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 13, 2024

by | Jun 13, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 13, 2024

Patrik Laine and the Blue Jackets are working on a trade, plus updates on Jacob Markstrom, Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Martin Necas, Valeri Nichushkin and more in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup.

LAINE AND THE BLUE JACKETS ARE WORKING ON A TRADE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports there is a mutual agreement between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Patrik Laine that he needs a fresh start with a new team. The 26-year-old winger has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade list.

Injuries have hampered Laine’s production since joining the Blue Jackets in 2021. He also entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January. While those factors could affect his value in the trade market, he could also bounce back and regain his scoring form with a new club.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interested clubs could insist on the Blue Jackets retaining part of Laine’s cap hit. However, only two years remain on his contract, so that might not be a deal breaker for teams with cap space seeking additional scoring. The Jackets won’t get much in return but clearing his cap hit from their books frees up money to invest in other players through trades or free agency.

THE LATEST ON MARKSTROM, MARNER, EHLERS AND NECAS

TSN: Chris Johnston feels the Calgary Flames are at a point where they want a certain return for Jacob Markstrom. He thinks the New Jersey Devils are the most motivated to get a trade done but they’re only going to go so far in terms of return. Markstrom has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $6 million and a full no-movement clause.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports the Flames are quietly trying to move Markstrom. He cited Kevin Woodley of Sportsnet’s 960 The Fan expressing his belief that Markstrom has no intention of returning to the Flames.

Gilbertson noted reports claiming the Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators have been linked to Markstrom. However, he doesn’t think Flames general manager Craig Conroy will rush into trading the 34-year-old goalie if he doesn’t find any suitable offers.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he believes the Flames haven’t given up on retaining Markstrom. He said they’re prepared to trade him but won’t do it simply for the sake of making a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom is difficult to move because of his NMC and cap hit. The Flames will understandably seek the best possible return. Nevertheless, there seems a greater possibility of moving him now than there was leading up to the trade deadline. We’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the trade rumors keep swirling around Mitch Marner but there’s been nothing new to report about the 27-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger. He continues to train and prepare to return with the Leafs for the final season of his contract.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller cited Sporstnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently suggesting the Vegas Golden Knights as a destination for Marner. Friedman pointed out the Golden Knights always seem to be around any good player in the trade market. He said he’s had people suggesting trade offers for Marner involving defenseman Shea Theodore and Logan Thompson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs management appears willing to listen to offers but those could be few and far between this summer. Marner carries an AAV of $10.9 million which is difficult to move even with the salary cap rising by $4.5 million for next season. His full NMC gives him complete control over whether he’ll accept a trade, plus the Leafs will seek a significant return. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still a Leaf when the regular season begins in October.

TSN: Dreger also mentioned the Winnipeg Jets are willing to entertain offers for Nikolaj Ehlers. He’s going into the final year of his contract (with an AAV of $6 million). It’s more of a financial issue for the Jets, as they’re looking ahead to re-signing winger Kyle Connor. He has two years left on his contract and will be expensive to retain.

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck mentioned trading Ehlers as one way the Jets could garner some salary-cap relief to re-sign RFAs Cole Perfetti, David Gustafsson and Logan Stanley, and attempt to re-sign pending UFAs Sean Monahan and Dylan DeMelo.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dreger mentioned Ehlers is tied to the Carolina Hurricanes as they’re looking at trading winger Martin Necas.

THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun said the Hurricanes have heard from five to seven teams expressing general interest in Necas. They include the Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins.

The Hurricanes are also prepared to retain Necas if they don’t receive suitable offers. He’s a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights coming off a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes reportedly want “star power” in return. That could take most of the team mentioned by LeBrun out of the running.

BLACKHAWKS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN NICHUSHKIN

THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun reported there was a rumor that the Chicago Blackhawks considered taking a look at suspended Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin. However, he said they were not interested. “Just too much unknown and risk for their liking.”

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Steve Staios is listening to offers for his club’s first-round pick (seventh overall) in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft (June 28-29) in Las Vegas. The club has two first-rounders in this year’s draft, including the 25th overall that originally belonged to the Boston Bruins.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2024

by | Jun 13, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2024

Updates on the Panthers and Oilers on the eve of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, plus the latest on Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin, Rangers blueliner Adam Fox, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP NOTEBOOK

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Aleksander Barkov could play in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday.

The Florida Panthers captain left Game 2 in the third period after taking an elbow to the head from Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (NHL Images).

Barkov was on the ice with his teammates for their final skate before flying to Edmonton for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday.

“He got through the skate today, felt better,” said Panthers coach Paul Maurice. “We will get him on a plane, get him off a plane, get him on the ice and make a decision tomorrow (Thursday). But he looked good today.

Speaking of that plane, its departure was delayed by over three hours due to inclement weather in Miami. It finally took over at 4:25 pm EDT and arrived in Edmonton around 8 pm local time.

The Panthers lead the best-of-seven series two games to none.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given Barkov’s promising progress, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s in the lineup with his teammates for Game 3. If he’s unable to go, Anton Lundell (AKA “Baby Barkov”) will take his place on the roster.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers must find a way to break through on the power play if they hope to rally back against the Panthers and win this series. They’ve gone 0-for-7 in the first two games and were shut out in eight of the Oilers’ last 11 playoff contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The power play played a crucial role for the Oilers during the regular season and playoffs. So far, however, they’ve been thwarted by the Panthers’ solid penalty killing and the goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky.

TSN: Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and winger Corey Perry are expected to play in Game 3 tonight. Nurse was hampered by an injury in Game 2 that limited him to just over four minutes of ice in that contest. Perry was scratched from the lineup for Game 2.

Winger Evander Kane (sports hernia) remains questionable for Game 3.

THE LATEST ON JACCOB SLAVIN AND ADAM FOX

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Carolina Hurricanes are working on a long-term contract extension for Jaccob Slavin. The 30-year-old defenseman has one season remaining on his seven-year contract with an average annual value of $5.3 million. He’s eligible to sign that extension on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Slavvin is the linchpin of the Hurricanes’ defense corps. They’re expected to part ways with Brett Pesce and could also lose Brady Skjei to this summer’s free-agent market. Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov are eligible for UFA status next summer. Retaining Slavvin will be crucial to maintain a level of stability and to give them someone to build around on the blueline.

It’ll be interesting to see how much of a raise Slavvin receives and for how long. He’s among the league’s best all-around defensemen and recently won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the second time. It could be a five or six-year deal worth over $8 million annually.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman Adam Fox suffered a mild MCL strain following a knee-on-knee hit with Washington Capitals blueliner Nick Jensen during their first-round playoff series. The injury affected Fox’s play for the remainder of the Rangers’ postseason run.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fox’s injury contributed to the Rangers’ elimination from the Eastern Conference Final by the Florida Panthers. He struggled to play up to his usual performance level as the postseason went on.

IN OTHER NEWS…

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is expected to be named Team Canada’s bench boss for next year’s 4 Nations Faceoff and the 2026 Winter Olympics.

TSN: The Minnesota Wild shot down a report claiming they were changing their color scheme to the green and yellow of the Minnesota North Stars as part of their 2025-26 rebrand.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s too bad, I was looking forward to seeing that. The old North Stars jersey was one of the best.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins named Jay Leach as an assistant coach and promoted Joe Sacco to associate coach. Leach spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken. Before that, he was head coach of the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence from 2017 to 2021.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche will soon have a new director of amateur scouting. Wade Klippenstein is leaving on July 1 to join Notre Dame Hounds Hockey as their director of hockey development. He’d been with the Avalanche since 2016 and was promoted into his current role in 2021.

DAILY FACEOFF: A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the father of former NHL player Steve Montador will go to trial in March 2025. Paul Montador has been embroiled in a nine-year legal battle with the league. Steve suffered at least 11 documented concussions during his NHL career, including four in 12 weeks in 2012. He passed away in 2015. 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2024

by | Jun 11, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2024

The Panthers take a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final, the Stars’ Jim Nill is GM of the Year, the Hurricanes are poised to name their new general manager, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2. Evan Rodrigues scored twice as the Panthers tallied three unanswered third-period goals and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 18 shots for the win.

Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm opened the scoring in the first period with his club’s first goal of the series. Connor McDavid collected an assist for his first Stanley Cup Final point. However, the Panthers tied it in the second on a goal by Niko Mikkola, setting the stage for Rodrigues’ third-period output. Aaron Ekblad tallied into an empty net late in the third to put it out of reach.

Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues (NHL Images).

The series shifts to Edmonton for the next two games with Game 3 on Thursday, June 13, at 8 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton outplayed Florida in Game 1 and deserved to win but were shut out by Bobrovsky. They deserved to lose Game 2 as the Panthers’ stingy defense and physical play limited the Oilers to seven shots on goal through the first two periods and no high-danger scoring chances throughout the game. Florida’s penalty-killing snuffed out Edmonton’s vaunted power play in both contests.

The Oilers’ top scorers have yet to find the back of the net in this series. Their frustration was evident in the third period when Leon Draisaitl left his feet to nail Aleksander Barkov with a high hit that forced the Panthers captain from the game and into concussion protocol. Draisaitl received a minor penalty on the play. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had no update on Barkov’s condition following the game.

Edmonton winger Warren Foegele received a major penalty and a game misconduct midway through the first period for kneeing Eetu Luostarinen. The Panthers forward was helped from the ice but later returned to the game. Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse suffered an undisclosed injury and was limited to three shifts over the final two periods. The Oilers also scratched defenseman Cody Ceci, replacing him with Vincent Desharnais.

Some Edmonton observers took issue with some questionable officiating in this game. Nevertheless, the Panthers were the better team in Game 2. Their victory was well-deserved, leaving the Oilers looking for answers as they wing their way home to Edmonton.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. It’s the second straight year that Nill has won this award. Under his management, the Stars finished first in the Western Conference with 113 points, one point behind the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nill and New York Islanders’ Lou Lamoriello are the only two-time winners of this award. Lamoriello also won it in consecutive years (2020 and 2021).

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes will name Eric Tulsky as their new general manager. Tulsky was made interim GM after Don Waddell stepped down on May 24. He’d served as assistant GM since 2020.

TSN: Matt Duchene remains keen to return to Dallas next season. The 33-year-old forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing a one-year, $3-million contract. As the free-agent market approaches, Duchene said money was not a motivating factor for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duchene will continue to receive $1.55 million annually through 2028-29 from the Nashville Predators after buying out his contract last summer. Nevertheless, he genuinely enjoyed his time in Dallas. The Stars have just over $16 million in cap space for next season but Duchene could accept another cost-effective contract to return next season.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks have added Jason Krog as a skills and skating coach. He’ll work with the big club and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

CBC.CA: Team Canada star and Olympic gold medalist Sarah Fillier was chosen first overall by New York in the 2024 PWHL Draft. Edmonton’s Danielle Serdachny was taken second overall by Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the complete list of picks in the 2024 PWHL Draft.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 9, 2024

by | Jun 9, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 9, 2024

Check out the latest on Elias Lindholm, Linus Ullmark and Nikita Zadorov plus an update on the Senators in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON ELIAS LINDHOLM AND NIKITA ZADOROV

THE ATHLETIC: In his latest mailbag segment, Fluto Shinzawa was asked what free agents the Boston Bruins could prioritize this summer.

He sees them making a big push for Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm. He feels his style of play would make him an excellent fit at center. Shinzawa acknowledged Lindholm struggled after being traded to Vancouver but felt the arc of the 29-year-old center’s career remains high.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said the Canucks remain interested in re-signing Lindholm and fellow former Calgary Flame Nikita Zadorov. However, how negotiations go this month remains to be seen.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

Friedman said Lindholm enjoyed his time in Vancouver. The Canucks could offer a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million. However, Friedman’s not sure if they’ll get it done.

As for Zadorov, Friedman believes he might accept a little less than market value to stay in Vancouver. The Canucks aren’t far from that number but they haven’t reached it yet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm played with a nagging wrist injury during the season’s second half, which affected his performance. While that could adversely affect his market value, getting a seven-year offer worth $7 million annually is still a pretty good raise over the $4.85 million AAV of his current contract. Whether the Bruins or another club will get that high remains uncertain.

WHAT’S BRUIN WITH ULLMARK?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek recently looked at what the future could hold for Linus Ullmark. The Boston Bruins goaltender has a year left on his contract with a $5 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause.

Revisiting Ullmark’s season-ending comments, Duhatschek pointed out that the 30-year-old goaltender prefers staying in Boston. Ullmark understands that if he stays in Boston beyond next season, it’ll likely be on a one-year contract unless he agrees to accept a big pay cut and a lesser role backing up Jeremy Swayman, which he’s unlikely to do.

Duhatschek wondered if Ullmark would accept a trade to the Los Angeles Kings. He said when talks at the trade deadline broke down, there was an understanding the two teams would circle back in the summer. The Kings might consider it if Ullmark agreed to a contract extension, but they don’t appear to be improved. Duhatschek also mentioned the Ottawa Senators or Detroit Red Wings as possible destinations.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting the Carolina Hurricanes as a destination for Ullmark. He noted that the Hurricanes and Bruins discussed the goaltender before the trade deadline.

Nichols believes the Hurricanes could win a bidding war for Ullmark if winger Martin Necas were offered up as part of the return to the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark’s situation is intriguing because of the reports that he supposedly rejected a trade to a team on his no-trade list (rumored to be the Kings) because he didn’t want to uproot his family at the time.

Ullmark’s comments following the Bruins’ playoff elimination suggest he’s not in a hurry to move out of Boston this summer. He has a 16-team no-trade list that drops to a 15-team list on July 1. He could still end up on the move if the Bruins get a solid offer from a club that is not on that list.

UPDATE ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch reported last week that the Senators will go into next season with their young core of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Shane Pinto, Josh Norris and Ridly Greig. He also indicated that veteran Claude Giroux isn’t going anywhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is in response to speculation suggesting the Senators might listen to trade offers for Tkachuk. General manager Steve Staios rejected that talk as “pure BS”. Tkachuk’s not going anywhere unless he requests a trade and there’s no indication he’s even considered that possibility.

It’s expected Staios will seek a goaltending upgrade, trying to see what he can get in return for defenseman Jakob Chychurn, and improving his checking lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun is a year away from UFA eligibility and has been frequently mentioned as a trade candidate. In return, Staios could prefer a goalie or a top-four, right-shot defenseman.

A league executive told Garrioch the Senators could try to trade forward Mathieu Joseph before the draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be a cost-cutting move for the Senators. They have over $12.4 million in cap space next season with 16 active roster players under contract.

The Senators could push to sign Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev if he hits the open market on July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 8, 2024

by | Jun 8, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 8, 2024

The Hurricanes are open to trading Jake Guentzel’s rights, the latest on Martin Necas and an update on the Rangers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HURRICANES OPEN TO TRADING GUENTZEL’S RIGHTS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that the Carolina Hurricanes are open to trading Jake Guentzel’s contract negotiating rights before free agency begins on July 1.

Friedman thinks the asking price could be “a mid-round pick.” He believes there is “tons of interest,” adding that teams must think they can get the 29-year-old winger signed to a long-term extension before July 1.

The Chicago Blackhawks could be among the interested clubs. Friedman said someone told him they’d like to move their rebuild along.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Nate Brown believes acquiring Guentzel would boost the rebuilding Blackhawks’ anemic scoring. He thinks the contract concern would be over term more than dollars, suggesting a five-year contract wouldn’t be a deal breaker.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks have a projected cap space of $32.3 million for 2024-25 with 15 active roster players under contract. They could easily afford a hefty raise for Guentzel. However, it’s uncertain if he wants to join a rebuilding club. He could prefer skating with a contender.

THE LATEST ON MARTIN NECAS

SPORTSNET: Friedman also provided an update on Martin Necas. He said the Hurricanes are letting people know that they consider the 25-year-old forward a “budding star”, adding that they want “star power” in return. He indicated they’re not seeking a return of middling draft picks and prospects.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos recently wrote that the Montreal Canadiens were among many clubs calling about Necas. However, he thinks there’s “zero chance” of a trade given the bad blood between the two clubs over the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet in 2021.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens probably lack the roster assets that the Hurricanes would seek for Necas. I doubt it has anything to do with lingering bad feelings about the Kotkaniemi deal, at least from the Habs point of view.

Everyone directly involved on the Canadiens side is no longer with the club except for team owner Geoff Molson. I don’t see him preventing the current management from dealing with the Hurricanes.

UPDATE ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports Rangers GM Chris Drury could be ready for a roster shakeup following his club’s elimination from the Eastern Conference Final.

“We’re looking at a lot of different things,” said Drury. “And there’s different ways to get to where we want to go. To me, really, nothing’s off the table.”

Drury didn’t elaborate about his plans but Sears believes he has plenty of options to shake things up. Those could include moving Jacob Trouba, Mika Zibanejad or Chris Kreider after they struggled during the conference final. However, there are stumbling blocks such as their high salaries and no-trade clauses.

If Kreider and Zibanejad return, Drury should focus on finding a permanent right wing for their line. Winger Barclay Goodrow could also be a trade candidate given the Rangers’ need to free up cap space to re-sign defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Goodrow carries a 15-team no-trade clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be surprising if Zibanejad or Kreider get traded this summer. The same goes for Trouba, whose struggles were largely due to his playing on a broken ankle since March. Goodrow, however, seems a more likely trade candidate despite his modified no-trade clause.

Kaapo Kakko has surfaced in trade rumors following a difficult season. However, Drury defended the young restricted free agent, noting that Alexis Lafreniere was the subject of trade speculation at this time last year but has since enjoyed a breakout performance. He said the club will do everything it can to help Kakko reach his potential.