NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 19, 2024

by | Jun 19, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 19, 2024

The Oilers defeat the Panthers to force Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final, the Canucks re-sign Filip Hronek, the Rangers place Barclay Goodrow on waivers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers held off the Florida Panthers with a 5-3 victory in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, sending the series back to Edmonton for Game 6.

Edmonton captain Connor McDavid had a four-point performance (two goals, two assists) for the second straight game. He’s the first player in Stanley Cup Final history to have back-to-back four-point performances. One of those points was a highlight-reel assist, beating three Panthers to set up Corey Perry for his first goal of this postseason.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard collected three assists, joining Hall-of-Famers Paul Coffey, Brian Leetch, and Al MacInnis as the only blueliners to reach the 30-point plateau in a single postseason.

For the second straight game, the Oilers opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal as Connor Brown did the honors.

The Panthers made it interesting as Evan Rodrigues cut the Oilers’ lead to 4-2 in the second period. Oliver Ekman-Larsson made it 4-3 early in the third. They outshot the Oilers 10-4 in the final frame but couldn’t get the tying goal. McDavid put the game out of reach with an empty-netter in the final seconds of regulation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid put the Oilers on his back in the last two games. With his team facing elimination, he’s risen to the occasion. Another performance like that in Game 6, and this series will require a seventh and deciding game back in Florida next Monday.

Florida still holds a 3-2 lead in this series and can win the Stanley Cup in Game 6 on Friday. However, the pressure has shifted onto the Panthers as this series returns to Edmonton.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice and forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett claim they’re not feeling deflated by their loss in Game 5. However, general manager Bill Zito didn’t hide his frustration, furiously throwing his water bottle after McDavid iced the game for the Oilers.

Speaking of McDavid, he leads this year’s postseason scorers with 42 points, including a record 34 assists. The Oilers superstar sits five points behind the legendary Wayne Gretzky for the most points in a single postseason.

HEADLINES

THE PROVINCE: Filip Hronek signed an eight-year, $58 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old defenseman was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

The average annual value of the contract is $7.25 million. It comes with a full no-movement clause from 2025-26 to 2027-28, dropping to a modified no-trade clause for the remaining years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek was rumored to be seeking $8 million annually. It’s still an expensive deal but the Canucks likely would’ve ended up paying as much or more to replace him with an older blueliner via free agency if they opted to trade him rather than paying him. He has good chemistry with team captain Quinn Hughes, which likely factored into this signing.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin was pleased to get Hronek under contract before his RFA eligibility. Nevertheless, he admits his club won’t be able to retain all their free agents. They included unrestricted free agents such as Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers and Dakota Joshua.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers placed forward Barclay Goodrow on waivers yesterday. If unclaimed, he could be bought out of the remaining three years of his contract when the buyout window opens 48 hours following the completion of the Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goodrow carries a $3.65 million AAV on his current deal. This decision is a cost-cutting move by the Rangers as they look to free up cap space for when free agency begins on July 1.

The report claims there is a belief that there is a pre-arranged deal with the San Jose Sharks to claim Goodrow. He spent the first six seasons of his NHL career with the Sharks. We’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case.

STLTODAY.COM: The Blues signed defenseman Scott Perunovich to a one-year, $1.15 million contract. He was a pending restricted free agent and will be eligible for RFA status next summer.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes will hold a press conference on Wednesday to formally introduce Eric Tulsky as their new general manager.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets are making a thorough search for their next head coach. Potential candidates include Todd McLellan, Dean Evason, Jay Woodcroft and Jeff Blashill.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 14, 2024

by | Jun 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 14, 2024

Check out the latest on Patrik Laine, Mitch Marner, Martin Necas and Tanner Jeannot plus updates on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS AND PATRIK LAINE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Columbus Blue Jackets had been working on trading Patrik Laine since early last season. He believes there’s interest in the 26-year-old winger as a player but his contract complicates things.

Laine has two years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $8.7 million. He also carries a 10-team no-trade list.

Friedman believes it comes down to what the Blue Jackets seek in return and if they’re willing to retain part of Laine’s cap hit. He also believes the winger’s injury history makes him riskier.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

Jeff Marek observed that the Utah Hockey Club wants to add veteran players on short-term contracts. He thinks their young player might benefit from having a proven goal scorer in their midst.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets will want to move the entirety of Laine’s contract from their books. They won’t get much in return to do that. The Jackets might have to take back an expensive struggling veteran in the deal.

THE LATEST ON MITCH MARNER

Friedman believes Mitch Marner’s contract will make it difficult for the Toronto Maple Leafs to trade him. He noted that the type of contract Marner would seek once his current deal expires next summer is one factor while another is his no-movement clause. Friedman also pointed out that Marner’s agent prefers to go to free agency.

This saga could carry over into next season unless the Leafs can sell Marner on a trade. “I think people are underestimating just how complicated this whole thing is,” said Friedman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No, Elliotte, Marner’s critics in Leafs Nation are willfully ignoring those complications. They want the scapegoat for their club’s playoff woes traded immediately for a big return and won’t accept no for an answer.

RED WINGS FOLLOWING MARTIN NECAS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam Stockton cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming the Detroit Red Wings is among seven clubs closely following Martin Necas’ trade status.

Stockton pointed out that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is determined to add a top-fix forward this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes reportedly seek “star power” in return. If they’re unable to get it, perhaps they’d be interested in what the Red Wings could offer in terms of draft picks and prospects.

COULD THE CANUCKS TRADE HRONEK AND MIKHAYEV?

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes Filip Hronek fits the Vancouver Canucks perfectly but that doesn’t mean he’s staying around long-term. They’ve been trying to re-sign the 26-year-old restricted free-agent defenseman but haven’t gained much traction.

Johnston suggests there might be more value in trading Hronek rather than signing him to a deal that is above what Canucks management wants to pay him. He noted that the blueliner played well alongside Quinn Hughes but not in limited minutes away from the Canucks captain.

Meanwhile, Johnston cited sources confirming the Canucks are trying to trade Ilya Mikheyev. The 29-year-old winger has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million.

Mikheyev has struggled with injuries and consistency in his NHL career. They’d like to move him out to free up cap space for other needs. It could cost them a draft pick to move him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek would have more value in the trade market than Mikheyev. However, the blueliner is reportedly seeking a multi-year deal worth $8 million annually, which is more than Hughes is making as the Canucks’ top defenseman. His salary demands and unimpressive numbers away from Hughes could dampen his value in the trade market.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Evan Doerfler cited CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reporting Dakota Joshua is drawing plenty of interest. The 29-year-old Canucks forward is a UFA coming off a two-year deal with an AAV of $825K. Dhaliwal believes the Toronto Maple Leafs could be among the clubs interested in Joshua.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Joshua enjoyed a breakout performance this season with 18 goals and 32 points, bringing a gritty presence to the Canucks’ checking lines. He won’t be lacking for suitors willing to pay him over $3 million annually on a multi-year deal if he tests the free-agent market on July 1.

SHARKS, BLACKHAWKS INTERESTED IN TANNER JEANNOT?

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes a young team like the San Jose Sharks or Chicago Blackhawks would be interested in Tanner Jeannot. The 27-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning forward has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $2.6 million.

Kypreos thinks Jeannot would make more sense for a young team than a contender with only a fourth-line position.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Jeannot plays well with a young club they can try to re-sign him. They can also flip him to a contender at the trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2024

by | May 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2024

Check out the latest on the Canucks, Bruins, Hurricanes and Flyers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CANUCKS

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what the offseason could hold for the Vancouver Canucks following their elimination from the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.

They’ll have to focus on rebuilding their blueline as defensemen Tyler Myers and Nikita Zadorov are among two of their four pending unrestricted free agents. Filip Hronek will be seeking a raise as a restricted free agent.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

Forwards Elias Lindholm and Dakota Joshua are also slated to become UFAs. Whatever the Canucks do with their forwards will also be with an eye on new contracts for Brock Boeser and Nils Hoglander next year.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance believes the Canucks pending UFAs, including forwards Teddy Blueger and Sam Lafferty and defenseman Ian Cole, set themselves up as in-demand players entering this summer’s free-agent market. That means it’ll cost more for the Canucks to retain them.

The Canucks’ to-do list includes maintaining or replacing the size advantage that Zadorov, Myers and Joshua bring to their roster and Lindholm’s two-way skills. Contract negotiations with Hronek could be tricky given his arbitration status, inconsistent playoff performance and what they gave up to acquire him from Detroit last season. They must also add more offense.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After years in the wilderness, the Canucks emerged this season among the NHL’s top teams. It won’t be easy to maintain and build on that.

The Canucks have a projected cap space of $24.7 million for 2024-25 with 14 active roster players under contract. They can’t afford to sign all their pending UFAs while Hronek’s contract situation gets complicated because of his erratic postseason play. Lindholm will likely prove too expensive to retain. So could Zadorov. Joshua should be an affordable re-signing but could be tempted by free agency.

LATEST ON THE BRUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes trading Linus Ullmark should be an offseason priority for the Boston Bruins. The 30-year-old goaltender has a year left on his contract a cap hit of $5 million. Trading him would clear the way for a Jeremy Swayman-Brandon Bussi goalie tandem and clear cap room for re-signing Swayman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We covered this in yesterday’s NHL Rumor Mill.

Shinzawa also believes the Bruins must acquire an impact center, a scoring right winger and a left-shot defenseman.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss believes the Bruins desperately need to find another elite scoring forward to take some of the burden off David Pastrnak. If they trade Ullmark, they’ll have over $26 million in salary-cap space to address that issue.

Goss suggested Vancouver’s Elias Lindholm as the free agent that makes the most sense. The Bruins were linked to the 29-year-old center before the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins could revisit their interest in Lindholm this summer if he isn’t re-signed by the Canucks.

They could also look at other UFA options but they’re unlikely to chase an expensive big fish like Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, Florida’s Sam Reinhart or Carolina’s Jake Guentzel. Signing one of them would leave the Bruins having to make do with cost-effective lesser talent to address other problem areas.

As for adding a defenseman, Shinzawa suggested Carolina’s Brady Skjei as a worthwhile free-agent option.

WHAT ARE THE HURRICANES’ OFFSEASON PRIORITIES?

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Chip Alexander reports Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell mentioned the issues he hopes to address during the offseason now that head coach Rod Brind’Amour has signed a new contract.

They include deciding which of their unrestricted free agents to re-sign, working out a deal with the KHL to bring over promising defenseman Alexander Nikishin, and finding a right-shot center. Their UFAs include forwards Teuvo Teravainen, Jake Guentzel, Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen; defensemen Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, Jalen Chatfield and Tony DeAngelo; and goaltender Antti Raanta.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce is speculated to be heading to market but they could re-sign Skjei. DeAngelo and Raanta won’t be back. It’s expected they’ll push hard to re-sign Guentzel. It’s uncertain whether Teravainen, Martinook, Noesen and Chatfield will be back. I’d love to hear what Hurricanes fans have to say about this topic.

Alexander didn’t mention Martin Necas in his report. It’s believed the 25-year-old restricted free-agent forward could be shopped this summer.

UPDATE ON THE FLYERS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited a report from Russia’s Sport-Express indicating Matvei Michkov could terminate his contract with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg. That would clear the path for the 19-year-old winger to join the Philadelphia Flyers next season. The Flyers selected Michkov with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Bailey indicated the Flyers are aware of the report but unable to confirm it at the time. He subsequently reported that SKA St. Peterburg CEO and VP Roman Rotenberg said there has been dialogue with the Flyers.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 30, 2024

by | Mar 30, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 30, 2024

Will the Canucks re-sign defensemen Filip Hronek and Nikita Zadorov? Could the Blackhawks target defensemen in this summer’s free-agent market? Check out the latest in the NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON HRONEK AND ZADOROV

SEKERES AND PRICE: Frank Seravalli recently appeared on the podcast where he discussed Vancouver Canucks defensemen Filip Hronek and Nikita Zadorov.

Hronek is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. Seravalli believes the 26-year-old blueliner has played an important role in the Canucks’ improvement this season. He believes management shouldn’t have any issues paying him an average annual value of $8 million on an eight-year deal.

That would exceed the $7.85 million annually being earned by Quinn Hughes through 2026-27. However, he doubted that the Canucks captain would be upset that Hronek would make $150K more than him per season, pointing out that he’ll likely get $14 million annually on his next contract.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (NHL Images).

Seravalli believes paying Hronek $8 million per season for eight years won’t hurt the Canucks cap down the road. By 2028-29, the cap should be around $120 million to $125 million. “$8 million is nothing by that point,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek is completing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $4.4 million. He’s enjoying a career-best performance with 40 assists and 45 points in 73 games and should exceed the 50-point plateau before the end of the season.

The Canucks will sign Hronek to a long-term deal to avoid arbitration. I don’t think it’s a problem for them if he’s seeking around $8 million annually. They could quibble a bit over the length of the deal but it will likely come in at seven or eight years.

Quinn signed his current contract following his sophomore season. It was a hefty raise coming off his entry-level deal. I doubt he’ll care if Hronek makes a little more than he does over the next two years. By July 2026, the Canucks captain will likely have signed an expensive extension worth far more than what Hronek will be earning.

Zadorov, meanwhile, is finishing up a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million. Seravalli doesn’t think the Canucks will re-sign the 28-year-old defenseman.

Seravalli believes Zadorov’s asking price will be around $5 million annually. He said the Calgary Flames knew his number would start with a five, which made it easier for them to trade him to Vancouver earlier this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks had to boost their defense corps in the short term. They were willing to make that short-term move for Zadorov even at the risk of losing him this summer to free agency.

They could try to keep Zadorov following this season. However, they won’t have enough room to meet Zadorov’s asking price if they sign Hronek to a deal worth $8 million annually.

LATEST BLACKHAWKS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers believed the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks are expected to add forwards to their roster in the offseason. He also thinks they could make a change or two among their defensemen.

Powers doesn’t expect the Blackhawks to sign a big-name free agent to an expensive long-term contract. They’ll likely be interested in short-term options.

Those who fall into that category include Brenden Dillon of the Winnipeg Jets, Justin Schultz of the Seattle Kraken, Ian Cole of the Vancouver Canucks and Chris Tanev of the Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those defensemen are in their mid-thirties. They’re at the stage of their career where they could be receptive to short-term deals. One or two could bring much-needed experience and leadership to the rebuilding Blackhawks blueline.

Tanev might not be available to the Blackhawks. The 34-year-old shutdown defenseman drew plenty of interest at the trade deadline from contenders like the Stars. If he doesn’t stay in Dallas after this season, the clubs that lost out to the Stars could revisit their interest this summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 25, 2024

by | Mar 25, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 25, 2024

A look at some of this summer’s notable restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently listed the latest rumors and reports regarding this summer’s top-12 restricted free agents.

The Vancouver Canucks recently offered an eight-year, $52-million contract extension ($6.5 million average annual value) to Filip Hronek. However, the 26-year-old defenseman’s camp rejected that proposal. Fox believes the Canucks want to keep Hronek’s salary below Quinn Hughes’ $7.85 million AAV but the blueline could try to push it into the $7 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek is completing a three-year deal with an AAV of $4.4 million. He’s enjoying a career-high performance in his contract year with 45 points in 71 games. Hronek has arbitration rights and is a year away from UFA eligibility. It could cost the Canucks between $7 million and $7.5 million annually to keep him in the fold.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (NHL Images).

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider is completing his entry-level contract. Fox doubted that Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would attempt to lowball the 23-year-old blueliner. He speculated Seider could get an eight-year deal worth $8.6 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider is the Wings’ best defenseman and a key piece of their rebuilding roster, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22. He’s yet to reach his playing prime. A long-term deal at $8.6 million AAV could become a bargain over time.

The Buffalo Sabres trading Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this month was based on the belief they would be unable to re-sign him to a long-term extension. Following the trade, the 25-year-old center pointed out how much the Avalanche wanted him by giving up defenseman Bowen Byram in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittelstadt seems to be settling in well as the Avalanche’s second-line center. A strong performance over the rest of the regular season and in the 2024 playoffs will ensure he’ll get a lucrative long-term extension.

While Fox thinks Seider will get a long-term deal from the Wings, he believes Lucas Raymond could end up with a short-term contract. Like Seider, he’s completing his entry-level deal. Fox pointed out that Yzerman signed Alex DeBrincat last summer to a four-year contract averaging $7.875 million per season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how Yzerman handles Raymond’s contract situation. The 21-year-old winger leads the Wings in scoring with career highs in goals (24), assists (36) and points (60), but he has had bouts of inconsistency in his short NHL career.

Fox wondered if the Carolina Hurricanes will attempt to sign Seth Jarvis to a bridge deal coming out of his entry-level contract or bet big that the 22-year-old winger will break out and sign him to a long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After struggling at times during his sophomore campaign, Jarvis has played well this season for the Hurricanes, sitting third in scoring with a career-high 57 points. I’d say bet big and lock him up long-term. A bridge deal could make him more expensive to sign down the road.

Despite Thomas Harley’s 40-point performance this season, Fox speculates that Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill could sign the 22-year-old defenseman to a bridge deal coming out of his entry-level contract. He noted that Nill did the same with winger Jason Robertson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think Harley will get a bridge deal. This is his first full season after splitting the past two seasons between the Stars and their AHL affiliate.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman refused to comment on an early March report claiming contract extension talks had begun. However, he didn’t deny the report.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swayman signed an affordable one-year deal last summer due to the Bruins’ limited cap space for this season. He’s going to get a big raise over his $3.475 million and will likely take over as their full-time starter next season. There’s already speculation that his goalie partner Linus Ullmark could be traded during the offseason.

Fox noted the emergence of Quinton Byfield this season leaves Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake facing a big decision. He could sign the 20-year-old forward to a bridge deal or attempt to ink him to a long-term contract. Fox suggested the latter might come in between $6.5 and $7 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On the one hand, it’s tough to justify a lucrative long-term deal based on one good year. On the other, it’ll cost a lot more than $7 million to sign Byfield coming off a bridge deal if he continues to improve as projected. He’s steadily improved with each season.

Hurricanes winger Martin Necas is completing a two-year bridge deal worth $3 million annually and has arbitration rights. The 25-year-old forward is in a position to justify a significant raise.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas has surfaced in trade rumors over the past two seasons. He might end up getting that raise from another club.

Turning to the remaining players on Fox’s list, Matty Beniers’ struggles in his sophomore season could see the 2023 Calder Trophy winner getting a short-term bridge deal from the Seattle Kraken.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Sean Durzi will seek a lucrative offer coming off his bridge contract. He’s on pace for a career-best performance.

The Buffalo Sabres could try to sign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a mid-term deal. He’s performed well this season but it’s a small sample size to justify a long-term contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2024

by | Mar 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2024

An update on the Canucks’ Elias Lindholm and Filip Hronek plus some recent news on Chris Tanev, Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON LINDHOLM AND HRONEK

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin is noncommittal about re-signing Elias Lindholm, who was acquired from the Calgary Flames in January.

Allvin said he spoke with Lindholm’s representatives following the trade expressing an interest in signing the 29-year-old center to a contract extension. “But obviously it’s got to work for both sides. We’ll see,” he said, pointing out that it’s been an adjustment period for Lindholm since the trade.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

The Canucks GM told LeBrun that those contract discussions will likely occur following this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.85 million.

The Canucks have $25.5 million in projected salary-cap space for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. They can afford to re-sign Lindholm, however, that will depend on how long it takes to adjust to their style of play and how much he’s seeking on his next deal.

Lindholm won’t lack suitors if he goes to market on July 1. The Boston Bruins could be among them as they were frequently linked to him in trade rumors leading up to the recent deadline.

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting the “sweet spot” in the Canucks’ contract extension talks with Filip Hronek is an AAV of $7.5 million. He believes it could cause problems if the 26-year-old defenseman seeks more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and a year away from UFA eligibility. He’s in the final season of a three-year deal worth an AAV of $4.4 million.

Those problems Friedman alluded to could be how much Hronek’s new contract would bite into the Canucks cap space and the potential for an arbitration hearing. The latter could result in a one-year deal that could guarantee his departure as a UFA next July.

TIDBITS FROM “KYPER’S KORNER”

TORONTO STAR: In his recent “Kyper’s Korner,” Nick Kypreos wrote that the cost of a contract extension for Chris Tanev also factored into why the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t trade for him before the deadline. He claimed the Tanev camp sought $5 million per season but it could go lower if the 34-year-old defenseman got a fourth year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev will be 35 in December. The Leafs were wise not to go for that deal.

Kypreos claimed Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom and Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark refused to waive their no-trade clauses to go to the Los Angeles Kings before the recent trade deadline.

He wrote that Markstrom had no interest in being on the West Coast while Ullmark believes the Bruins have a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup than the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos wondered where Los Angeles’ “Tinseltown magic” to draw players has gone. I’m not sure that has anything specific with the Kings or LA. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kevin Fiala quickly signed new contracts after being traded to the Kings.

Markstrom’s situation is weird due to conflicting reports regarding a possible move to New Jersey last month. He wasn’t happy with how Flames management handled the situation as he didn’t want that distraction during the season.

It’s worth mentioning that Markstrom spent seven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. He didn’t seem to mind being on the West Coast then. Maybe Kypreos was referring to the California coast.

Ullmark was rumored to have nixed a deal with the Kings but there are also reports that they weren’t the club he would’ve been sent to had the trade gone through. It’s also believed that 14 of the 16 teams on his no-trade list are Western Conference clubs.

The Kings have over $22 million in projected cap space for next season. That’s plenty of room to acquire an expensive goaltender via this summer’s trade market if they need an upgrade at that position. We’ll have to wait until then to see if they are having difficulty attracting players with no-trade clauses in their contracts.