staff, adding that he felt they’re building something special for this year and he’s excited about that.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

“I know that it will take care of itself with time, and all I can do is control how I’m going to be a better goalie for the Boston Bruins this year. So, that’s all I’m focused on. And I know, again, it will work out, and I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The St. Louis Blues signing of two Edmonton Oilers players to offer sheets earlier this week has some Bruins observers nervous that another club will attempt to do the same with Swayman.

Anything’s possible but it’s unlikely. Swayman doesn’t sound interested in an offer from another club plus the Bruins have over $8.6 million in cap space this season. They can afford to match an offer for Swayman.

Assuming Swayman would sign an offer sheet, it would have to be an expensive pitch to tempt him and must be unmatchable for Boston.

Anything between $8.7 million and $9.16 million would entitle the Bruins to receive a first, a second and a third-round pick in compensation. Anything between $9.16 million to $11.45 million is two firsts, a second and a third rounder.

Given those high costs, it’s doubtful that a rival team will sign Swayman to an offer sheet.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Former Bruins winger Milan Lucic hopes to resume his playing career this season. The 36-year-old is currently suspended from the NHL after being arrested for assault and battery against a family member last November.

Lucic pled not guilty and the charges were eventually dropped after his wife, Brittany Lucic, invoked marital privilege and refused to testify. He was placed on indefinite leave following his arrest and the Bruins let his contract expire.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lucic would require the approval of commissioner Gary Bettman to resume his NHL career.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo told his side of the story about his infamous fight with teammate Alexandar Georgiev during a January 2021 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

DeAngelo said he and Georgiev weren’t playing well in that game. As they left the ice, he yelled at the goaltender to “make a f**kin’ save!” Georgiev turned and headbutted the defenseman with his mask, prompting the blueliner to retaliate by swinging his stick at Georgiev’s head.

The altercation spilled over into the dressing room and was quickly broken up by their teammates. DeAngelo said he knew the fight in the tunnel shouldn’t have happened and took responsibility for the incident, saying his remark to Georgiev sparked the fight.

DeAngelo wound up placed on waivers and released by the Rangers. He felt the club could’ve handled it differently but acknowledged most of his difficulties that season were his fault. He also said he and Georgiev patched up their differences and there is no bad blood between them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeAngelo played for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021-22 and 2023-24 and the PhiladelphiaFlyers in 2022-23. It’s rumored he could be signing with a KHL club for this season.

TSN: The Washington Capitals brought back winger Jakub Vrana on a professional tryout offer. Vrana, 28, spent nearly five seasons with the Capitals from 2016-17 to 2020-21 until shipped to the Detroit Red Wings at the 2021 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vrana has struggled since leaving the Capitals. He was limited to 26 games in 2021-22 and had a stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program the following season, which included a trade to the St. Louis Blues. This could be his last chance to get his NHL career on track.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former Canadiens forward Steve Begin announced Thursday that he’s declaring bankruptcy. The 46-year-old confirmed the news on Facebook, saying the civil engineering company he’s invested in since 2013 went bankrupt.

“I could have tried to avoid the subject, but I chose to talk openly about it, because I believe there are lessons to be learned,” wrote Begin. He indicated it’s been a trying and hurtful experience for himself and his family, but he intends to push forward “to carry out great projects despite this ordeal.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks saw the headline on social media and felt Begin’s situation was being exploited by the press. That’s not the case at all. He’s going public about the ordeal and wants to explain what’s happened and what he’s learned from it.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The St. Louis Blues and the club’s alumni have each donated $5,000.00 to help pay for medical expenses for the brother and nephew of former Blues player Kyle Brodziak.

Ryan Brodziak and his young son Ozzy were walking their dog in their Sherwood Park, Alberta neighbourhood when they were struck by an out-of-control vehicle. Ryan suffered a spinal core injury and multiple fractures to his spine while Ozzy suffered a fractured skull and a fractured left arm. Their dog was taken to an emergency vet for care and is now home with the family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the Brodziaks.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2024

by | Aug 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2024

What are the Oilers’ options regarding the offer sheets for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway? How could those offer sheets affect other clubs with still-unsigned restricted free agents? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector looked at the options facing the Edmonton Oilers after Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway signed offer sheets with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Broberg’s is a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4,580,917 while Holloway’s is two years with an AAV of $2,290,457. The Oilers have seven days from the date those offers were signed to match them.

The Oilers could afford to walk away as neither player constitutes the difference between winning or losing the Stanley Cup. However, both are former first-round picks on a club with an already thin prospect pipeline.

Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway (NHL Images).

They could opt to retain one or the other. Holloway’s is the most affordable but it would sting to let the promising Broberg let go for peanuts.

Of the two, Spector thinks the Oilers will retain Holloway. He believes it risky to sign Broberg when he might not play up to his cap hit, especially when they’ve got Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard to sign before next summer. He suggests using the second-round pick received from the Blues as trade bait to replace Broberg.

Holloway’s deal is cheaper plus the Oilers could use his speed after adding or retaining veterans like Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, Corey Perry and Adam Henrique.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers can’t afford to match both offers without shedding significant salary. It’s unlikely they’ll let both players walk. Holloway’s offer seems more likely to be matched given its affordability to Broberg’s. The latter’s departure will further weaken the Oilers’ blueline, forcing them into the trade or free-agent markets for an affordable short-term replacement.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio doesn’t anticipate the Blues’ attempt to sign away Broberg and Holloway from the Oilers will inspire other clubs to try and sign Jeremy Swayman.

The restricted free-agent goaltender is expected to sign a multiyear deal with the Bruins between $7.75 million and $10 million based on comparable players. It’ll likely be close to $8.6 million, which the Bruins have in cap space.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked at what an offer sheet for Devils RFA forward Dawson Mercer would look like. Citing AFP Analytics, a two-year offer sheet would be close to $4 million annually. A six-year offer would have an AAV of around $6.5 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Connor Earegood speculates the Blues’ attempt to sign Broberg and Holloway could speed up the Detroit Red Wings’ signings of defenseman Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

Meanwhile, Carter Brooks wondered what effect those offer sheets might have on the Winnipeg Jets’ efforts to sign RFA center Cole Perfetti.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s understandable why fans of those clubs watching this situation play out might be worried that those players could also become offer sheet targets. However, that’s unlikely to happen because the Bruins, Devils, Red Wings, and Jets have more cap flexibility to match any offer sheet.

The Oilers face more difficulty matching those offer sheets. They were vulnerable because they were already over the $88 million salary cap.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng wondered if the Sharks could use the Oilers’ situation to their advantage. If the Oilers attempt to shed salary via trade, Peng suggests the Sharks try to prize away a defenseman like Cody Ceci or Brett Kulak along with a draft pick.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont suggests the Canadiens use their cap space to their advantage by acquiring Ceci or another player and a draft pick or landing a draft pick by becoming a third-party broker for the Oilers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 14, 2024

by | Aug 14, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 14, 2024

Reaction from the Blues signing Oilers’ Broberg and Holloway to offer sheets, Jeff Vinik selling his majority stake of the Lightning, Rangers broadcaster Sam Rosen to retire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The St. Louis Blues signed Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway on Tuesday to offer sheets. Broberg’s is a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4,580,917 while Holloway’s is two years with an AAV of $2,290,457.

The Oilers have seven days from those signings to match those offers. If they don’t, they’ll receive the Blues’ 2025 second-round pick as compensation for Broberg and the Blues’ third-rounder for Holloway.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg (NHL Images).

They’re above the $88 million salary cap by $341, 667. They’re allowed to be over the cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be cap-compliant before their season opener.

The Oilers could put Evander Kane (sports hernia issues) on long-term injury reserve if he requires surgery before the start of the season. That would provide them with $5.125 million in cap relief to sign one but not both without making another cost-cutting move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the first time a team has attempted to sign two players from a rival club at the same time. The Oilers cannot trade Broberg and Holloway during these seven days. If the Oilers match, the players cannot be traded for one year from the date the offers were matched.

The Edmonton Journal’s Bruce McCurdy pointed out the AAVs were designed in such a way as to maximize the respective cap hits while keeping each just below a specific threshold for compensation. Had each offer been a dollar more, it would’ve increased the compensation paid by the Blues.

It’s speculated Kane could undergo surgery with a recovery time of 8-12 weeks but that hasn’t been confirmed. Placing him on LTIR would be a short-term fix because they’ll have to clear sufficient cap space when he’s ready to return to action during the season.

STLTODAY.COM: Matthew DeFranks reports Blues general manager Doug Armstrong also reacquired his club’s 2025 second-round pick yesterday from the Pittsburgh Penguins, which had been dealt to the Penguins in the Kevin Hayes trade last month. They wouldn’t have been allowed to sign Broberg to that offer sheet without that pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per the CBA, teams must use their own draft picks as offer-sheet compensation. They’re allowed to reacquire those picks to make this work.

Observers agree this move by the Blues puts the cap-strapped Oilers in a difficult spot. If they don’t match, they’ll lose two former first-round picks who showed promise last season, especially during their run to the Stanley Cup Final.

I’ll have more about the options facing the Oilers and the potential effect this move could have on other clubs with unsigned RFA players in today’s Rumors section.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Jeff Vinik is working on selling his majority stake of the Lightning.

The team will remain under Vinik’s control for the next several seasons and he’ll remain part of the new ownership group.

Doug Ostrover, the co-founder and CEO of Blue Owl Capital, is believed to be the purchase. The Lightning are valued at close to USD $2 billion.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That sale will make Vinik much wealthier and increase the estimated value of other NHL teams.

NEW YORK POST: Long-time Rangers play-by-play man Sam Rosen will retire at the end of the 2024-25 season. It will be the 40th season behind the mike for the 77-year-old Rosen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rosen called plenty of Rangers’ history during that period, including the club’s Stanley Cup championship run in 1994. He’s earned his place among the NHL’s greatest broadcasters.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW/NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins acquired center Cody Glass, a 2025 third-round pick, and a 2026 sixth-rounder from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for minor league forward Jordan Frasca.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Glass, 25, was a former first-round pick (sixth overall, 2017) by the Vegas Golden Knights. He struggled to crack Nashville’s lineup last season.

This was a cost-cutting deal by the Predators, freeing up $2.5 million from their cap payroll for 2024-25.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas continues to stockpile draft picks. He’s also adding a young NHL depth player to his roster while giving up little in return.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars signed free-agent goaltender Magnus Hellberg to a one-year, two-way contract. The 33-year-old Hellberg appeared in 26 NHL games over the past six seasons with the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins.