Notable NHL Moves For July 1, 2023

by | Jul 1, 2023

Notable NHL Moves For July 1, 2023

Check in regularly for today’s notable player moves during the opening day of the NHL’s annual free-agent market.

New York Islander sign goaltender Semyon Varlamov to a four-year, $11 million contract. 

Detroit Red Wings sign center J.T. Compher to a five-year, $25.5 million contract.

New York Islanders sign Scott Mayfield to a seven-year, $24.5 million contract. 

Seattle Kraken signed Brian Dumoulin to a two-year, $6.3 million contract.

Colorado Avalanche signs Jonathan Drouin to a one-year, $825K contract.

Pittsburgh Penguins sign Lars Eller to a two-year, $4.9 million contract.

New York Islanders sign Pierre Engvall to a seven-year, $21 million contract. 

Colorado Avalanche sign winger Miles Wood to a six-year, $15 million contract. 

Pittsburgh Penguins sign defenseman Ryan Graves to a six-year, $27 million contract. 

Pittsburgh Penguins bring back goaltender Tristan Jarry on a five-year, $28.875 million contract.

Anaheim Ducks sign Alex Killorn to a four-year, $25 million contract. 

Arizona Coyotes sign Jason Zucker to a one-year, $5.3 million contract. 

Detroit Red Wings sign Daniel Sprong to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Dallas Stars sign Matt Duchene to a one-year, $3 million contract

Tampa Bay Lightning sign Conor Sheary to a three-year $6 million contract. 

Boston Bruins sign defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to a one-year, $1 million contract. 

Nashville Predators sign forward Gustav Nyquist to a two-year, $6.37 million contract. 

Detroit Red Wings sign defenseman Justin Holl to a three-year, $10.20 million contract. 

Washington Capitals sign Max Pacioretty to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Vancouver Canucks sign Carson Soucy to a three-year, $9.75 million contract. 

Nashville Predators sign Ryan O’Reilly to a four-year, $18 million contract. 

Carolina Hurricanes sign defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year. $7.75 million contract. 

Carolina Hurricanes bring back goaltender Frederik Andersen on a two-year, $6.8 million contract. 

Ottawa Senators sign goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to a five-year, $20 million contract.

Buffalo Sabres sign defenseman Erik Johnson to a one-year, $3.25 million contract. 

Edmonton Oilers sign winger Connor Brown to a one-year, $4 million contract. 

Anaheim Ducks sign defenseman Radko Gudas to a three-year, $12 million contract. 

San Jose Sharks sign goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to a two-year $4.7 million contract. 

New York Rangers sign right wing Blake Wheeler to a one-year, $800K salary plus $300K max bonuses.

Boston Bruins sign left wing James van Riemsdyk to a one-year, $1 million contract. 

Boston Bruins sign winger Milan Lucic to a one-year, $1 million contract. 

Los Angeles Kings sign Cam Talbot to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Joel Edmundson to the Washington Capitals for a third-round pick and a seventh-rounder in the 2024 NHL draft.  The Canadiens are retaining 50 percent of his cap hit.

Nashville Predator sign Luke Schenn to a three-year contract with an AAV of $2.75 million

Florida Panthers sign defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a one-year, $2.25 million contract.

Toronto Maple Leafs sign forward Ryan Reaves to a three-year contract with an AAV of $1.3 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2023

by | Jul 1, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2023

The NHL’s annual free-agent market opens at noon ET today. Here’s the latest on the notable pending UFAs such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Vladimir Tarasenko, Max Pacioretty and Blake Wheeler plus the latest on Alex DeBrincat and Logan Thompson in the Rumor Mill.

LATEST RUMORS ON NOTABLE UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Carolina Hurricanes will be aggressive in the UFA market. He wouldn’t be surprised if they pursued such notables as Tyler Bertuzzi, Vladimir Tarasenko, Dmitry Orlov or Blake Wheeler.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could also have an interest in Bertuzzi and could also pursue a UFA defenseman. They’ve also been linked to former Minnesota Wild enforcer Ryan Reaves.

Ryan O’Reilly has been linked to the Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll be surprised if the Canadiens, Predators and Canucks seriously pursue O’Reilly given their current state of retooling/rebuilding their rosters. Still, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected in free agency (hello there, Johnny Gaudreau to Columbus) so never say never, I guess.

DAILY FACEOFF: reported significant interest in former Carolina Hurricanes winger Max Pacioretty despite his twice-injured Achilles tendon last season. Team indicated the Hurricanes granted Pacioretty permission to speak with other clubs prior to July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given those injuries I expect Pacioretty ends up signing an affordable one-year contract. He’s 34 so he’s not eligible for a 35-plus bonus-laden deal. **Update** As reader “Chris” pointed out, Pacioretty would be eligible to sign a 35-plus contract due to his number of career games played (400-plus) and the number of days spent on injured reserve (100-plus days) on injured reserve in the last year of their most recent contract.

TSN: Darren Dreger speculates the Boston Bruins or Florida Panthers as possible destinations for Blake Wheeler.

SPORTSNET: Friedman reports that we shouldn’t expect any immediate decisions from Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane on where they’ll be signing.

Jonathan Quick could be heading to the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: ESPN’s Kevin Weekes broke the news of Quick potentially heading to the Rangers to back up Igor Shesterkin.

The Wings and Predators have also been linked to former Colorado Avalanche center J.T. Compher.

Speaking of the Wings, Friedman expects them to make a big move given their plentiful cap space this summer. “All eyes are on Alex Killorn, with Alex DeBrincat trade talks stalled.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Killorn player for Wings general manager Steve Yzerman when the latter was GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

One team with an interest in defenseman Scott Mayfield told Friedman they believe he is all but re-signing by the New York Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello usually doesn’t officially announce his UFA re-signings until September. Don’t be surprised if Mayfield’s name is still listed as unsigned in a month’s time.

Friedman believes the Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are in on former Washington Capitals winger Connor Brown.

The Vancouver Canucks could be interested in a UFA defenseman such as Ian Cole or Carson Soucy.

LATEST DEBRINCAT TRADE RUMORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals are among the teams interested in Senators winger Alex DeBrincat, along with the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Sammi Silber cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying the Red Wings are no longer the favorites to land DeBrincat. He also listed the Capitals, Islanders and Stars as possible trade partners as well as the Anaheim Ducks.

Silber believes the Capitals’ limited salary-cap space would make it difficult to acquire and re-sign DeBrincat. They could get cap relief if they could shed the contracts of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha via trade but those moves seem unlikely.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators would prefer to move DeBrincat as soon as possible but they’re willing to be patient. If a trade can’t be found before their club-elected arbitration date later this summer, they’ll retain him for 2023-24 and try again to move him during the season. Nevertheless, I expect him to be moved soon.

COULD THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS TRADE THOMPSON?

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Chris Gawlik cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reporting a few teams contacted the Golden Knights about the availability of goaltender Logan Thompson. This came amid word they were close to signing playoff hero Adin Hill to a two-year contract, which was completed on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gawlik doesn’t rule out the possibility of Thompson getting traded, pointing to the Reilly Smith deal earlier this week that no one saw coming. However, he noted there are no indications the Golden Knights are shopping the 26-year-old netminder.

With Robin Lehner facing an uncertain future due to health issues and the limited options within their system, the Golden Knights will likely return this season with a tandem of Hill and Thompson.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 24, 2023

by | Jun 24, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – June 24, 2023

Could the Coyotes trade Clayton Keller to the Blues? Could Penguins GM Kyle Dubas acquire Leafs goalie Matt Murray? What’s the latest on David Krejci, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Alex Killorn? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

KELLER TO THE BLUES?

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos recently reported that there is some trade buzz suggesting the Arizona Coyotes could move Clayton Keller. This comes after they bought out Zack Kassian and Patrik Nemeth earlier this week.

Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller (NHL Images).

Kypreos claims Keller has been linked to the St. Louis Blues. However, the cap-strapped Blues would have to first ship out a player with an expensive contract like forward Jordan Kyrou.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see the Coyotes trading Keller unless he wants out. So far, there’s no indication of that. He’s an invaluable part of their rebuild program.

Meanwhile, center Nick Schmaltz has been the subject of rumors since the weeks leading up to the March trade deadline. I can see the Coyotes shopping him this summer.

I don’t think St. Louis is a destination for Keller or Schmaltz because of their limited cap space. They made a significant investment in Kyrou, who exceeded 70 points for the second straight season.

Still, we can’t dismiss the possibility of Blues general manager Doug Armstrong wheeling and dealing this summer. He’s indicated he’s retooling his roster rather than rebuilding with the aim of bouncing back after missing the playoffs this season.

MURRAY TO THE PENGUINS?

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos recently reported there was a strong sense prior to Kyle Dubas’ departure as Toronto Maple Leafs general manager that he was planning on having Matt Murray return for his final year. With Dubas now the Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations, Kypreos wondered if he’ll attempt to acquire Murray.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If he does he’s a fool. Murray is too banged up to be an effective NHL goaltender anymore. That was painfully obvious this season with the Leafs.

KREJCI LEANING TOWARD RETIREMENT?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy recently cited two sources suggesting that Bruins center David Krejci could soon be returning to retirement. The 37-year-old center hinted he might hang up his skates following the Bruins’ first-round playoff elimination by the Florida Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krejci also seemed to dismiss the possibility that he’d continue his playing career in Czechia as he did during the 2021-22 season. If he does return next season, he intends to do so with the Bruins.

IS A KUZNETSOV TRADE AVOIDABLE?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited NHLPA player agent Alexey Dementyev suggesting the possibility of reconciliation between Washington Capitals management and center Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Demenyev believes the Capitals’ recent coaching change could be beneficial for Kuznetsov to regain his form following a disappointing performance in 2022-23. He’s been the subject of frequent trade speculation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals and Kuznetsov might have no choice but to reconcile. While it’s been recently reported that the 30-year-old center is available in the trade market, his contract could prove difficult to move this summer with a number of teams carrying limited cap room. He’s signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $7.8 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

DOES COLTON GO IF KILLORN STAYS IN TAMPA BAY?

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos recently reported Alex Killorn prefers to stay in Tampa Bay and Lightning GM Julien BriseBois is hoping to re-sign the pending UFA winger. If that happens, Kypreos believes BriseBois will trade restricted free-agent winger Ross Colton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Re-signing Killorn to a team-friendly deal wouldn’t leave enough for the cap-strapped Lightning to re-sign Colton unless they trade away somebody else in a cost-cutting deal.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2023

by | Jun 3, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2023

Check out the latest on Auston Matthews, Tyler Bertuzzi and Alex Killorn plus updates on the Avalanche and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” TRADE & FREE-AGENT RUMORS

SPORTSNET: In his latest “32 Thoughts” column, Elliotte Friedman expressed his belief that Auston Matthews will extend with the Toronto Maple Leafs but not at the maximum term of eight seasons. Instead, he thinks the 25-year-old center inks a deal between three and six years in length.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Why wouldn’t Matthews want the maximum term on his next contract? The belief is he’d like to have a crack at free agency while he’s still in his playing prime thus ensuring that he continues to make big money well into his thirties.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

The challenge for Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is “trying to get it done before July 1, when his no-trade clause kicks in.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That line has created the assumption among some fans that the Leafs can officially sign Matthews to his extension before free agency begins at noon ET on July 1. To clarify, Matthews still has a year remaining on his current contract. They can discuss an extension with him in the weeks leading up to July 1, 2023, but that date remains the earliest they can sign him to an extension.

Matthews’ no-trade clause (it’s actually a no-movement clause) is an issue if he’s reluctant to sign beyond next season or seeks an extension of less than three years. If so, the Leafs might have to explore the trade market before his movement clause kicks in as that would significantly limit the number of potential trade partners.

Friedman believes Matthews’ next contract could likely be the highest AAV in the league. He wonders what that means for Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner has two years remaining on his contract while Nylander’s expires at the same time as Matthews’. They’ll seek significant raises but they won’t be as expensive as what Matthews will get given his status as a former Hart Trophy and two-time Richard Trophy winner.

It also depends on how the Leafs manage their payrolls in 2024-25 and 2025-26 when the salary cap is expected to jump by as much as $4 million per season.

The Boston Bruins are exploring what it’ll take to re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi. The 28-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquired before the March trade deadline from the Detroit Red Wings, Bertuzzi fit in well with the Bruins and was their leading scorer in their short-lived 2023 postseason.

However, their limited cap space plus the possibility of Bertuzzi receiving a long-term deal on the open market worth around $5.25 million annually has some observers suggesting the Bruins simply can’t afford him.

Friedman believes the Tampa Bay Lightning offered Alex Killorn a long-term contract with a lower average annual value. However, the pending UFA winger is in demand and that could be difficult to do.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Killorn is 33 but he’s coming off a career-best performance (27 goals and 64 points in 82 games) this season. His current average salary is $4.45 million. He’ll have to decide if he wants to stick with the only NHL team he’s ever played with for less money in a city where there’s no state tax or chase bigger bucks elsewhere.

POTENTIAL SECOND-LINE CENTER OPTIONS FOR THE AVALANCHE

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh recently looked at several potential options for the Colorado Avalanche to address their second-line center position. Internal choices would be re-signing pending UFA J.T. Compher, signing RFA Alex Newhook and promoting him into that role or shifting Mikko Rantanen from winger to center.

External options include Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele, Philadelphia’s Kevin Hayes, Arizona’s Nick Schmaltz, Calgary’s Elias Lindholm or Anaheim’s Adam Henrique via the trade market. They could also try to bring back Ryan O’Reilly if he hits the UFA market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche will get $7 million in long-term injury reserve cap relief with Gabriel Landeskog out for next season recovering from knee surgery. However, one of those external options will be costly in terms of salaries as well as assets if they go the trade route. Their best option could be one of those internal ones suggested by Baugh.

COULD THE FLAMES TRADE A GOALTENDER?

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli noted the Flames have a potential logjam in goal with Jacob Markstrom and Dan Vladar under contract for next season and rising young netminder Dustin Wolf primed to become a full-time NHL player.

McKenna believes Wolf has accomplished all he can at the AHL level as their two-time reigning goalie of the year and AHL MVP. He believes they should shop Vladar and promote Wolf into sharing the duties with Markstrom starting next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I share McKenna’s opinion as well as his enthusiasm for a Markstrom-Wolf tandem. Having a promising youngster pushing him for the starter’s job could help Markstrom regain the form that made him a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22. If Markstrom continues to struggle, it provides Wolf with the opportunity to seize that role for himself.

Vladar, 25, could prove to be a decent trade chip for the Flames given the lack of quality goaltending depth in this summer’s free-agent market.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 20, 2023

by | Apr 20, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – April 20, 2023

What’s in store this offseason for some Flyers veterans? Could the Canadiens target free agents Alex Killorn or Damon Severson this summer? Does Kevin Labanc have a future in San Jose? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S IN STORE THIS SUMMER FOR THE FLYERS’ HAYES, DEANGELO AND KONECNY?

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Olivia Reiner reports Flyers general manager Daniel Briere believes Kevin Hayes still has a lot of value as a productive 6-foot-5 center. While he thinks plenty of teams would be interested in the soon-to-be 31-year-old Hayes, Briere suggested it was too early to jump to conclusions over his future.

Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (NHL Images).

The Flyers GM acknowledged defenseman Tony DeAngelo had an up-and-down year that ended with him being a healthy scratch at the end of the season. He declined to go into the reasons behind DeAngelo’s benching but added this offseason will be a big one for the blueliner as he works his way back into the good graces of head coach John Tortorella.

Briere felt winger Travis Konecny will be an important part of the roster going forward. The 26-year-old winger has two years left on his contract. Briere was impressed with how he took over as a team leader from departed veterans like Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Briere seems to be kind of lowering expectations a bit with his comments about moving Hayes. I think he will try to move Hayes this summer if he can get an acceptable offer, preferably one where he’s not having to retain any part of his $7.14 million average annual value. However, finding such an offer won’t be easy, especially if the salary cap only rises by $1 million for next season.

DeAngelo only has a year remaining on his contract. An improved performance next season could boost the Flyers but also bolster his value in next season’s trade market as a playoff rental.

Konecny occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill this season. He thrived under Tortorella’s coaching this season so I doubt we’ll see him moved this summer.

COULD THE CANADIENS PURSUE KILLORN OR SEVERSON?

TVA SPORTS: Tony Marinaro and Jean-Charles Lajoie discussed the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens pursuing Alex Killorn via this summer’s free-agent market. The 33-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning winger is finishing a seven-year, $31.5 million contract ($4.45 million average annual value).

Lajoie believes Killorn (a Quebec native) would be the type of physical winger who would appeal to Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis. While the Lightning winger is coming off a career-best season, Marinaro cautioned that he’s on the downside of his career.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: In a recent mailbag segment, Marc Dumont was asked which UFAs he sees the Canadiens pursuing. He thinks they might sign a right-shot defenseman who can be a mainstay on the top pairing alongside Mike Matheson while their younger blueliners develop. Dumont suggested New Jersey Devils rearguard Damon Severson, though he’s heard that he’d prefer to avoid playing in a market like Montreal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Killorn would be ideal if he were five years younger as he could fit in well in the Canadiens’ long-term plans. However, he turns 34 in September and would probably prefer skating with a playoff contender rather than a rebuilding club. I daresay Severson would feel the same way.

LABANC FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN SAN JOSE

THE MERCURY NEWS’ Curtis Pashelka tweeted Monday that Sharks winger Kevin Labanc faces an uncertain future in San Jose. General manager Mike Grier said he “can’t say whether he’ll be here,” adding he’ll see what happens and what presents itself.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Labanc, 27, has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.725 million. He also lacks no-trade protection. He’s struggled since tallying a career-best 56 points in 2018-19. With the Sharks rebuilding, it sounds like Grier could dangle Labanc as a trade chip this summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 7, 2023

by | Apr 7, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – April 7, 2023

This summer’s thin free-agent market could spark more offseason trade activity plus the Lightning could lose Alex Killorn to free agency in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THIS SUMMER SEE A MORE ACTIVE TRADE MARKET?

TSN: Chris Johnston noted the lack of a headliner in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market could result in more activity in the offseason trade market. While there are notable pending free agents such as the New York Rangers’ Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, their best seasons are behind them. He also indicated that several teams with extra first-round picks in this year’s draft are willing to trade them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The TSN insider panel noted the top scorers among this year’s UFA market are Tampa Bay’s Alex Killorn (61 points), Boston’s Patrice Bergeron (57 points) and David Krejci (56 points), Dallas’ Max Domi (55 points), Kane (also 55 points), Colorado’s J.T. Compher (50 points), Toronto’s Michael Bunting (47 points) and Tarasenko (46 points).

New York Rangers winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images)

None of those players are getting lucrative long-term deals. Their stats pale in comparison to the big numbers being put up by the league’s top stars, all of whom are under contract for at least next season.

Killorn is having a career year but his age (33) will make teams leery of investing too much in him for too long. Bergeron and Krejci are UFAs but everyone knows if they return next season it’s with the Bruins.

The 28-year-old Domi’s stock has improved and he should get a decent contract but I don’t see teams beating down his door with seven-year deals worth over $6 million annually. Compher, 28, and the 27-year-old Bunting are in the same class. They’ll get substantial raises and more years on their next contracts but they won’t break the bank for whoever signs them.

Kane and Tarasenko would’ve been headliners if they were healthier and a little younger. The 34-year-old Kane’s recent lower-body ailment is believed to be a nagging hip injury that will require offseason surgery. Tarasenko, 31, has a well-documented recent history of shoulder injuries that could factor into how much he gets and for how long.

COULD KILLORN BE THE NEXT LIGHTNING PLAYER TO DEPART VIA FREE AGENCY?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes it’s going to be difficult for the Tampa Bay Lightning to re-sign Alex Killorn. He’s enjoying back-to-back 25-goal seasons as well as leading this year’s UFA class with a career-high 61 points.

LeBrun points out that Killorn’s earning $4.45 million annually on his current contract. Meanwhile, the Lightning have three key players in Erik Cernak, Mikhail Sergachev and Anthony Cirelli whose new contracts kick in next season. He noted that the Lightning need to clear up $7.4 million in cap space. They’ll try to re-sign Killorn but LeBrun believes he’s headed to market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning’s salary-cap constraints led to a steady departure of depth talent since 2020. It started biting more deeply last year when Ondrej Palat departed for New Jersey last summer. Killorn’s departure will also be keenly felt unless he’s willing to accept a “hometown discount” on a short-term deal.