NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2024

by | Jul 31, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2024

A look at the remaining notable restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox and Rory Boylen updated their list of the notable remaining restricted free agents following the signings of Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas on Monday and New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren on Tuesday.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman still tops the list. He’s coming off a one-year, $3.45 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nothing new to report on his contract negotiations. Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis cited AFP Analytics projecting the 25-year-old goaltender is in line for a five-year contract with an average annual value of $6.433 million. However, some recent media speculation suggests he could get around $9 million annually depending on the length of the deal.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and winger Lucas Raymond sit second and third on their list. They speculate Seider could get an AAV of $8.6 million on a long-term deal but Raymond could get a mid-term commitment akin to teammate Alex DeBrincat’s four-year contract.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been over a month since Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said he’d get Seider and Raymond signed “in due time.” There’s been nothing new since then but plenty of time remains to get both players under contract before the start of training camp in mid-September. AFP Analytics projects Seider getting a seven-year deal with an AAV of $8.125 million and Raymond seven years at $7.758 million annually.

Seth Jarvis is the focus for Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky now that Martin Necas is under contract. The versatile 22-year-old forward can play center or wing and has risen among the Hurricanes’ core players. He’s coming off an entry-level contract and there’s speculation he could get an eight-year deal worth around $8 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: AFP Analytics projects a seven-year deal worth $7.75 million annually for Jarvis. Unless Tulsky makes a cost-cutting move, the Jarvis camp will have to accept much less than that because the Hurricanes only have $6.44 million in cap space.

Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill could attempt to sign defenseman Thomas Harley to a bridge contract. That’s what he did with Jason Robertson when the winger came off his entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Harley is projected to get a seven-year deal with an AAV of $6.922 million. However, the Stars have $6.243 million in cap space. The 22-year-old blueliner could end up with a short-term contract worth under $5 million annually.

Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers’ sophomore slump compromises his bargaining position coming off his entry-level contract. The betting is the 21-year-old center gets a bridge deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: AFP Analytics projects a seven-year deal worth $6.66 million annually. The Kraken have the hammer here so it could be much shorter and for around $5 million annually.

Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti seems a classic case for a bridge deal after a healthy but inconsistent 2023-24 performance under former head coach Rick Bowness. However, the Winnipeg Sun’s Scott Billeck recently reported positive communication between the Perfetti camp and new Jets bench boss Scott Arniel. That could sway Perfetti into signing a long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The projection has Perfetti in line for a seven-year deal with an AAV of $5.584 million. That could become a real bargain for the Jets if he blossoms into the scorer he was projected to become when the Jets drafted him in 2020.

The New Jersey Devils could go the bridge route with Dawson Mercer. Comparables include Ottawa’s Shane Pinto (two-year, $3.75 million AAV) and Columbus’ Kirill Marchenko (three years, $3.85 million AAV).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: AFP Analytics projected a six-year deal at $6.52 million annually. However, the Devils only have $4.9 million in cap space. Mercer will likely get a bridge deal unless the Devils shed some salary.

Cole Sillinger enjoyed a bounce-back performance from his 2022-23 sophomore slump with 13 goals and 32 points in 77 games. Like teammate Kirill Marchenko, he could get a three-year deal.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2024

by | Jul 20, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2024

The “no state tax” issue, Kyle Okposo forced to cancel Stanley Cup appearance, the Red Wings re-sign Joe Veleno, the latest salary arbitration news, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatshek reports little appetite around the NHL to make changes to the salary cap addressing the issue of teams with no state tax having an advantage in signing players over those with state and provincial tax.

Duhatschek indicates it would be “an incredibly complex system” involving tax laws in the 18 different states, five Canadian provinces, and the District of Columbia, where the NHL operates.

A change of that magnitude must be made through collective bargaining between the league and the NHL Players Association. The next round of CBA talks will begin in 2026.

Duhatschek noted this became an issue when the Florida Panthers became a very good team. He also cited an NHL executive accusing clubs complaining about the tax advantage of Florida teams as “a bunch of crybabies” trying to defend their mediocre team-building records.

The 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (NHL.com).

This executive believes the Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights built their teams better and that’s why they became Stanley Cup Champions, not because of a “no tax state” advantage.

The Lightning drafted better, finding value in players like Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Ondrej Palat and Alex Killorn that other teams passed over in the draft.

Meanwhile, the Panthers struck gold in the trade market, acquiring Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Sam Bennett, Brandon Montour and Matthew Tkachuk.

As for the Golden Knights, they did a great job in the 2017 expansion draft, acquiring draft capital and young talent that made them immediately competitive.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve been skeptical of this recent complaint about a“no state tax” advantage. The Lightning, Panthers and Golden Knights simply did a better job building their championship rosters.

The Lightning and Panthers have been around for 30 years. They were non-contenders for most of that period, especially the Panthers. It was when they finally brought in stable ownership and management that they became champions.

However, the salary cap remains the great leveler. The Lightning endured it over the past three years while the Panthers and Golden Knights began to feel its pinch this summer.

Salary cap constraints forced the Lightning to shed salaries to maintain their core players. It cut into their roster depth, eventually knocking them from their perch as Stanley Cup contenders.

The cost of maintaining a Cup contender was felt by the Panthers this summer by the departure of Montour. Verhaeghe, Bennett and Aaron Ekblad could be next to leave given their UFA eligibility next summer.

Wheeling and dealing in the trade market built the Golden Knights into a Cup champion in 2022-23. However, they felt the bite of the salary cap this summer with the departures of Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and William Carrier. They could soon run out of tradeable assets and cap room to make the major deals for expensive talent that built them into a champion.

The Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, and Seattle Kraken garnered no championship advantage playing in no-tax states.

The Predators peaked in 2018, winning the Presidents’ Trophy a year after reaching the Stanley Cup Final. They landed three of this summer’s biggest UFAs, signing Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei and Marchessault. Those moves could make them better but doesn’t guarantee a championship.

Meanwhile, the Stars have been in Dallas for over 30 years and have had their share of highs and lows, including a Cup in 1999. No one’s grumbled about their supposed advantage playing in a “no-tax state”. 

Meanwhile, the Kraken didn’t enjoy the same success out of the gate as the Golden Knights, mainly because rival clubs did a better job protecting assets in the expansion draft.

SPORTSNET: Travel issues affected Kyle Okposo’s day with the Stanley Cup. He had to cancel an event in Minnetonka, Minnesota due to the grounding of US flights on Friday because of the global IT outage affecting airlines. The 37-year-old forward was crushed by the news, though efforts are being made for him to have his day with the Cup.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings avoided salary arbitration with forward Joe Veleno as the two sides agreed to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.275 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Veleno is among six of the 14 players who filed for arbitration to settle with their clubs before their hearings. The others were Jake Christiansen and Jet Greaves of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Jack Drury of the Carolina Hurricanes, Ty Emberson of the San Jose Sharks, and JJ Moser of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The NHLPA has decided against releasing the scheduled dates of the hearings for those who filed for arbitration. The arbitration period runs from July 20 to Aug. 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of these cases are settled before their scheduled hearings, a trend that seems to be continuing this year. The notable players still unsigned include the Hurricanes’ Martin Necas, the New York Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren, and the Buffalo Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

TORONTO STAR: The Maple Leafs recently announced they hired Mark Leach as their new director of amateur scouting.

Leach spent the past 11 seasons with the Dallas Stars. He was instrumental in their selections of Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, Jake Oettinger, Thomas Harley, Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs could see a notable improvement at the draft table in the coming years given Leach’s impressive ability to find quality talent for the Stars.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2024

by | Jul 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2024

Fourteen players file for salary arbitration, the latest on Valeri Nichushkin and Evan Bouchard, the Oilers make a cost-cutting trade with the Sabres, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHLPA.COM: Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas and New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren highlight the 14 players filing for salary arbitration by the 5 pm ET deadline on July 5.

Other notables include Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser, New York Islanders winger Oliver Wahlstrom, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko, Detroit Red Wings forward Joe Veleno, and Hurricanes center Jack Drury.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).

The deadline for club-elected arbitration is 5 pm ET on July 6. Salary arbitration hearings will be held from July 20 to Aug. 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players and teams usually file for arbitration to set a deadline to complete contract negotiations rather than have them drag on through the summer. Most cases are settled before the scheduled arbitration hearings. Nevertheless, a handful could go before an arbitrator.

Necas is the most talented player on this list. He’s been the subject of trade speculation for weeks because he’s reportedly unhappy with his role on the Hurricanes.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal cited TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting the Avalanche aren’t trading Valeri Nichushkin while he’s in stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. They’re hoping to rehabilitate the player and the person.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rawal cited a report last month claiming the Chicago Blackhawks kicked around the idea of making a trade for Nichushkin before rejecting the notion.

Players in the assistance program, like Nichushkin and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine, can be traded. However, any clubs interested in these players would likely prefer to wait until they have emerged from the program to speak with them.

THE SCORE: cited The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman reporting the Edmonton Oilers and Evan Bouchard are unlikely to start contract extension talks this summer. The 24-year-old defenseman is due to become a restricted free agent next July. His current annual cap hit is $3.9 million.

Oilers management is focused on extension talks with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Meanwhile, Bouchard wants to build on his strong 2023-24 performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bouchard’s performance this season could double his money on his next contract. Another strong effort like last season’s could fetch him even more.

Draisaitl is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July and McDavid in July 2026. McDavid can’t sign an extension until next July but the two sides can discuss the framework of a deal.

EDMONTON JOURNAL/THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Oilers traded center Ryan McLeod and minor league winger Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres for prospect center Matthew Savoie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a cost-cutting move by the Oilers, who were sitting $2.5 million over the $88 million salary cap. Moving McLeod’s $2.1 million provides considerable cap relief. The Journal also noted the 24-year-old center lost out in the numbers game after the Oilers signed Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. McLeod should be a solid addition as the Sabres’ third-line center.

Savoie, 20, was chosen ninth overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft. A promising center, he’s been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons but still has the potential to blossom as an NHL star.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Speaking of the Sabres, they signed Henri Jokiharju to a one-year, $3.1 million contract. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed winger Eeli Tolvanen to a two-year, $6.95 million contract. The average annual value is $3.475 million.

SPORTSNET: The Winnipeg Jets are reportedly working on a trade to acquire defenseman Dylan Coghlan from the Carolina Hurricanes.

DAILY FACEOFF: James van Riemsdyk, Ryan Suter and Max Pacioretty remain the most notable players in the unrestricted free-agent market.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2024

by | Jul 4, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2024

An update on Leon Draisaitl’s contract status, Vladimir Tarasenko signs with the Red Wings, the Kraken makes a historic coach hire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

UPDATE ON LEON DRAISAITL’S CONTRACT SITUATION

EISHOCKEY NEWS: Michael Bauer recently interviewed Leon Draisaitl’s agent, Jiri Poner, about his client’s contract situation. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers center can become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Poner said the ball is in the Oilers’ court. “There’s no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e. by the end of August, or it doesn’t work out at all. It will also become clear whether Edmonton really wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.”

Draisaitl signed his current contract in Aug. 2017 under then-Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli. “I can still remember the shitstorm (Chiarelli) had to endure when he gave Leon the contract for $8.5 million a year,” recalled Poner. “Today, he would be celebrated for that deal.” He believes his client has been playing “at least 30 percent below his value for three years”, but insisted that wasn’t a complaint.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Poner also addressed the recent rumors in the North American media suggesting Draisaitl could be traded if he and the Oilers fail to agree to a contract extension.

“There are two important points. Firstly: What would a club be willing to give up for a short-term deal? Leon would then be a free agent again and the club would lose far too much. And secondly: What would Connor McDavid do a year later when his contract expires and Edmonton has already given up his best friend?”

Poner remains “very confident” that there will be an agreement with the Oilers that will please both sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl is still recuperating from a long, draining playoff run. Meanwhile, Oilers management has had its hands full with the recent draft and free agency. The contract extension talks will likely start later this summer.

Draisaitl’s contract status will become a focus of media attention once the dust settles in the free-agent market. The longer it drags on, the more nervous Oilers followers will become, giving rise to increasing media speculation over his future in Edmonton.

LATEST NOTABLE FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko, 32, is past his 30-plus goal prime but he tallied 23 goals last season split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. He’ll likely skate on their second line with Patrick Kane and J.T. Compher.

The Wings weren’t the only team interested in Tarasenko. TSN cited The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reporting the Pittsburgh Penguins made an offer but it was lower than other suitors.

The Red Wings freed up cap space for Tarasenko by trading winger Robby Fabbri to the Anaheim Ducks for goaltender Gage Alexander. Fabbri, 28, has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $4 million. The oft-injured forward had 18 goals and 32 points in 68 games last season.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers and center Anton Lundell agreed to a six-year, $30 million contract. Lundell, 22, was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. The average annual value is $5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundell earned his new deal as he’s increasingly become a valuable part of the Panthers’ core. Nicknamed “Baby Barkov”, he plays a two-way style similar to the Panthers captain. He did a fine job filling in for the sidelined Sam Bennett as their second-line center and could take over full-time this season with Bennett a year away from UFA eligibility.

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with Jack Roslovic. Details have yet to be released.

DAILY FACEOFF: The list of notable UFAs keeps shrinking. Winger James van Riemsdyk, defensemen Ryan Suter and Tyson Barrie, and wingers Tyler Johnson and Max Pacioretty are still available.

NHL COACHING AND MANAGEMENT NEWS

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken hired Jessica Campbell as a full-time assistant coach. She’s the first woman to fill that role in NHL history. Campbell has a long background as a player and a coach. Her previous job was as an assistant coach with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Campbell is the first but won’t be the last. The day that a woman becomes an NHL head coach isn’t that far away.

DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks named Ryane Clowe as an assistant general manager. He spent the past three seasons with the New York Rangers as a senior advisor and hockey operations advisor.

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens hired Lauri Korpikoski as a player development coach and named former assistant coach Alex Burrows as a player development consultant.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2024

by | Jul 1, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2024

The annual free-agent signing frenzy begins at noon ET today. Check out the latest notable free agent and trade rumors in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli believing part of the reason the Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t officially announced their signing of Jake Guentzel is they still have some hope of working something out with Steven Stamkos.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Signing Guentzel could use up half of the Lightning’s cap space. Stamkos would have to accept a major pay cut to remain in Tampa Bay. His agent said he’s heading to market today and it’s doubtful that his situation has changed.

Former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

If Stamkos goes to market, Seravalli believes the Vegas Golden Knights, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, and New Jersey Devils could be among the suitors.

Seravalli also reported Tyler Bertuzzi has come to terms with a Western Conference team. It’s expected to be a four-year deal with an average annual value of $5 million.

The Daily Faceoff pundit believes Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are close to a contract extension. He doesn’t know if the deal will be announced on July 1.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the Rangers shouldn’t overreact after Patrick Kane opted to re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Unless they can land Steven Stamkos, he doesn’t believe the forwards available in the UFA market would make a difference against a team like the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Brooks acknowledged Jonathan Marchessault’s MVP performance against the Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. However, he believes the Rangers need a bigger physical forward.

Today is the day Jacob Trouba’s no-movement clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list. The 31-year-old defenseman’s feelings are hurt over the way the Rangers have handled his situation. However, Brooks believes he shouldn’t stand in the way of the Rangers’ efforts to trade him to the Detroit Red Wings. If he does, the Rangers will trade him somewhere else or place him on waivers.

Mollie Walker also noted the Rangers’ rumored efforts to trade Trouba to Motown. She feels it’s best he returns to the state where he grew up and began playing hockey rather than stay with a team that doesn’t want him.

Walker anticipates the Rangers could be interested in adding a forward via free agency. They could be interested in Stamkos, Bertuzzi or Jake DeBrusk. They could also pursue a defenseman like Nikita Zadorov.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reporting the Rangers are taking family considerations into account in their efforts to move Trouba. They want to ensure the defenseman ends up in a place that’s best for him and his family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A Trouba trade could come as early as today based on the recent reporting. It would certainly add some extra spice to what will be a busy day for player movement.

THE BOSTON GLOBE: The Bruins could start free agency with a bang by signing former Vancouver Canucks Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. The 29-year-old Lindholm could give the Bruins a reliable two-way center. Zadorov, 29, enjoyed a solid postseason performance on the Canucks blueline, logging over 20 minutes per game and collecting eight points in 13 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm was linked to the Bruins for months last season before he was traded to the Canucks. There was talk leading up to the deadline of a three-way trade that would’ve sent him to Boston.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Trade talk has linked the Kraken to Patrik Laine. The 26-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets winger has yet to be released from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Despite his injury history, he could be a high-upside gamble for the low-scoring Kraken without tying them up in a long-term contract. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets can trade Laine while he’s in the player assistance program. However, it was reported over the weekend that interested clubs want to speak with him first.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators and Shane Pinto aren’t close to a long-term contract extension. They were exploring the option of a short-term deal to try to get something done. Pinto’s agent, Lewis Gross, could be looking for an offer sheet from a rival club but that could be a long shot. His client also lacks arbitration rights because he lacks the accrued seasons necessary to qualify.

The Senators could make a pitch for Jake DeBrusk, Tyler Toffoli or Matt Roy via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch noted a team that successfully signs Pinto to an offer sheet would have to part with a first-round pick and a third-rounder as compensation if the offer is between $4.57 million and $6.7 million. He also noted on “X” that the Senators would match it.

THE ATHLETIC: The Vancouver Canucks could be shopping for a veteran backup goaltender when free agency begins. They had contract extension discussions last week with Casey DeSmith but it appears he’d headed to market. They’ll also be shopping for a top-six forward, a speedy bottom-six forward and a left-shot defenseman.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2024

by | Jun 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2024

A look at the offseason goalie market after Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper were traded yesterday plus updates on Leon Draisaitl, Jake Guentzel, Jake DeBrusk and Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT DOES THE GOALIE MARKET LOOK LIKE WITHOUT MARKSTROM AND KUEMPER?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio believes all eyes are on Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark with Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper off the trade market. Markstrom was traded to the New Jersey Devils while Kuemper was shipped to the Los Angeles Kings.

Finding a market for Ullmark could become difficult with the Devils and Kings no longer interested. The Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators remain, with the Hurricanes listening to offers for winger Martin Necas. The Senators are said to be willing to move their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

Ullmark has a 16-team no-trade list that becomes a 15-team list on July 1. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving must get moving to find a suitable starting netminder now that Markstrom is no longer available.

This year’s free-agent market is a weak one for goaltenders. The Leafs can’t take chances on career backups like Anthony Stolarz or Laurent Brossoit.

Ullmark and Jusse Saros of the Nashville Predators are among the goalies drawing interest in the trade market. Both have a year left on their contracts with cap hits of $5 million.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan doesn’t see the Bruins trading Ullmark to a playoff rival like the Leafs. Instead, he believes they could send him to the Senators.

Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).

Koshan also doesn’t buy into the scenario of the Leafs trading Mitch Marner to Nashville for Saros. He pointed out that Marner intends to play the final year of his contract with Toronto. New Leafs head coach Craig Berube welcomes the opportunity to work with the 27-year-old winger.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports league sources claim the Senators have circled back to Ullmark after failing to land Markstrom. Those sources also said the talks between the two clubs have intensified.

The Senators were interested in Ullmark before the March trade deadline. However, they couldn’t get a deal in place with the Bruins at that time. The Bruins aren’t interested in taking on Joonas Korpisalo in return because they can’t afford the remaining four years of his contract. However, they might be willing to take Anton Forsberg and his $2.75 million cap hit for 2024-25.

A league executive suggested to Garrioch that it could cost the Senators their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun to get Ullmark from the Bruins. That depends on whether the Senators are on his no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are better positioned to bid for Ullmark than the Maple Leafs. Treliving might have to shift his attention to Saros, but Predators GM Barry Trotz is reportedly discussing a contract extension with the 29-year-old netminder.

Speaking of the Senators, The Hockey News’ Steve Warne cited TSN’s Travis Yost reporting the Senators and Philadelphia Flyers have the framework of a trade in place. He thinks it might not be finalized until closer to the draft, scheduled for June 28-29 in Las Vegas.

Yost provided no specifics regarding the deal and how big it might be. Chychrun could be part of that if Ottawa is shopping him. It won’t involve a goaltender as the Flyers have none to spare that would interest the Senators. Maybe the Senators are trying to flog Korpisalo to the Flyers to make room for Ullmark. Stay tuned…

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he has no intention of trading or buying out Elvis Merzlikins.

Merzlikins raised headlines in January when he said he requested a trade only to have his agent claim his client misspoke. By the end of the season, it was assumed he’d played his final game with the Blue Jackets.

Waddell took over as Blue Jackets GM last month. He wants to give Merlizkins another chance to establish himself as their starting goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikins’ unhappiness stemmed from being relegated to third-stringer for several weeks in December and early January. Waddell’s firing of head coach Pascal Vincent could provide Merzlikins with additional motivation.

UPDATES ON LEON DRAISAITL, JAKE GUENTZEL AND JAKE DEBRUSK

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports hearing no meaningful contract talks have taken place and no numbers have been exchanged between the Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl. Those negotiations could begin following the Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any earlier discussions between the two camps were preliminary, likely gauging both sides’ willingness to talk about an extension. That should be expected considering the Oilers are still in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Chicago Blackhawks could attempt to sign Jake Guentzel as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. They want to alleviate the pressure off Connor Bedard and appear the most willing to meet Guentzel’s anticipated asking price of $63 million. They can also offer him an opportunity to play closer to his home in Minnesota.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That anticipated asking price breaks down to $9 million annually on a seven-year deal. Playing alongside the promising Bedard could also be tempting for Guentzel.

Kypreos claims there’s word the Maple Leafs could be interested in Jake DeBrusk.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said he’s been told by a few people that the Seattle Kraken could have Patrik Laine on their radar.

Laine’s camp recently met with Blue Jackets management where they mutually agreed to look into a trade. Friedman cited the Kraken’s need to add more scoring and believes they can afford to take on the winger’s contract.

Laine has two years left on his deal with an annual average value of $8.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken have a projected cap space of $22.5 million. They’ve got 16 active roster players under contract with restricted free agents Matty Beniers and Eeli Tolvanen to re-sign. There’s room to add Laine depending on the cost of Beniers and Tolvanen.

They could garner more cap space if they bought out goaltender Philipp Grubauer. However, Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times indicated Kraken GM Ron Francis isn’t planning any buyouts at this point.