NHL Rumor Mill – September 24, 2025

by | Sep 24, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 24, 2025

Check out the latest on Jets winger Kyle Connor, Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, Devils blueliner Luke Hughes, and Predators winger Luke Evangelista in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports Winnipeg Jets chairman Mark Chipman doesn’t envision Kyle Connor moving on to another club after this season. The 28-year-old left winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor (NHL Images).

Chipman said he’s not directly involved in contract talks, as general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff handles that issue. Nevertheless, he pointed out that Connor is part of their roster core, and those players are very close.

“I think it would be my expectation that we’ll get something done sooner rather than later,” Chipman said. “My instincts are telling me that this is likely going to get done.”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t a rumor on Connor’s contract situation, but it’s worthwhile including here because he’s bound to come up in media chatter the longer he remains unsigned this season.

Connor’s offensive skills would make him a highly-prized player in next summer’s free-agent market, especially if Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, Vegas’ Jack Eichel, and the New York Rangers’ Artemi Panarin end up re-signing with their current clubs.

Some observers might question whether the small-market Jets can afford to retain Connor, especially after losing Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency this summer. However, they were able to re-sign Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele two years ago despite speculation that they might test the open market. It wouldn’t be surprising if they keep Connor in the fold.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes there’s a chance the Calgary Flames might be able to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but he still considers it unlikely.

Andersson, 28, is UFA-eligible on July 1. The Flames are happy to have him back, and he’s willing to play his best for them this season. Neither side wants to totally close the door on contract talks.

LeBrun said Andersson was nearly traded to the Vegas Golden Knights this summer, but it failed to materialize. He thinks the blueliner might listen if an eight-year offer is on the table, but it doesn’t seem like the Flames are willing to go there.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson turns 29 next month, which explains why the Flames are reluctant to offer up an eight-year deal. Unless he’s willing to accept a shorter term, he’s likely to be moved by the March 6 trade deadline.

LeBrun also reported that New Jersey Devils’ management and representatives for Luke Hughes met on Monday to try to find some leeway in contract talks.

Hughes, 22, is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. LeBrun stated that the two sides remain far apart and still must find more common ground. They are both focused on a long-term contract but can’t agree on the average annual value. He indicated the tone remains amicable, but a deal isn’t imminent.

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: provided an update on Luke Evangelista’s contract talks with the Nashville Predators. Johnston indicated the Predators are offering up a two-year deal worth an AAV of $2 million. Meanwhile, the Evangelista camp seeks around $3.25 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 23, 2025

by | Sep 23, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 23, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Luke Hughes’ contract talks with the Devils, potential suitors for free-agent goalie Carter Hart, and Alex Wennberg’s future with the Sharks. 

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes the wedge between the Devils and Luke Hughes is growing more concerning as training camp continues. 

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes, 22, is a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract. He’s missed nearly the entire first week of Devils training camp. Both sides seek a long-term deal, but cannot find common ground on the dollars. 

Nichols cited recent speculation by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting general managers around the league are doing their best to hold their ground so as not to be taken advantage of with the rising salary cap. 

Hughes’ agent, Pat Brisson, sees his client as a future No. 1 defenseman and believes he should be paid accordingly. He also doesn’t want to see Luke’s contract land on the “best bargain” list, like his brother, Jack Hughes. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils also have $5.2 million in cap space, which would also explain why negotiations have stalled over money. 

They could get some short-term cap relief if sidelined defenseman Johnathan Kovecevic ($4 million average annual value) lands on LTIR to start the season. However, they must be cap-compliant when the season begins, which could lead to a cost-cutting trade if the AAV on Hughes’ new contract exceeds their current cap hit. 

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports sources are claiming the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights are among several teams still in the mix for free-agent goaltender Carter Hart. 

Hart won’t be returning to his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers. He seeks a destination where he’ll have a clear path to playing time on a team built for success. 

It’s expected he’ll sign a two-year contract and could play some tune-up games in the AHL in mid-November before his first NHL start in early December. 

The Utah Mammoth had internal discussions about bidding for Hart, but is out of the process. The Edmonton Oilers have decided not to pursue him. 

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports Alex Wennberg faces an uncertain future with the San Jose Sharks. 

The 31-year-old center is in the second season of a two-year contract with the rebuilding Sharks. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. 

Pashelka noted that the Sharks have promising centers such as Will Smith, Michael Misa, and Filip Bystedt on their roster or within their system.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 19, 2025

by | Sep 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 19, 2025

Kings captain Anze Kopitar to retire, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin uncertain if this season is his last, and the latest on Predators captain Roman Josi, Panthers winger Brad Marchand, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: King captain Anze Kopitar announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 38-year-old center is entering his 20th NHL season, all of them spent with the Kings. He helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2011-12 and 2013-14, and is a three-time winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and a two-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).

Kopitar is the Kings’ all-time leader in games played (1,454). He can surpass Marcel Dionne as the franchise points leader (1,307) with a 30-point performance this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kopitar became one of the best two-way forwards in the league over the past 25 years. He was chosen in the first round (11th overall) in the 2005 NHL Draft, becoming their foundation player as they rose from being an also-ran into a two-time Cup champion and one of the dominant teams in the league between 2010 and 2015.

Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty are the only players from those championship years still with the Kings.

DAILY FACEOFF: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said he doesn’t know yet if this season will be his last in the NHL. The 40-year-old is in the final season of his five-year contract. He believes there’s plenty of time to discuss that with Capitals management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin left practice during the opening day of training camp with a lower-body injury, but the move was for precautionary reasons and is considered to be a minor ailment.

TSN: Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi was among the first players on the ice for training camp on Thursday. The 35-year-old defenseman had been sidelined since Feb. 25, and in June was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Following a long rehab, Josi doesn’t believe that his health will be an issue now that he has the tools to manage the issue. “I’m more so relieved and really excited just having a plan,” Josi said. “I feel great. I feel 100 percent. I feel good on the ice and so I’m not concerned at all.”

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Brad Marchand said contract term was one factor that led to his departure from the Boston Bruins. He indicated he wasn’t interested in a short-term deal, while the Panthers were willing to give him a long-term contract.

According to Marchand, being in a non-tax state played a significant role in the Panthers’ efforts to retain some of their key players. “If we were not in a non-tax state, it probably wouldn’t have worked out for two guys,” he said.

Marchand added that the Panthers’ no-tax advantage wouldn’t have been as big a factor if they weren’t as competitive or well-run.

“That is the main thing. You care about the hockey. You care about the organization. You’re not going to walk into a non-tax state if the team’s not run well or if they’re a bad team. That’s just not the case anymore. These non-tax state teams are some of the best-run teams in the league.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have had a non-state tax advantage since their inception in 1993-94, but it didn’t help them during their first 25 years. They were a laughingstock during that period, reaching the playoffs only five times while going through 10 general managers and 15 coaches.

It wasn’t until they hired Bill Zito as general manager in 2020 that they finally turned things around. Stability in the front office is the primary reason behind their current success and why players like Marchand want to play for them now.

CONTRACT UPDATES

THE ATHLETIC: Artemi Panarin said he’s focusing on hockey and won’t publicly discuss his contract situation with the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old winger is in the final season of his seven-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.6 million.

Panarin declined to comment about a report by The Athletic claiming he and Madison Square Garden Sports paid financial settlements to a Rangers employee in August 2024 after she alleged he sexually assaulted her.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said contract extension talks have begun with Jacob Markstrom. The 35-year-old goaltender is in the final season of his six-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $6 million.

Fitzgerald also said that he’s disappointed the contract talks with Luke Hughes remain unresolved. The restricted free-agent defenseman seeks a five-year contract, while the Devils prefer a bridge deal or a long-term contract. The two sides continue to negotiate.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Alex Tuch said he loves Buffalo and hopes to stay with the Sabres for the long term. The 29-year-old forward is in the final season of a six-year deal with an AAV of $4.75 million.

THE SCORE: It was recently reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarz are in talks about a contract extension. However, the 31-year-old goalie is unwilling to continue negotiations during the regular season. He’s in the final season of a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been reported that the two sides could have a deal in place before the start of the regular season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Alexander Holtz still lacks a contract for this season, but the restricted free agent forward will attend Vegas Golden Knights training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO) until a deal is reached or the two sides part ways.

INJURY UPDATES

TSN: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman will remain sidelined by a wrist injury until early November.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel left practice yesterday for precautionary reasons. Head coach Bruce Cassidy said Eichel “tweaked something” but remains hopeful that he could return to practice on Friday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin said winger Mats Zuccarello (undisclosed) could miss the start of the regular season.

TSN: Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Laurent Brossoit remains sidelined long-term following offseason hip surgery. He missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery in August 2024.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. Forward Stefan Noesen is expected to miss some time with a groin injury stemming from a pre-existing one that he suffered last season.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 18, 2025

by | Sep 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 18, 2025

Check out the latest on Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, Stars winger Jason Robertson, Avalanche forward Martin Necas, Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports the uncertainty over defenseman Quinn Hughes’ future with the Vancouver Canucks has several teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, keeping an eye on his situation.

Hughes, who turns 26 next month, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires in 2027. Media speculation suggests the Canucks could consider trading their captain if he’s unwilling to sign a contract extension.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Jim Rutherford, the Canucks’ president of hockey operations, knows his club must improve this season to better its chances of re-signing Hughes. They attempted to acquire a second-line center during the offseason, but the asking prices were high. However, he might have to bite the bullet if he wants to hang onto his franchise player.

Rutherford acknowledged that Hughes might want to move on even if the Canucks improve, perhaps to join his brothers (Jack and Luke), who currently play for the New Jersey Devils. However, he said that’s not a certainty, and the Canucks will try to build the best team they can around him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season is a crucial one for the Canucks. If they bounce back from last season’s disappointing performance, it could convince Hughes to sign an extension next summer. If they struggle again, it could set the stage for his departure, perhaps as early as the March 2026 trade deadline.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos reports Stars GM Jim Nill said contract talks with Jason Robertson are at a standstill.

The 26-year-old winger is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July, and he’ll be UFA-eligible by July 2027 unless he and the Stars agree to a long-term deal next summer. His current average annual value (AAV) is $7.75 million.

Rumors swirled this summer suggesting Robertson could price himself out of Dallas because of the club’s limited salary-cap space. Some wondered if he could be traded, but Nill believes things were blown out of proportion.

Nill said the Stars had to shed salary this summer. That prompted teams to contact them about certain players, including Robertson, before they eventually shipped out Mason Marchment to Seattle and Matt Dumba to Pittsburgh in cost-cutting moves.

However, Nill had no intention of trading Robertson. The goal is to reach an agreement on a long-term extension that works for both sides. The Stars GM said neither side is in a rush because plenty of time remains to get a deal done. He indicated that both sides want to see what the market looks like.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It might be a different story if Robertson were UFA eligible next July. In this case, however, both sides can remain patient and see how things unfold this season. If it appears a deal isn’t possible, the Stars can peddle him next summer, where there won’t be a lack of suitors, especially if Robertson has another good season.

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak reports Martin Necas had little to say about the possibility of a contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche. The 26-year-old forward is UFA-eligible next summer.

“We’re talking, and we’ll see what’s going to happen,” Necas said. “I can’t really tell you. I don’t even know. It will be interesting. It’s more about my agent.”

Masisek believes everyone is waiting for Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov to reset the market, but neither of them is close to signing. Necas joined the Avalanche last season in the Mikko Rantanen trade, and the two sides haven’t had much time to determine if they’re a long-term fit.

Necas could be expensive to re-sign if he plays well this season. If a deal isn’t possible, the Avalanche might not be as lucky in replacing him as they were in replacing Rantanen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas’ situation has been overshadowed by all the attention on McDavid, Kaprizov, Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor, and Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe. Nevertheless, he could become the top forward in next summer’s UFA market if those three end up re-signing with their current teams.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday that the New Jersey Devils and restricted free-agent defenseman Luke Hughes continue to “grind away” in their contract talks.

Once Hughes is re-signed, LeBrun wonders what the future holds for Devils blueliner Dougie Hamilton. “How many power-play quarterbacks do you need in the modern NHL?”, he asked.

Hamilton has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million and a 10-team list of teams that he can be traded to. LeBrun believes that’s something to file away until the March 6 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton’s name popped up frequently this summer in the rumor mill. The Devils have just over $6 million in cap space, and it could cost them over $8 million to get Hughes under contract. That could result in a cost-cutting trade, which is why Hamilton has surfaced in recent trade speculation.

THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger reports the Utah Mammoth will place goaltender Connor Ingram on waivers as the two sides have agreed to part ways.

Ingram recently completed the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. The club is happy for him and his path to recovery. However, they are set in goal this season with Karel Vejmelka and offseason acquisition Vitek Vanecek, while Jaxson Stauber is under contract for the next two years.

Granger listed the Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Ottawa Senators as possible landing spots for Ingram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ingram, 28, is in the final season of a three-year contract with a cap hit of $1.95 million.

TSN: Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios said forward Alex Formenton will not be returning to the club. Both sides agree he’d be better off with a fresh start elsewhere, and the club is gauging the trade market.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames are not bringing back Dillon Dube. GM Craig Conroy felt the winger would be better off with a fresh start elsewhere.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving remains in the market for a top-six forward. However, he dismissed recent speculation linking his club to Dube.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Formenton and Dube were among the five former Hockey Canada players found not guilty of sexual assault stemming from an incident in June 2018 in London, Ontario.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 10, 2025

by | Sep 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 10, 2025

Penguins star Sidney Crosby addresses the trade rumors swirling around him, the Devils’ Jack Hughes would love to play alongside brother Quinn, and the latest on Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CROSBY ADDRESSES TRADE RUMORS

TRIBLIVE.COM: Sidney Crosby is aware of the trade rumors swirling around him, now that he and the Pittsburgh Penguins have missed the playoffs for the last three years.

“I understand it,” Crosby said to reporters during the NHL player media tour in Las Vegas on Tuesday. “That’s the hard part about losing. Everybody thinks that the losing is the buzzer goes (off), you lose a game and that sucks, but there’s so much more than that. It’s the turnover. It’s the unknown, the uncertainty, the question marks. That’s the stuff that’s tough.”

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Crosby is starting a two-year contract with a full no-movement clause. However, rumors have linked the 38-year-old center to the Colorado Avalanche (where close friend Nathan MacKinnon plays) and his childhood team, the Montreal Canadiens.

“I get it, trust me,” Crosby said, recalling being in Montreal in June early in his NHL career and marveling about how the broadcasts were already projecting the training camp lineups for September.

“They’re so into it, and I get it as to why that would come up and that sort of thing. It doesn’t make it any easier when you’re losing, for sure, to hear those things, but at the same time, to know that a team like that wants you, it’s not the end of the world. It could be worse. I just think that’s part of it.”

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun asked Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, if he thought it possible that his client might be traded before his contract expires in 2027.

“I mean, I’m answering something that…let’s put it this way, it’s always a possibility, you know?,” Brisson said. “It’s been three years they haven’t made the playoffs. It all depends on how Sid is going to be and how the team is doing. I maintain the same position that I do believe that he should be playing playoff hockey every year. In my opinion.”

LeBrun writes that Crosby only sees himself as a Penguin for life. However, he wondered if that could change with another losing season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some pundits have been stumping for Crosby to accept a trade to Colorado, Montreal, or another major hockey market where he’ll get a chance to chase the Stanley Cup once more, “for the good of the game,” as some have intoned.

Another year of losing might change Crosby’s mind. However, the decision rests with him. His camp won’t pressure him into it, and the Penguins aren’t going to push him out if he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

Sidney Crosby will do what he thinks is best for himself. He won’t do it because of what others want him to do. Whatever he decides when the time comes, we should respect that decision.

JACK HUGHES HOPES TO PLAY ALONGSIDE BROTHER QUINN

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston cited an interview that Jack Hughes had with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, in which the Devils center admitted he’d love to play alongside his brother Quinn one day.

Quinn Hughes is the captain of the Vancouver Canucks. The 25-year-old defenseman is signed through 2026-27. Speculation over his future in Vancouver arose earlier this year after Canucks president Jim Rutherford said Quinn would one day like to play with his brothers, Jack and Luke.

“Honestly, I’m not afraid to say it,” Jack said. “Yeah, I would love for Quinn to – eventually I’d love to play with him. And whether that’s in New Jersey or at what time that takes, at some point, I want to play with Quinn. But yeah, that’s the question going around. They talk all day about it in Vancouver, you know? But yeah, I’d love to play with Quinn at some point.”

Johnston assumed that Rutherford and Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin would love to one day acquire Jack and Luke and have the Hughes’ reunite in Vancouver. However, that would be incredibly hard to pull off, making Quinn’s departure to New Jersey seem the more likely route.

According to Johnston, some might argue that if the Canucks don’t have a clearer view on Quinn’s future before the end of this season, they should consider trading him earlier when he’ll have more value with a year left on his contract.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols noted that the Devils still have to sign younger brother Luke to a new contract. “Perhaps the term of that contract will indicate if the Hughes brothers plan to play together in New Jersey, or elsewhere.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks’ efforts to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance could play a significant role in determining Quinn’s future in Vancouver. Meanwhile, Luke reportedly seeks a five-year contract taking him up to 2030, when Jack’s current contract is due to expire.

THE LATEST ON RASMUS ANDERSSON

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports Rasmus Andersson is eager to start this season with the Flames, despite being in the final season of his contract.

The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July, making him the subject of trade speculation this summer.

Andersson denied a rumor claiming he’d only accept a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights. “The thing that bothers you is fake information that comes out,” he said. “I saw some reports that I would only sign with one team and this and that and it’s the furthest from the truth.”

The blueliner also dismissed the notion that his contract status would be a distraction for the team.

Austin believes the most likely scenario is that Andersson gets traded at some point this season. However, GM Craig Conroy isn’t closing the door on a contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A good season for Andersson and the Flames might be a step toward a new deal. However, he could seek more in dollars and years than they’re willing to invest.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2025

by | Sep 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2025

A roundup of takes on the latest scuttlebutt involving the five notable remaining restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET’s Luke Fox looked at the latest rumors regarding the remaining notable RFAs.

Fox believes New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is still trying to get defenseman Luke Hughes signed to a team-friendly contract. A good comparable would be Brock Faber’s $8 million average annual value (AAV) on his eight-year contract.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes reportedly prefers a five-year contract taking him up to unrestricted free-agent status by July 2030, the same time as teammate and brother Jack’s contract expires. The Devils prefer locking up Luke to a three-year bridge contract or an eight-year deal.

The Devils have roughly $7 million in cap space remaining, which is why veterans like winger Ondrej Palat and defenseman Dougie Hamilton have surfaced in recent trade rumors.

DAILY FACEOFF: Steven Ellis cited AFP Analytics projecting Hughes could get $8.386 million on a six-year contract or $5.786 million on a three-year deal.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Devils are under considerable pressure to get Hughes signed before the start of the season. His absence could make the difference between them securing home-ice advantage for the playoffs and being a wild-card team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils must shed salary if they can’t get Hughes signed within their current cap constraints. If he gets over $8 million, expect a cost-cutting trade to follow.

Turning to Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish, Fox noted that there has been trade interest from rival teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks. However, it’s believed Ducks GM Pat Verbeek wants to sign him beyond a bridge deal. One comparable could be Quinton Byfield’s five-year extension with the Los Angeles Kings, which carries an AAV of $6.25 million.

Ellis considers the 22-year-old McTavish to be the premier forward still chasing a contract this summer. AFP Analytics projects he’ll get $6.772 million on a six-year contract or $3.983 million on a three-year deal.

Proteau believes the Ducks are under a lot of pressure to get McTavish signed. The rebuilding club needs all hands on deck if they’re to push for a playoff berth this season. They can’t afford to have a dynamic young player like McTavish on the sidelines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek has a well-deserved reputation as a tough negotiator who isn’t afraid to let contract negotiations carry over into training camp and preseason. He also won’t trade McTavish if this turns into a standoff unless he gets a comparable player in return.

Fox indicated contract negotiations continue between the Nashville Predators and winger Luke Evangelista. He thinks the approach of training camp will be the true pressure point, suggesting a bridge deal as the path toward a solution.

Ellis cited AFP Analytics projecting a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.513 million for Evangelista. Proteau believes the Predators don’t have to rush into getting the young forward re-signed, noting the clock isn’t ticking as loudly for them as it is for the Devils with Hughes and the Ducks with McTavish.

Turning to Alexander Holtz of the Vegas Golden Knights, Fox cited Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon expressing his belief that his club can help the young forward unlock his untapped potential. A bridge deal or a trade could be the outcome.

Ellis indicated a one-year deal worth $874,125 was projected for Holtz by AFP Analytics. Proteau concurs that he’ll get an affordable short-term deal and believes the Golden Knights are feeling pressured to sign him.

The last RFA on Fox’s list is Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser. He cited Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times indicating that a deal should be worked out before training camp. Fox projected his contract will be three years with an AAV of $2.5 million.

According to Ellis, AFP Analytics projected Kaiser receiving $3.208 million annually on a three-year contract or $5.479 million on a six-year deal. Proteau believes the Blackhawks can afford to take their time getting him under contract.