SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/17/2021 1217417 Ducks GM Bob Murray faces new set of decisions ahead 1217446 OILERS NOTES: Leafs' Zack Hyman would be ideal fit at of expansion winger, but for how long? 1217418 Stephens: Gabriel Landeskog and the Ducks? It’s 1217447 What I’m hearing about the Oilers offseason 2.0: Adam tempting, but they should stay away Larsson and free agency? Who’s on the expansion list? 1217448 Source: Oilers talking to ’s camp; what he Bruins might cost and how he could fit with Edmonton 1217419 Could Connor Clifton be heading West? 1217420 NHL Trade Rumors; Bruins Linked To Hyman, Landeskog 1217421 Bruins depth chart 1.0: How the lineup looks after Brandon 1217449 Two NHL Drafts looming. A look at how they’re connected, Carlo’s extension what Panthers could opt to do 1217450 Seattle Expansion Draft II: Who do the Florida Panthers keep? 1217422 Sabres drafting first overall in year in which 'scouting world got turned upside down' 1217423 What to do with Jack Eichel, and the drafts: 1217451 Here’s why the Kings are well set up for the NHL If I were Sabres GM expansion draft 1217452 Viktor Arvidsson on his trade from the Predators: ‘I feel Flames like I didn’t get seen as the all-around player I wa 1217424 Could Giordano’s career as Flame end in expansion draft? 1217453 Kings Seasons In Review – Jaret Anderson-Dolan 1217425 Source: There’s mutual interest between the Flames and Zach Hyman. What would be the cost and the fit? Wild 1217426 Flames draft board: Cole Sillinger, Chaz Lucius and other 1217454 Wild to submit protection list ahead of Seattle expansion top prospects Calgary might select at No. 12 draft 1217455 Projected Wild protection list 1217456 Why is the U.S. located in tiny 1217427 The Hurricanes signed another piece of the roster puzzle Eveleth, Minnesota? Friday 1217457 Avs? Blues? Blackhawks? Ryan Suter has options in free agency, while Zach Parise looks for familiarity 1217428 Keith trade opens door for Hawks to make big splash 1217458 No rift with Canadiens, Joël Bouchard says of jump to Ducks' AHL team 1217429 Avalanche 2021-2022 preseason schedule announced 1217459 Future is now for Canadiens' young guns 1217430 Pick 6: Odds Colorado Avalanche will win the 1217460 By the numbers: Weber is the wild-card as GM plots in 2022 Canadiens' future 1217431 Ryan Graves Q&A: ‘Excited’ to help the Devils take next 1217461 How will Montreal address Shea Weber? Will Phillip step after proving himself with the Avalanche Danault or Jonathan Drouin return? Canadiens offseason 1217432 Avalanche release 2021 preseason schedule, will open at prim T-Mobile Arena on Sep. 28 1217462 Viktor Arvidsson on his trade from the Predators: ‘I feel 1217433 NHL draft profile: Who is Matty Beniers? like I didn’t get seen as the all-around player I wa 1217434 Ryan Graves Q&A: ‘Excited’ to help the Devils take next step after proving himself with the Avalanche 1217463 Why NJ Devils trade for Ryan Graves is strong start to important offseason 1217435 Missing hockey already? Check out who the Dallas Stars 1217464 Ryan Graves Q&A: ‘Excited’ to help the Devils take next will face this preseason step after proving himself with the Avalanche 1217436 Joe Trahan to take over for retiring Dale Hansen as 1217465 LeBrun: Thumbs up for Devils trade, latest on Zach WFAA’s weeknight sports anchor Hyman and Gabriel Landeskog 1217437 As expansion and free agency loom, it’s just a waiting game for Stars’ Jamie Oleksiak 1217466 Islanders trade Nick Leddy for Red Wings forward, pick 1217467 Islanders trade defenseman Nick Leddy to Detroit Red 1217438 Detroit Red Wings acquire veteran defenseman Nick Wings in cap-clearing move Leddy in trade 1217468 Islanders trade Nick Leddy to Detroit. What’s next in Lou 1217439 Here's who Detroit Red Wings are best served protecting Lamoriello’s offseason plan? in Seattle expansion draft 1217469 A reunion for Zach Parise and ? What we’re 1217440 Red Wings acquire Nick Leddy from Islanders hearing about the Islanders ahead of the expansion dr 1217441 Red Wings prepared to submit protected list for expansion 1217470 Islanders, Zach Parise Seem Destined for One Another, draft Ryan Suter Too? 1217442 'Class of his own': Swedish goalie Jesper Wallstedt giving 1217471 Islanders Among Short List of Teams Gabriel Landeskog teams reason to be drafted high Would Sign with as a UFA 1217443 Ex-Red Wing Manny Legace at Matiss Kivlenieks memorial: ‘I love you; you were my son’ 1217444 Who Red Wings will protect in expansion draft; who they might lose 1217445 What acquiring Nick Leddy means for the Red Wings 1217472 Rangers re-signing Julien Gauthier has intriguing implications 1217473 Rangers re-sign restricted Julien Gauthier 1217474 Will Wells Fargo Center renovations entice the 76ers to stay? 1217475 Flyers’ GM doesn’t want to overreact to team’s one bad season 1217476 Flyers have big decisions to make over next couple weeks 1217477 Kraken down on decisions, trade talk and more as Flyers' big offseason heats up 1217478 contract projection: Flyers goalie’s early-career ups and downs will make for a tricky negotiation 1217479 Who will the Penguins protect in the expansion draft? 1217480 Penguins schedule community meetings on Hunt Armory rink and hockey diversity 1217481 Penguins A to Z: While hardly irrelevant, Will Reilly remains a long 1217482 Six questions to set the stage for Penguins' offseason 1217483 Penguins still have a goalie problem. Which free agents can fix it? 1217484 Sharks' pick slots revealed for upcoming 2021 NHL Draft 1217485 Does Kuemper Make Sense for Sharks? 1217486 Sheng’s Daily: Kuemper Available, Khudobin Off Board for Sharks? St Louis Blues 1217487 Blues must turn in list for expansion draft on Saturday 1217488 Lightning offer ‘poignant’ moments in Quest for the Stanley Cup finale 1217489 Lightning’s Victor Hedman talks knee injury, Stanley Cup run in TSN interview Maple Leafs 1217490 Zach Hyman. Frederik Andersen. The Maple Leafs have quick decisions to make, but fans hoping for a major shake 1217491 KOSHAN: Losing Kerfoot in expansion draft would help Leafs financially, but create another depth hole 1217492 NHL Draft: Who could the Maple Leafs target with their first draft pick at No. 57 Canucks 1217494 Canucks top 10 prospects: Jack Rathbone's got the wheels, looks the real deal 1217495 Canucks ‘trying to move some money’: GM Jim Benning 1217496 Canucks: Alex Edler ‘rolling the dice,’ will explore free agency 1217497 Canucks offseason: Alex Edler will hit the market, Mike Gillis joins the NHLPA and more 1217498 Braden Holtby, and what we’re hearing about the Canucks’ plans ahead of the expansion draft 1217493 What can Kraken learn from Golden Knights’ expansion draft success? Websites 1217499 The Athletic / NHL Mock Draft 2021: From 1 to 224, Corey Pronman projects all seven rounds 1217500 The Athletic / ‘I can be a great goalie’: NHL Draft prospect Jesper Wallstedt believes he’s worthy of a high p 1217501 .ca / Oilers' focus shifts to addressing forward depth and goalie tandem 1217502 TSN.CA / ‘Extremely competitive’ prospect L'Heureux aims to emulate Tkachuk, Marchand

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1217417 Anaheim Ducks Fleury out of the hands of Seattle GM Ron Francis, who drafted Fleury while with the Carolina Hurricanes.

If so, Murray could protect forwards Max Jones, Isac Lundestrom, Ducks GM Bob Murray faces new set of decisions ahead of expansion Rickard Rakell and Troy Terry, leaving Francis with some interesting draft options, including Henrique, right wing Jakob Silfverberg and center Sam Unlike four years ago, Murray isn’t trying to maintain the team’s elite Steel. Protecting goalie John Gibson, a two-time All-Star, is a no-brainer. status, but is attempting to regain it Or it’s possible Murray protects seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie. He also could make another side deal in order to protect a player of value and hope it doesn’t come back to haunt him and anger Ducks By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] fans the way the last one did four years ago.

Orange County Register One thing is certain: All will be revealed soon enough.

PUBLISHED: July 16, 2021 at 9:43 a.m. | UPDATED: July 16, 2021 at Orange County Register: LOADED: 07.17.2021 2:45 p.m.

Four years ago, if you drift back through the fog of time, the Ducks were in a far, far different place than today. They had just muscled their way through three rounds of the , reaching the Western Conference final for the second time in a three-season span.

General manager Bob Murray wanted to continue the climb. The Ducks had lost to the Nashville Predators in six games, punishing them physically to the that they were no match for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final. The Penguins won handily in six games.

So, what happened next made sense in the moment.

Murray wanted to keep his defense corps intact through the 2017 expansion draft. He wanted to keep Josh Manson protected, so he flipped promising youngster Shea Theodore to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the promise that the NHL’s 31st team would pick someone else.

The rest, as they say, is history.

It’s a history Ducks fans would like to forget.

Nothing boils their blood quicker.

When healthy, Manson has continued to play his physical role as expected. Meanwhile, Theodore has blossomed into one of the league’s top young defensemen, a vital part of the unexpected success of the Golden Knights. The Ducks have slumped as the Golden Knights have soared.

Four years later, Murray faces another series of decisions as another expansion draft looms. He must submit his list of protected players – either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or eight skaters of either position and one goalie – to the NHL by Saturday.

On Sunday, each team’s protected list will be revealed.

On Wednesday, the will make their selections.

The Ducks, having nearly hit bottom by finishing in second-to-last place in the league’s overall standings this past season, are no longer Stanley Cup contenders. They are rebuilding their fortunes, or as Murray said earlier this week, “This is all about development.”

Murray spoke specifically Monday about the hiring of Joel Bouchard as the new coach of the Ducks’ AHL team, the San Diego Gulls, but the development theme runs throughout the organization. This will be a different expansion draft, with different goals in mind for Murray.

What is the same as four years ago is that the Ducks will lose one player.

He could come via a veteran core that includes centers Derek Grant and Adam Henrique and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. But it won’t be from a younger group that includes left wing Max Comtois, goalie Lukas Dostal, defenseman Jamie Drysdale and center Trevor Zegras.

The young’uns are exempt from selection.

Longtime Ryan Getzlaf, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 28, won’t require protection since he remains unsigned. Getzlaf is expected to re-sign with the Ducks at some point after Wednesday’s expansion draft and before the start of free agency.

Murray’s protected list could include his four top defensemen – Manson, Hayden Fleury, Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm – in order to keep 1217418 Anaheim Ducks But does a player of Landeskog’s stature and reputation being available change the blueprint?

There is no dispute over what kind of player the Swede has been to the Stephens: Gabriel Landeskog and the Ducks? It’s tempting, but they Avalanche. Landeskog, the second pick of the 2011 draft, was given the should stay away captaincy at age 19. He has been productive from Year 1, when he won the Calder Trophy. His numbers have been better in some years than others – his career-highs in goals (34), assists (41) and points (75) all By Eric Stephens came in 2018-19, the NHL’s last full season. But when looking at 82 games, Landeskog will give you approximately 26 goals and 61 points. Jul 17, 2021 It doesn’t make him the best left wing in the game. Landeskog isn’t even

the most skilled (that’s probably Taylor Hall) or the most accomplished When news broke this week that contract negotiations between the (that’s definitely Alex Ovechkin) in this UFA class. But there are few Colorado Avalanche and Gabriel Landeskog weren’t going as smoothly complementary wingers who are better. He’s been the perfect fit as many had simply assumed, it was natural that reactions were swift alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. He’ll win puck battles and numerous in the hockey sphere. and park himself in front of a goalie, where he’s shown that he can change a shot’s path and direct them in. And he’ll play a responsible Hockey fans started to ask questions, and two – perhaps the most game without sacrificing offense while doing it with a physical natural of them – stand out. component.

How could the Avalanche, arguably the most talented team in terms of There will be teams that feel he can flourish on their top line. Landeskog ability and depth, not re-sign their long-time captain right in the throes of put up numbers before MacKinnon became Nate the Great (or Nate their potential annual runs at the Stanley Cup? And how might that Dogg, as the hip-hop/rap-loving center might prefer). The Avs’ failure to respected leader and heartbeat of the Avalanche, who is a first-line play for the Cup as they have ascended to top-tier status isn’t because of winger, fit on our team? him. While their runs have ended in the second round the last two seasons, Landeskog has 26 points in those 24 playoff games. Yes, Landeskog might leave the Avs via free agency this summer after 10 seasons of deep lows and soaring highs, just as he breathes into a Looking at everything that he brings to the table, it stands to reason that wide-open championship window. It didn’t seem imaginable. Hell, it the Ducks should be among the teams driving up in a Brinks truck. doesn’t seem imaginable. Perhaps those fears in Denver might not be They’re not devoid of leadership but it doesn’t hurt to bring aboard a realized. There are still 12 days until the start of free agency. Deals have captain who is in his prime years. It also doesn’t hurt that Anaheim has gotten done late, even if some posturing and hurt feelings bubble up in employed several of his countrymen. Two of them, Hampus Lindholm the process. Smiles can still emerge if pen meets paper in Colorado’s and Rickard Rakell, are among the team’s most notable players and can team offices. use a rebound season ahead of their own entry into the UFA club.

But what if a deal doesn’t get done? It didn’t with Alex Pietrangelo and St. But with all that in mind, the Ducks need to stay away from Landeskog. Louis last offseason. The flames of fan bases are stoked at this time of the hockey calendar. Imagine how they are burning with the prospect of a Trust me, it is a bit painful to type. Landeskog would be the perfect fit. 28-year-old Landeskog coming onto the market when nobody thought it (I’m mindful of the fact that he’s delved into the dirt with the Ducks in the could happen. past, most notably his suspension-worthy high hit on Simon Despres.) His hard game would earn respect. He could allow Comtois to progress Now imagine that you’re a club with salary-cap space in a flat-cap world without the pressure of top-line duty. He wouldn’t displace Rakell – in which few teams have it. This is where the Ducks fit into this thought assuming he isn’t traded this offseason – because he’s already playing exercise. more on right wing. And Landeskog could do the grunt work that would allow Zegras more room to create, while Troy Terry played off both. If the What can a team that needs to improve in the worst way do with over Comtois-Zegras-Terry trio is kept together, there are worse things than $22 million available this summer? The Ducks are an offensively having Landeskog and Rakell as wingers for Ryan Getzlaf (or Adam challenged team that needs a long-term upgrade to its forward corps – a Henrique). group increasingly being powered by players in their early 20s – and no longer has one operating in the $6 million or above salary bracket. Yes, But there are things that get in the way of a marriage. there are young restricted free agents like Max Comtois, Isac Lundestrom and Max Jones (and Sam Steel, unless he’s exposed to The first glaring thing is the Ducks being a last-place team. There might Seattle and the Kraken grab him) to re-sign, but none have arbitration be a better path to winning again in what is already expected to be a rights, and the Ducks have the hammer to limit the cost in those deals if weak Pacific Division, but this would be a huge comedown for they wish to use it. Of course, they will throwing cash at Trevor Zegras Landeskog. It is no surprise that the teams Landeskog may be interested and Jamie Drysdale to lock them up for a long time, or pacify both with in, as St. Louis-based reporter Andy Strickland healthy bridge deals when they come up in 2023. recently pointed out, all made the playoffs this year. Even if it would take a ton of money for him to leave the Avs for a rebuilding team, it doesn’t But other than a big shake-it-up trade, the quickest way to show you mean Landeskog will. mean business in adding to the roster and keeping the fans’ faith in your product is to seriously go after a top free agent. Money is the only Speaking of money, here comes the second glaring thing. If it’s going to currency paid. No assets are given up. Headlines are made. take $9 million to $10 million per season to land him, as is being reported, if Colorado doesn’t bump up its offer, it doesn’t make sense for I know that’s a neighborhood the Ducks don’t like cruising through, much the Ducks to use up much of their remaining cap space for one piece, less settle in. The fan base knows this. There have been free-agent especially if that one piece isn’t a top-10 player and they need more in expenditures over the years, including some sizable outlays, but mostly order to rejoin the ranks of the contenders. Some salary can be cleared there have been mid-level amounts to veteran defensemen or bottom-six out with minimal return, but the Ducks already know how hard it is to forwards. The huge money in the Bob Murray era has gone to the Ducks’ move a high-paid forward with term left on his deal. own, those drafted who developed into franchise fixtures. is the exception. (Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg, currently their Landeskog, who just finished a seven-year deal that paid him $6.5 million highest-paid forwards, came from other organizations but are south of $6 last season, might take a hometown discount to stay with the only team million annually each.) he has ever known. But he isn’t going to take a big haircut on the open market. A $9 million to $10 million annual price tag might be thrown Development was the word tossed around by Murray when he recently around to hike up his value, but $7 million per season isn’t going to cut it. introduced his new AHL coach, Joël Bouchard. With a rebuilding It’s conceivable that he’ll also want a modified no-trade clause, if not a franchise leaning more on young players, making that the focus makes a full no-move. ton of sense. There’s no need to blow all the cap space just when they’ve finally got some and are lacking in multiple high-end pieces required to Maybe the Ducks could come at him with something in the range of six charge out of this… (affix your favorite re-word period here). years and $44 million, front-loaded at $9 million in the first two seasons to keep the AAV down. But that might not be enough. An overpay might be required, and even that won’t land him if he has his heart set on being in the best spot to win a Cup in the next two or three years. Which, in a lot of ways, is with Colorado.

The other reason not to dive into any potential Landeskog bonanza is the idea of throwing a lot of term at a power forward who could be well into his 30s at the end of his contract. Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler offer reminders that you only do that if you’re set on winning a Cup and have made peace with a big fall-off in usage and production on the back end of the contract.

The Ducks will not win the Cup next season. Or the year after. It might be some time before they even get back in the tournament. Without question, Landeskog would help a team hoping to start a transition into growth mode. He’d give the rebuild a good shove and help bring the Ducks back toward relevancy. But how much better would they be, especially as he started to age?

If they were to reel in a big fish like Landeskog, it would be a major coup and puncture the notion that Anaheim is not a desirable market to land notable free agents. But we know that won’t happen. And, in this sense, that’s a good thing. Judiciously using their cap room and upgrading through the trade market is the more sensible move at this time. Using much of it on one player – an excellent one but one who isn’t a superstar – can potentially impede what’s being built.

If only Landeskog were 25. But then he wouldn’t be headed to market and the Avs wouldn’t be thinking about life without him. There are more than a few reasons why the Ducks should go after him with full force if he becomes available. And there are better ones to show why they shouldn’t.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217419 For the Seattle Kraken will have their pick of defensemen Connor Clifton, Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril. Jay Leach, their former coach in Providence, knows them all very well. Leach won’t be doing the Could Connor Clifton be heading West? choosing, but GM Ron Francis wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t pick Leach’s brain on the selection from the B’s. Seattle to have a Krake-n in the expansion draft And Cliffy Hockey, we presume, will be headed to the Pacific Northwest. Any benefits from adopting an upstart, Cinderella persona, as we saw with the Vegas Golden Knights. And the perpetual By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] chip on Clifton’s shoulder would seem to be tailor-made for the Kraken. Boston Herald Boston Herald LOADED: 07.17.2021 July 16, 2021 at 6:00 a.m.

The good news about the expansion draft is that it is almost here. Teams must submit their protected lists on Saturday, they will become public on Sunday and all the teeth-gnashing that has been going on in some sectors of the Bruin fandom about which players the club should protect can finally end.

More good news is that, despite some falling-sky prognostications from some ever-fretful folks, they will only lose one player.

The not so good news? Yeah, the B’s no doubt will be losing a player they’d prefer to keep, and it very well could be from an area — defense — that has already been depleted.

Let’s look at the options and whom we think the B’s should protect. Most of them are obvious.

Teams can go one of two routes. They can protect eight skaters regardless of position and one goalie or they can go the more popular 7- 3-1 route where they can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie. Expect them to take Option 2.

It seems pretty clear which defensemen they’ll protect — Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk and the freshly re-signed Brandon Carlo.

As for goalie, teams must make one netminder available and Callum Booth fits that bill. Tuukka Rask is an unrestricted free agent so he does not have to be protected, nor do they have to protect Jeremy Swayman, who is on an entry level deal and is exempt. That allows the Bruins to protect Daniel Vladar.

The most debate, meanwhile, revolves around which forwards the Bruins will protect. They’ve got five obvious ones right off the bat — , , David Pastrnak, Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith. Some fans have soured on Coyle, but at least some of his subpar performance last season can be tied to his knee injury that required surgery. And besides, the B’s are not in a position to be just giving away centers.

That leaves Jake DeBrusk, Nick Richie, Curtis Lazar, Ondrej Kase and Trent Frederic to fill two slots. Like Coyle, DeBrusk has found himself to be the object of many fans’ ire, and that’s understandable. He had a disastrous season in which he contracted COVID and found himself a healthy scratch at points, his production falling to just five goals and nine assists in 41 games. But he’s a 24-year-old player who has a 27- season under his belt and would have cracked 20 again in 2019-20 if the season wasn’t cut short by the pandemic. Leaving him unprotected would not make sense. At the very least he’d be a viable trade chip, at the best he could rebound and be a very good third line left wing should the B’s re-sign Taylor Hall, who does not have to be protected unless he’s extended before the expansion draft.

That leaves Ritchie, Lazar, Kase and Frederic, and the feeling here is Frederic is the one to protect, which would seem like the way the B’s will go after signing him to a two-year extension worth $1.05 million annually. Frederic’s rookie season did peter out and there is a real question as to what exactly his ceiling is, but these eyes saw enough in his edge, as well as his under-utilized shot, to think there’s more untapped potential.

That leaves Ritchie, Lazar and Kase. Ritchie is coming off a good 15- goal season in 56 games, though he’s yet to prove that he’s the power forward to help the B’s turn the corner and make it pat the second round. A restricted free agent, Ritchie’s price tag could be a little high as well. Losing Lazar might hurt the B’s even more, especially with his very reasonable $800,000 contract for one more year. But that would be mitigated by the presence of Frederic as well as Jack Studnicka.

With Kase’s concussion history, it’s highly unlikely he’d be picked. And the guess here is it won’t come to the B’s losing Ritchie or Lazar, either. 1217420 Boston Bruins San Jose: The San Jose Sharks signed Dylan Gambrell, but they really overpaid. Really overpaid–Sheng Peng explains why. (San Jose Hockey Now)

NHL Trade Rumors; Bruins Linked To Hyman, Landeskog NHL

IMHO, Patrik Laine will never reach his potential until he grows up and By Jimmy Murphy loses his ugly entitlement. (Columbus Post Dispatch)

Published 17 hours ago on July 16, 2021 After an amazing performance in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, could the Montreal Canadiens actually let Phillip Danault enter unrestricted free agency? (TSN)

The Boston Bruins have let it be known they will be active on the NHL A great breakdown of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft prospects from old friend trade market and in NHL free agency. Bruins GM and Sam Cosentino. (Sportsnet) team President Cam Neely have been in lockstep when it comes to improving the top 4 defensive and bottom 6 forward groups. The question Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 07.17.2021 now is, do they swing for the fences and acquire star players and mega contracts or focus more on role players?

If reports of their free agent targets in the last 24 hours are any indication, the Bruins are willing to attack the NHL trade and free agent market and potentially spend a large portion of their $24.2 million in cap space (per PuckPedia). On Friday, Kevin McGran reported that the Bruins were one of a plethora of teams in on potential unrestricted free agent and winger Zach Hyman. Hyman and his agent were recently given permission to negotiate a trade for his rights so the Bruins and other teams could snag him before free agency begins on July 28.

Then in the latest 31 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman said he thinks the Bruins will also pursue Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog should he become a UFA. (More on Landeskog and his deteriorating relationship with the Avalanche below).

Numerous NHL insiders and even sources to Boston Hockey Now have indicated that both Hyman and Landeskog could command upwards of $6-7 million per season on a minimum five-year contract. Hyman is 29 and Landeskog will be 29 this November. Is a long-term deal like that at that age with it for a team that has notoriously been burnt (David Backes ring a bell?), over-paying for middle-six forwards?

Boston Bruins

Cue the Keith Yandle to the Boston Bruins rumors except instead of an NHL trade rumor, it’s an NHL free agent rumor this time. (Boston Hockey Now)

Imagine a Tampa Bay Lightning blue line of Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Mikhail Sergachev, and. …SETH JONES? It could happen. An NHL executive told yours truly he wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Lightning GM Julien BriseBois shocked the NHL Trade market and somehow acquired the skilled defenseman. (Off The Record)

National Hockey Now

Per a source with direct knowledge of the Penguins’ communication, the Pittsburgh Penguins are indeed serious players for Hyman. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Who are the favorites in the Hyman derby? Probably not the Detroit Red Wings. Venerable hockey scribe and colleague Kevin Allen handicaps the front runners. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is frustrated with contract talks and not feeling valued by the Av’s. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Knowing they would lose steady defenseman Ryan Graves, the Colorado Avalanche hit the NHL Trade market and dealt him to New Jersey for Mikhail Maltsev and a second-round selection. The trade and what it means for the Avs going forward. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Note: Back on February 28, OTR tipped you off that Graves was available but that a trade may not occur until now. Just another reason you should subscribe to Boston Hockey Now. OTR has been forecasting trades and signings all season, weeks before the big media fish do!

The Philadelphia Flyers are one of the teams on the NHL trade market “In” on Vladimir Tarasenko. (Philly Hockey Now)

Who will the Florida Panthers protect in the NHL Expansion Draft? Will they follow the Avs’ lead and hit the NHL trade market not to lose a player they like for nothing? (Florida Hockey Now) 1217421 Boston Bruins There’s lots of uncertainty around Nick Ritchie. The left winger may be unprotected in the expansion draft. If Seattle picks someone else and Ritchie remains under the Bruins’ control, the 25-year-old may not Bruins depth chart 1.0: How the lineup looks after Brandon Carlo’s receive a qualifying offer, predicted one NHL source. This would extension eliminate Ritchie’s option of arbitration, where his production (15-11-26) would serve him well. Ritchie would become unrestricted if not qualified, but the Bruins would be interested in re-signing him at a lower salary than one shaped by arbitration. By Fluto Shinzawa The Bruins may protect Jake DeBrusk in expansion. But they could put Jul 16, 2021 him on the market afterward. DeBrusk will earn $4.85 million in salary in 2021-22, after which he’ll be restricted. “I’d be shocked if they’re not trying to trade him,” said one NHL source. The Bruins took their first steps toward constructing their 2021-22 roster on Wednesday. They signed Brandon Carlo, a restricted free agent, to a Defense six-year, $24.6 million extension. On the same day, Kevan Miller LD RD announced his retirement, reducing the Bruins’ right-side options. Matt Grzelcyk Many more steps remain. Charlie McAvoy The NHL is approaching its first offseason marker with the expansion draft. Protected lists are to be filed by Saturday. After that, the Bruins will Brandon Carlo be more eager to sign some of their pending unrestricted free agents. Jeremy Lauzon For now, here’s how the lineup looks: Connor Clifton Forwards Jakub Zboril LEFT WING CENTER RIGHT WING Unrestricted free agents: Mike Reilly, Jarred Tinordi Brad Marchand Restricted free agents: None Patrice Bergeron Competing for ice time: John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen, Jack Ahcan, David Pastrnak Brady Lyle

Craig Smith Reinforcing the left side with a 200-foot stopper is a priority. The Bruins’ options increased following Ryan Suter’s buyout from Minnesota. Suter, Jake DeBrusk 36, projects to be a top-four all-situations fixture in 2021-22. As such, it Charlie Coyle will likely require a multiyear offer to catch Suter’s attention. Other UFA options include Alec Martinez and Jamie Oleksiak. Jack Studnicka The Bruins are well acquainted with Mike Reilly. The ex-Senator was a Trent Frederic good puck-moving fit on Carlo’s left flank. This allowed Matt Grzelcyk to play with Charlie McAvoy. But Reilly’s game favors finesse over Curtis Lazar physicality. Also, Reilly’s market would expand if he proceeds to free Chris Wagner agency. “He’s going to want to get paid,” said one NHL source.

Karson Kuhlman Connor Clifton is under contract through 2023 at $1 million annually. This would make him an attractive option for Seattle, assuming he is left Unrestricted free agents: David Krejci, Taylor Hall, Sean Kuraly, Greg unprotected. It would leave the Bruins hunting for right-side depth behind McKegg McAvoy and Carlo, either via trade or free agency. Brady Lyle, 22, has never played an NHL game. Restricted free agents: Nick Ritchie, Ondrej Kase, Zach Senyshyn Goalies Competing for ice time: Anton Blidh, Oskar Steen, Cameron Hughes G Those are two big blank rectangles on the No. 2 line. The Bruins are still waiting on David Krejci’s decision on whether to re-sign or relocate his Jeremy Swayman family to the Czech Republic. The belief is that Krejci will stay with the only organization he’s known. The Bruins remain patient, but they need a Dan Vladar go or no-go soon to initiate the rest of their plan. Unrestricted free agents: Tuukka Rask, Jaroslav Halak A Krejci return would increase the odds of a Taylor Hall extension. The Restricted free agents: Callum Booth two played well together alongside Craig Smith. But as much as Hall has stated his preference to stay in Boston, an extension is no guarantee. As There is no rush to re-sign Tuukka Rask. If the Bruins want to do so, they of earlier this month, the sides were not close on common ground, could wait until after the 2021-22 season has begun and they have a according to a source familiar with the situation. clearer picture of Rask’s recovery from hip surgery. Rask would require waivers to be placed on the roster. But he has signaled it is Boston or A Krejci goodbye would set off a chain reaction, and not necessarily a nothing, which would discourage a waivers claim. good one. The Bruins would have to determine whether Charlie Coyle, muted as No. 3 center in 2020-21, could handle second-line Jaroslav Halak’s future is unknown. Allan Walsh, Halak’s agent, did not responsibilities. Coyle should be ready for training camp following left respond to an inquiry on the 36-year-old’s future preferences. knee surgery. Jack Studnicka would be another possibility. The 22-year- old is better served playing center, his natural position, than right wing. The Bruins will most likely chase an experienced goalie to pair with But the Bruins would have to be confident that Studnicka’s lukewarm Jeremy Swayman. Chris Driedger, 27, could be the UFA goalie in highest three points in 20 games output last year is a speck in his rearview demand. Driedger had a .927 save percentage for Florida in 2020-21 in mirror. 23 starts. As of earlier this week, the Bruins had not inquired with the Panthers about acquiring Driedger’s rights, according to a source familiar The wild card would be chasing Jack Eichel. The Bruins would have the with the situation. Other UFA options include Jonathan Bernier and Linus cap space to accommodate the North Chelmsford native’s $10 million Ullmark. annual average value. But Eichel’s cap hit and neck injury are significant obstacles for any team to overcome. The Bruins would first have to be By qualifying Callum Booth, the Bruins can protect Dan Vladar in certain about Eichel’s health. Then they would have to meet Buffalo’s expansion. The trick with Vladar could come this fall. The 25-year-old ask, which will be extensive. requires waivers to report to Providence. The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217422 Buffalo Sabres coaches to get a better idea how the player has developed since the OHL last played a game in March 2020.

“There's going to be so many misses this year,” predicted Josh Wrobel, a Sabres drafting first overall in year in which 'scouting world got turned Toronto-based skills coach whose clients include Sabres prospect Jack upside down' Quinn and former Buffalo defenseman Brandon Montour. “I've talked to a few NHL teams that have reached out to me saying, ‘Who are you seeing developing along the same process as someone like Jack Quinn?’ Lance Lysowski They're asking for my insight based on how these prospects have been practicing. They haven't been playing games. So, it's just crazy that I Jul 16, 2021 Updated 17 hrs ago never in a million years would think that I'm getting calls from scouts asking how guys are training. … I don't know if the process is working for them because I haven't been able to see them translate into games. I The ongoing draft debate inside the hockey operations offices at have a good idea, but I don’t know for sure without games. I think there's KeyBank Center revolves around the Buffalo Sabres’ selection at first going to be some late-round diamonds in the rough this year, for sure.” overall. The lack of an OHL season, and the ’s decision Owen Power, a 6-foot-6 defenseman from the , is to play a 24-game regular-season, impacted a prospect’s ability to make the consensus top prospect in this draft and the presumed No. 1 pick a meteoric leap the way Quinn did during his draft-eligible season. when Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams announces the selection July 23 on ESPN. Quinn, a 19-year-old winger, was projected by many scouts to go in the third or fourth round after he totaled only 12 goals during his first full Adams, along with Associate General Manager Jason Karmanos and the season with the OHL’s 67’s in 2018-19. A 40-goal improvement Sabres’ scouting staff, has scrutinized every area of Power’s game since allowed Quinn to skyrocket up draft boards, leading to his selection Buffalo was awarded the first pick through the draft lottery last month. eighth overall by the Sabres in October 2020.

The Sabres have the benefit of being able to rewatch Power’s shifts from A 16-month gap forces teams to do additional homework or make an each of his 26 games as a freshman with the Wolverines and the 10 he educated guess on how a specific prospect would have developed if this appeared in for Canada at the IIHF World Championship from May 13- was a normal year. 22. “Jack is the perfect example,” said Craig Button, TSN’s director of However, information is more scarce on many of the draft-eligible scouting and a former NHL general manager. “There are going to be prospects this year, particularly for those who will be considered by the players with the potential of Jack Quinn that are going to be selected in Sabres with their nine other selections in the seven-round, two-day this draft. They're just not going to be selected eighth overall because event. there's no way that teams would have had the opportunity or the players have the opportunity to show that improvement, that significant jump up. While Power was among the top young draft prospects to compete … (After watching Quinn before the shutdown in March 2020), I had against their own age group amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many were every confidence that he was a good, top young player. But without him limited to on- and off-ice training because the Hockey League showing you that and without you being able to watch, it's hard to make never launched a season. Others uprooted their lives to play against those leaps.” much older professionals in Europe. Video as a tool “The scouting world got turned upside down,” Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, told The Buffalo News. Fans cringed in June 2020 when Sabres owner Terry Pegula mentioned during the news conference following Botterill’s firing that the club’s The on-ice development of many prospects was impacted by restrictions scouting staff needed to use more video to supplement its evaluations of to combat the spread of the virus, as positive Covid-19 tests wreaked draft-eligible prospects. havoc on the schedules of every active league and players couldn’t train as they normally would. This has caused the NHL’s 32 teams to rethink After all, the Sabres’ foray into video scouting under former General how they evaluate talent in this unusual year, which likely will impact their Manager Darcy Regier led to some underwhelming selections. But every draft rankings. NHL team was forced to rely on more video during the Covid-19 pandemic, as scouts were unable to cross borders to attend games and “It’s challenging, but I equate it to bad ice for a hockey game,” Karmanos clubs halted travel out of an abundance of caution. told reporters in May. “Everyone is playing under the same conditions. It is very different than usual. I feel badly for the kids that haven’t been able This forced teams to rely on sometimes grainy, difficult-to-view footage to play this year. … It’s been a difficult situation for everybody to deal from arenas around the globe, as one Western Conference scout told with and, certainly from a scouting point of view, it presents challenges.” The Buffalo News.

Diamonds in the rough “I don’t care what anyone says, you can’t rely on video to prepare for the draft,” the scout said. “It’s too unpredictable from rink to rink. The camera The Sabres weren’t operating under the same conditions. Though Adams angles make it difficult to view the areas of the ice you need to see. And and his staff were forced to work around the lack of recent information on even the highest quality video doesn’t account for what you’re missing some prospects, the organization had fewer scouts than usual after the away from the puck. Some video feeds are completely unwatchable.” dismissal of former General Manager Jason Botterill and 21 other hockey operations employees in June 2020. Marr, who led central scouting's efforts to build its thorough prospect rankings, called video scouting “not consistent” because the quality of At the start of the 2020-21 season, Adams had 11 people on a scouting footage varies based on the league and rink. Marr explained that video staff that handled amateur and professional evaluations, compared to 22 was particularly useful when evaluating because you get to working for Botterill, not including his two assistant general managers. see the play develop before there’s a shot on net, but it can be Under Adams this season, the Sabres did not have full-time scouts challenging for defensemen and forwards. The camera typically follows based in Ontario, the Western Hockey League, or Russia. They the puck, which can eliminate important details. For example, scouts have since added two scouts – one in the and a part-timer don’t get to see if a defenseman is communicating with his partner before in Western Canada – and reconfigured the scouting staff, with Jerry either is near the puck or if a forward is backchecking. Forton ascending to director of amateur scouting. Karmanos, who owns Video was particularly essential for the Sabres when scouting European three Stanley Cup rings from his front office work with Carolina and players, as they only had two scouts – Frank Musil in Czech Republic Pittsburgh, joined the Sabres in April. The club recently hired Sam and Anders Forsberg in Sweden – based on the continent. Ventura to run its analytics department. “That does impact your evaluation, but again, it was the best tool that we While a scout wasn’t needed for live viewings of games in Ontario, it’s had available,” Marr said when asked about video scouting. “So, it was important to have someone in place who has connections with coaches maximized. Typically, I would tell you that you will go to the game live in the area and knowledge of a prospect from prior years. With the OHL and then you would go back and watch a certain player’s shifts, just to season canceled, teams evaluated some draft-eligible prospects based confirm that you saw what you were looking for or you didn't see what on games from the 2019-20 season. They also spoke to individual skill you were hoping to see. … This year was almost the opposite, where in Equipped with 10 draft choices, Adams needs to strengthen the prospect most cases, you need to watch the player on video before you ever got to pipeline for the Sabres, whose 10-year playoff drought is tied for the see him play live. Some of our guys never made it to the game. I would longest in NHL history. The first step is accurately projecting how say only maybe a third of our staff saw players live. It was difficult for us teenagers, many of whom haven’t competed against their peers in 16 and it was difficult for the club scouts.” months, will develop over the next five to 10 years.

Adjusting Even McTavish, Othmann and Clarke went 13 months between their last OHL game and the Under-18 world championships. When Ontario government officials refused to soften restrictions to allow junior hockey to be played, some of the OHL’s top draft-eligible prospects “That's 13 months of critical, critical development time, that the players had to pursue less-than-ideal options to continue their development. haven't been able to show you what they are capable of and have not been able to demonstrate their capabilities and potential,” Button said. Mason McTavish, a center ranked by central scouting as the draft’s No. 2 “And teams haven't been able to see it. So, now you go back in time, but North American skater, and Brennan Othmann, a talented winger there's still a gap there. That gap can't be closed.” projected to go in the top 10, joined EHC Olten in Switzerland’s top professional league. Defenseman Brandt Clarke, a training partner of Buffalo News LOADED: 07.17.2021 Quinn’s who is expected to be drafted high next week, joined HC Nove Zamky in Slovakia.

This wasn’t an option for less heralded prospects because of European clubs' limited amount of imports. Top-tier prospects also benefited from playing in the IIHF Under-18 World Championship, an event heavily attended by NHL scouting staffs, including the Sabres, because it was held in Frisco, Texas.

Power and his Michigan teammate, Matthew Beniers, competed at the IIHF World Championship in Latvia against NHL players, providing teams with a better idea of how close each prospect is to making an impact against professionals.

“Yeah, it hurt a lot,” said Othmann. “I was very fortunate to play in Switzerland and the Under-18s and be successful in both of those. But honestly, I feel bad for my peers around me. I had lots of buddies I played with and played against, and they can't showcase themselves. That's just disappointing for them and for me to hear that.”

With mid- to late-round prospects needing to solidify their draft stock, a showcase event not sanctioned by the NHL was held at the end of May in Erie, Pa. Though scouts surveyed by The News were impressed by the sponsor-driven effort to organize the event, industry sources said the quality of hockey was average because it was the first peer-against-peer competition in months for many of the players.

It remains to be seen how teams will view OHL prospects who aren’t as highly regarded as McTavish, Othmann or Clarke. It’s possible scouting staffs will rank NCAA or United States Hockey League prospects higher because, aside from Covid-19 pauses or shutdowns, those prospects had uninterrupted seasons that provided either live viewings or better video. There’s also questions about prospects from the Western Hockey League because someone like Dylan Guenther, the No. 5 North American skater, played only 12 regular-season games for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

“I was sitting at home for a long period of time where other countries and other players were able to play and kind of continue to get better through a normal season,” said Guenther, who stayed sharp by playing games in the Junior Hockey League last fall. “I was unable to do that and I had to find ways to continue to get better and work on my game that even sometimes weren’t on the ice. The rinks closed probably in November, December, right before the WHL season started. Those were definitely tough times, and I had to continue to just kind of push and find ways to do stuff off the ice that would translate to on-ice play."

Guenther, though, benefited from representing Canada at the Under-18 championships, an event that Button said will hold more weight than it would in a typical year.

“You don't have a choice but to weigh it more greatly,” Button said. “If you don't, then what are you basing it on? It was a significant tournament. It was a competitive tournament. Lots of good players were there.”

Every NHL team is working to strengthen the confidence they have in their respective prospect rankings. The process is impacted by a second consecutive year without the NHL Scouting Combine, which was held annually in Buffalo from 2015-19. The event – which includes medical and fitness testing, and in-person interviews – will return to Western New York when the league can safely hold the event in the future, said Marr.

Without the combine, NHL Central Scouting, with the assistance of former team trainers and doctors, assisted clubs in gathering a complete medical history on prospects. In-person interviews were replaced by chats over videoconference call. 1217423 Buffalo Sabres There may be deals out there with Minnesota, the Rangers and others, but our goal is to get something done with L.A.

Where to trade Sam Reinhart What to do with Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and the drafts: If I were Sabres GM Eichel’s running mate is 11 1/2 months from unrestricted free agency. There’s little to no reason to believe he’d agree to a long-term deal in Buffalo. Moving on now, when his trade value is higher than during the By John Vogl season, makes sense.

Jul 16, 2021 The most likely suitors are in win-now mode. The acquiring team is guaranteed to have Reinhart for only one year, so that rules out middling and rebuilding clubs.

The Sabres’ next decade lies squarely in Kevyn Adams’ hands. The offers: Reinhart to Colorado for Justus Annunen, the No. 28 pick and a 2023 conditional first-round pick, or Reinhart to Calgary for No pressure. forward Sean Monahan and goalie Dustin Wolf. On one hand, Adams is in an unenviable position. Buffalo’s general When The Athletic’s Corey Pronman picked the Sabres’ biggest long- manager has to undo 10 years of dysfunction. He needs to trade the face term need, he chose goaltender. He noted that Ukko-Pekko Luukkonen of the franchise and find the next one. He owns the No. 1 pick in a draft and Erik Portillo have a reasonable chance to play, but neither are true without an unquestioned game changer. He has to find a home for his top-tier prospects. Buffalo has learned that subpar goaltending is a killer, leading scorer. He will determine how much and how long to pay his top so adding more prospect talent should make the 2020s better than the defenseman. He needs two goalies because he has none. 2010s. And those are just the major items. The Avalanche would loathe to cough up Annunen. He’s their goalie of But on the other hand, Adams has a glorious opportunity. He can the future. But Colorado is a Stanley Cup contender eager to escape the reshape the franchise in his vision. He can be the guy who creates a new second round. Andre Burakovsky and Nazem Kadri are entering the final generation of fans and brings back the old ones. He can turn a year of their contracts. Nathan MacKinnon has two years left. Adding laughingstock into a serious contender. Reinhart to that forward trio along with Mikko Rantanen, Joonas Donskoi and, if re-signed, Gabriel Landeskog could give the Avs a top-six to bring And he can do nearly all of it this month. home the title.

Adams’ to-do list is not only long, it will shape the Sabres for the The 21-year-old Annunen would give Buffalo a highly intriguing crease foreseeable future. If he succeeds, he’ll become a local hockey hero. combo. He’s one year younger than Luukkonen and has steadily followed One wrong move could doom the franchise to repeat the past. No one his Finnish countryman as the national team goalie. Annunen was even wants to repeat the past 10 years. better than Luukkonen in the Finnish league. They should push each other. Unlike last summer, when Adams walked the hallways with little help, the GM has lieutenants. Jason Karmanos and his two decades of front office Annunen, a 2018 third-round pick, has played just two games in North experience have arrived as associate general manager. Sam Ventura, America, so he remains a question mark. But The Athletic’s Scott one of the more respected analytics experts in the game, is vice Wheeler tabbed Annunen as the No. 7 goalie prospect around — one president of hockey strategy and research. spot higher than Luukkonen.

There are also armchair GMs everywhere. It’s time to add another. We’ll Admittedly, the Avs’ first-round pick is a crapshoot. The No. 28 selection lay out how we’d tackle the top items on Adams’ agenda, starting with the has yielded Corey Perry, Nick Foligno and Justin Williams while also big one. landing Morgan Klimchuk, Nick Petrecki and Kristian Kudroc. The conditional 2023 pick could bring added value and would be contingent What to do with Jack Eichel on Reinhart re-signing with the Avs next summer. If not, the pick would The Sabres and their captain are breaking up. It’s difficult in any drop to the second round. scenario. It’s especially tough for those who believed Eichel would be the PIC.TWITTER.COM/BOS5DRSLPA savior following his much-heralded arrival in 2015. — JOHN VOGL (@BUFFALOVOGL) MAY 10, 2021 But a trade is coming. Adams has been listening to offers for a full year since the Rangers (and others) inquired last summer. The GM knows A Reinhart deal with Calgary would bring a proven player. Monahan’s what he can and can’t get for the 24-year-old center. He knows which offensive numbers have dipped the past two seasons, but the 26-year- prospects are off-limits and which teams are serious contenders. old is a three-time 30-goal scorer. He’s signed for two more seasons at $6.375 million. In our world, Los Angeles is the ideal trade partner. The offer: Eichel to the Kings for Quinton Byfield and the No. 8 draft pick. Wolf was No. 5 on Wheeler’s goalie list. The Flames are high on Wolf, who went 18-3 with .940 save percentage in the Western Hockey League I can already hear fans on both coasts dueling with, “That’s not enough,” this year, but they have goalie Jacob Markstrom signed for $6 million per and “That’s too much.” Those comments are coming whenever Adams season through 2025-26. The 20-year-old Wolf would join Luukkonen makes his deal, too. This will not be a universally accepted blockbuster and Portillo in the race for Buffalo’s crease in 2022-23 and beyond. because Eichel is a polarizing figure. He’s a point-per-game player who is among the world’s top two-way centers. He’s also injured and has Calgary is eager to shake up an underachieving core. Johnny Gaudreau never won in the NHL. is a UFA next summer. Matthew Tkachuk will be a restricted free agent. The Pacific Division won’t be strong with San Jose, Anaheim and Seattle But the Kings get one of the top one-two center punches with Eichel in building or rebuilding mode, so putting Reinhart with Gaudreau, joining Anze Kopitar. The Kings become immediate contenders in the Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund would get the Flames to Pacific Division. They acquire a marketable star who’s under contract for the playoffs. five years. Reinhart would likely relish the opportunity. He wears No. 23 in honor of The Sabres get two chances to find Eichel’s replacement. Byfield, the his father, Paul. A deal would allow him to wear the uniform of his dad, No. 2 pick in 2020, looks like a can’t-miss prospect. But there’s no who played defense for the Flames for nine seasons. guarantee he’ll match or come close to Eichel, so we’ll hedge our bet by acquiring the eighth selection. Trading Rasmus Ristolainen

If the Kings insist Byfield is untouchable, it should be a three-for-one Like Reinhart, Ristolainen seems destined for a win-now team with only deal. Eichel for the No. 8 pick, center Alex Turcotte and winger Arthur one year on his contract. After five years of rumors, it’s past time for them Kaliyev. Turcotte, the No. 5 selection in 2019, is a playmaker. Kaliyev is a to end. finisher who landed in the top 15 in goals and points during his first AHL season this year. The offer: Ristolainen to Carolina for defenseman Joey Keane and a third-round pick. The NHL has learned that Ristolainen is not a No. 1 defenseman. With Linus Ullmark, Petr Mrazek and head our list. The first one the Hurricanes, he wouldn’t have to be. Carolina boasts right-handed to accept two years at $5 million per season, which would put him in a tie shutdown D-man Brett Pesce and left-handers Jaccob Slavin and Brady for 12th on the goalie salary chart, gets the job. Skjei. The Canes also need someone to replace the offense of departing Dougie Hamilton. The Sabres also need a backup. Laurent Brossoit has performed that role admirably in Winnipeg, but he figures to be in high demand. The past It’s a fit for Ristolainen, who could face lesser matchups on the second four years for Aaron Dell have been up, down, up, down. A league pair and put up power-play points. minimum contract would hope he follows with an up, but he can swap jobs with Tokarski if it’s another down year. Keane is a 22-year-old righty who was on the AHL’s All-Rookie team in 2019-20 after totaling nine goals and 37 points in 58 games. He recorded The result 13 assists in 24 AHL games this year while appearing in one game with the Hurricanes. After a busy, busy run, our Sabres depth chart for the 2021-22 season would look like this. The third-round pick is No. 91, which would give the Sabres Nos. 88, 91, 95 and 97. They could package those to move up if they wanted. LEFT WING CENTER RIGHT WING

Expansion draft Jeff Skinner

Adams and Jeff Skinner have already teamed up to make the expansion Casey Mittelstadt draft a success for Buffalo. When Skinner agreed to waive his no-move Victor Olofsson clause to avoid the protection list, it essentially allowed the Sabres to keep an eighth forward. Instead of exposing Anders Bjork, Tage Anders Bjork Thompson or Rasmus Asplund, Buffalo can keep all three. Dylan Cozens We’ve already projected our protection list with the hope that Seattle Tage Thompson claims defenseman Colin Miller. Rasmus Asplund NHL Draft Quinton Byfield Throughout the scouting world, the Owen Power train has gained speed. He’s the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 pick, which is owned by the Arttu Ruotsalainen Sabres. Zemgus Girgensons While acknowledging William Eklund’s talent and Matthew Beniers’ drive, Power would be our selection at No. 1. The towering, fleet-footed Cody Eakin defenseman would join 2018 top pick Rasmus Dahlin as a blueline Kyle Okposo cornerstone. Since both play the left side, they could conceivably eat up 45 to 50 minutes of a 60-minute game. Opposing forwards (and LEFT DEFENSE RIGHT DEFENSE defensemen) would rarely get a break with the blueliners alternating over the boards. Rasmus Dahlin

The 18-year-old Power is not a finished product, which has created Henri Jokiharju hesitation among some fans. But a full season at the University of Jacob Bryson Michigan as the go-to guy should smooth out some rough spots, bringing him closer to a complete player by the time he arrives in Buffalo in 2022. Will Borgen

We’re certainly willing to listen to offers for the No. 1 pick. If Seattle wants Mattias Samuelsson to move up from No. 2 or Anaheim hopes to jump two spots, I’d entertain their proposals knowing Eklund or Beniers would be available. I wouldn’t Joey Keane fall further than No. 3, though, because that trio is at the top of the list. GOALIES

Re-signing Rasmus Dahlin Linus Ullmark/Petr Mrazek/Antti Raanta

It’s hard to believe, but Dahlin’s three-year entry-level deal is over and Aaron Dell he’s four seasons away from unrestricted free agency. He just turned 21. It’s a young, young team. The only players older than 24 are Skinner, We’ve already taken a deep look at Dahlin’s contract comparables. The Olofsson, Girgensons, Eakin, Okposo and the goalies. But the Sabres’ Sabres can sign the defenseman for up to eight seasons, but Eichel’s objective is to build a core that can grow together, and this accomplishes saga has us wary of max deals. The Reinhart situation shows that teams that. Plus, we’d have Power, another goalie prospect and at least two shouldn’t do more than one bridge deal or they risk alienating and losing more first-round picks on the way. the player. Now it’s Adams’ turn. His moves count. They’ll determine the next But one — one — bridge deal for Dahlin will be our option. Boston’s decade of hockey in Buffalo. Charlie McAvoy and Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev are in three-year contracts that pay $4.9 million and $4.8 million, respectively. We’d prefer No pressure. a two-year deal for Dahlin because a three-year contract brings him one summer away from being a UFA. Less security for the player equates to The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 more cash from the team, so we’ll offer a two-year deal at $6 million per season.

Signing a goalie

The Sabres need a bridge to Luukkonen, Portillo and our acquired goalie. The only netminder under contract is Dustin Tokarski, who would ideally mentor Luukkonen in Rochester while Annunen or Wolf starts for Cincinnati of the ECHL.

We’ve looked at 15 UFA goalies and eight expansion draft casualties, a number that has dropped to seven with Ben Bishop waiving his no-move clause to allow Dallas to protect Anton Khudobin. The clock is ticking on Washington’s Vitek Vanecek and Montreal’s Jake Allen, who will be exposed Saturday, so we’ll turn our attention to the UFAs. 1217424 That sort of loyalty matters to the brass and should matter to the masses, but this can’t be a sentimental decision.

In the 31-year-old Tanev, who remains under contract for three more Could Giordano’s career as Flame end in expansion draft? seasons, the Flames will still have a rock-solid veteran on their back-end.

Hanifin, 24, was being mentioned as trade bait a year ago but looked Wes Gilbertson every bit a core building block during a breakout campaign.

Publishing date:Jul 16, 2021 • 9 hours ago With his poise and competitive streak, the 24-year-old Andersson will soon enough be a staple on the top pair.

(In case you’re wondering about youngster Juuso Valimaki, he’s exempt With so much speculation, so much sudden uncertainty, about Mark from the expansion draft due to his lack of experience.) Giordano’s future with the Calgary Flames, this conversation sticks out. The rest of the Flames’ protected list should look like this — forwards Before the start of the condensed campaign, before this conundrum was Mikael Backlund, Dillon Dube, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, clear, I asked Giordano about the significance of potentially skating his Andrew Mangiapane, Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk, plus puck- entire NHL career in one uniform. stopper Jacob Markstrom. The other option is to declare only eight skaters off-limits, which could include four defencemen, but then you’re “I think of Steve Yzerman in Detroit, Shane Doan in Arizona … ” he said gifting an established centre or a young winger to a Pacific Division rival. during that interview last fall. “That’s the cool thing is you can’t think of too many, right? Usually, it doesn’t happen. I have been blessed, The Flames would love to keep Giordano, too, but at what cost? obviously, to be here my entire career and to meet so many great people. Word is, Kraken general manager Ron Francis is currently setting an “That’s one thing I take a lot of pride in. I know there’s been a lot of ups exorbitant price for any sort of side-deal. If he’s asking for the Flames’ and downs in Calgary, but I really want to be here until the end of my first-round selection, or even their second, those should be short career and help this team.” conversations. Uh, no.

Among the gents that you’d consider Flames icons, nobody has gone Thing is, there are not a lot of appealing options among Calgary’s other wire-to-wire from rookie to retirement in Calgary’s colours. Not yet could-be castaways. anyway. Milan Lucic can be an effective bottom-six winger, brings championship set a schwack of club records during his run as the net- know-how and is still the toughest dude in the NHL, but there’s a lot of filling face-of-the-franchise, but he was eventually traded away and made loot left on his deal. several other stops as he tried to add a Stanley Cup triumph to a resume that has since landed him in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Perhaps Seattle’s scouting staff sees some untapped upside in Oliver Kylington or Glenn Gawdin, who combined for just 15 big-league Theo Fleury, who delighted the crowd at the Saddledome with his unique appearances this past season. blend of talent and tenacity and his refusal to shy away from any much taller opponent, would later wear three other sweaters. It’s a definite possibility, though, that Francis has Giordano pencilled in as his first captain. At worst, the Kraken could flip the wily workhorse at Al MacInnis, Joe Nieuwendyk and Mike Vernon, all the trade deadline. candidates when the Flames raised their only championship banner in 1989, were all gone by the mid-90s. Giordano is on track to join the NHL’s silver-stick club — that is the standard keepsake for 1,000 regular-season loggings — this coming And Lanny McDonald had, of course, starred in two other markets before winter. returning to his roots in Alberta. (One of Lanny’s co-captains in 1989, Jim Peplinksi, is arguably the most notable name to spend his entire career in He has, to date, played all 949 in the Flaming C. He’s also been a the Flaming C crest.) charitable force — his wife, Lauren, deserves a ton of credit there, too — and become a fixture in the community, as Calgarian as a Peace Bridge Which brings us back to Giordano. photo opp or a Peter’s milkshake on a hot summer day.

Saturday marks the deadline for NHL teams to submit their protected lists In that same conversation last fall, back before the expansion draft was for the upcoming expansion draft. top-of-mind, Giordano admitted: “To picture myself playing somewhere else would be pretty tough.” Calgary’s slate of untouchables seems pretty straightforward, except that their longtime captain — and inaugural winner of the Clayton H. Riddell Indeed, it would. Award, a new in-house nod to their best — is expected to be among those available when the Seattle Kraken stock their roster But later this week, that might be reality. Wednesday. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.17.2021 Two things are true …

1) It’s only sensible for the Flames to expose Giordano, who turns 38 in October. The departure of No. 5 would leave a massive void, but they simply can’t risk losing any of these younger or cheaper options on the blue-line — Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev. Coming off a playoff miss, they also can’t afford to mortgage the future in a side- deal that would guarantee they could keep their captain around for the final year of his current contract, which carries a cap-hit of US$6.75 million.

2) It would be a shame if Giordano’s stay at the Saddledome, where he’s made his heartwarming rise from undrafted underdog to heart-and-soul sort and Norris Trophy winner, ends this way.

You can bet that Flames general manager Brad Treliving has been agonizing over this one. During his end-of-season presser, he characterized Giordano as one of the best leaders he’s ever been around.

“He’s been the conscience of this team for a long time,” Treliving said then. 1217425 Calgary Flames work among the Flames’ top six, which is something we know Sutter values, given that he attempted to play Brett Ritchie on the top-line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan before shuffling the lines toward Source: There’s mutual interest between the Flames and Zach Hyman. the end of the season. What would be the cost and the fit? While it may be true that Hyman benefited from playing with Toronto’s star players, Dom’s model still gives Hyman plenty of credit for his ability to bury the high-danger chances he was given by the likes of Mitch By Hailey Salvian Marner or the chances he created for by digging into the corners. Jul 16, 2021 In 2019-20, Hyman scored at a 34-goal, 59-point pace and followed that

up with a 29-goal, 63-point pace, while getting minimal power-play time The Calgary Flames appear to be interested in Toronto Maple Leafs over those two seasons. He also was one of Toronto’s best forecheckers forward Zach Hyman, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent on July last season, and developed some decent puck skills in zone and in 28, and the feeling is mutual. transition.

A source confirmed to The Athletic on Friday that “Calgary is of interest What about the case against signing him? to Zach Hyman,” and that his representatives at Uptown Hockey have Hyman has had multiple knee injuries, and a long-term deal would bring “talked with the club.” Reports of interest first came from the Toronto Hyman to his late 30s. That type of commitment in free agency seldom Star’s Kevin McGran. works out for the entire length of the deal. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Leafs have granted permission Flames fans don’t need to be reminded of the five-year, $28.75 million for Hyman’s agent, Todd Reynolds, to talk to teams now, rather than deal James Neal signed in 2018-19, when he was 30. Although it was a waiting for free agency to open. smaller deal in terms of the cost, things did not work out on either side, Hyman would be a natural fit in Calgary and would fill a sizeable hole on and Neal got traded to Edmonton for Milan Lucic and his similarly poor right wing (he has played on both sides). He’s a gritty, blue-collar type seven-year, $42 million contract. player who has transformed himself into a top-six talent, someone who Still, Dom’s model rates Hyman much more favourably. In fact, he’s Toronto’s skilled players wanted to play with. He could be the perfect ranked as one of the top UFAs available this offseason. Darryl Sutter player, on a top line with Johnny Gaudreau. Hyman’s fit with Matthews and Marner last season would bode well for But it remains unclear just how much it would cost to acquire him. the Flames, considering he could play on the Flames’ top line with either Hyman is expected to hit the open market with considerable interest Gaudreau or Matthew Tkachuk on his opposite wing, and Elias Lindholm around the league. And after scoring at a 29-goal, 63-point pace during up the middle. this past regular season, his value is quite high. In fact, signing Hyman would give the Flames plenty of options among As our James Mirtle wrote last month, teams and agents believe that their top six. Hyman could command close to $6 million per season on a long-term They could keep Gaudreau with Lindholm and add Hyman to the right deal, and that Josh Anderson’s massive seven-year, $38.5 million deal wing. In this case, the Flames could reunite the “3M” line with Tkachuk, signed in Montreal last fall is a common comparable. Andrew Mangiapane and Mikael Backlund, and shield Sean Monahan as Anderson is two years younger than Hyman, but he’s only produced 82 a third-line centre. goals and 139 points in 319 NHL games. Hyman, a late bloomer who Or, the Flames could use a top-line of Gaudreau, Hyman and Monahan spent four years in college at Michigan, has 86 goals and 185 points in in an attempt to recoup some of Monahan’s value as a 1C. With 345 career games. Gaudreau as the playmaker, Monahan (if healthy) as the trigger man, And based on his statistical profile, Hyman falls into the same category and Hyman as the workhorse, it could prove to be a good top line. That as veteran UFA wingers like Nick Foligno, Alexander Radulov, Anders would be followed by a second line of Tkachuk, Lindholm and Lee and Cam Atkinson, who all signed for approximately eight percent of Mangiapane, with Backlund adding value as a third-line centre with Dillon the cap at the time of their respective deals. Dube on his wing.

Under the current $81.5 million cap, that’s approximately $6.5 million per It’s easy to feel better about this top nine, than last year’s group. But, season. again, how would the money work?

This is where the Flames’ interest in Hyman could get tested. He is a Here’s how the roster and cap situation could look, with no other moves good player, but he’s also 29 years old. And the Flames, while not cap- made this offseason other than signing Hyman, conservatively, to a six- strapped to the same extent as Toronto, won’t want to commit to an year, $6 million deal. overly lucrative long-term deal that could sour in future years. This roster commits $73.15 million to 14 players, leaving $8.35 million in Nailing down his value is going to be the key here. cap space to re-sign notable RFAs in Dube and Juuso Valimaki, as well as adding a capable backup goalie, and up to six more skaters to fill out Our analytics expert Dom Luszczyszyn projects Hyman to be worth the 23-man roster. (All cap info is courtesy of Cap Friendly.) approximately $6 million per year on his next contract. That would peak at a value of $8.9 million next year and stay above $6.5 million for the Of course, there also are low-cost internal options such as Jakob next four years. Pelletier and Connor Mackey potentially pushing for spots. And, if the Flames lose Mark Giordano to Seattle in the expansion draft, they will There’s age-related regression, but Dom’s model forecasts that Hyman have an extra $6.75 million to reallocate to players like Hyman in free can offer contributions as a first-line winger for three more years, a top- agency. six winger for three campaigns after and would be a fourth-liner by Year 7. Looking ahead to next summer, the Flames will need to keep in mind that Tkachuk and Mangiapane are due for new deals … and raises. And if All that indicates that a four-year contract would be the sweet spot for they decide to re-sign Gaudreau between now and 2022, he could earn Hyman, although there are reports that he could be looking for a long- approximately $7.5 million on a new deal. term deal, perhaps as long as seven years. That term is the maximum permissible under the collective-bargaining agreement. The only way It could get tight, but it’s doable. Hyman could get eight years with the Flames is if he signed with the We know that the Flames want to change the makeup of their roster and Leafs first and then was traded to Calgary. remain (or get back to being) competitive. Adding someone who can do The exact term aside, Hyman could fit nicely in Calgary. The Flames all that Hyman does to their top six could achieve that. need more options to play on the right side — he is a natural right-shot Whether or not the Flames can make the money work and potentially get winger — and at least one more top-six forward this offseason. Hyman Hyman on a value deal remains to be seen. But, we’ll certainly find out would bring strong five-on-five scoring and a willingness to do the dirty soon with free agency opening in less than two weeks. The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217426 Calgary Flames It’s no secret that Calgary struggled to score consistently this season, averaging 2.77 goals per game. Sillinger, 18, wouldn’t fix that right away, but he would inject a level of goal-scoring acumen to the system that Flames draft board: Cole Sillinger, Chaz Lucius and other top prospects prospects Zary and Pelletier lack. To be clear, both are excellent Calgary might select at No. 12 prospects, but finishing is not their top attribute.

Sillinger, on the other hand, could check that box, among others.

By Hailey Salvian “The hardest thing to do in hockey is score goals,” Sioux Falls assistant coach Brett Skinner said. “And he has a really good natural ability to put Jul 16, 2021 the puck in the net in multiple ways. He’s the type of kid who’s going to find a way to get the puck in the wherever you put him.”

Sillinger can use his strong wrist shot or one-timer to beat goalies from We’re one week away from the start of the 2021 NHL Draft, and while our the perimeter but also can get to the front of the net using his size and prospects analysts have been pumping out content for weeks, it’s time strength on the puck. He’s also a smart player, with great hands and the for a Calgary-specific look into the first round. And the Flames are in an creativity to make plays. Sillinger doesn’t shy away from the physical side interesting position with the 12th pick. of the game and has shown he can win puck battles and make it difficult Most analysts would tell you that the top of this year’s class looks a little for defenders to push him off the puck. bit softer than in previous years, when prospects like Jack Hughes and With Sioux Falls, Sillinger was used in all situations, including on the Alexis Lafreniere distinguished themselves as the consensus No. 1 pick. kill toward the end of the season. And while he was mostly relied The Athletic’s Corey Pronman said that the 2021 class has a “below- upon for offence this season, Skinner said that whenever they put average top of the draft with the rest looking rather standard.” Sillinger in a defensive situation, “He was really good.” There is an industry-consensus list of top-nine skaters this year — Owen “We just plugged him into as many situations as we could to get as much Power, Matthew Beniers, Dylan Guenther, Luke Hughes, Simon out of him as we could. He’s definitely a real well-rounded player,” he Edvinsson, Mason McTavish, William Eklund, Brandt Clarke and Kent said. “There’s no concerns about him being one-dimensional.” Johnson. Things open up after that, with seven to 10 players who realistically could work for the Flames at No. 12. That said, there was a The biggest area of concern with Sillinger is his skating, as he has a consensus last year and then Jack Quinn jumped to the eighth slot, while heavy stride. To that, Skinner points to the fact that Sillinger led the team Cole Perfetti and Marco Rossi slipped. You never really know what will in controlled zone entries this season and averaged approximately two happen on draft night. breakaways per game.

Still, while Calgary is outside of the top tier of this draft, there should be “I think the power is there. … It just doesn’t look very good to the eye,” he plenty of solid options available when general manager Brad Treliving is said. “But, if you give him the resources to improve it, he’s the type of kid on the clock next Friday. that’s going to find a way to get better.”

But, who is the best player? Or rather, who would be the best fit in Chaz Lucius, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL Calgary? Born: May 2, 2003 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds Pronman recently wrote that a goaltender is the Flames’ biggest need, while prospect analyst Scott Wheeler and I believe the Flames would do The basics well to add more top-end skill to their forward group, though the Flames Lucius is a right-shot centre who is committed to play for the University of have checked that box the last two years with Connor Zary and Jakob Minnesota next season. He is one of the best goal scorers in the 2021 Pelletier. There’s also the option of drafting a defenceman in the first draft, and according to Pronman is one of the “most purely skilled round for the first time since Juuso Valimaki in 2017. players” in this year’s prospect class.

What follows is a draft board featuring some of the Flames’ most likely Lucius missed most of the 2020-21 season due to injury and an illness, options at No. 12, from all three positions, with insight from coaches and but when healthy he showed why he’s one of the best goal scorers in this with the knowledge that things could drastically change depending on the draft. 11 selections made ahead of Calgary. Last season, Lucius scored a team-high 31 goals and 50 points in 46 The Athletic‘s Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler have contributed to this games with the U.S. Development Team Program, while also adding report. You can find their draft lists here and here, as well as their full seven goals and 10 points in six games to lead the Under-17 World guide to the 2021 NHL Draft here. Championships in both categories en route to a silver medal.

Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls-USHL He missed the first 30 games of the 2020-21 season after undergoing Born: May 16, 2003 | 6 foot | 197 pounds surgery to repair a bone lesion in his knee and returned to the NTDP in February, scoring 13 goals in 13 games with the Under-18 team. He The basics missed the U-18 worlds after catching a fever just before the deadline to go to Texas. Sillinger is a dynamic centre who spent this season in the USHL because of the WHL’s delayed start due to COVID-19. According to Pronman, Lucius projects to be a strong top-six NHL forward who can play on a team’s top power-play unit. He was a well-rounded player on left wing with Medicine Hat last season and at centre with Sioux Falls this year. He has an elite shot, a high Chaz Lucius (Rena Laverty / U.S. NTDP) compete level and the ability to play a reliable 200-foot game. The organizational fit This season, Sillinger was one of the top forwards in the USHL. And despite missing the first 17 games, he quickly took over the Sioux Falls Similar to Sillinger, Lucius would check a lot of boxes for the Flames. His scoring lead after a 14-game point streak in February and March. strongest selling point, as mentioned above, is his goal scoring. Sillinger finished with 24 goals and 46 points in 31 games. His 1.48 “He’s got a tremendous shot,” U.S. NTDP coach Dan Muse said in a points per game ranked fourth overall in the league. He was named the recent interview with The Athletic. “I haven’t seen a lot of guys at this age 2020-21 USHL Rookie of the Year. that can shoot the puck like him. … That’s something that really According to Wheeler, Sillinger would become the Flames’ No. 1 separates him from other players.” prospect and likely eventually offer their group of top-six forwards Lucius has elite skill and excellent timing around the net, which is where something it sorely needs — goal scoring. he generates a lot of his offence. Muse said Lucius also has versatility to The organizational fit his shooting.

If the Flames decide to address a specific need with the 12th pick, there “He can score goals from distance, he can score goals off the rush, he is a fair argument to be made that they should home in on goal scoring. can score goals in-zone. From further out, he can beat a goalie on his shot,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of guys in this player pool that could beat a goalie clean from where he shoots it from. But he can also get to “For me is he is undeniable,” Sheahan said. “He just makes it so you the side and score from there, too.” have to play him. And I feel like he’s going to be undeniable in his career. He’s going to continue to push and continue to get better. For all the talk of Lucius’ goal scoring, Muse said he isn’t a one- dimensional player. He has the ability to create space for himself. He is “I think whatever organization picks him is going to get a person that is an underrated passer, can make plays under pressure and has elite one- going to work, is going to get better and is going to be an impactful player on-one skills. for their organization for a long time.”

Like with Sillinger, Lucius’ skating is a concern. And one source told Corson Ceulemans, RHD, Brooks-AJHL Pronman in his recent “Draft Confidential” that he sees Lucius as a winger in the NHL because of his average foot speed, which will need to Born: May 5, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 198 pounds improve. He also does not have the same physicality or defensive value The basics as someone like Sillinger, which could make the latter a more attractive option for a Darryl Sutter-led Flames team. Ceulemans is a “complete” defenceman set to play at the University of Wisconsin after three years with the Brooks Bandits in the Alberta Junior Still, Sillinger is among the highest skilled players in this draft, and the Hockey League. Flames need skill at the top of their lineup. Of course, Lucius would need to be available at No. 12. Lucius is often ranked just outside the He is viewed by our analysts as a complete package. He’s a right- consensus top-nine skaters and may not make it past Ottawa at No. 10 handed defender who is mobile, hard to play against and has shown because the Senators need a scoring forward at the top of this draft. some offensive ability at the AJHL level.

If Lucius is available, Muse has very few concerns about his ability to Ceulemans did not play much in 2020-21 (eight games) due to the translate his game to the NHL level. AJHL’s shortened season, but he put on a strong display at the U-18 world championships, where he led defenceman in scoring with eight “This wasn’t a guy who put up big numbers in just the one year,” he said. points in six games. “For Chaz, it’s going to be about continuing to have that game translate and make the adjustments so it can translate from one level to the next. A source told Pronman there is a lot that Ceulemans does that projects … And he has a track record of being able to do it.” well to the NHL, saying, “If he gets past (No.) 15, he’s going to make a team look really smart.” Matthew Coronato, RW, Chicago-USHL The organizational fit Born: Nov. 14, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 183 pounds As mentioned, the Flames have not selected a defenceman in the first The basics round since 2017. And while goaltending and scoring may be higher on Coronato is a right-shot winger and was one of the most dominant my priority list, perhaps the Flames will want to attempt to internally offensive players in the USHL this season. At 5-10, he is an undersized address the right-side D. forward but is highly skilled with above-average skating, compete level At the NHL level, the Flames have Rasmus Andersson, Chris Tanev and and shot, according to Pronman’s rankings. Michael Stone as their trio of natural right-shot defenceman. The farm In his rookie year in the USHL, Coronato scored a solid 18 goals and 40 system is similarly thin on the right side, and Ceulemans would almost points in 45 games, which ranked sixth among the U-18 skaters in the certainly be the Flames’ top prospect at the position. league. With the Bandits, Ceulemans showed good one-on-one skill, a hard shot This season, however, Coronato more than doubled those figures and from the point and the ability to move the puck. He put that on display at put himself firmly in the conversation to be a top-20 pick. His 48 regular- the U-18 tournament, too. season goals led the league, while his 85 points ranked second behind “Some guys aren’t comfortable with the puck. He is,” Team Canada his teammate and 2020 draft pick Sean Farrell (Montreal, fourth round). coach Dan Barr said. “He wants the puck. He loves to skate the puck. He Coronato scored a combined total of 57 goals in 59 regular-season and really impressed me.” playoff games. The Chicago Steel won this year’s USHL championship, and Coronato was named the league’s forward of the year. On the defensive side, Ceulemans defends well against the rush with his skating and physicality and picks off a lot of passes. According to Pronman, Coronato projects as a versatile second-line winger in the NHL. “We played him more and more as the tournament went along,” Barr said, “because we could trust him defensively, and he could skate pucks The organizational fit out of trouble a lot, and he made it look rather easy. So, he looks like Like Sillinger and Lucius, Coronato would add top-end skill to the Flames’ he’s going to have a chance to be a very good NHL defenceman.” pool of forwards. And although he scored nearly one goal per game this Pronman has questioned whether Ceulemans’ offence would translate to season, according to Steel coach Brock Sheahan, Coronato’s separating the NHL level, but said, “I see enough good things in his puck-moving to trait is his consistently high compete level. think he can be a good NHL player.”

“I can’t think of a night where he didn’t show up on the scoresheet, which Truthfully, I don’t know that the Flames would opt for a defender, and is rare, but (also) did not have an impact on the game,” Sheahan said. none of them really fit into the range Calgary will be selecting. By No. 12, “He always has an impact in the game, and that’s both on the puck or off the big four defencemen will be gone, and according to Wheeler, there is the puck.” a decent gap between the best available forwards that will be around and As Wheeler wrote in his draft rankings, “There’s no questioning the second tier of this draft’s defencemen. But if the Flames do opt for a Coronato’s effort level or his ability to make something happen in the blueliner, Ceulemans has a good chance at being their guy. home-plate area.” He is a highly determined player, coupled with a ton of Goalies skill. Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton-WHL Coronato is a strong skater, can make plays with pace and does well to create controlled entries with his speed and skill. And he has a hard, Born: Nov. 21, 2002 | 6-foot-6 | 210 pounds quick release that made him a quality goal scorer with Chicago. Sheahan Cossa is one of the two goalies projected to go in the first round and has said Coronato worked hard to add a variety of ways he can score: From been dominant in the WHL the past two seasons as a 17- and 18-year- the rush, which he’s always had in his toolkit, to goals off the catch, to a old. strong one-timer, which Sheahan said, with a laugh, that Coronato wasn’t always great at. He’s an intriguing goalie in that he covers a lot of the net with his 6-6 frame but also moves very well. Cossa’s size, positioning and reads are One of the evaluators canvassed by Pronman said Coronato is a quite strong. “complete hockey player except for his height.” And while Sheahan acknowledged that his player is “not the biggest guy,” he said Coronato is Cossa quickly took over the starter’s crease in his rookie year in the WHL “extremely strong” and has a willingness to play inside of contact. and followed it up with a strong sophomore year with the best goals- against average (1.57) and save percentage (.941) in the WHL. According to Pronman, Cossa projects as a quality NHL starting goaltender with the potential to become an upper-echelon goalie. Interestingly, Craig Button, the former Flames GM and current TSN Director of Scouting, said Cossa’s NHL comparable is Jacob Markstrom.

Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea-SHL

Born: Nov. 14, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 214 pounds

Wallstedt is a rare first-year draft-eligible goalie who spent the 2020-21 season excelling in the SHL.

Wallstedt isn’t quite as athletic as Cossa, but what makes him such a good goalie is his intelligence and his puck-tracking ability. As Wheeler wrote: “He fills the net, he plays sharp angles, he swallows his rebounds, his movement is compact, and he reads a shooter and his options so well that he rarely has to scramble.”

In the SHL this year, as an 18-year-old rookie, Wallstedt had a strong start but fell off in the back half of the season, allowing 13 goals on the 70 shots he faced across his final four appearances (a .814 save percentage). However, his body of work from the junior, pro and international levels is quite solid. According to Pronman, Wallstedt projects as a quality NHL starting goaltender.

The organizational fit

This week, Pronman chose goaltending as the Flames’ biggest need at the draft, which may raise some eyebrows considering the Flames have five more years of Markstrom along with 2019-20 CHL goalie of the year (and two-time WHL goalie of the year) Dustin Wolf in the system.

However, as he wrote, “Wolf is a good young goalie, but you won’t find many NHL scouts who say he’s a no-doubter due to his size at 6 feet, 157 pounds.” Further, Wheeler said, “If you were to survey a group of NHL scouts, Wolf would probably rank behind Wallstedt and Cossa.”

If one or both of the goalies is still available at No. 12, they realistically could be the “best player available” while also filling a need for the Flames. Because both players project to be NHL starters, they could develop, back up Markstrom and ultimately become the succession plan for when Markstrom’s contract expires in 2026.

Which goalie that could be, and whether that’s the route the Flames go, is difficult to predict. Wallstedt has the pedigree of a teenager playing well in a top professional league and commonly is ranked higher than Cossa on draft boards.

As one NHL evaluator said, “There is something special about him. His hockey sense is among the best I’ve ever seen in a draft-eligible goaltender.”

That said, in his final rankings, Pronman slotted Cossa at No. 8, ahead of Wallstedt at No. 9.

In an interview with The Athletic, Oil Kings coach Brad Laur pointed to the Stanley Cup Final matchup between Montreal’s Carey Price and Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy as the reason Calgary should opt for a goalie in the first round.

“These guys win you rounds, these guys get you to the finals, these guys win you championships,” Laur said. “And I think the pedigree that (Cossa) has is the way he works and the size he is, how athletic he is, how focused he is.

“And, you know, this isn’t just luck what we’re seeing. This is going to happen as he matures, as he gets older and develops more, and I can only see his game getting better and better every year.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217427 Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes signed another piece of the roster puzzle Friday

BY JUSTIN PELLETIER

JULY 16, 2021 03:47 PM

With Saturday’s deadline to submit a list of protected players looming, the Carolina Hurricanes secured a bit more depth Friday afternoon, agreeing to terms with restricted free agent Morgan Geekie.

Geekie, who played in 36 regular-season games with the Canes this past season and three more in the team’s playoff run, signed a one-year, two- way deal and will make $750,000 at the NHL level and $75,000 at the level with a $125,000 guarantee.

“Morgan played well in his first full NHL season this year,” Canes President and GM Don Waddell said in a news release. “We’re excited for him to take the next steps in his development.”

Geekie had nine points during the regular season for the Canes, slotting in most of the time on the fourth line.

In the AHL this past season, Geekie played in only two games, but made the most of it, scoring four goals and adding an assist to be named the AHL Player of the Week.

Last year with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, then the Canes’ affiliate, Geekie had 22 goals and 20 assists in 55 games. He made his NHL debut last year, as well, and in just two games, had three goals and an assist.

Carolina originally drafted Geekie in the third round, 67th overall, in the 2017 NHL Draft.

News Observer LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217428 Chicago Blackhawks

Keith trade opens door for Hawks to make big splash

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

PRESENTED BY NATIONWIDE INSURANCE AGENT JEFF VUKOVICH

The Blackhawks' offseason is in full swing after the organization parted ways with three-time Stanley Cup champion , who waived his full no-movement clause to be traded to the Edmonton Oilers. The trade was, respectfully, requested by the 37-year-old defenseman so he can be closer to his son in Western Canada and the Blackhawks honored that wish.

"We were happy to work something out that was mutually beneficial for Duncan’s family and the future of the Blackhawks," President/GM said in a statement. "We appreciate all he has contributed to our team and the City of Chicago and his legacy will always be celebrated."

In return for Keith, the Blackhawks acquired 24-year-old defenseman Caleb Jones and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2022. The deal also included forward prospect Tim Soderlund, who was sent to Edmonton.

Perhaps the most notable part of the trade: Chicago did not retain any of Keith's salary, which had been a hang-up between the two sides for more than a week. Keith's cap hit is at $5.538 million for the next two seasons, but his actual cash is only $3.6 million total.

The move opened up $4.7 million in cap space for the Blackhawks, who are now in a position to make a big splash this summer. And you can expect them to be relatively aggressive.

With Brent Seabrook ($6.875 million cap hit) and Andrew Shaw ($3.9 million cap hit) on long-term injured reserve and newfound cap space available from the Keith trade, the Blackhawks are likely to target All-Star defenseman Seth Jones — the older brother of Caleb — via trade or six- time 40-point scoring defenseman Dougie Hamilton via free agency.

Earlier this offseason, Seth Jones informed the Columbus Blue Jackets that he does not plan on signing a contract extension and intends to become a free agent when his contract expires after the 2021-22 season.

Now, let's be clear: Chicago isn't going to trade for only one year of Jones and risk letting him walk for nothing. They're still in a rebuilding phase and not in Stanley Cup-or-bust mode.

But if both Jones and the Blackhawks are serious about a potential long- term extension, it's certainly worth considering. Jones is only 26 years old and would immediately become the No. 1 defenseman, which would check a huge box for a rebuilding team looking to take the next step.

The real question is whether it's worth giving up assets to acquire Jones or if the Blackhawks are better off going after Hamilton instead and trying their luck on Jones if/when he hits the open market next summer. Realistically, they'd have the room to fit both into the equation.

The good news? The Blackhawks certainly have options. And even if they don't land a big fish this offseason, they're well-positioned financially to be big-game hunters in the future.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217429 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche 2021-2022 preseason schedule announced

The Avs will face the Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars twice apiece

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected]

The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: July 16, 2021 at 10:33 a.m. | UPDATED: July 16, 2021 at 2:14 p.m.

The Avalanche’s six-game preseason schedule was announced Friday, and it will face the same three opponents for the fourth consecutive time (there was no preseason in 2021). The Avs will face the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars twice apiece.

2021 Avalanche preseason schedule

Date Opponent Time (MT)

Tue, Sept. 28 at Vegas 8 p.m.

Thu, Sept. 30 Minnesota 7 p.m.

Mon, Oct. 4 at Minnesota 6 p.m.

Tue, Oct. 5 Vegas 7 p.m.

Thu, Oct. 7 at Dallas 6 p.m.

Sat, Oct. 9 Dallas 5 p.m.

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217430 Colorado Avalanche

Pick 6: Odds Colorado Avalanche will win the Stanley Cup in 2022

By JOE NGUYEN | [email protected]

The Denver Post

July 16, 2021 at 5:45 a.m.

The Avalanche entered the 2020-21 NHL season as the oddsmakers’ favorites to win the Stanley Cup. But the team failed to live up to the hype, falling in the second round to Vegas.

However, that hasn’t deterred the sports betting community from putting Colorado as the favorite to win the championship in 2022.

As of Thursday, the Avs are listed at +500 odds — meaning a $100 bet would win $500 — to win it all, according to a number of sportsbooks, including BetMGM, DraftKings, Fox Bet and William Hill. Sportsbetting.com has them tied with the defending two-time champion Tampa Bay Lightning at +450, while FanDuel has Colorado at +650.

Covers.com noted that “the Avs were a trendy pick to win this year and should be a force again next season.”

Vegas and Tampa Bay also have odds that are better than +1,000 across the board.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Red Wings and Sabres have the worst odds to win the title, ranging from +15,000 to +20,000.

Here’s a look at some of the current odds in the world of sports.

+450

The odds the Avalanche will win the 2022 Stanley Cup, according to sportsbetting.com. Colorado is tied as the favorite with Tampa Bay, and ahead of Vegas (+600), Toronto (+1,100) and Carolina (+1,100).

+450

The odds Jordan Spieth and Louis Oosthuizen each have to win The Open Championship, according to BetMGM. They are tied as favorites, ahead of Justin Thomas (+1,800) and Dustin Johnson (+2,200).

68.5

The over-under for total number of wins the Rockies will finish with in 2021, according to BetMGM.

+220

The odds a quarterback other than Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater or Brett Rypien will be the Broncos’ starter in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season, according to Fanduel Sportsbook. Lock and Bridgewater are tied at +145 and Rypien is a longshot at +1,600.

+5,000

The odds Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton will lead the NFL in yards receiving in the 2021 regular season, according to Fox Bet. Sutton is tied for the 25th-best odds. Stefon Diggs of the Bills is the favorite at +800, followed by the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill (+900). Other Broncos on the list include Jerry Jeudy (+6,600), Tim Patrick (+40,000) and KJ Hamler (+40,000).

+2,000

The odds the Nuggets will win the 2021-22 NBA championship, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. They are tied for eighth with the Clippers. The Nets (+210) are favored, ahead of the Lakers (+450) and Bucks (+800).

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217431 Colorado Avalanche What do you think you can bring to them?

Probably a lot of the same of what I brought to the Avs: reliable defensively against top lines, penalty kill, trying to be a consistent Ryan Graves Q&A: ‘Excited’ to help the Devils take next step after influence on the back end and continually trying to grow my game. Just proving himself with the Avalanche try to be a part of it and fit in where I can.

Did many of your Avs teammates reach out?

By Peter Baugh I talked to quite a few of the guys. It’s natural: You have a lot of friends Jul 16, 2021 that were close, and I talked to quite a few of them.

What are your emotions toward the Avalanche organization and what it’s meant to you the last few years? Back in February 2018, the Avalanche swapped minor leaguers with the New York Rangers, sending east for a 22-year-old former The first thought that comes to mind is I really enjoyed my time there. I fourth-rounder named Ryan Graves. Over the next three years, that deal was really close with the entire team. A lot of good friends that I’ll keep emerged as a steal for Colorado. Graves developed into a top-four for my whole life. I’m thankful for the opportunity. Nothing but good things defenseman, leading the NHL in plus-minus in 2019-2020 and serving as to say. one of the team’s top penalty killers. It was a success story for both It always takes someone to give you a chance, and I’ll forever be thankful Graves and the Avalanche front office, one of quality decision-making for that. They had some staff there that really helped me take my game and good player development. to the next level. I was very thankful to have (AHL coach) Greg Cronin But this month’s Seattle Kraken expansion draft is forcing teams around with the Eagles, and he kind of helped me take that next step. Joe and C- the league to make difficult decisions, and the Avalanche are no Mac gave me the chance to be called up and play, and (coach Jared) exception. General manager Joe Sakic opted to trade Graves on Bednar and (assistant) Nolan Pratt gave me the chance to really play, to Thursday rather than leave him unprotected and risk losing him for play minutes and to get a role that allowed me to develop and allowed nothing to Seattle, sending the defenseman to the New Jersey Devils for me to work through the hiccups and the growing pains. As a whole, I’m Mikhail Maltsev and a 2021 second-round pick. just thankful.

“Obviously I knew it was a possibility,” Graves told The Athletic on Friday Is there anything you’re most proud of yourself for in the last few years in morning. the organization?

Speaking from his offseason home on , Graves Just as a whole, being able to prove to myself and prove to everybody went over the trade, his time with the Avalanche and his excitement for a else that I’m able to play at this level and to show I’m able to be an new opportunity in New Jersey. effective player and to show I belong in the league. I worked hard for a long time to get that opportunity, and they gave it to me. I’m thankful for This interview was edited for length and clarity. it, and that’s probably the thing I’m most proud of: getting that chance and running with it. When did you find out a move might be a possibility? The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 As we talked about earlier, I knew with the Seattle draft looming that there was a chance I wouldn’t wear the Avs jersey next year. I found out about five minutes before the trade was announced. It’s something I didn’t think was out of the question, but obviously when you get the news that’s actually happening, you’re surprised, and you don’t expect that to happen to you. You never go into any situation expecting to get traded. It’s all part of the business. Unfortunately, the business side of things has come out a lot in the last year and a half, two years with the pandemic, the flat cap and Seattle now. It’s all a part of it, and obviously I’ll be sad to leave the guys in Denver, but I’m also excited for a new opportunity.

Did you talk to Joe Sakic about the trade?

Joe called me, and I talked to (assistant general manager) Chris MacFarland as well, and they told me what happened and why they did it. I understand. It’s part of the business. And then I talked to Tom Fitzgerald, the general manager of the Devils, and he was excited. And that makes you excited as well. Someone wants you and they’re excited to have you on their team, and that part of it was great. It’s a surprise, but you just have to let it sink in and you have to think about what’s going to happen next year and you get a little bit excited.

What did Joe say the reasoning was behind it?

That’s probably their business, but you can kind of put it together with the expansion draft and what they’re dealing with there. It is what it is. You keep moving forward, and I’m honestly pretty excited for the new opportunity.

Do you know anyone on the Devils?

The only one I know well is A.J. Greer because he was (with the ). But other than that I don’t know any of their players.

I know you’re a fan of the sport. Is there anyone you’re particularly excited to play with?

The ones that stick out are Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. Those guys are obviously their top-end talent, but they’ve got some guys on the back end, too. They’ve got Damon Severson and Ty Smith, and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is good. They’ve got some good core pieces there. I think they’re kind of at the point where they’re ready to take that next step as individuals and as a team. That aspect is pretty fun to be part of. 1217432 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche release 2021 preseason schedule, will open at T-Mobile Arena on Sep. 28

By Aarif Deen

July 16, 2021

The Avalanche announced their six-game preseason schedule Friday, starting with a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Sep. 28.

Colorado will play each of the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Golden Knights twice to round out its preseason campaign. All three teams will return with the Avs to the Central Division after a one-year realignment in 2021.

Further announcements to come regarding dates for the opening of training camp and the regular season.

2021-22 AVALANCHE PRESEASON SCHEDULE

Day Date Opponent Time (MT) Location

Tue Sept. 28 at Vegas 8 p.m. Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena)

Thu Sept. 30 Minnesota 7 p.m. Denver (Ball Arena)

Mon Oct. 4 at Minnesota 6 p.m. St. Paul (Xcel Energy Center)

Tue Oct. 5 Vegas 7 p.m. Denver (Ball Arena)

Thu Oct. 7 at Dallas 6 p.m. Dallas (A.A. Center)

Sat Oct. 9 Dallas 5 p.m. Denver (Ball Arena) milehighsports.com LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217433 Columbus Blue Jackets roster meant he didn't see much ice time at the men's tournament, he valued working alongside professionals. Beniers was the only member of Team USA whose most recent playing experience was in college hockey.

NHL draft profile: Who is Matty Beniers? "It was definitely a different experience for me playing with older guys, especially like older, older guys," Beniers said. "Never really done that before with NHL players. That was a lot of fun, talking to them off the ice Bailey Johnson about their experiences, how they got there, what they had to do, a lot of different stuff. I talked to a lot of them about their experience and kind of The Columbus Dispatch took bits and pieces from each of them.

"... In the beginning, it was definitely a bit more tough, but once you start Editor's note: This is second in a nine-part a series of profiles analyzing playing with them a little bit more, for me (I started) to get some potential draft prospects for the Blue Jackets. Columbus holds three first- confidence and feel like, ‘Hey, I can play with these guys. This isn’t so round picks: No. 5, No. 24 and No. 31 overall. different.’ "

In a draft full of uncertainty, Matty Beniers is about as close to a sure Beniers suffered a high ankle sprain in the quarterfinal game June 3 and thing as it gets. is taking his time returning to the ice, but he said in early July that he feels good and had always planned to take extended time off the ice this Michigan coach Mel Pearson describes Beniers as someone who always summer to focus on adding muscle. plays the same way, regardless if it's a home game or an away game, or if his team is winning or losing. You always know what you're going to Although Pearson feels Beniers' offensive skills tend to be underrated, get, and it's hard to overstate that value in such an unpredictable draft shooting and faceoffs are still the two biggest areas Pearson wants to class. see Beniers continue to develop, particularly if he returns for a second year at Michigan. "Doesn’t matter where you play, he’s gonna bring it," Pearson told The Dispatch. "He’s a hockey player. He’s gonna bring it each and every "(I want him) to just use his shot," Pearson said. "He wants to get to the night and give you his best effort. He’s gonna leave it all on the rink. It’s perfect spot and then release it. With his shot, he can beat guys from a just the way he plays." lot of different places, so (I want him) just to shoot the puck more and have confidence in his shooting ability and scoring ability." Here's what to know about the center from the University of Michigan, who ranks sixth on NHL Central Scouting's list of North American Though some analysts believe he could be drafted as high as first skaters: overall, Beniers said he's leaning toward returning for a second year with the Wolverines. Having a true college experience is important to him, and Position: Center he feels an additional year of physical and mental development would serve him well before he makes the jump to professional hockey. Height/weight: 6-2, 175. And that wouldn't elicit any complaints from Pearson. Shoots: Left "He’s just scratching the surface of how good he can be," Pearson said. Birthdate: Nov. 5, 2002 "We always put it to players, come back and be the best player in this Hometown: Hingham, Mass. league before you make the next step.

Team: University of Michigan Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.17.2021

2020-21 point totals: 10 goals, 14 assists in 24 games

Beniers grew up just outside Boston as a big fan of Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, and it doesn't take long to see that influence in his game. A relentle two-way center, Beniers recorded a plus-minus last year of plu.

"Ever since I was really young, my dad always set the foundation of playing the game the right way and (playing) defense, making sure you’re behind the puck and playing the right way," Beniers said. "Growing up watching Bergeron, he does all those things. He’s one of the best in the league at playing that two-way center game.

"It was how I grew up, how I played when I was younger, and I’ve continued that on year after year, making sure I was good in the (defensive) zone before offense. Play defense before you get to the fun stuff, so that’s how it’s been my whole life, and I’ve just kinda continued that on."

From his first games at Michigan, it was clear Beniers earned Pearson's trust. Pearson didn't feel the need to shelter Beniers and give him easier defensive assignments. Beniers regularly matched up against the other team's top line and was a key member of the penalty kill right from the beginning.

Though he isn't the fastest skater in a straight line, Beniers' ability to use his edges enables him to escape danger and make plays. He's highly effective in transition, which fits his profile as a two-way player.

According to data tracked by Madeline Campbell, Beniers led Michigan in both possession exits, exiting the defensive zone with possession of the puck 88.3% of the time, and controlled entries, entering the offensive zone with possession 82.4% of the time.

"I think the game pretty well, so I think that helps a lot," Beniers said. "I haven’t always been the fastest guy, but I think my edges and the way I turn on pucks, things like that, I think that’s helped a lot too."

Beniers played for the U.S. at both the U20 World Junior Championships and the men's World Championships this year, winning a gold and bronze medal, respectively. Though being the youngest player on the 1217434 Columbus Blue Jackets What do you think you can bring to them?

Probably a lot of the same of what I brought to the Avs: reliable defensively against top lines, penalty kill, trying to be a consistent Ryan Graves Q&A: ‘Excited’ to help the Devils take next step after influence on the back end and continually trying to grow my game. Just proving himself with the Avalanche try to be a part of it and fit in where I can.

Did many of your Avs teammates reach out?

By Peter Baugh I talked to quite a few of the guys. It’s natural: You have a lot of friends Jul 16, 2021 that were close, and I talked to quite a few of them.

What are your emotions toward the Avalanche organization and what it’s meant to you the last few years? Back in February 2018, the Avalanche swapped minor leaguers with the New York Rangers, sending Chris Bigras east for a 22-year-old former The first thought that comes to mind is I really enjoyed my time there. I fourth-rounder named Ryan Graves. Over the next three years, that deal was really close with the entire team. A lot of good friends that I’ll keep emerged as a steal for Colorado. Graves developed into a top-four for my whole life. I’m thankful for the opportunity. Nothing but good things defenseman, leading the NHL in plus-minus in 2019-2020 and serving as to say. one of the team’s top penalty killers. It was a success story for both It always takes someone to give you a chance, and I’ll forever be thankful Graves and the Avalanche front office, one of quality decision-making for that. They had some staff there that really helped me take my game and good player development. to the next level. I was very thankful to have (AHL coach) Greg Cronin But this month’s Seattle Kraken expansion draft is forcing teams around with the Eagles, and he kind of helped me take that next step. Joe and C- the league to make difficult decisions, and the Avalanche are no Mac gave me the chance to be called up and play, and (coach Jared) exception. General manager Joe Sakic opted to trade Graves on Bednar and (assistant) Nolan Pratt gave me the chance to really play, to Thursday rather than leave him unprotected and risk losing him for play minutes and to get a role that allowed me to develop and allowed nothing to Seattle, sending the defenseman to the New Jersey Devils for me to work through the hiccups and the growing pains. As a whole, I’m Mikhail Maltsev and a 2021 second-round pick. just thankful.

“Obviously I knew it was a possibility,” Graves told The Athletic on Friday Is there anything you’re most proud of yourself for in the last few years in morning. the organization?

Speaking from his offseason home on Prince Edward Island, Graves Just as a whole, being able to prove to myself and prove to everybody went over the trade, his time with the Avalanche and his excitement for a else that I’m able to play at this level and to show I’m able to be an new opportunity in New Jersey. effective player and to show I belong in the league. I worked hard for a long time to get that opportunity, and they gave it to me. I’m thankful for This interview was edited for length and clarity. it, and that’s probably the thing I’m most proud of: getting that chance and running with it. When did you find out a move might be a possibility? The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 As we talked about earlier, I knew with the Seattle draft looming that there was a chance I wouldn’t wear the Avs jersey next year. I found out about five minutes before the trade was announced. It’s something I didn’t think was out of the question, but obviously when you get the news that’s actually happening, you’re surprised, and you don’t expect that to happen to you. You never go into any situation expecting to get traded. It’s all part of the business. Unfortunately, the business side of things has come out a lot in the last year and a half, two years with the pandemic, the flat cap and Seattle now. It’s all a part of it, and obviously I’ll be sad to leave the guys in Denver, but I’m also excited for a new opportunity.

Did you talk to Joe Sakic about the trade?

Joe called me, and I talked to (assistant general manager) Chris MacFarland as well, and they told me what happened and why they did it. I understand. It’s part of the business. And then I talked to Tom Fitzgerald, the general manager of the Devils, and he was excited. And that makes you excited as well. Someone wants you and they’re excited to have you on their team, and that part of it was great. It’s a surprise, but you just have to let it sink in and you have to think about what’s going to happen next year and you get a little bit excited.

What did Joe say the reasoning was behind it?

That’s probably their business, but you can kind of put it together with the expansion draft and what they’re dealing with there. It is what it is. You keep moving forward, and I’m honestly pretty excited for the new opportunity.

Do you know anyone on the Devils?

The only one I know well is A.J. Greer because he was (with the Colorado Eagles). But other than that I don’t know any of their players.

I know you’re a fan of the sport. Is there anyone you’re particularly excited to play with?

The ones that stick out are Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. Those guys are obviously their top-end talent, but they’ve got some guys on the back end, too. They’ve got Damon Severson and Ty Smith, and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is good. They’ve got some good core pieces there. I think they’re kind of at the point where they’re ready to take that next step as individuals and as a team. That aspect is pretty fun to be part of. 1217435 Dallas Stars

Missing hockey already? Check out who the Dallas Stars will face this preseason

By SportsDay Staff

6:35 PM on Jul 16, 2021 CDT

Hockey will be back before you know it — and there are only 73 days until the Dallas Stars return to the ice.

For the preseason, that is.

The Stars will open their six-game exhibition schedule on September 27 in St. Louis at the Enterprise Center.

The schedule consists of three home-and-home series against the Blues, the Florida Panthers and the Colorado Avalanche, respectively.

Before the preseason begins, Dallas will conduct training camp from Sept. 23-26 at Comerica Center, the team’s practice facility in Frisco.

Tickets for home preseason games go on sale July 27.

The schedule:

Monday, Sept. 27 at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 29 vs. Florida, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 1 at Florida, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 5 vs. St. Louis, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 7 vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 9 at Colorado, 6 p.m.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217436 Dallas Stars

Joe Trahan to take over for retiring Dale Hansen as WFAA’s weeknight sports anchor

By SportsDay Staff

12:29 PM on Jul 16, 2021 CDT

Sports anchor Joe Trahan will be taking over as weeknight sports anchor at WFAA-TV (Channel 8) following the retirement of Dale Hansen, the station announced on Friday.

Hansen, who for 38 years was a fixture at WFAA, where his tenure includes award-winning exposés and outspoken commentaries that gave him a national profile, announced in May that he will be leaving the station in early September.

“No one is more well liked or more respected, by both our team and by the DFW sports community than Joe Trahan,” said WFAA president and general manager Brad Ramsey in a statement.

“His deep connections with the community and with key sports figures throughout North Texas, along with his vision for innovative sports storytelling, make for a very exciting future.”

Trahan, a member of the WFAA sports team for 18 years, will join Cynthia Izaguirre, Chris Lawrence and Pete Delkus on WFAA’s weeknight 10 p.m. newscast beginning Sept. 3.

“I’m thrilled with this opportunity. The bar is set high and I’m looking forward to elevating what we do and continuing the great legacy of WFAA Sports,” Trahan said.

“This is home for me and my family and I know firsthand sports means a lot to people of North Texas. When I’m at the hardware store or coffee shop the conversations are passionate and I know people care. I’ll do my best to inform, entertain and have some fun along the away while being of service to our community.”

Trahan joined WFAA as weekend sports anchor and reporter in 2003, and has since won 15 Lone Star Emmy Awards, receiving the honor for six consecutive years in the sports reporter category. He has also won two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for sports reporting in 2008 and 2014.

Trahan continues the legacy of two legendary sportscasters, Hansen and Verne Lundquist, who led WFAA’s sports coverage for a combined 50 years.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217437 Dallas Stars Weber, Chiarot, Edmundson, those are big guys that can play some big minutes and obviously had a lot of success.”

Oleksiak said things have been quiet with Dallas as the Stars wait to As expansion and free agency loom, it’s just a waiting game for Stars’ navigate the expansion draft. Jamie Oleksiak “I’ve always enjoyed my time in Dallas,” Oleksiak said. “I love what the team offers. I think we’ve got a great group of guys, and we’re a team By Matthew DeFranks that can compete.

11:42 AM on Jul 16, 2021 CDT “These situations can change pretty quickly, but I’ve always loved Dallas. I love playing with Miro, he’s a special player. I think Dallas is going to have an opportunity to compete for a Cup once we get healthy. I wish I could offer you more, but it’s just a waiting game right now.” Entering a fortnight that will impact his career’s trajectory immensely, Jamie Oleksiak is focused on the little things, and not so much on the big Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.17.2021 picture.

He’s back to skating in Toronto. He’s looking for a short-term offseason home. He’s spending time with his parents for the first time since Christmas. He’s prepping to watch from a distance as his sister competes in the Olympics later this month.

For Oleksiak — who has turned from a first-round pick to a top-four defenseman in Dallas — those things are at the forefront of his mind, not becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 28 or next week’s expansion draft.

“There’s only certain things I can control,” Oleksiak said in a phone interview. “This is what you have an agent for. He does all the dealings and lets me know my options, and then I have to make the decision.

“It’s interesting just to see the updates, all the buyouts and the trade talks and whatnot. It’s definitely a good time to be a fan and following everything. But personally, when my agent gives me an update, I deal with it then and there, think on things.”

Oleksiak, 28, is entering the summer as a UFA for the first time after spending nearly his entire nine-year career with the Stars. He played every game on the Dallas blue line the last two seasons, including alongside Miro Heiskanen last year, averaging a career-high 20:29 of ice time per game and scoring a career-high six goals.

At the moment, Oleksiak is in a holding pattern because of the expansion draft.

The Stars can protect only three defensemen, and those figure to be Heiskanen, John Klingberg and Esa Lindell when the list is submitted Saturday afternoon. Oleksiak will be exposed, and it doesn’t make sense for the Stars to sign him to a contract just so Seattle can pluck him away during the expansion draft Wednesday.

The Kraken can still select Oleksiak during the draft and will have a negotiating window with unprotected UFAs from Sunday until Wednesday. How much has Oleksiak thought about the possibility of playing in Seattle?

“I’m just putting my nose to the grindstone right now,” Oleksiak said. “I don’t want to think too hard about one situation or another. Unless something comes up and then I have to think about it, right now, I’m just putting in the work. Whatever happens, I’ll be ready for that situation. You can drive yourself crazy overthinking things, but nothing can happen right away.”

The Stars view Oleksiak as a strong partner for Heiskanen, and it’s part of the reason Dallas held on to Oleksiak at the trade deadline last season. As always, the numbers will help decide what happens between Oleksiak and the Stars.

Oleksiak’s market figures to be somewhere between a $3.5 million and $4.5 million cap hit, given recent contracts for Ben Chiarot, Joel Edmundson, Brenden Dillon and Chris Tanev. Every dollar matters for the Stars, who still have to re-sign Heiskanen as well, and could use any unattached money to add depth to their forward group.

Even given recent contracts to similar defensemen, Oleksiak’s value may be higher because of the 2021 playoffs, when big defensemen in Tampa, Montreal, New York and Vegas were storylines as those teams advanced.

“Come playoff time, having some physicality and having some presence is huge,” Oleksiak said. “It wears down other teams, and there’s not a lot of room to move. Tampa obviously has some big d-men, but I was looking at Montreal, too. I think they have an underrated D corps: [Shea] 1217438 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings acquire veteran defenseman Nick Leddy in trade

Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Red Wings have acquired veteran defenseman Nick Leddy, who could serve both as a partner for Moritz Seider and a trade chip at next season's deadline. But the deal may also cost the Wings a young defenseman in the expansion draft.

In exchange for Leddy, the Wings sent forward Richard Panik and the No. 52 pick in the 2021 draft to the New York Islanders. Panik was a throw-in in April’s Anthony Mantha-Jakub Vrana trade-deadline deal, and the pick was one general manager Steve Yzerman acquired at the 2020 deadline in the Andreas Athanasiou deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Panik had a goal and three assists in 12 games with the Wings, who retained 50% of his salary. Panik is signed through 2022-23.

Leddy, 30, has one year left on his contract with a $5.5 million cap hit. He’s regarded as an offensive defenseman, having recorded 336 career points (65 goals, 271 assists) in 776 games.

Leddy had 31 points in 56 games this season. Eleven of those came during power plays, which is an area in which the Wings especially have struggled. He was drafted at No. 16 in 2009 by the Minnesota Wild. Leddy could end up being partnered with Seider, the Wings' promising defense prospect from the 2019 draft. He's earmarked to join the Wings next season, and he's been vocal about how much it helped his development in Sweden this past season to be paired with veteran Eric Gelinas.

And if the Wings are sellers again at the 2022 trade deadline, which they likely will be, Leddy may attract an offer or two.

The Wings' list for the Seattle expansion draft is due Saturday. Teams have to make available two forwards who are under contract in 2021-22 and who played in at least 40 games this past season, or 70 the past two seasons. Panik fit those parameters, but the Wings are still OK because and Vladislav Namestnikov do as well.

Unless Yzerman makes another move, the Wings will have to use one of three spots to protect Leddy, which would mean either Dennis Cholowski or Gustav Lindstrom will be exposed, as Filip Hronek is a lock to be protected.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217439 Detroit Red Wings 40 games this past season, or 70 the past two seasons: Namestnikov, Frans Nielsen and Richard Panik meet those requirements. One goalie who is under contract in 2021-22: Kaden Fulcher checks that box.

Here's who Detroit Red Wings are best served protecting in Seattle The last time expansion draft In 2017, the Wings’ list of exposed players included goaltender Petr Mrazek and forwards Riley Sheahan, and Glendening. All had sizable NHL experience. The Knights went with a guy who was HELENE ST. JAMES never drafted and who had 17 NHL games to his credit, selecting 6-feet- 2, 205-pound forward Tomas Nosek. Nosek, 24 at the time, was coming

off a standout -winning season with the Grand Rapids The last time the Detroit Red Wings were involved in an expansion draft, Griffins. Nosek has appeared in 240 games for Vegas, recording 31 they lost a solid young forward who is still in the NHL. This time around, goals and 34 assists. it’s likely to be a somewhat-experienced defenseman. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.17.2021 Saturday is the due date for the Seattle expansion draft protection list, with the Kraken’s choices to be revealed Wednesday. Teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and a goaltender, or eight skaters of any type and a goalie.

Kraken general manager Ron Francis must choose at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders. The remaining four players can be from any position. Each team can lose only one player, and Vegas — the previous expansion squad — is exempt from the draft.

First- and second-year professionals and unsigned draft choices are exempt, so the Wings don’t have to worry about Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno or Moritz Seider. The Kraken have an exclusive window from July 18-21 to sign pending unrestricted free agents who were left unprotected (for the Wings, that includes Luke Glendening and Jonathan Bernier). If a player is signed in that window, it counts as the Kraken’s pick from that player’s former team.

It makes the most sense for general manager Steve Yzerman to go with the 7-3-1 format. Here is a look at how the Wings’ rebuild is best served:

Forwards

Protect , Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakub Vrana, Robby Fabbri, Adam Erne, Michael Rasmussen and Givani Smith. That does leave Vladislav Namestnikov exposed, but he had a disappointing season, with 17 points in 53 games. Smith didn’t play much (16 games) but he’s a gritty, physical forward who is willing to drop the gloves, and that’s a dimension the Wings lack.

GET HIM ON THE ICE: Wings must consider a larger role for Givani Smith. Here's why

Defensemen

Protect Filip Hronek, Gustav Lindstrom and Dennis Cholowski. That would leave Troy Stecher exposed, and he would be the obvious choice for the Kraken. Stecher, 27, would help the Wings more in the present, but Lindstrom, 22, and Cholowski, 23, figure to have more impact long term. Cholowski has yet to live up to being a first-round pick (No. 20, 2016) but he’s an NHL-caliber skater and passer. It takes some players longer than others to figure out how hard they have to work every game to make it in the NHL.

WHY CHOLOWSKI WAS CHOSEN: How a deal at the 2016 draft impacted the Wings

If the Wings give up on Cholowski and lose him for nothing, they might regret it. Lindstrom doesn’t have the offensive skills Cholowski has, but Lindstrom is a safe, smart player who could be a solid third-pairing guy. Stecher, signed last October for two years with a $1.7 million annual salary cap hit, played well at times but he was also a healthy scratch at times. Besides, with Seider coming in, the Wings have an internal candidate to fill that spot.

Goaltender

This one is easy — protect Thomas Greiss. He’s under contract for another season, and after struggling early, he played well down the stretch.

Required players

Teams have to meet minimum requirements in the players left unprotected. One defenseman who is under contract in 2021-22 and who has played in at least 40 games this past season, or 70 the past two seasons: Stecher and Danny DeKeyser meet those requirements. Two forwards who are under contract in 2021-22 and who played in at least 1217440 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings acquire Nick Leddy from Islanders

TED KULFAN

The Detroit News

Detroit — The moves are beginning to happen.

The Red Wings acquired defenseman Nick Leddy from the New York Islanders on Friday in exchange for forward Richard Panik and a second- round draft choice (originally Edmonton's), the 52nd overall, in next week's NHL Entry Draft.

Leddy, 30, has one year left on his contract at a $5.5 million cap hit.

In 56 games this season, Leddy had two goals and 29 assists for 31 points, with a minus-3 rating. Leddy played in 19 playoff games, with six assists.

In 776 career games, Leddy has 65 goals and 271 assists.

Leddy (6-foot, 205-pounds) is an elite skater with mobility and acceleration. He is a fine passer and playmaker off the rush. His strength is, and always has been, on the offensive end or playing with the puck.

It's on the defensive end where Leddy has struggled, in one season with the Islanders posting a minus-42 rating.

Still, with his mobility and experience, Leddy could be an adequate partner for rooikie Moritz Seider, whose defensive, physical style could mesh with Leddy.

In Leddy, the Wings will have also have an attractive chip at the trade deadline if the Wings are sellers again, given he's in the final year of his contract.

With Leddy aboard, the Wings may choose to not re-sign a veteran defenseman such as , who can be an unrestricted free agent, or pursue someone such as Jon Merrill, who the Wings traded at the deadline last season to Montreal and were expected to circle back to later this month.

Leddy's acquisition also complicates the protected expansion list to be submitted Saturday, ahead of Wednesday's expansion draft stocking the Seattle Kraken.

The Wings are likely to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.

On defense, they'll protect Filip Hronek and likely Leddy. That leaves one spot available between Troy Stecher, Danny DeKeyser, Dennis Cholowski and Gustav Lindstrom.

Panik, 30, was acquired from Washington along with Jakub Vrana in the deal for Anthony Mantha at the trade deadline, along with two draft picks.

The Red Wings will retain half of Panik's $2.7 million salary ($1.375 million) and salary cap hit.

Panik had one goal and three assists (four points) in 12 games with the Wings, after coming over with Vrana. He had three goals and six assists (nine points) in 36 games with the Capitals last season.

With Leddy on the roster, and retaining 50% of Panik's contract, the Red Wings now have $37,474,723 of committed to 10 players. They have $44,025,277 of cap space, per capfriendly.com, available, with restricted free agents Vrana, Hronek and Tyler Bertuzzi still needing to be signed along with UFA's Luke Glendening and Jonathan Bernier, who are expected to be brought back.

Detroit News LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217441 Detroit Red Wings That would leave one of a group including Danny DeKeyser, Dennis Cholowski, Troy Stecher and Gustav Lindstrom to be protected — and three of them not.

Red Wings prepared to submit protected list for expansion draft One of Cholowski (23) and Lindstrom (22), because of their ages and potential, would likely to be kept. DeKeyser, 31, has one year left on his contract at $5 million, while Stecher has one year at $1.7 million.

TED KULFAN If the Wings' protected — and unprotected — list is close to this one, it's a good chance Stecher would be Seattle's choice. At 27, Stecher is in his The Detroit News prime, is coming off a good showing for gold-medal winning Team Canada at the recent world championships, and is from nearby Vancouver. Detroit — The first domino is about to fall in what could be a busy period of personnel moves for the Red Wings. But Cholowski is also from Vancouver and is a former first-round pick who has yet to show the consistency to stay in the NHL. Lindstrom is a The Wings must submit their protected list for Wednesday’s NHL safe, sound defensive defenseman. Expansion Draft — stocking the roster of the new Seattle Kraken — by Saturday at 5 p.m. (EST). The NHL is expected to publicly release the Detroit News LOADED: 07.17.2021 lists Sunday.

After the expansion draft, there is the NHL Entry Draft July 23-24 and the start of unrestricted free agency on July 28. That could bring a flurry of activity surrounding all 32 teams.

General manager Steve Yzerman talked about this whirlwind stretch at his season-ending news conference.

"Things will happen really quickly once you get close to that expansion draft,” Yzerman said. “We have to be really prepared for the draft, then free agency — to get ourselves organized to make sure we have identified any targets in free agency and be prepared to go.

"Because once we get the expansion draft, the NHL Draft and the free agency period, that will all happen very quickly."

Friday's acquisition of defenseman Nick Leddy for forward Richard Panik and a second-round draft pick in next week's entry draft does make compiling the protected list a bit more interesting.

The Wings have some decisions to make while formulating their protected list.

Teams have the option of protecting either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie, or eight skaters (non-goalies) and one goalie.

The 7-3-1 option is the preferred option by most teams, and the one the Wings are likely to choose.

For a player to be eligible for the expansion draft, they must have played more than two professional seasons at the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign. That makes young players such as the Wings' Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno and Moritz Seider ineligible because they have yet to play the required number of games.

Unrestricted free agents, such as Luke Glendening, Jonathan Bernier and Marc Staal, don't need to be protected.

Seattle must select at least 14 forwards, a minimum of nine defensemen and at least three goalies. The total salary cap hit of the players Seattle takes must be between 60 to 100% of the 2020-21 cap hit (minimum $49.8 million, ceiling $81.5 million).

Using the 7-3-1 format, the Wings appear to have a choice to make regarding the seventh forward, and, likely, at least one of their eligible defensemen.

Goaltender Thomas Greiss will be the goaltender protected.

Among the forwards Dylan Larkin, Jakub Vrana, Robby Fabbri, Tyler Bertuzzi, Adam Erne and Michael Rasmussen appear locks to be protected.

That leaves Givani Smith, Vladislav Namestnikov, Frans Nielsen, Evgeny Svechnikov and Richard Panik as notable players to be left unprotected.

Of that group, Smith, because of his age (23), potential, and the fact he's under team control for several more years, appears to be the choice to be the seventh forward.

On defense, Filip Hronek is a lock to be protected, along with Leddy, who has one year left on his contract at $5.5 million and is a dangerous offensive defenseman. 1217442 Detroit Red Wings Wallstedt will likely be gone, but Sebastian Cossa is a goaltender who will likely be looming, and available, in that part of the draft.

Cossa isn't projected to be a top-10 pick, maybe not even top 15. But in 'Class of his own': Swedish goalie Jesper Wallstedt giving teams reason the latter half of the first round, scouts generally feel Cossa is worth a to be drafted high consideration.

Cossa is a big goalie (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) and had an exceptional season for Edmonton in the Western Hockey League. Cossa was 17-1-1 TED KULFAN with a 1.57 GAA and .941 SVS.

The Detroit News NHL Central Scouting ranks Cossa as its No. 1 North American goalie.

"He battles hard and never gives up on plays," Al Jensen, NHL Central Scouting's goalie scout, said. "You look at his positional play and it's Editor's note: This is the third of a three-part series, as The Detroit News good with his typical butterfly style and great net coverage, whether it's breaks down the NHL Entry Draft by position heading into the July 23-24 flaring out his pads for the low corners. He also keeps his body upright in event. Today: Goaltenders. case there's a deflection so he can use his shoulders or glove. Detroit — Few positions in sports are as intricate and unpredictable as "When he does his movements in the crease, it's generally controlled. the hockey goaltender. There's just a huge upside with him as well as Jesper. The two of them The position involves so much mentally, confidence is utterly important, are head and shoulders above the rest of the draft class goalies right and dominance in the junior level doesn’t always carry over to the NHL. now."

So, drafting a goaltender early in any NHL Entry Draft doesn’t happen Here are other goaltending prospects who'll likely be selected often. Normally, a team will wait until the later rounds and hope they mine somewhere in the middle rounds: a gem that way. ► Benjamin Gaudreau: The 6-2, 175-pounder was the best goalie in the But that could change next week. under-18 world championship, backstopping Canada to the gold medal. Playing for Sarnia in the , scouts are impressed Swedish goalie Jesper Wallstedt is being viewed by many scouts as the with Gaudreau's quickness and ability to read plays. type of goaltender who teams feel confident can take over their netminding position, soon, for a decade. ► Tristan Lennox: While playing for Saginaw in the OHL, Lennox was 20-8-3 during the 2019-20 season (COVID-19 shut down the OHL this "He's been the best goalie prospect from Sweden for many years," Goran past season). At 6-4 and 190 pounds, Lennox has the size and plays well Stubb, NHL Central Scouting's director of European scouting, said. "He is positionally. a great competitor, is quick, he reads the game very well, and despite being young, already has a lot of experience. Detroit News LOADED: 07.17.2021

“(Wallstedt is in) a class of his own among European goalies."

Wallstedt played for Lulea in Sweden last season and was superb. In 22 games, he was 11-8-3 with a 2.23 goals-against average and .907 save percentage with two shutouts. He also starred in two world junior championship games for Sweden.

Most evaluators feel it will not take long for Wallstedt to reach the NHL.

"Jesper Wallstedt is closer to being able to play rather than further away," TSN draft analyst Craig Button said.

Scouts love the athleticism and intangibles. It’s fairly certain Wallstedt will go somewhere in the first round.

But where? And could the Red Wings be the team to take the plunge?

The last goalie to be selected in the top five picks was Montreal’s Carey Price, who went fifth in 2005 to the Canadiens. Price's selection turned out to be accurate and fruitful for Montreal.

The Wings have only once drafted a goalie in the first round of the Entry Draft — Tom McCollum, with the 30th overall pick, in 2008.

McCollum only played three games with the Wings (won once), last played in the organization in 2018, and last season played in Europe in Innsbruck.

But general manager Steve Yzerman has shown in his front office career he isn't shy about taking a goaltender early in the draft.

In fact, Yzerman has done it in Tampa and been extremely successful doing so, selecting Andrei Vasilevskiy with a first-round pick in 2012 (19th overall). Ironically, the Lightning received the pick from the Wings in a trade for Kyle Quincey.

All Vasilevskiy has done lately is lead Tampa to two consecutive Stanley Cups, and this season turned in a playoff Most Valuable Player (Conn Smythe Trophy) performance.

The Wings have the No. 6 pick and also have a pick at No. 22 next week, which is Washington's first-round pick that was sent to Detroit in the trade deadline deal involving Anthony Mantha.

Would it easier for the Wings to take a goaltender in that later spot?

If it is, there's another viable option at that juncture. 1217443 Detroit Red Wings forwarded their findings to the Oakland County prosecutor’s office for further review.

Michigan Live LOADED: 07.17.2021 Ex-Red Wing Manny Legace at Matiss Kivlenieks memorial: ‘I love you; you were my son’

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

Former Detroit Red Wings goaltender Manny Legace paid tribute to Matiss Kivlenieks Thursday during an emotional memorial service in Columbus.

Kivlenieks, a 24-year-old goalie for the Columbus Blue Jackets, died on July 4 when struck in the chest with a fireworks mortar that inadvertently tipped over.

Kivlenieks was at Legace’s Novi home, attending the wedding of Legace’s daughter.

“I love you; I always will love you,” Legace said. “You were my son, and you were a great friend to everybody here.”

Legace, the Blue Jackets’ goaltending coach, developed a close bond with Kivlenieks ever since Columbus signed the Latvia native in 2017 as an undrafted free agent.

“Ever since Kivvy joined our organization he would come up and live with my wife and I every summer,” Legace said at the service. “He became a son to us. He lived with us through the pandemic. I got to play golf with him every day in the summer, got to hang out with him, play cards. There’s a reason he had that joker on his mask, he had that smile that he was going to get you.

“He got to become one of my family. He got to be a brother to my daughter and my son, a great friend to our nephew. He wanted to come to that wedding on July 4.”

This was the first time Legace, who played for Detroit from 1999-2006, has spoken publicly since Kivlenieks’ death.

Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins said Kivlenieks prevented the mortar from hitting him and his pregnant wife as well as many others at the gathering.

“He saved not just many lives, but when it happened, I was standing 20, 30 feet back of him and I was hugging my wife,” Merzlikins said. “He saved my (unborn) son, he saved my wife and he saved me. My son’s second name is going to be Matiss. He died as hero.”

Kivlenieks also lived with Merzlikins for a time, too.

“He was helping more my wife than I am doing,” Merzlikins said. “He was doing everything. He was doing dishes, he was cleaning the house. Who does that? I’m not doing that. Lately, my wife was worried about our marriage because she was saying that me and Matiss had our bromance.”

Legace noted many friends from Michigan drove down for the ceremony.

“You made Kivvy feel it at home; Michigan was his second home,” Legace said.

The service included many moments of levity, particularly when Legace noted that former Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella was in attendance.

“(Kivlenieks) made us so proud. Look at how many lives he touched,” Legace said. “Torts even flew in, and he hates goalies.”

Merzlikins, standing next to Legace, chimed in with, “That’s the funniest thing that you ever said.”

Legace thanked the Kivlenieks family and the Blue Jackets organization for organizing the memorial and said, “He’d be mad. He wouldn’t want this. He’d want everyone to just have a beer and go on their way.

“He made us so proud, on and off the ice, the way he greeted people with a smile, never wanted to be the front of attention.

“I want to thank Matiss’ mom and dad for raising a beautiful child.”

Novi Police competed its investigation into the case and is not actively seeking charges, ruling the death to be accidental. But police have 1217444 Detroit Red Wings The Kraken could choose him with the intention of trading him for a draft pick at the deadline. Or they might be interested in re-signing him. The Vancouver native and former Canuck might be receptive to playing near home for the long-term. Who Red Wings will protect in expansion draft; who they might lose Goaltenders

Protected: Thomas Greiss By Ansar Khan | [email protected] Notable available players: Kaden Fulcher

Notable exemptions: Filip Larsson, everyone drafted in 2018 or later. Being deep into a rebuild and short on skill and depth has at least one advantage for the Detroit Red Wings: They don’t face any significant Analysis: This is simple. Greiss, the only NHL goalie they have under protection problems in the expansion draft and won’t part with a player contract for 2021-22, will be protected and Fulcher fulfills their obligation they will regret losing. of exposing an eligible goalie who is under contract.

Protection lists for the 2021 Seattle Kraken expansion draft must be Notable unrestricted free agents: Riley Barber, Jonathan Bernier, Kyle submitted on Saturday. They will be revealed on Sunday. The draft is on Criscuolo, Valtteri Filppula, Sam Gagner, Luke Glendening, Darren Helm, Wednesday (8 p.m., ESPN2). Joe Hicketts, , Dylan McIlrath, Calvin Pickard, Bobby Ryan, Marc Staal, Dominic Turgeon. Seattle will select one player from each club except Vegas, the 2017 expansion team that is exempt from the draft. Seattle can select an unrestricted free agent if for some reason it wanted exclusive negotiating rights for a few days and he would count as the Most teams, if not all, are expected to choose the option of protecting player the team loses, even if the Kraken are unable to sign him. But it seven forwards, three defensemen and a goaltender (instead of eight doesn’t make much sense because that player can still sign with his skaters regardless of position and a goalie). This is the route the Red former club or anyone else on July 28 when free agency begins. Wings will take. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.17.2021 Players with two or fewer years of pro experience are exempt.

The Red Wings’ protection list is fairly straightforward, or so it seems. Here is look at who Detroit is expected to protect and who will be available to Seattle:

Forwards

Protected: Tyler Bertuzzi, Adam Erne, Robby Fabbri, Dylan Larkin, Michael Rasmussen, Givani Smith, Jakub Vrana.

Notable available players: Mathias Brome, Frans Nielsen, Vladislav Namestnikov, Richard Panik, Evgeny Svechnikov.

Notable exemptions: Joe Veleno, Filip Zadina, everyone drafted in 2018 or later.

Analysis: Six protection slots were obvious, and really, even the seventh spot, Smith, was a no-brainer. Smith is young (23) and under club control for several more years. He is big (6-2, 210), physical, forechecks hard, goes to the net and fights, providing a different dimension.

Svechnikov, their first-round pick in 2015, was waived twice last season and might not even be qualified, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Kraken aren’t taking Nielsen, 37, who figures to be bought out of the final year of his contract after the expansion draft.

Panik is a serviceable fourth-line forward but has two years remaining at a $2.75 million cap hit.

The Red Wings probably hope the Kraken take Namestnikov, who had a disappointing season and has one year remaining at $2 million. But it’s unlikely he’ll be selected.

Brome signed with HC Davos in Switzerland.

Defensemen

Protected: Dennis Cholowski, Filip Hronek, Gustav Lindstrom.

Notable available players: Danny DeKeyser, Christian Djoos, Troy Stecher.

Notable exemptions: Moritz Seider, everyone drafted in 2018 or later.

Analysis: Hronek is an easy call. The Red Wings surely will protect younger players Cholowski and Lindstrom over veterans DeKeyser and Stecher.

DeKeyser has one year remaining at $5 million. The Kraken aren’t likely to take him. Djoos signed with EV Zug in Switzerland.

This leaves Stecher, a good-skating defender who helped Canada win the gold medal at this year’s World Championship, as the most likely candidate to be selected by Seattle. He is fairly young at 27 and has one year remaining at a team-friendly $1.7 million cap hit. 1217445 Detroit Red Wings Part of the key, though, might be Panik. Thinking back to the way the Red Wings acquired Panik — as part of the

Anthony Mantha trade in addition to Jakub Vrana and a 2021 first- and What acquiring Nick Leddy means for the Red Wings 2022 second-round pick — it’s possible to view the 2022 second-round pick in that trade as the payment for taking on Panik’s contract. In that sense, the pick the Red Wings are sending New York (albeit a year earlier) is sort of following Panik from Detroit to the Islanders. The Red By Max Bultman Wings are retaining half of Panik’s salary (and cap hit) in this trade, so it’s Jul 17, 2021 not identical, but the Red Wings do free up space at forward while filling out their defense corps with a player who can play a much bigger role than Panik would have.

The Red Wings got started on their offseason wheeling and dealing Either way, though, seeing the rebuilding Red Wings part with a second- Friday night just ahead of Saturday’s expansion-draft trade freeze by round pick for a 30-year-old looks like a departure from past Yzerman acquiring Nick Leddy from the New York Islanders for Richard Panik and moves. a second-round pick. Detroit will retain half of Panik’s salary in the deal. The expansion draft It’s a different kind of trade than Steve Yzerman has made thus far as general manager in Detroit — before Friday, the only time he had traded This is a strong bit of business from the Islanders for a couple of reasons. a draft pick (outside of draft-day moves up and down the board) was his First, they were facing a cap crunch, with high-profile pending restricted first player trade as Red Wings GM when he flipped a fourth-round pick free agents Anthony Beauvillier and Adam Pelech in need of new for Adam Erne in August 2019. contracts. But more immediately pressing was the looming expansion draft, where Leddy was part of a tough decision for GM Lou Lamoriello, That he did so for Leddy, a 30-year-old defenseman with one year and a risk to be lost for nothing to Seattle if left unprotected. remaining on his contract, leaves plenty to unpack, so let’s dive in. Losing him in the expansion draft would have cleared his salary and cap The fit hit just the same, but this way, the Islanders are getting something back for their top-scoring defenseman. Leddy fills an obvious need on the left side of Detroit’s blue line, where only Danny DeKeyser and Dennis Cholowski are under contract for next Meanwhile, the Red Wings won’t have any trouble protecting Leddy — season, as well as on the power play. Leddy is coming off a season in he would appear to join Filip Hronek as a lock for the protected list, which he played a major role for the semifinalist Islanders, logging more leaving one spot for Detroit to decide between Cholowski, Troy Stecher than 21 minutes, 30 seconds per game (second highest on the team) and and Gustav Lindstrom. Obviously, the Red Wings would have been able scoring 31 points to lead all Islanders defensemen. to protect two of those three prior to Leddy’s acquisition, and now can shelter only one, but realistically, they can afford to lose any of them in That scoring total would have led all Red Wings players last season, and the big picture. that kind of workload on a team that took the Stanley Cup champion Lightning to seven games in the semifinals is an indicator that his points With Leddy in the fold, does that open the door to leave Cholowski don’t come at a costly even-strength price. The Islanders did give up unprotected, considering he also would have projected as a left-shot nearly 54 percent of shot attempts with Leddy on the ice last season at power-play QB? Or is it the opposite — does Detroit protect Cholowski five-on-five, according to Evolving Hockey, but in terms of actual shot as well, filling out the left side with Leddy and DeKeyser and letting quality, he fared much better: His expected goals for percentage clocked Seattle have its pick of right-shot defenders Stecher and Lindstrom, in at 51.2 percent. That’s below the Islanders’ team xGF percentage, but knowing they’ll be guaranteed to keep one? a solid number nonetheless, considering his workload. It’s not clear what the dominant strategy is there. Protected lists are due On the power play, Leddy gives the Red Wings an experienced left- Saturday, so the Red Wings don’t have long to make that call. hander to run things up top, something they lacked last season. Possible future trade? It’s early in the offseason, with signings (and possibly more trades) still to come but as it stands, Leddy could be a natural veteran fit next to right- Finally, there’s the prospect of eventually trading Leddy as well — handed defenseman Moritz Seider — Detroit’s top prospect who is whether it’s at the coming trade deadline or sooner. expected to debut next season. Leddy has 11 years of NHL experience, If Detroit retains half of Leddy’s salary, he could look even more with much of that experience coming on winning teams, including a appealing to a contender at a lower cap hit. That could be one way to championship with the Blackhawks in 2012-13. recoup some of the draft capital down the road after a partial season of Leddy was listed on The Athletic’s trade board earlier this week, with Leddy playing in Detroit’s top four. The Red Wings weren’t exactly an Dom Luszczyszyn’s GSVA model projecting him to deliver a top-four ideal environment for offense last season, but with new assistant coach caliber impact for next season. Alex Tanguay coming in, perhaps Detroit takes some strides and Leddy reaps the benefits. That said, retaining money on Leddy in such a deal Chart via Dom Luszczyszyn would count as another retained salary transaction, leaving just one more for Detroit. The cost It’s tough to immediately think “future trade candidate” just hours after a While the short-term fit makes clear sense here, the cost is what stands player is acquired, but given the reality of the Red Wings’ timeline, it’s out. Leddy is a good player who will help Detroit next season, but it’s unavoidable. unusual to see a rebuilding team trading a draft pick (and a relatively early one, at that) for a 30-year-old on a one-year contract. Again: All told, this is a trade that requires some processing. The short-term fit is Yzerman simply has not previously made a move like this in Detroit. obvious as a likely heavily relied-upon defenseman with power-play deployment fills a big need for the Red Wings. But the cost — in terms of In the process, the Red Wings are unloading Panik, who carried a $2.75 both the second-round pick and using one of the limited number of million cap hit for both this season and next — but the Red Wings are retention spots — seems high considering the position the Islanders were retaining half of that, something they can do only three times per season. in (which is all about their situation, not about Leddy as a player). So, instead of using their cap space to add to their stockpile of picks (by For those reasons, the best word to describe the trade, given what we taking on other teams’ undesirable contracts, as with Marc Staal’s last know right now, might be “weird.” Not necessarily bad. But definitely offseason), Detroit is trading one away and using one of its few retained weird. salary transactions, in addition to paying Leddy’s $7 million salary (which is higher than his $5.5 million cap hit, per CapFriendly). The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 That doesn’t mean Leddy isn’t or can’t be worth that cost — again, he’d have led the team in scoring last year and should help a power play that badly needs it — but there’s no question it’s a different flavor than the rest of Yzerman’s trades in Detroit until now. 1217446 Edmonton Oilers “It’s term for a guy who’s 29. Ideally, a four-year deal for Zach, maybe five years to get him,” said Button. Say, $6 million a year for four years or five years at $5.25 million.

OILERS NOTES: Leafs' Zack Hyman would be ideal fit at winger, but for Hyman played with Matthews and Tavares, a very nice complimentary how long? piece. He’s a dog on a bone with the puck in the corners, trying to get it to the net. Playing with McDavid or Draisaitl would be right up his alley, 'If the Oilers want Zach, and there are a lot of teams that do, I would be too. They need that kind of player. It’s an even better opportunity if the making sure Connor is making some phone calls' Leafs don’t have enough cap room to bring him back and it doesn’t appear they do.

“I know Zach really, really well. Winning matters to him. He’s a driven Jim Matheson guy. He will take less to go to a team with an opportunity to win,” said Edmonton Journal Button, probably with a caveat.

Publishing date:Jul 16, 2021 • 9 hours ago With the Oilers in the hunt for Hyman, Holland also has to have a backup plan if he can’t get him. He has to be talking to St. Louis Blues winger Jaden Schwartz’s agent, too.

There’s a reason why the Edmonton Oilers want Zach Hyman. He’s fast, hard to play against. Or winger , who always does his best work in the playoffs. But that’s a harder negotiation slog He was the most noticeable player every game for the Toronto Maple because American-born guys often don’t want to play in a Canadian Leafs when they took the Oilers to the woodshed in their three-game market. romp at Rogers Place this season. He would also provide some bite to their top six, something sorely missing. “Ken Holland has something he didn’t have a week ago. He’s got Duncan Keith. He can call up his old (Chicago) teammate and say, ‘This is a good He is 29 years old, plays a hard style and has had knee issues, so a free- setup, get your butt up here.’ Sign for only one year, if you want,” said agent term longer than four or five years makes little sense for Hyman, Button. even if he’s played with Auston Matthews, or anywhere else in the top nine in Toronto. He is a hot item, like a nice house in a This ‘n’ that: It looks like Oilers unrestricted free agent defenceman Adam great neighbourhood. But do you pay above list to get it, if it might need Larsson will go to market and see what’s out there as a first-time free- some work later? agent. Maybe he can get a fifth year from another team (Philadelphia definitely wants him) … Seattle will likely choose between forwards “I showed four clips in that series where Hyman had closed off Connor Jujhar Khaira and Tyler Benson, if unprotected and, as of now, the Oilers McDavid and his defenceman only had a small space to defend against haven’t decided whether to qualify restricted free agent Khaira at his $1.2 Connor. He pushed Connor into that black hole,” said TSN commentator million to keep his rights, so he doesn’t become unrestricted July 28. Craig Button, the former Calgary Flames general manager. They would like him on a cheaper deal … Restricted free-agent winger “Zach is a smart player. Low maintenance, plays the same every shift, Dominik Kahun might be a one-and-done experiment after the expected doesn’t complain. I’ve compared him to Jere Lehtinen. Very similar chemistry with Draisaitl didn’t work last season. Chances of qualifying personalities,” said Button, who was in Dallas working for the Stars when Kahun are less than 50-50. Lehtinen was there. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.17.2021 “If the Oilers want Zach, and there are a lot of teams that do, I would be making sure Connor is making some phone calls.”

But, at what price and for how long for the left-winger who plays a hard, intelligent game, when the free-agent doors swing open July 28? Hyman might have 10 teams looking at him.

“Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Gabriel Landeskog walked out of Colorado, Zach Hyman would walk in,” said Button, indicating a contract of four years at $5.5 million.

So, do the Oilers offer Hyman more per year than they just paid Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on average ($5.125 million) over eight years? After all, Nugent-Hopkins is the longest-serving Oilers player, drafted in 2011.

Oilers GM Ken Holland, doing his due diligence has probably called Mike Babcock, the old Leafs coach, for a scouting report on Hyman. That said, the Oilers need Hyman’s grit, but can’t go overboard because they also need a third-line centre. Maybe another bottom six winger, like Joel Armia. Maybe a goalie.

“I think you would have to sit with Ryan and tell him what you’re trying to do with Zach and say it’s more than you’re making, are you OK with this?’’’ said Button.

“I remember when we were in Dallas, we wanted to sign and we went to Mike Modano and asked Mike if that would be a problem. Mike said he was happy with that.”

Button is a big Hyman fan but says the Oilers have to be wary of a couple of things with the forward.

“When players move from the Eastern Conference to the West, there’s recovery time on their bodies, more wear and tear. The travel and not the same time to recover,” he said.

So, what do the Oilers offer Hyman to play with either McDavid or Leon Draisaitl? You tend to overpay. So, is it term or dollars? In most cases term is the killer. 1217447 Edmonton Oilers “In Detroit, we put a list in and (Vegas) took Tomas Nosek. He’s been a good fourth-line player for them, but he wasn’t a key piece (for the Red Wings). I think it’s going to be a similar situation here.”

What I’m hearing about the Oilers offseason 2.0: Adam Larsson and free Qualifying decisions on RFAs agency? Who’s on the expansion list? Naturally, Skinner will be extended a qualifying offer by the Oilers before the deadline for teams to do so on July 26. Fellow pending RFAs Yamamoto and Benson will, too, although the latter could be expansion By Daniel Nugent-Bowman draft fodder.

Jul 16, 2021 That leaves four possible RFAs — Jujhar Khaira, Dominik Kahun, , and Theodor Lennstrom. These are the answers I got

from a team source on those players: Khaira, undecided; Kahun, The chances of pending unrestricted free agent Adam Larsson returning probably not; Marody, yes; Lennstrom, no. to the Oilers appear to be diminishing with every passing day. In the case of two big-leaguers, Khaira and Kahun, any decision made On Friday, those prospects got gloomier. not to qualify them is said to be cap-related. The Oilers might be willing to bring them back on cheaper deals. But walking away from them would “As we speak today, there’s a real possibility that Larsson wants to make sense considering No. 3 centre and top-six wing were spots explore the market,” Oilers GM Ken Holland said. occupied by those two, respectively, and are areas where the Oilers are trying to improve. Larsson’s agent, J.P. Barry, didn’t reply to a request for comment. The decision to qualify Marody is a little surprising only because it Holland reiterated what he’s said all along — that he wants to re-sign the doesn’t appear as though there’s a clear path for him to reach the NHL veteran defenceman. It’s expected Larsson would anchor a second pair team and centre-turned-winger turns 25 in December. However, Marody with Duncan Keith, the team’s high-priced acquisition from Monday. had an impressive 2018-19 AHL season (which saw him appear in his Holland has been negotiating with Barry since February and there have first six NHL games) and he rebounded nicely from an injury-plagued been countless conversations since then. A new contract was looking campaign in 2019-20. This past season, Marody recorded 36 points in 39 promising as recently as the first week of this month. AHL games and earned a spot on the year-end Pacific Division all-star team. However, Larsson is expected to be a hot commodity in free agency — should he make it there. As noted, I’m told a team is willing to offer the Lennstrom spent his first year with the organization in the AHL — save defensive blueliner a five-year deal with at least a $5 million AAV in free for a brief recall amid defence injuries in Edmonton — after signing a agency. The Oilers theoretically could make such a deal work under their one-year, entry-level contract last April. He was well-liked in Bakersfield, budget, but it might limit improvements to the roster in other areas. but those in the organization see his ceiling as a No. 8 NHL blueliner. Lennstrom turns 27 next month and the Oilers have a slew of younger Even if Larsson becomes a free agent, there could still be an opportunity left-shot defencemen — Philip Broberg, Dmitri Samorukov, Markus for him to re-sign in Edmonton. Nielemainen, and William Lagesson — who are more highly valued.

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t come back,” Holland said. The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 Obviously, the odds diminish.

Expansion draft list

Again, Larsson might re-sign with the Oilers before free agency. But there’s next to no chance it happens before expansion draft lists are due Saturday at 3 p.m. MT.

As a result, the Oilers will protect Keith (a must because of his no- movement clause), Darnell Nurse, and Ethan Bear on the blue line.

The locks for protection up front are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Kailer Yamamoto, and Jesse Puljujarvi. That just leaves two forward spots and the goaltending position to be determined.

Holland said he’s finalized his protection list — barring a late trade — but wouldn’t reveal those last three spots.

The understanding here is that Josh Archibald is expected to get one of the forward slots and the final one will come down to Zack Kassian and Tyler Benson. Kassian is likely to get the nod. Keith mentioning him by name, unprompted, in his introductory media availability on Monday seemed like a tip-off.

With Mike Smith unsigned and the Oilers considered to be trying to move the final year of Mikko Koskinen’s $4.5 million AAV contract, Stuart Skinner is expected to be the goaltender blocked off. (Holland said talks with Smith’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, remain ongoing.)

Skinner played his first NHL game this past season and had an excellent year in the AHL, backstopping the to a Pacific Division title. He doesn’t turn 23 until November and, although a restricted free agent, has one more year of being exempt from waivers. The Oilers are said to value that team control.

The one thing Holland made clear is he won’t be making any type of side deal with the Kraken. He said he doesn’t want to pay a future asset or assets to alleviate any salary cap quandary.

“We’re going to lose a player regardless,” Holland said. “You never want to lose a player. 1217448 Edmonton Oilers But there are a few things to be wary about with Hyman. One is his age. He’s 29, so a long-term contract could put him into his

late 30s. That type of commitment in free agency seldom works out for Source: Oilers talking to Zach Hyman’s camp; what he might cost and the entire length of the deal, especially for someone of Hyman’s hard- how he could fit with Edmonton nosed style.

Oilers fans don’t need to be reminded of Milan Lucic, whose seven-year, $42 million deal signed in 2016 looked poor by the second season and By Daniel Nugent-Bowman terrible by the third. And Lucic was 28 when he became an Oiler, albeit with 647 games on his resume. Jul 16, 2021 The Oilers still have $750,000 in retained salary from Lucic’s contract on

the books for two more seasons. The player for whom he was traded, The Oilers appear to be interested in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach James Neal, is expected to be moved out this offseason — likely in the Hyman, a pending unrestricted free agent. form of a buyout, meaning more dead money.

An industry source confirmed Thursday evening that the Oilers are one of Again, Luszczyszyn’s model rates Hyman much more favourably, but the teams Hyman’s camp is speaking with about the possible acquisition there could be a turn for worst around the fifth year. of the winger’s rights. This was first reported by the Toronto Star’s Kevin Another is Hyman’s recent injury history. He’s missed 43 games over the McGran. last three seasons, multiple knee injuries being the key culprit. That could The Leafs granted permission for Hyman’s agent, Todd Reynolds, to be cause for pause. start checking in with other teams around the league since it looks like If not, and Hyman ends up in Edmonton, here’s how the roster and cap the player has priced himself out of Toronto. This was first reported by situation could look: TSN’s Darren Dreger. This just shows how tricky it would be to work Hyman onto the Oilers It’s unclear what it would cost to acquire Hyman before free agency roster on a contract of more than $5 million per year after the Duncan begins on July 28. Keith trade. Granted there are some assumptions made. (One, which Many teams are expected to make a pitch for Hyman, not surprisingly seems like a safe one, is Oscar Klefbom and his $4.167 million contract since our Dom Luszczyszyn ranked him as the fourth-best player set to is on LTIR.) hit the open market. Luszczyszyn projects Hyman as a top-line forward It assumes veteran defenceman Adam Larsson re-signs after the for two more seasons, a top-sixer for three campaigns after, and a fourth- expansion draft, which seems more likely than not at this point but not a liner by Year 6. He slotted Hyman’s next contract to be at a $5.8 million sure thing after Keith’s acquisition. Larsson might not get a raise on the AAV between four and five seasons. $4,166,666 cap hit from his previous contract with the Oilers. He gets A second industry source believes the Oilers are willing to offer Hyman one here since he’s expected to be highly sought after if he hits the open that average salary on a long-term deal, and maybe more, perhaps as market. I’m told a team is willing to offer Larsson a five-year deal with at long as seven years. That term is the maximum permissible under the least a $5 million AAV in free agency. collective bargaining agreement. The only way Hyman could get eight It assumes Mike Smith also foregoes free agency and returns to years with the Oilers is if he signed with the Leafs first and then was Edmonton. Smith had a $1.5 million cap hit, plus bonuses, in 2021. He’ll traded to Edmonton. Teams can exceed the $81.5 million salary cap by command more after finishing seventh in Vezina Trophy voting. 10 percent during the offseason, giving the Leafs the flexibility to do that. It assumes RFA Kailer Yamamoto is re-signed on a $2 million AAV Regardless of the exact term, such a deal would be a massive contract bridge deal. for the 29-year-old Hyman in Edmonton — especially when considering Ryan Nugent-Hopkins passed on free agency to sign an eight-year, Mikko Koskinen isn’t likely to be back, but it’s hard to predict the way he’d $5.125 million AAV deal last month. exit. A buyout opens $3 million in cap space (a $1.5 million cap hit) for next season. Trading him, while retaining half his salary (for this Nugent-Hopkins, the first pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, is the franchise’s exercise), results in a $2.25 million savings (and the same cap hit). longest-serving player and is a year younger than Hyman. RNH has 185 However, he has a 15-team no-trade clause. goals and 478 points in 656 games. He had 16 goals and 35 points in 52 games this past season. Hyman, a late bloomer, has 86 goals and 185 Taking that bigger savings in the form of a buyout here, the Oilers would points in 345 NHL games. He had 15 goals and 33 points in 43 games have almost $9.3 million in space under the $81.5 million salary cap. (To this past season. think, they could have had more cap space if they got Chicago to retain some money in the Keith deal.) With Hyman at first-line left wing, they’d There are potential rewards and risks for the Oilers should they sign still need to add a 1A/B goalie to support Smith, a No. 3 centre, a bottom- Hyman. As Luszczyszyn points out, it could be a case of short-term gain six winger, and possibly another depth forward or two and a defenceman. for pain in the longer term. Tight, but potentially doable. Does that make sense for the Oilers, who are in win-now mode with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl piling up points in the It’s worth noting that GM Ken Holland wants Dylan Holloway to take primes of their careers? someone’s job, so it’s likely he’ll be battling a veteran on a cheap contract for that third-line spot. He said Holloway will only be on the team Hyman could fit in nicely in the immediacy in Edmonton. The Oilers need if he’s in the top nine. at least one more top-six forward and Hyman has many skills the team is seeking, starting with five-on-five offence. These are the penalties in the dead money section:

He contributed at a 60-point pace in each of the last two seasons with Kyle Turris is sent to the AHL, resulting in a $525,000 cap charge; $1.125 minimal time on the power play. That type of production would be most million of a contract can be buried in the minors next season welcome, especially since PP minutes would likely be in short supply with the Oilers. The last four years of Neal’s contract are bought out, resulting in a $1,916,667 cap hit in 2021-22 He fit in nicely with superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in 2021, which bodes well because McDavid would probably be his centre Lucic’s $750,000 salary retention in the Alberta capital with someone like Jesse Puljujarvi possibly on the Andrej Sekera’s 1.5 million buyout other wing. Overage penalties of $669,339 from the 2021 season A tenacious forechecker and effective two-way player, Hyman has never finished with any of his five full NHL seasons with a goals-for percentage Tyler Benson, Jujhar Khaira, and Dominik Kahun are all RFAs but would or expected goals for a percentage below 50 percent. In 2021, he likely be exposed in the expansion draft — along with one of Josh managed a 52.3 CF%, a 66.7 GF%, and a 60 xGF%. Archibald or Zack Kassian — if Hyman were to sign before the roster freeze kicks in Saturday. Benson could be the most desirable asset to the Kraken whether or not a hasty Hyman trade and signing came to fruition. He’s has played just seven NHL games in three pro years but has had two excellent AHL seasons.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217449 Florida Panthers Duclair and Wennberg were such important pieces of good lines last season it could also make sense to protect either of them, preventing the Kraken from getting exclusive rights to negotiate with them ahead of the NHL Expansion Draft. Two NHL Drafts looming. A look at how they’re connected, what Panthers could opt to do Duclair, in this prediction, gets the nod because he’s a restricted free agent, while Wennberg is unrestricted.

Ultimately, the unprotected forwards might not matter because Florida, BY DAVID WILSON unless it buys out Yandle this week, will have to leave Gustav Forsling unprotected after he emerged as an unlikely first-pairing defenseman in JULY 16, 2021 06:00 AM the wake of Ekblad’s injury.

This is where the 2021 Entry Draft comes into play. Bill Zito has gone nonstop since he took over as general manager of the PANTHERS’ DRAFT-PICK TRADE POSSIBILITY Florida Panthers less than 11 months ago. He guided the Panthers through the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and free agency, and to their best Florida is officially in win-now mode after finishing the 2020-21 NHL regular season in franchise history before a first-round exit from the 2021 season with the fourth most points in the league. Stanley Cup playoffs. The Panthers also still have a nice cache of young talent with Barkov, Zito has had a little less than two months to regroup since Florida bowed Verhaeghe, Duclair, Bennett and Tippett all still 25 or younger, and out in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to the eventual- Knight, left wing Grigori Denisenko and center Anton Lundell all ranking champion Tampa Bay Lightning and now his calendar is about to be as among the top 30 prospects in the NHL, according to ESPN.com. busy as ever. Florida’s first-round pick in the Entry Draft — No. 23 overall — is as The NHL will hold two drafts next week, then open up free agency the expendable as ever and the Panthers could dangle it to try to improve its following week. After a breakthrough season for the Panthers, the rest of current roster. One way they can do so is to leverage for the Expansion July will be crucial for them to finally win their first playoff series since Draft. 1996 and it starts next Wednesday with the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. All the teams are faced with their own individual set of hurdles every “That’s been the topic of discussion for months and months. I think summer,” Zito said. “[Columbus Blue Jackets president of hockey [director of hockey operations and salary cap management] Braden Birch operations] John Davidson always used to say in Columbus, ‘Curveballs! is a little mock-drafted out, we’ve done it so many times, the poor guy,” curveballs! You never know what’s around the corner. Isn’t that always Zito said last month, “but we’re prepared. The schedule is a little the case? compacted this summer, but we’re actually looking forward to it to continue to grow and get better.” “There’s always going to be something that presents itself and there’s always a trade that’s around the corner that you hadn’t anticipated.” Unless it gets creative, Florida will almost certainly lose a good player to the expansion Seattle Kraken next week. One option for Florida could be to send the 23rd pick to Seattle as part of an agreement for the Kraken to take a player of the Panthers’ choice. NHL teams are allowed to protect as many as 11 players, so long as the breakdown is seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender, For example: If Seattle wants to take Forsling and Florida is set on and the Panthers will likely use this formulation because of how many keeping him, the Panthers could could offer the Kraken their first-round defensemen they want to protect. pick in exchange for Seattle taking a lesser player. Anton Stralman, who is entering the final year of his contract and owed $5.5 million next year, Protection lists are due to the league Saturday. could be one option, as could fellow defenseman Radko Gudas, who is still a useful player and is under contract through 2023. Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle (3) skates as Tampa Bay Lightning center Blake Coleman (20) is congratulated by teammates after This probably only makes sense, though, to keep Forsling. Florida’s scoring during the first period of game 1 of their first round NHL Stanley defense is still thin and Forsling, 25, is a potential foundational piece. Up Cup series at the BB&T Center on Sunday, May 16, 2021 in Sunrise, Fl. front, the Panthers are deep enough and young enough to withstand David Santiago [email protected] losing a forward.

PANTHERS’ EXPANSION DRAFT PROTECTION PREDICTION Of course, an Expansion Draft trade has backfired for Florida before. In the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, the Panthers traded Reilly Smith to the Certain players don’t have to be protected — all first- and second-year Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Golden Knights picking Jonathan players, including goaltender Spencer Knight and right wing Owen Marchessault. The two forwards now rank among the top three in Vegas Tippett. Certain players must be protected — those with no-move history in points. clauses, including star left wing Jonathan Huberdeau. Another group of players are just no-brainers to protect — stars like center Aleksander Miami Herald LOADED: 07.17.2021 Barkov and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.

Florida did not ask defenseman Keith Yandle to waive his no-move clause, Sportsnet reported, which means there’s essentially no debate about which goaltenders and defensemen will be protected.

▪ Goaltenders: Sergei Bobrovsky, who has a no-move clause.

▪ Defensemen: Weegar, Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad, who was having a star-type season before a season-ending injury in March.

The forwards to protect are mostly straightforward, although the last few spots are up for debate.

▪ Forwards: Barkov, Huberdeau, Patric Hornqvist, Carter Verhaeghe, , Frank Vatrano and Anthony Duclair.

Those first five are obvious, even though Bennett is a restricted free agent. For the final two spots, the Panthers will have to choose between Vatrano, Duclair, and wingers Alex Wennberg, Noel Acciari and Mason Marchment.

Vatrano is under contract through 2022 and scored 18 goals last season, so he’s a safe bet to be protected. Acciari and Marchment are also locked up through next year, so they could be safe choices, too, but 1217450 Florida Panthers Does that mean he wouldn’t be protected? Probably not. It sounds like the Panthers continue to work on getting

something done. Seattle Expansion Draft II: Who do the Florida Panthers keep? Whether that happens before Saturday, well, we shall see.

Forwards (7): Jonathan Huberdeau (NMC), Sasha Barkov (NMC), Sam By George Richards Bennett (RFA), Carter Verhaeghe, Patric Hornqvist, Mason Marchment, Anthony Duclair. Published 20 hours ago on July 16, 2021 Defensemen (3): Aaron Ekblad, MacKenzie Weegar, Forsling.

Goalie (1): Sergei Bobrovsky (NMC). The Florida Panthers, and the rest of the NHL (save for the Vegas Golden Knights), have to provide their protected list for the Seattle Looking at this list, there could be some questions. Kraken’s expansion draft by Saturday afternoon. Well, at least one. On Thursday, the Panthers not only bought out the remainder of Keith Why protect Mason Marchment? He may not be protected come Yandle’s contract but extended both Anthony Duclair and Gus Forsling. Saturday based on his past history. By doing that, general manager Bill Zito not only took care of some But the Panthers did extend his contract and coach Joel Quenneville did pressing offseason business, but offered some clarity as to how the put him in some pretty good situations as the 2021 season wore on. Panthers are thinking going into the expansion draft. Just going with a gut feeling here. Certainly there could be some unknown, hidden moves to come. Obviously Noel Acciari or Frank Vatrano could be protected instead. For know, however, we will take Thursday’s moves on the surface. Now, let’s look at who would be left unprotected under these projections We won’t entertain Seattle signing pending free agent goalie Chris and why we went with who we did. Driedger early (and thereby using him as its selection from Florida) or any other sweetened deals. THE UNPROTECTED PANTHERS

For good reason, any special deals are being held closely to the vest by Forwards: Vatrano, Acciari, Ryan Lomberg, Juho Lammikko. all sides. Defensemen: Anton Stralman, Markus Nutivaara, Radko Gudas. For now, we will look at who we think the Panthers will have on their protection list Saturday evening. Goalie: Sam Montembeault.

Zito is expected to go the 7-3-1 protection route and not the 4-4-1 way WHY THESE GUYS? that his predecessor did in 2017. The obvious questions surround Vatrano and Acciari. As we wrote about That year, the Panthers sent Jonathan Marchessault to Vegas in a couple of weeks ago, perhaps the Panthers leave them exposed due to exchange for the Knights taking Riley Smith (and his five-year, $25 their contracts. million contract with the no-movement clause that was kicking in). Both players are entering the final years of their deals and, based on It’s a deal that has worked out well for Vegas. their production since signing their contracts, are likely due for a raise.

Anyway, here are the basic rules of the expansion draft: Florida may either not want to pony up when the bill comes due in 2022 or feels safe enough that Seattle won’t, either. — Seattle GM Ron Francis will select at least one player from each team save for the Golden Knights. This will give them a total of 30 (at least 14 As far as the defensemen go, Florida’s top three look pretty solid. There forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies) players. is no room for others.

— Seattle must choose a minimum of 20 players under contract for the While Seattle may now get Yandle on the cheap, they could reunite him 2021-22 regular season. The value of these players must be between 60- with Gudas or Nutivaara. 100 percent of the prior season’s salary cap upper limit. Stralman, who has one year left on his contract, is likely to return to — The Kraken cannot buyout the contract of a player chosen in the Florida. expansion draft until next summer. Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 07.17.2021 — Each team, aside for Vegas, can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie — or eight skaters and a goalie.

— The Kraken will also have an exclusive window from Sunday until Wednesday’s draft to interview and potentially sign pending free agents (Driedger) who were left unprotected in the expansion draft.

If Seattle signs a player before the draft, he counts as their pick from that players’ former team.

— All players who do not waive no-movement clauses must be protected.

With all of that said, here is who we think the Panthers will protect:

THE PROTECTED PANTHERS

Now that Yandle has been bought out and Forsling signed a three-year extension, who Florida protects on the defensive side is pretty easy.

It’s a little tougher as far as forwards go although it is not hard to connect the dots.

One of the big question marks going in is what happens with Sam Bennett.

While the Panthers locked in Duclair, they have not come to an agreement with Bennett. 1217451 Los Angeles Kings forward, may be another possibility. Yet the Kings seem to have little chance of losing a forward if they opt for the 7-3-1 configuration.

Goalies have long been the backbone of expansion teams. Quick’s Here’s why the Kings are well set up for the NHL expansion draft experience could get him a look, but there are other veterans with more recent success and smaller financial commitments potentially available. Trading for Victor Arvidsson gives a glimpse into who the Kings might protect and who they might lose to the Kraken The Kings’ most likely loss in the expansion draft is defenseman Kale Clague. Prior to the acquisition of Arvidsson, he would have been the primary reason the Kings went with the 8-1 option. But now the Kings would face leaving three useful forwards unprotected to hang onto By ANDREW KNOLL | Clague, who at 23 has yet to materialize as a full-time NHL player PUBLISHED: July 16, 2021 at 12:27 p.m. | UPDATED: July 16, 2021 at despite the Kings’ paper-thin group on their blue line last season. Clague 2:45 p.m. was an offensive star in juniors, but still needs seasoning at the top level.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 07.17.2021

Few teams are as comfortably situated as the Kings for Wednesday’s NHL expansion draft. Though they will lose a player to the Seattle Kraken, the Kings have options as far as their protection structure and seem unlikely to have to sacrifice assets in a side deal to preserve a player they would be unable to protect.

Every team except the Vegas Golden Knights, who are exempted due to their recent expansion status, will lose a player to Seattle. While the Kings have one of the most intriguing assemblies of prospects, draft picks and players on active entry-level contracts who are exempt, most of their most-coveted assets are ineligible to be selected.

The Kraken may take a different approach to that of Vegas, which has been a contender since its inception, despite having essentially identical parameters for their entry into the league. Seattle general manager Ron Francis favored a measured approach that leaned on player development in his previous gig with Carolina. Thus, veteran players and higher salaries may not be all that attractive to Seattle.

The Kings can opt to protect seven forwards, three defenseman and a goalie, or they can protect any eight skaters (regardless of position) and a goalie. The recent acquisition of right winger Viktor Arvidsson from Nashville has given Kings general manager Rob Blake greater impetus to lean toward the 7-3-1 setup.

LIKELY PROTECTION LIST

Goalies: Cal Petersen. Not only is he the goalie of the future, he’s the goalie of the present for the Kings. Veteran Jonathan Quick has two years left on his contract with a $5.8 million annual cap hit. He is pricey for a backup or No. 1B goalie, meaning exposing him carries limited risk for the Kings.

Defensemen: With exemptions for Mikey Anderson and Tobias Bjornfot, the Kings can comfortably protect the right side of their defense. Drew Doughty, Matt Roy and Sean Walker seem like locks to be protected. Veteran Olli Maatta would be unprotected after a disappointing first year as a King.

Forwards: Center Anze Kopitar, winger Alex Iafallo and forward Adrian Kempe appear certain to join Arvidsson on the protected list. The Kings could protect three more forwards among a group that includes Andreas Athanasiou, Trevor Moore, Lias Andersson, Brendan Lemieux, Carl Grundstrom, Blake Lizotte and Dustin Brown.

Moore provided energy and consistency last season, making a solid case for himself to be kept as an anchor of the Kings’ bottom-six forwards, perhaps over Grundstrom and similarly styled Lizotte. Athanasiou is a restricted free agent, but the Kings can ill afford to get thinner, slower and less talented on the wings; the two sides have expressed mutual interest in a new contract. Andersson and Lemieux came from the New York Rangers in separate deals for draft picks last season, but Andersson, a former No. 7 overall pick, may have the upside to earn protection over Lemieux.

Brown recaptured the fitness and production of his youth in the first half of last season before injuries hindered his stretch run. The former captain was left exposed in the 2017 expansion draft, and the Kings’ career leader in games played may see the same fate here. His $5.875 million price tag for next season and age – he’ll be 37 in November – may not entice Seattle anyway.

MOST LIKELY DEPARTURES

Andersson’s unprotected, buy-low potential and meager cap hit might pique the Kraken’s interest. Lemieux, a physical and antagonistic 1217452 Los Angeles Kings the end, and unfortunately, the end wasn’t great. I was not happy with the situation, for sure. That’s all I can say.

The cross-check you took from St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Viktor Arvidsson on his trade from the Predators: ‘I feel like I didn’t get Bortuzzo in November 2019 is often cited as the moment when things seen as the all-around player I was’ turned in the wrong direction for you from a production standpoint. How much did the injury you suffered as a result affect your play?

I blew both my MCLs out on both legs. I had double MCL sprains, on By Adam Vingan both (my) left and right knees. I came back from that after five weeks, I think, right before the (2020) Winter Classic, I believe. Jul 16, 2021 The team at the time, we had a tough time, tough go. Things (weren’t

going) well. I wanted to help the team so much, and I think I pushed my It has been more than two weeks since the Predators traded forward comeback a little too much and (came back) too early. My conditioning Viktor Arvidsson to the Los Angeles Kings for two draft picks. wasn’t right. My game wasn’t there, so my confidence got really bad. I think that really had a tough go on me. From his offseason home in Sweden on Friday, Arvidsson spoke to The Athletic about his reaction to being moved after spending parts of seven I think in the bubble, when we went to Edmonton, I was back to my seasons in Nashville. game, and I think in the beginning of the season this year, I was good as I can be. I played really well. I created chances for the team. Every time I This is what Predators general manager David Poile said after the July 1 was on the ice, I had scoring chances. I don’t see me declining in any trade: “The playoffs didn’t go our way or his way. He didn’t play in all the way. I just had some really bad luck. The puck didn’t go my way. I missed games, and he wasn’t 100 percent healthy. At our end-of-the-year some really good chances. When you put those in the net, you get meeting, he was not happy with where he was at. I think it’s fair to say we confident and you score the next game and two the (game after that). weren’t happy. In my conversation with him (on the day of the trade), I Hockey is a lot about confidence, I think. think we both acknowledged that. I believe Viktor is very appreciative and thankful for everything that happened here in Nashville, and I think he What was your reaction to your teammates’ reaction to the trade, needs a fresh start. … I think he’s OK with this. He needed something specifically Filip Forsberg’s thumbs down on Instagram? different. It just felt in talking to him, and I think he would acknowledge Me and Fil have known each other for a long time. Since junior age, we this, that he just didn’t think it was going to work here anymore for a played with each other. I probably would have reacted the same if I was variety of reasons.” in his position. I said this before, I would hate to part ways with him if he What were those reasons? were to go to another team. I understand his reaction. I think it’s normal. We’ve been with each other for so long and played with each other night I think both me and Moa, my wife, we love Nashville. I wouldn’t say I out and night in and had so much fun together. I appreciate it. He wanted to leave. If that’s what the quote is about, it’s not true. We love showed his emotions, and that’s normal. Nashville. We lived in Nashville more than we have lived in Sweden. We lived there for seven years, and we loved it there and we loved the team What do you consider to be your career highlight with the Predators? and we loved the city and the fans. Probably my single-season record in goals (34 in 2018-19). It worked out for a lot of years. This year, I think I played good. I think I What is your favorite memory of playing with Pekka Rinne? was unlucky. I didn’t score on the chances I had. In the beginning of the season, I was the highest guy on the team in scoring chances and stuff My favorite memory (was) probably this year, that last (regular-season) like that, and I just didn’t put the puck in the net. game. It was unbelievable how he got treated. That game was unbelievable. He had a shutout. That was just great. That’s what I will I feel like I didn’t get seen as the all-around player I was, at the end of the remember. It was emotional. I didn’t play that game, but I was on the day. That’s my honest truth about it. I feel like I need to get that off my sideline. I just felt how heartwarming that was for him and his family. That chest. I didn’t play the PK. I didn’t play in all situations, which I did for the was probably my favorite memory from playing with him, for sure. last six years, and I didn’t for this year. I didn’t play the PK. I didn’t play 5- on-6 and so on. I think I can contribute in all those areas. What are you most looking forward to as a member of the Kings?

Me (being) OK leaving, I don’t know. I feel like I wanted to stay. But I am I proved many people wrong in my life. I had to. I feel like I have to again. looking forward to the challenge I have ahead in L.A., and I think I can be I’m going to do it. I’m going to go in there with a fresh mindset and really a huge contributor to their team and have a huge impact on their roster. do my part. I lead with my actions. I’m looking forward to (proving) That’s my opinion of it. everybody that doesn’t believe in me wrong.

I couldn’t be more happy with what happened in Nashville for me and my The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 family, how they saw me. Like, how Lucas (Bergman), the European scout, drafted me and really put in a word for me that I was a good player. I appreciate everything with (former coach) and (former associate coach) Kevin McCarthy. They treated me so good. They really brought me into the league as the player I am today. I have nothing bad to say about that. I loved it for a lot of years.

Of course, when production doesn’t go your way, it’s frustrating, and you don’t like it. I think any player could (relate) to that. It’s hard when you’re supposed to produce, and things don’t go your way. I really appreciate the time I had and how they treated me. When (Poile) said the playoffs didn’t go my way, or I had a little bit of injuries, for sure that’s true. I agree. I wasn’t happy, and I wanted to play more at the end. But unfortunately, I couldn’t.

Were you healthy enough to play in more than two playoff games?

Yeah, I think I was.

It sounds like there might have been a difference of opinion between you and Predators coach John Hynes. How would you describe your relationship with Hynes?

No, it was good. We talked a lot and whatever. I had a nagging injury, but I did everything in my power to get back from it. I felt like I was good enough to play, for sure. Maybe they didn’t see it that way. I didn’t play at 1217453 Los Angeles Kings Anderson-Dolan’s role was predominantly on the fourth line this season, and his possession metrics were generally on the lower end compared to his teammates, a trend that was emphasized when playing away from Grundstrom and Moore, as was also the case with Grundstrom as well. Kings Seasons In Review – Jaret Anderson-Dolan Not necessarily unexpected for a young forward, but certainly an area where you’d like to see progress.

For a player who could craft a role as an effective defensive player, you’d By Zach Dooley also like to see his faceoff percentages jump a bit. Anderson-Dolan’s 14 hours ago faceoffs-won percentage at just under 44 percent was the lowest amongst regular centers, a number you want to see go up for a player you might trust to be on the ice late in games, defending a lead.

At last we’ve reached the end of our Seasons in Review series, finishing 2021-22 Status – Anderson-Dolan has one season remaining on his up with another rookie down the middle in Jaret Anderson-Dolan. entry-level contract. His 2020-21 season was a good introduction to the NHL, and now he figures to battle for a bottom-six center position with Jaret Anderson-Dolan the Kings during training camp. NHL Statline – 34 games played, 7 goals, 4 assists, -9 rating, 6 penalty Anderson-Dolan slots into a group alongside Vilardi, Quinton Byfield and minutes Blake Lizotte vying for icetime down the middle behind Anze Kopitar. Possession Metrics (Relative To Without) – CF% – 41.6% (-7.7%), SCF While he’s played almost exclusively in the middle as a professional, – 39.6% (-7.4%), HDCF – 40.5% (-9.3%) Anderson-Dolan has the versatility to play on the wing as well, though not at the professional level. After looking at Gabriel Vilardi on Wednesday, it’s only fitting to pivot to Anderson-Dolan today. The two Canadian-born forwards have come up With many positives from the season that was, and still being early in his together through the ranks, after being selected as the Kings’ top two development process, Anderson-Dolan figures to currently sit on the picks in the 2017 NHL Draft. Both were important pieces of the 2019-20 inside track for a roster spot come September, though as always, , both began to establish themselves in the NHL this performance during training camp will help to shape and control that season and both won gold medals with Team Canada at this season’s narrative. World Championships in Latvia. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.17.2021 Anderson-Dolan began the season on the outside looking in, as a member of the taxi squad as opposed to the active roster. Once he got his shot though, in early-February, he never looked back, as he provided an energetic, hard-working option in the bottom six throughout the season.

Trending Up – 7 goals from 34 games played translates to roughly 17 goals over the course of an 82-game season, which would be more than sufficient for a bottom-six center. On a per/60 basis, no Kings player produced more goals at 5-on-5 this season, with JAD’s 0.93 mark topping the charts. Among first-year forwards across the NHL, Anderson- Dolan ranked eighth in the league in that category.

Anderson-Dolan also impressed with his energy, work ethic and forechecking ability, traits and qualities which shined through when skating on a line with Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore. With those two on his line, Anderson-Dolan saw both his raw production and possession metrics shoot up, similar to how it boosted Grundstrom’s numbers. That trio was effective for the Kings in a variety of different stints together, as a buzzing, forechecking unit, using their own style to create offensive opportunities off of the forecheck.

“We can all skate, we all know that, we know that’s what’s going to give us success,” Anderson-Dolan said of the line. “I think that physicality, that comes with being on the forecheck, can turn the tide of the hockey game pretty quick.”

Though he wasn’t the first player over the boards on the penalty kill, Anderson-Dolan did log just about a minute per game with the Kings a man down. No Kings player posted a lower GA/60 while on the penalty kill than Anderson-Dolan did, while he also posted the best figures for scoring chances and high-danger chances allowed on the penalty kill among LA forwards.

There are also those buzzwords that get thrown around, that you can’t measure with statistics, that seem to stick with Anderson-Dolan. Character, leadership, intangibles, all of those other hockey guy terms that you like to hear – those words have consistently been applied to Anderson-Dolan something that only grew during his rookie season.

Trending Down – In a lot of ways, we got a good glimpse into what Jaret Anderson-Dolan can be, and a lot of the traits that he possesses. But we still leave the 2020-21 season wondering exactly what his end result is. Is he a player who can produce enough to center a second line one day? Can he up his possession metrics, produce well enough offensively while being a standout player defensively and become an ideal third-line center? Or does he project more as an energy player, someone best suited for the fourth line?

All questions that remain outstanding. 1217454 Minnesota Wild On defense, the Wild can protect Spurgeon, Brodin and Dumba; Soucy fills the exposure condition. Ian Cole and Brad Hunt are soon-to-be free agents.

Wild to submit protection list ahead of Seattle expansion draft At goalie, Cam Talbot as the team's starter could get the security over Kahkonen even though Kahkonen's been progressing as a future No.1 The Wild has until Saturday to send in the list of players it wants to candidate for the Wild. protect from Seattle in the upcoming expansion draft. Although the team cut a deal with the Golden Knights in 2017, sending them Alex Tuch so they would sign Erik Haula and avoid the players the Wild couldn't protect, the Wild probably doesn't need to do the same By Sarah McLellan maneuvering this go-around. Star Tribune Because of the flexibility it gained with the Parise and Suter buyouts, the JULY 16, 2021 — 10:33PM team has space to protect a key player like Dumba – whom the Wild kept from Vegas with the Tuch trade.

Still, Seattle will subtract someone from the Wild's orbit. The Wild cut two players from its roster earlier this week, and the team is soon going to lose another option. And that loss could determine the Wild's next move this offseason.

Seattle will debut next season as the NHL's 32nd franchise, and the "We're going to do what we have to do to protect everybody we want to Kraken will select its team on Wednesday during a televised expansion and can and are able to," Guerin said. draft. Star Tribune LOADED: 07.17.2021 Before then, the other teams around the league except Vegas will decide which players to protect from Seattle. Those lists are due Saturday, and they're expected to be made public on Sunday.

"There's a lot of planning involved and a lot of strategizing," Wild General Manager Bill Guerin said.

After the team revealed it was buying out the remaining contracts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter on Tuesday, the decision created two openings on the Wild's protection list.

Players with no-movement clauses in their contracts have to be protected unless they agreed to waive them, and Parise and Suter had those clauses in their deals. Their spots can now be devoted to the likes of Matt Dumba and Nico Sturm, two players who were probably on the outside looking in with Parise and Suter in the mix.

But the Wild could still be in danger of losing a defenseman, possibly Carson Soucy, or maybe goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen.

Like in 2017 when the Golden Knights were introduced, teams have two possibilities for protecting players from the expansion draft.

They can shield seven forwards, three defenseman and a goalie or eight skaters and a goalie. First- and second-year pros along with unsigned draft picks are exempt from the process.

Teams must expose a goalie signed for next season (or one who's a restricted free agent) and at least one defenseman and two forwards under contract who played in at least 27 games last season or a minimum of 54 games the previous two seasons combined.

If the Kraken signs a team's free agent, that will count as that team's selection. Seattle will have an exclusive opportunity starting Sunday to negotiate with unprotected free agents.

The Kraken will draft 30 players, a group that must include at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies; a minimum of 20 players must be under contract for a combined value that equals at least 60 percent of last season's $81.5 million salary cap. Vegas, as part of its expansion agreement, won't participate in the Seattle draft.

Last time, the Wild went the 7-3-1 route with its protection list and that setup makes sense once again.

Captain Jared Spurgeon, defenseman Jonas Brodin and forward Mats Zuccarello have no-movement clauses, but the Wild has room to protect them and most of its other roster regulars.

With its seven forward spots, the Wild can put Zuccarello, Sturm, Joel Eriksson Ek, Kevin Fiala, Marcus Foligno, Jordan Greenway and Ryan Hartman on its protection list. Remember, a player coming off his first season like Kirill Kaprizov is exempt and doesn't need to be protected.

That would leave , whom the Wild re-signed earlier this month, and Victor Rask vulnerable, and both meet the exposure requirements. Nick Bonino and Marcus Johansson are pending free agents. 1217455 Minnesota Wild

Projected Wild protection list

A look at which players the Wild could look to protect heading into next Wednesday's expansion draft.

By Sarah McLellan

JULY 16, 2021 — 10:17PM

Projected protection list

Seven forwards: Joel Eriksson Ek, Kevin Fiala, Marcus Foligno, Jordan Greenway, Ryan Hartman, Nico Sturm and Mats Zuccarello.

Three defensemen: Jonas Brodin, Matt Dumba and Jared Spurgeon.

One goalie: Cam Talbot.

Possible Seattle targets

Carson Soucy, defense

Losing Soucy would create another hole on a Wild blue line already in need of attention.

Kaapo Kahkonen, goaltender

The Wild could use free agency to bring in a new backup if Kahkonen leaves.

Star Tribune LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217456 Minnesota Wild Olympic hockey team and one of the first Zambonis ever made, among other exhibits.

Sixteen Eveleth players and coaches are enshrined in the museum's Why is the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame located in tiny Eveleth, Minnesota? "Great Wall of Fame," including Sam LoPresti, Frank "Mr. Zero" Brimsek, , Mayasich, Mariucci, Cliff Thompson, Connie Pleban and The Iron Range attraction is one of two hockey halls of fame in North . Pavelich, who died in March, was inducted as a member America. of that 1980 Olympic team.

The Eveleth museum typically receives between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors a year, compared with the more than 279,000 people who visited By Jana Hollingsworth the Toronto hall in 2019. Low attendance forced the Minnesota facility to Star Tribune close for a period in the mid-2000s.

JULY 16, 2021 — 9:16AM The hall is a nonprofit funded through admissions, donations, public funding and grants — including those from USA Hockey.

Godin said this week that the museum remains significant today as the DULUTH — The small Iron Range city of Eveleth is home to an outsized U.S. produces a larger share of players in the NHL, while remaining a number of pilgrimage-worthy destinations for hockey fans. It boasts a minority in the league overall. Roughly a quarter of the players in the 110-foot-long hockey stick, a famous Hippodrome ice rink and the U.S. NHL are American. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum. "It's important that our role in the sport be emphasized," he said. Lifelong hockey fan Mike Ethen wanted to know how the Hall of Fame — located on Hat Trick Avenue — ended up in Eveleth of all places. It is Star Tribune LOADED: 07.17.2021 "out of the way and in a small town," Ethen said, similar to New York's Cooperstown National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

"When compared to the regal [Hockey Hall of Fame] in Toronto, it just seems like an unusual choice," Ethen said, referring to the home of the Stanley Cup. He sought answers from Curious Minnesota, the Star Tribune's community reporting project fueled by great reader questions.

Despite its modest population, Eveleth produced a disproportionate number of hockey stars during the 20th century. As Minneapolis Star columnist Jim Klobuchar once wrote, "If U.S. hockey didn't begin in Eveleth, this is where it got its flavor and some of its broken teeth."

No one symbolized Eveleth's long-ago dominance more than and , who remain hockey legends for their achievements ranging from college hockey to the Olympic Games. The Eveleth High School Golden Bears team won four state titles in a row during its heyday — a rare feat. Many Eveleth players went on to the NHL.

"Nobody produced them like Eveleth in the day," said Hall of Fame director Doug Palazzari. "It's a storied history."

The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto was established in the 1940s and moved into its first building in 1961. It focuses on the athletes globally who have contributed to the sport.

Eveleth mining executive D. Kelly Campbell proposed building a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth in the late 1960s. The Eveleth Civic Association then formally applied to the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States — now known as USA Hockey — which approved the proposal at a meeting in Boston in 1968.

The building became a reality in 1973 with the help of a sizable federal grant stemming from legislation sponsored by the area's congressman at the time, U.S. Rep. John Blatnik.

So why have two hockey hall of fames? The Eveleth facility's first director, Roger Godin, told the Minneapolis Tribune in 1977 that the Toronto hall mostly honors Canadian players.

"This Hockey Hall of Fame is set up for the United States," Godin, who is now team curator for the Minnesota Wild, said at the time. "I don't want to build a Hall of Fame on the exploits of Canadian players. I want to bring the Americans in."

The Eveleth facility struggled to attract enough visitors to break even in its early years, based on newspaper accounts. There were discussions in the mid-1980s of moving it to the Met Center in Bloomington to help boost attendance, but they ultimately fizzled.

"Would they move baseball's Hall of Fame from Cooperstown, N.Y. to Manhattan? Or transfer pro football's from the NFL's Canton, Ohio birthplace to Cleveland? Of course not!" the Star Tribune editorial board wrote in 1985, opposing the move.

The museum is dedicated to American hockey players and those who helped develop the sport, from youth hockey to the NHL. It dedicates space to NHL coach and St. Paul native , the 1980 U.S. 1217457 Minnesota Wild Jersey Devils GM, manages the Islanders. The two remain close, have a great mutual respect and have likely already connected.

There’s also the Vegas Golden Knights, who are coached by one of his Avs? Blues? Blackhawks? Ryan Suter has options in free agency, while all-time favorite coaches, Pete DeBoer. Parise captained DeBoer’s Devils Zach Parise looks for familiarity to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

Parise, who like Suter earned $88 million of his $98 million contract with the Wild and will still receive $6.7 million from Minnesota spread over the By Michael Russo next eight years, isn’t looking to break the bank either. He would consider agreeing to a bonus-laden one-year deal, something permissible for Jul 16, 2021 players 35 and older.

Sheehy made crystal clear, “Ryan won’t be doing that.” It was late afternoon on July 3, 2012, when Wild owner Craig Leipold’s The only NHL player to log more ice time than Suter since 2012 is the plane landed at St. Paul’s private downtown airport with Leipold and Los Angeles Kings’ Drew Doughty, and that’s by 31 minutes. then-Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher, then-coach Mike Yeo, Ryan Suter’s friend and business partner Tom Sagissor and Suter’s agent, Neil “The only thing that’s gone down for Ryan is his ice time to 22 to 23 Sheehy, on board. minutes, but if you look around the league, what do the top defensemen get? They’re playing 22 to 23 minutes,” Sheehy said. “So it’s not as if his I had caught wind that Leipold’s plane had been in Madison, Wis., so of game has really declined. He’s a top-four defenseman and still has that course I assumed the Wild were there to meet with Suter in an attempt to steadiness factor.” finalize a blockbuster Suter-Zach Parise twin free-agent signing for the next day. MAJORITY OF SUTER'S COMPS PLAYED TWO YEARS AFTER THEIR PROJECTION, BUT ONLY 12 PERCENT MADE IT TO YEAR 4 But I wanted to see who was on the plane with my own eyes. So, in an WHICH IS WHEN HIS DEAL WOULD'VE EXPIRED. old-school journalism move, I staked out the airport and literally hid in the PIC.TWITTER.COM/4GHEG2KXWM bushes next to a fence alongside the tarmac to see who’d get off Leipold’s plane. — DOM AT THE ATHLETIC (@DOMLUSZCZYSZYN) JULY 13, 2021

“Chuck and Craig kept saying, ‘Russo knows something. He’s on the Suter, who like Parise is 36, will be looking for a multiyear contract and scent,’ because you texted a few of us, ‘How’s Madison?’” Sheehy Sheehy indicated that the majority of teams that have expressed interest recalled Friday. “I said, ‘When we land, I’m staying on the plane because in Suter at this juncture would be deemed contenders. I know Russo’s going to be here.’ They go, ‘No chance he’s here.’ They then get off, see you come out of a bush and immediately go, ‘Shit, “Ryan’s objective is to win a Stanley Cup,” Sheehy said. there’s Russo.’” Sheehy said the contract offers for Suter are expected to run the gamut “So, here’s the deal,” Sheehy added, with a hearty laugh, regarding the based on each team’s situation and the available cap space they can first day of free agency on July 28. afford to offer.

“I now have a cabin (in northern Minnesota). You’re going to need In other words, Suter will have lots of choices and opportunities and binoculars this time, bud. I live on the end of an island, so I have water understands he may have to choose a team that’s offering him less on three sides. I can see any boat coming for a mile on three sides of me money and/or years than others. now. You might have to be G.I. Joe coming up the backside to hide in the Basically, what Sheehy has told interested teams is, “Make your pitch” trees this time. That’s the only way I’m not going to see ya!” based on opportunity, role and, of course, money and term. Nine years and two weeks after Sheehy played a major role in the Wild “Contract terms are a part of it and Ryan wants to win a Stanley Cup, but landing the Suter half of the tag-team 13-year, $196 million signings ($98 he also has a wife and four children,” Sheehy said. “So he can’t just pick million apiece), the veteran agent is fielding scores of phone calls from up and go anywhere. He’s not going to just say, ‘OK, I’m gonna go try interested parties yet again on a veteran defenseman who unexpectedly and win a Cup for a year,’ because he has a family to look after. And as became a free agent earlier this week when Parise and Suter left much as a player wants to win, you also need your family to be in the Minnesota the way they came: together. right situation. “It’s a new sweepstake,” Sheehy said with a chuckle a few days after “Those two things go hand in hand. If your family’s set, then you’re going Parise and Suter were bought out of the final four years of their contracts. to play better.’” “Lots of teams are interested in Ryan. Lots. I was talking to somebody yesterday that said, ‘There’s not a single team in the league that could Suter was obviously stunned when he got that unexpected phone call have gone through all of their offseason scenarios and exercises and from Wild GM Bill Guerin informing him that not only was Parise being ever thought that Ryan Suter would be available. bought out, but so was he.

“Now, he is.” But Sheehy said he quickly got Suter refocused on the situation ahead.

Parise’s in a bit of a different situation. “It all hit him hard, but now he’s got to change gears and say, ‘What are the options?’” Sheehy said. “I think it makes the most sense for us to wait Teams are interested in him as well, but it’d be surprising if he doesn’t till Wednesday night and see what happens in the expansion draft sign somewhere he feels most comfortable and where he has a previous because that’ll open things up for various teams. And it’ll give us a more relationship with members of the brass. clear picture of what the landscape looks like. Now it doesn’t mean we’re ZACH PARISE STILL HAS A REALLY HIGH PROJECTION PER MY not going to be talking, but no decisions are going to be made certainly MODEL, BUT IT COMES WITH A TON OF DOWNSIDE AS A before Wednesday. But things will maybe get more serious after we MAJORITY OF HIS COMPS DIDN'T LIVE UP TO THEIR OWN know the landscape. PROJECTIONS. THEY FELL OFF QUICKLY WITH ONLY 32 PERCENT “The first day was hard for him. I just said, ‘Look, just sit back, be with EVEN PLAYING A SECOND YEAR. your wife and kids and take it all in right now. We’re not making any PIC.TWITTER.COM/RRQC1S4OCE decisions yet, so just sit tight because we have time.’ They talked, he — DOM AT THE ATHLETIC (@DOMLUSZCZYSZYN) JULY 13, 2021 wrapped his head around it, and now he’s excited about the future.”

And he’s long had a soft spot for the New York Islanders, where his late Sheehy said Suter naturally has his wish list, one he of course wouldn’t father, J.P. Parise, played. divulge.

OK, more than a soft spot. Remember, he was willing to waive his no- But Suter’s a Midwestern guy. He’s a proud American who has donned move clause in the summer of 2019 and again at the 2020 trade deadline the red, white and blue at numerous international tournaments. So, it in order to spur a deal to the Islanders. Lou Lamoriello, his former New would be shocking if he’d consider teams in Canada, like perhaps the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets. A couple of teams that he’d probably love to play for in part because of their proximity to Minnesota and his Wisconsin offseason home are the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks.

It’s believed the Blues have interest.

But likely the ideal spot for Suter, if he wants to play for a Cup contender, is the Colorado Avalanche.

Sources say Suter is intrigued by the Avs, and they’re expected to have significant interest now that they’ve traded Ryan Graves to the Devils. But they also probably can’t afford to offer Suter as much as others because Colorado still hopes to re-sign pending free agent and captain Gabriel Landeskog, superstar defenseman Cale Makar needs a new contract and they need to save a boatload of money in order to extend Nathan MacKinnon’s contract next summer.

It’s believed Suter would also like to play for a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning, but as hockey fans are likely well aware of by now, the reigning two-time Cup champs have major cap challenges ahead of them.

The Pittsburgh Penguins may have interest in Parise and Suter with former Team USA 2010 Olympic GM Brian Burke in their front office, while other teams potentially interested in Suter include the Boston Bruins, , Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers — who have former Wild GM and Nashville Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton in their front office — and the Islanders, who are coached by his former Nashville Predators coach .

It’s also worth noting that Sheehy has a great relationship with Lamoriello, who has a couple of Sheehy’s clients — Isles captain and defenseman Nick Leddy.

“The only thing I’ll say is players can come up with their wish lists, but when a team’s like a dog on a bone coming after you, do you really want to try to sell yourself to a team you’d rather be on or do you go with the team coming after you like a dog on a bone?” Sheehy said. “What normally works best is to go with the team that really wants you rather than to choose a team you had to sell yourself to. … Right now we are just gathering info, but I did talk to a team and said honestly, ‘I don’t think you guys are going to be in the mix.’”

Sheehy says Suter’s in a much better mental space today than he was earlier in the week.

“Here’s the thing, with Minnesota, he was planning on being there forever. It wasn’t his choice to leave,” Sheehy said. “But you have to get over it because the rules were followed by Billy (Guerin), and everybody’s done what they have to do. Billy had his reasons. Now Ryan’s got to move on.”

As much as Suter was stung earlier in the week, this is definitely going to work out for him.

He’s already been humbled by the number of teams that have contacted Sheehy. He’s going to end up making more money than he would have his final years in Minnesota because he gets $6.7 million of the $10 million the Wild still owed him, plus whatever he gets on his next contract or contracts beyond this next one.

Plus, let’s be blunt: He conceivably could end up closer to a Stanley Cup elsewhere than he would have been in Minnesota.

“As what happens with most people, sometimes the biggest curse in your life turns out to be the biggest blessing,” Sheehy said. “You can be down and out over the plight that happened to you or you can be excited about all the new possibilities. When you immediately hear it, you’re stunned and think about your kids and you think about your wife and how difficult it’s going to be.

“But when you get out of that mode, Ryan’s excited and looking for the next opportunity. As he said to me, ‘Neil, I’ve got a lot of hockey left in me,’ so we’ll see what happens July 28.”

I’m dusting off my binoculars … and G.I. Joe camouflage.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217458 Montreal Canadiens If Bouchard was swayed by money, he isn’t saying. While there’s no doubt he felt wanted by the Ducks, he made it clear he didn’t feel unwanted by the Canadiens. And while Ducharme was just signed to a three-year contract extension, Bouchard probably believes he’s closer to No rift with Canadiens, Joël Bouchard says of jump to Ducks' AHL team becoming an NHL with his new organization, where he’ll be looking over the shoulder of Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins. "There's no animosity. I didn't make this decision because I was unhappy," former Laval Rocket head coach says of move to San Diego Eakins, hired by the Ducks in 2019, has an overall record of 46-63-18, Gulls. while failing to lead the team to the playoffs in either season.

“I don’t make decisions based on money,” Bouchard said. “They did show a lot of interest in me, to be honest, in every kind of way. They had Herb Zurkowsky a vision and some passion. Montreal Gazette “I’m not the kind of guy who thinks too much ahead. When you overthink Publishing date: Jul 16, 2021 • 13 hours ago things, it doesn’t work that way.”

Bouchard remains a co-owner of the junior Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, while running an academy out of its arena. He has no plans to sell his Many will call it a lateral move. Joël Bouchard was coaching an AHL home or become a full-time California resident. team in Laval and he’ll be coaching another one in San Diego next season. “Sometimes life takes you on a different path,” he said. “There’s no hidden agenda. Let’s jump in the pool and see what’s on the other side.” When he’s running on a beach in southern California or going for a swim next winter while everyone in is shovelling snow and attempting Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.17.2021 to remain warm, there won’t be anything lateral about it.

“There’s no such thing as lateral moves,” Bouchard told the Montreal Gazette in a telephone interview this week. “You’re learning in life. You’re growing. You have experiences, live different things and see different things.

“It’s a decision I took to live something different,” he added. “Humans need to be challenged. They need to have growth. The day you stop being challenged and you’re satisfied, you might regress.”

As the Canadiens were conducting their video conference exit interviews last Friday following their Stanley Cup final loss to Tampa Bay, the announcement came that Bouchard, 47, would be leaving the organization to coach the San Diego Gulls — the Anaheim Ducks’ AHL affiliate.

The move could hardly be viewed as shocking. Not only did Bouchard’s contract expire on July 1 — as the Canadiens were in the midst of their series against the Lightning when general manager Marc Bergevin had other priorities — it was expected he would be in demand after leading the Rocket to first place in the Canadian Division, along with one of the AHL’s best records (23-9-4).

The Rocket probably would have challenged for the Calder Cup, had a post-season been played, but the COVID-19 pandemic and border restrictions scuttled that potential.

Bouchard was given the option of remaining in Laval, where he coached the last three seasons, or becoming an assistant on Dominique Ducharme’s staff. Bouchard nixed those options leading to rampant speculation of a rift between himself and — take your pick — Bergevin, Ducharme, the organization or all of them.

But during a 20-minute interview, Bouchard repeatedly denied any ill feelings existed. He thanked Bergevin for giving him an opportunity to coach at the pro level, while calling Ducharme a close friend.

“There’s no animosity,” Bouchard stated. “I didn’t make this decision because I was unhappy. I know a lot of people are trying to maybe see something behind this. The reality is I didn’t see it coming.

“If someone thinks there’s jealousy involved or something between (he and Ducharme), they’re wrong. We’re very close friends. It’s not one against another. I understand people who wonder, did something happen? Marc’s been great to me. He gave me a chance three years ago to do what I believed was the right thing. I came with different concepts and told everyone to trust me because it was going to work.

“A lot of people will try to speculate. It wasn’t an easy decision. It’s a matter of timing. The relationship with the Habs is great.”

Bouchard, with a background in junior hockey, is considered a tremendous motivator and teacher, and was credited with nurturing and developing several players — Jake Evans serving as the best example — playing for the Canadiens. Ducks GM Bob Murray said those qualities were instrumental in his decision to have Bouchard replace Kevin Dineen. 1217459 Montreal Canadiens Head coach Dominique Ducharme spoke about what that next step involves for Kotkaniemi, who has experienced growing pains since making the Canadiens as an 18-year-old after he was selected third overall at the 2018 NHL Draft. Future is now for Canadiens' young guns “He’s no different than any guys that, at one point in their career, are Dynamic duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield could lead the way with figuring out things,” Ducharme said. “To understand what you need to do, help from Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Alexander Romanov and Jake Evans. every player to have success in that league because this is the best league in the world. So what kind of tools you have and how are you

going to use it to have success? How are you going to prepare during Stu Cowan summertime to take another step. You pile up all those things and I think with the experience, with going through three seasons and KK Montreal Gazette progressed and he learned a lot and he went through a lot. He went through some ups and downs. It’s OK to have ups and downs, it’s OK to Publishing date: Jul 16, 2021 • 14 hours ago face adversity. If you use it the right way it’s going to make you a better player and you figure out things. A little bit like a team.

It was nine days before Christmas in 2019 and the Canadiens were in “So I think that’s where he can be taking a big step,” the coach added. Vancouver, their first stop on a four-game Western Canada road trip “When you know yourself better, when you know what type of player you before the holiday break. are, when you know what can bring you success, then you become more consistent, then a lot of things fall into place. And that’s where I think for GM Marc Bergevin must have been in a festive mood, because after him that’s a big part and we had some really good discussions. He’s doing a media scrum he decided to hold an informal chat with some of been through many things and he’s growing, he’s gaining maturity and the Montreal media members. Six months earlier, Bergevin had selected now I think he’s at that point where he needs to take that chair that is his Cole Caufield in the first round (15th overall) of the NHL Draft and during and really sit into that and really own that.” the chat the GM was asked how he envisioned using the young right- winger in the future. There will no doubt be some more growing pains in the future for the Canadiens’ young players but, as Cooper said, the future looks bright. A big smile came on Bergevin’s face as he spoke about Caufield possibly playing on the same line with Nick Suzuki. At the time, Suzuki was 33 Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.17.2021 games into his NHL career.

The future ended up coming quickly and Suzuki and Caufield were linemates as the Canadiens advanced to the Stanley Cup final this season before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

During the handshake line after the series, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper was wearing a mic and his conversations with Suzuki and Caufield were picked up.

“Hey, you got a hell of a future, kid,” Cooper told the 21-year-old Suzuki, who had 7-9-16 totals in 22 playoff games. “I’m telling you, your coming- out party. Keep going … work ethic, keep working.”

“You got a bright future, kid,” Cooper told the 20-year-old Caufield, who had 4-8-12 totals in 20 playoff games.

Cooper also had encouraging words for 21-year-old defenceman Alexander Romanov, who only played in four playoff games, including the last two against the Lightning.

“Good job, all right,” Cooper told Romanov, who scored against the Lightning in the Canadiens’ 3-2 OT win in Game 4. “You got a great future.”

The future is indeed looking much brighter for the Canadiens after they advanced to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since winning their last championship in 1993. Their group of young players — including 21- year-old Jesperi Kotkaniemi and 25-year-old Jake Evans — are a big reason for that.

If you weren't already a Jon Cooper fan, watch this video.

: @NHL pic.twitter.com/ZlW5w1fNsr — Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) July 15, 2021

When Suzuki was asked about playing with Caufield — like Bergevin had envisioned that day in Vancouver — he said: “It’s been a ton of fun getting to know him, getting to play with him. We have a lot of fun together outside of the rink and even on the ice. It’s been amazing to play with him. He’s an unbelievable player, he makes every play in the book and he’s just getting better as the games went on. I know next season he’ll come in with a lot of confidence and if we’re lined up together it will be a good season.”

When Evans was asked about the relationship between the young players, he said: “We’ve definitely got a close relationship. All of us, I think we push each other the right way and we have fun together. I think we know that we can be a special group and keep growing together and I think that’s what we’re planning to do is to grow together, get better together and keep striving to take that next step and eventually win a Cup.” 1217460 Montreal Canadiens Canadiens’ veterans, who put in heroic efforts to get the team three wins away from the Stanley Cup, but those three wins sure looked far off. Difficult as those conversations might be and the decisions that follow, general manager’s Marc Bergevin’s job is to give his club the best By the numbers: Weber is the wild-card as GM plots Canadiens' future chance to win.

With or without the Canadiens' captain and no matter how you break it The Canadiens’ surprising playoff run provided the team with the down, this will be a busy summer for Habs GM Marc Bergevin. opportunity to cash in on declining assets, including team captain Shea Weber. However, if a TVA Sports report that cumulative injuries will force

the defenceman to miss next season and possibly end his NHL career is Andrew Berkshire correct, it shuts the door for the Canadiens.

Special to the Montreal Gazette What the team can do is entertain offers for non-core players who could be overvalued. With Weber possibly out of the picture, it could also be an Publishing date:Jul 16, 2021 • 15 hours ago opportunity for the Canadiens to overhaul their defence. How much can you count on from Ben Chiarot without Weber beside him?

No matter how you break it down, this will be a busy summer for After a forgettable Stanley Cup final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bergevin, and he should be even more aggressive than he was last year. which capped the Canadiens’ longest playoff run since they won their last title in 1993, the resounding question for the organization is, what now? Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.17.2021 The Canadiens came into the 2021 season seemingly well positioned, but with loads of question marks, and I’m not sure a nice Cup run changes that outlook heading into the 2021-22 season.

Lauren Theisen of Defector.com noted the Canadiens’ luck in one-goal games in the playoffs — a 9-3 record and a 6-1 mark in overtime — and a sub-par North Division buoying their regular-season record, which allowed them to reach the post-season. Teams that win a vast majority of their one-goal games usually don’t repeat that success. And when examining how good are the Canadiens really are, Theisen wrote “Any metric you want to use from the last several regular seasons — a larger and likely more accurate sample size than six red-hot weeks — won’t give an encouraging answer to that question.”

However, there are some important metrics that contradict that conclusion. During the last three seasons, the Canadiens ranked second in the NHL in shot-attempt differential at 5-vs-5, they were third in expected goal differential using Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey’s models, and were 12th in actual goal differential.

Most of that success came under Claude Julien and those numbers tanked quite a bit after Dominique Ducharme replaced him as head coach this season, but most of that happened while the Canadiens were beset by a staggering number of injuries to their most important players. During Julien’s tenure with the Canadiens, special-teams and goaltending consistency were issues. In the playoffs this year, goaltending solved itself and good goaltending also went a long way toward improving the penalty-kill. The power play remains a quagmire, but special teams can be fixed more easily than 5-vs-5 struggles can.

Carey Price’s underwhelming play in goal during the regular season is probably still the biggest issue to get over in order for the Canadiens to get back into the playoffs in an extremely deep Atlantic Division next season.

The Canadiens were a Cinderella team, but I fully believe they were full value through three rounds of the playoffs. The Maple Leafs outplayed them overall in the first round, but the Habs were able to completely neutralize their top line and take advantage of them in weak moments. They pulverized the Jets and, despite all talk of a weak Canadian division, the Canadiens controlled the slot and outplayed the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite reaching the Stanley Cup final and defeating two much stronger teams overall, the Canadiens sported just the ninth- best 5-vs-5 shooting percentage and seventh-best overall shooting percentage in the playoffs, so it’s not like every shot magically went in for them.

The dominance of the Lightning left the Canadiens with no answers, only questions about how to get to Tampa’s level. Cinderella teams that reach the Cup final rarely find themselves in the same situation the following season.

The question the Canadiens need to be asking themselves isn’t necessarily whether they can get to Tampa’s level, but can they do it soon? Are the next couple of seasons the Canadiens’ best chance of winning a 25th Stanley Cup, or will they be a better team in three to five years when Cole Caufield and other top prospects are more experienced?

The answer to that is pretty clear, and it isn’t doubling down on catching lightning in a bottle. It might be a difficult conversation to have with the 1217461 Montreal Canadiens band together to take another shot at it? Is the band good enough to do that without Weber?

These are all questions Bergevin will need to ask himself and his How will Montreal address Shea Weber? Will Phillip Danault or Jonathan management team over the coming weeks as they attempt to navigate Drouin return? Canadiens offseason primer the expansion draft, the amateur draft and free agency. It is impossible to ignore the very distinct possibility that Bergevin’s own future with the Canadiens, one he left intentionally ambiguous at his end-of-season media availability, will impact his determination of how close or how far By Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin his team is from winning the Stanley Cup. Jul 16, 2021 When Bergevin seemingly joked prior to the Final that winning the Cup would allow him to retire in peace, there might have been some element of truth to it. And if the wear and tear of doing this demanding job for nine It is impossible to overstate to what extent Shea Weber’s potential years are starting to take a toll on Bergevin to an extent where he would absence for all of next season, and perhaps beyond, is a devastating have no interest in remaining in place past the expiration date on his blow to the Canadiens, and more specifically to general manager Marc contract next summer, then it would not be all that difficult to imagine him Bergevin. wanting to take the stance that his team was so close to winning it all, as opposed to being so far. Weber means so much to every player in that dressing room, every member of the coaching staff, the entire management team, training If he feels his team is still far away, that this last run was more a staff, medical staff, everyone, that his absence will be felt throughout the confluence of favourable circumstances than a sign that the Canadiens organization. Whenever Bergevin talks about the impact Weber has had have reached contender status, then Bergevin can take more of a long- on the Canadiens — and he does so every opportunity he gets — the term view to the offseason, continue hanging onto prospects and picks respect, or even reverence he feels toward his captain comes shining and simply build another competitive team. This would be a sober view of through. the situation, because with the Canadiens returning to the old Atlantic Division, competing with the Lightning and the Boston Bruins and the “The experience our veterans gave to our young players and what our Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers for a playoff spot will be young players went through will help this franchise for many years, long difficult, let alone getting out of that division in the playoffs. after I’m gone,” Bergevin told 98.5 FM last Friday. “It’s going to stay a long time. The culture of these players, starting with Shea Weber who This judgment call from Bergevin will shape every decision he makes in transmitted that culture to all our young players, and bringing in a Corey the coming weeks. But one thing this offseason has in common with the Perry, an Eric Staal, Tyler Toffoli provided a framework for our young last one is that there will be several opportunities to improve your team players, whether that’s Suzuki, KK, Caufield, Romy. And even a guy like quickly as some very good players become available with the continued Phillip Danault, I’m sure he learned something from those guys, even if salary cap squeeze around the league. he’s a veteran.” If Bergevin attacks that fertile offseason ground with the same level of This quote takes on greater meaning in light of the news that broke aggression as last year, it will be a clear indication of what side he falls Wednesday evening that injuries to Weber’s thumb, knee and ankle will on, whether the Canadiens were so close or so far. likely force him to miss next season, at the very least. The culture Bergevin constantly credits Weber with establishing will now have to live But for the meantime, in attempting to project the Canadiens offseason, on without him, what he has taught the younger players will need to we have tried to take both extremes into account. The reality that the manifest itself without his support. Canadiens are coming off a Cup Final appearance is a major factor that has to be considered, as is Weber’s absence, the reality of Bergevin’s But even though Weber’s future could not be any more cloudy, and his contract status and Price still being there. But so too does the reality that absence will severely impact their ability to do so, the Canadiens have all the Canadiens are not a powerhouse, there are holes that need to be the motivation in the world to try to build on what they accomplished in filled and talent that needs to be developed if they want to be considered reaching the Stanley Cup Final. In fact, the sudden news about Weber among the elite teams in the NHL. only drives home the point that the Canadiens’ window — if indeed one even exists — is extremely short, and perilously fragile. Their best player, If this is Bergevin’s final offseason running the Canadiens, he is faced Carey Price, turns 34 in less than a month. He is just as important to the with a tightrope unlike any he has walked as general manager to date. organization as Weber is, and he wants to win just as badly as Weber The terrible news on Weber has only further tightened in. does. Then there’s the reality that neither the Canadiens nor Weber will Replacing Shea Weber just accept that his career is in jeopardy until every possible medical avenue available to them has been completely exhausted. There is so much uncertainty surrounding Weber’s future that the Canadiens are not really in a position to immediately start using the cap So, while the loss of Weber might be seen as an opportunity for the space his injuries free up. It’s tempting, but you can’t hope for a Nikita Canadiens to shift gears and start preparing for a future centred around Kucherov-like return just in time for the playoffs while at the same time the four young players Bergevin referenced — Nick Suzuki, Jesperi hoping the Canadiens spend that money as if his career were over. It’s Kotkaniemi, Cole Caufield and Alexander Romanov — it’s not that one or the other. It might even be neither. simple. But on the other hand, something coach Dominique Ducharme said moments after losing the Stanley Cup Final, his very first comment But don’t hold your breath expecting Dougie Hamilton to suddenly in the immediate aftermath, rings far truer now than it did then. appear. It would be shocking to see Bergevin go there.

“It’s difficult to be so close,” Ducharme said, “while at the same time, so The most proactive yet prudent way to move forward would be to find a far.” player with one year left on his contract. The expansion draft process reveals some of these players who will be left exposed and could When Ducharme said “it’s difficult” he was talking about the feeling of therefore be had in a trade before the roster freeze on Saturday. losing the Stanley Cup Final, but he could have just as easily been referring to even reaching the Stanley Cup Final. What the Canadiens did Tops on that list would be Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano, who in these playoffs is extremely difficult to do once, let alone replicate the seems prepared to the reality that he might be moving on and will have to very next season, especially without Weber. And the fact is, as play his 1,000th NHL game in a uniform other than the one he has worn Ducharme said, as close as the Canadiens came to winning it all, they his entire career. There is also Colin Miller, a mobile defenceman with a were also far away. Because the three wins they lacked are the three powerful shot and good power-play skills whom the Buffalo Sabres risk toughest wins of the playoffs, wins that have to come against the best leaving exposed. team you have faced to that point. There is an obvious time limit in making a trade like that, but since these If Ducharme was able to see that dichotomy in the moments following the teams are trying to maximize their protection lists they would have little loss, how does Bergevin view it over the coming weeks benefitting from interest in acquiring NHL players in return that they would then have to the clarity of time? How does the fact his team was so close impact his protect. decisions on how to build next year’s version? Is it worth keeping the Nothing, however, is forcing the Canadiens to act by Saturday because Danault represents an ability to help in the short-term, but in order to get some teams will protect players that could still move later this offseason. his name on a contract the Canadiens will clearly need to commit to him That might be the case with Rasmus Ristolainen, a 26-year-old who has long-term, years over which the young centres in the organization who been worn down by the misery of the Sabres over the years but has the seem on the cusp right now will likely become ready to take the reins. tools to benefit from a change of scenery. Ristolainen is a year away from UFA status, so that would give the Canadiens a year to see if We see players who become somewhat redundant or problematic not getting away from Buffalo allows him to perform better and would provide long after signing long-term contracts for significant money at a time a good stop-gap solution for that time. when they are highly useful to their club only to become less vital over the course of that deal. We saw it to a certain extent this season with Seth Jones could fall under the same category, but whichever team gives Paul Byron going on waivers multiple times, though his usefulness to the up the assets it will cost to acquire him from the Columbus Blue Jackets team was never really in doubt. It’s just that he was being paid quite will want him to come with a long-term contract, which is something the handsomely for the bottom-six forward he has become. Canadiens probably can’t do right now. No, the best reflection of the reality Danault might find himself in at some Otherwise, the free-agent market could produce some older top-four point in the near future is Tyler Johnson in Tampa Bay, a player who calibre defencemen who might agree to a shorter contract because of signed a seven-year, $35 million contract when he was at the height of their age, someone like Alex Goligoski who, at age 35, has played well his powers in 2017, but one whose role diminished over time and found for the over the years. He does not fit the Canadiens himself on the trade block prior to the season and on waivers at various model of a big, rugged defenceman, but he would not mess up their points before contributing to a second straight Stanley Cup salary structure on a two-year deal. championship.

Internally, Weber’s absence will force everyone on the blue line not Johnson scored 50 goals and 97 points over the first two years of that named Jeff Petry to show some flexibility in terms of playing both the left contract, but over the last two seasons he has become an extremely and right sides. The Canadiens can find some solutions to keep the well-paid fourth-line forward who pitches in on the power play. The defence afloat, but it’s not a situation where they can afford to pay too emergence of Brayden Point in that time — he broke out with 32 goals much attention to what side a defenceman plays on. the season after Johnson signed his long-term contract — has made Johnson an overpaid luxury, especially with Point’s next contract looming The Canadiens could also decide to use this situation to give more next summer. responsibilities to Alexander Romanov, though that would be a move more predicated on the future and less so on the immediate goal of Johnson and Danault are in no way similar players, but their situations returning to the Stanley Cup Final next season. might become quite similar. Except the Lightning could not bank on Point becoming who he became at the time Johnson signed his contract, and The Phillip Danault dilemma the Canadiens can’t bank on Evans or Poehling or even Kotkaniemi Bergevin said at his end of season media availability that bringing the being ready to do what Danault does for them next season, or maybe team back intact would be impossible. That much is obvious. But the even the season after that. challenge is not only to bring this team back, but actually improve it. So the Canadiens have a serious interest in keeping Danault because To do it, the Canadiens will be operating with an $80.9 million cap to they want to be competitive next season and he undoubtedly helps them them because performance bonuses paid to Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, do that. But how much is a centre who is garnering Selke Trophy votes Romanov and Caufield forced them to exceed the cap by roughly every year yet has a career high of 13 goals worth? And more $600,000 this season, which will serve as a cap penalty next season importantly, how much do the Canadiens think he is worth, how much when the ceiling will remain at $81.5 million for most of the other NHL does Danault think he is worth and how far apart are those two numbers? teams. Clearly in September, they were far enough apart for Danault to reject a Working with a relatively tight budget, how can Bergevin ice a reported offer of a six-year, $30 million contract, a report neither Danault competitive team next season without mortgaging the future? How can nor Bergevin made any attempt to deny. Since making that offer in he take another shot at the Stanley Cup while at the same time keeping September, Bergevin committed $39 million over six years to Brendan the long-term success of the Canadiens top of mind? Gallagher, $38.5 million over seven years to Josh Anderson and $17 million over four years to Tyler Toffoli. He will need to re-sign Kotkaniemi Over the coming weeks, Phillip Danault should be the first domino that this summer (which shouldn’t cost too much) but Suzuki’s and reveals how Bergevin will go about doing that. Romanov’s contracts are up next summer and Caufield’s is up the summer after. Bergevin has long insisted that he will never sacrifice the long-term success of the Canadiens in order to help the short term. It is something Bergevin has made it clear that six-year offer Danault received last he says in order to emphasize the point that he will not go for a quick fix, September is no longer on the table, but though he was reluctant to say he will not trade promising young players who could spend their entire so (when asked how he values Danault’s defensive impact, Bergevin careers succeeding with the Canadiens for a player who could help for made a point of mentioning there are four other skaters on the ice with one or two years. him) Bergevin knows how badly they need Danault in the short term while he waits for his crop of young centres to ripen. The case of Phillip Danault truly puts that theory to the test, because it comes at the dilemma from a completely different direction. It is the long-term repercussions of any potential Danault contract that could force Bergevin to make a trade-off he has long said he would never With Danault less than two weeks away from unrestricted free agency, make, that of long-term pain for short-term gain. the Canadiens are not in a position to simply let him walk away for nothing. Their young centres are not quite ready to handle everything This is also when we may see the unintended consequences of the Danault does to help the Canadiens win on a nightly basis. However, Canadiens leaking the details of their offer to Danault (no one from they will be at some point, and that point might come relatively soon. Danault’s camp ever acknowledged the offer at the time) because with it Already, Nick Suzuki has shown himself ready to be the No. 1 centre on being public knowledge that he rejected $5 million a year for six years, the Canadiens. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has not taken the same linear path, how much less than that would Danault be willing to accept while still but Ducharme believes in his ability to take the next step. Jake Evans saving face? has shown improvement in each of his four professional seasons and showed as a rookie that he can take on some difficult shutdown It is so difficult to put a price on what Danault provides — elite defensive assignments. In Laval, Ryan Poehling had his best professional season play with little offence, significant ice time but difficult, high leverage with 25 points in 28 games, looking like someone who could be ready to minutes — that this may be a case of the Canadiens allowing their player make a permanent jump to the NHL. to hit the market to see what is out there and realize that the offer he has to stay put is fair, as our Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday the Canadiens That might be the future at centre for the Canadiens, four players who are willing to do. The Carolina Hurricanes appear to be doing that with are similar in age who can grow together and perhaps become the core Hamilton right now and it is a risky proposition because all it takes is one strength of this team a few years from now. But they are not ready to do team that has a need and money to spend and a window to contend to so now, which is what makes Danault so valuable to the Canadiens. make that plan backfire. The Canadiens can’t afford to let that happen because they need 36 Danault. But they can’t afford to overpay Danault either, because a time will soon come when they don’t need Danault as much as they do right 1 now. $1.43 M

The conflict of sacrificing the long term for the benefit of the short term The risk, of course, is that the Canadiens will be unable to attract a free- has rarely been personified in a single player the way it is with Danault. agent centre. The hope would be that their long run in the playoffs would What if Danault leaves? make Montreal an attractive destination for veterans near the end of their careers looking for a chance to win, which was why Eric Staal agreed to This would really be less of an issue if Kotkaniemi were more of a sure lift his no-trade clause. thing after three seasons in the NHL. He has shown signs of potential, but very little consistency in his game. The Canadiens have always But if Danault were to walk away in free agency, the Canadiens’ primary projected him as a solid two-way centre, someone who could eventually hope would be that the young centres they already have could do the job. play on both special teams and hold his own defensively. The In an ideal world, one of these centres would be signed and ultimately organization still believes he can get there, it’s just taking more time than not needed. they might have anticipated, even though he just turned 21. Some clarity on the expansion draft

“I think with the experience going through three seasons, and KK The Weber situation removes any doubt as to what the Canadiens will do progressed and he learned a lot and he went through a lot,” Ducharme with their protection list. With Weber, there was strong chance they would said this week. “He went through some ups and downs, and it’s OK to have gone with eight skaters to protect their top-four on defence. Without have ups and downs, it’s ok to face adversity. If you use it the right way, him, they will definitely protect seven forwards, three defencemen and a it’s going to make you a better player. You can figure out things, a little bit goalie. like a team. So I think that’s where he can be taking a big step. When you know yourself better, when you know what type of player you are, Barring a trade by the roster freeze Saturday, it’s rather obvious that when you know what can bring you success, then you become more Gallagher, Anderson, Toffoli, Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen and Evans consistent. A lot of things fall into place. For him, I think that’s a big part will make up six of the seven forwards protected. of it. We had some really good discussions and he’s been through many The expansion rules force the Canadiens to expose two forwards under things. contract next season and who played at least 27 games this season or “He’s growing, he’s gaining maturity, and now I think he’s at that point 54 games over the past two seasons. This makes Jonathan Drouin and where he needs to take that chair that is his and really sit in it and really Paul Byron the logical candidates to fill that requirement and become the own that.” two most attractive skaters to Seattle, along with defencemen and Cale Fleury. What is that chair? If Danault is no longer around to help shelter Kotkaniemi and even Suzuki from difficult assignments, then it’s a very The seventh protected forward could be Danault or Joel Armia even if different chair. But still, between the two of them and Evans, the they still need a contract for next season. The Kraken gets a 48-hour Canadiens would be left to hope that the three of them could share some window prior to Tuesday’s expansion draft to negotiate with any of the responsibilities Danault had if he were to leave in free agency. impending UFAs who are left unprotected by their teams. If discussions Evans and Suzuki have already shown an ability to be effective penalty between Bergevin and Danault pick up steam in the next day, or even if killers and they both faced difficult matchups this season. If Kotkaniemi is the Canadiens use this to send a positive sign to Danault, adding his able to take that step Ducharme was talking about, then losing Danault name to the list would prevent the Kraken from using that negotiating would not be a disaster. window and picking him up in the expansion draft.

But the Canadiens also wouldn’t want to bank on that. They would want With the relatively shallow pool of talent at forward available in the some insurance, and they could always go out and find some on the free- expansion draft, Drouin could represent a smart gamble for the Kraken. agent market, older veterans they could sign to shorter-term contracts But because of his salary and other attractive targets on the Canadiens, that could help bridge the gap between now and when the young centres they would probably need to send a little sweetener to Seattle to make will be ready to swim on their own. sure they take Drouin. The Canadiens have two picks at the end of the second round of the 2021 draft; sending one of them to Seattle could get Four potential candidates who should be available on July 28 would be it done. Paul Stastny, Tyler Bozak, Nick Bonino and Travis Zajac. Using Evolving-Hockey’s contract projection tool, each of them would be Four years ago, the Vegas Golden Knights got a 2020 second-round pick affordable, likely to come on very short-term deals and would provide the from the Pittsburgh Penguins to ensure they took Marc-André Fleury. It veteran insurance the Canadiens would need if they planned on banking worked out pretty well. For Vegas, at least. on their young centres. In that sense, Jake Allen remains a great option for the Kraken. His Evolving Hockey contract projections salary, performance, age and profile is a perfect fit for a team seeking a tandem in goal; for a team that might not have access to a true No. 1 PLAYER AGE YEARS AAV goalie, Allen makes a lot of sense. Especially considering the group of Nick Bonino young goalies that will likely be available to the Kraken, it would be good for them to have a veteran like Allen to guide the tandem. 33 “I understand what’s at stake, but I signed here to play with the Montreal 2 Canadiens, and that’s where I am right now,” Allen said last week. “And unless something changes, that’s my number one objective. We’ll cross $2.56 M that bridge when it comes. But I understand that this is not a normal year, Tyler Bozak and that free agency and the expansion draft, all that is within 10-14 days, so decisions have to be made, and we’ll see what happens.” 35 There’s a belief the Canadiens could try to trade Allen prior to the 1 expansion draft to try and get something for him rather than losing him for nothing. It would hardly be ideal, especially since Bergevin admitted $1.27 M that without him, the Canadiens wouldn’t have even made the playoffs Paul Stastny this season. But with a two-year contract worth just $2.875 million per season, Allen could interest roughly 10 teams who either need a goalie 35 or would like to attract Seattle’s attention away from another player they would rather not lose. 1 By trading Allen as a pre-emptive move, the Canadiens couldn’t expect $2.08 M much in return other than a draft pick. But if they think the Kraken are Travis Zajac going to take him, they could always take that pick and find another experienced backup on the trade market in the following weeks. And if Allen were to be traded, it would easily make Drouin the best choice for the Kraken.

The elephant in the room

The Drouin situation remains a delicate one. What kept him from playing in the playoffs will remain confidential as long as Drouin wants it to be and he was essentially treated like any other injured player.

But after everything he has gone through, we are led to believe that both Drouin and the Canadiens will be looking to find him another team to continue his playing career. He has every intention of playing next season, but it is highly unlikely it will be in Montreal.

When asked about it Tuesday, Ducharme chose his words carefully, but nothing he said really suggested Drouin is expected to return to the Canadiens next season.

“It’s still early, we just finished playing,” Ducharme said. “What I am happy to know is that Jo is doing well. From there, many things can happen. We know the situation in the league right now. I think it’s something Marc also has to evaluate; he has to see what the possibilities are and how everyone feels about it.

“At the same time, all I hope for in this is what is best for Jo. The most important thing is he just went through — or is just finishing going through — something difficult and all I want is for the person to be able to look forward and be happy.”

Drouin was having a frustrating season when he left the team. Over the vast majority of the year, his work ethic and priorities on the ice were in line with what was being asked of him. The numbers didn’t tell the whole story and, within who Drouin is as a player, it could have been said he was playing “the right way” without necessarily getting the results he might have deserved. It was only the final two or three weeks of his season where his play began to dip and some old habits started showing themselves.

Drouin has always been a fascinating talent, but if he is unable to display it anymore in Montreal, will another team believe enough in that talent to take on the final two years of his contract at $5.5 million a year? In order to trade him without retaining any salary, the Canadiens will probably have to either throw in an asset or two to make him more appealing or take back a player with some question marks attached.

It’s a sensitive issue, Bergevin said last week, and he is right. Because even if no one would ever want to rush a health matter, planning for next season will require a relatively swift resolution here, one way or the other.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217462 Nashville Predators the end, and unfortunately, the end wasn’t great. I was not happy with the situation, for sure. That’s all I can say.

The cross-check you took from St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Viktor Arvidsson on his trade from the Predators: ‘I feel like I didn’t get Bortuzzo in November 2019 is often cited as the moment when things seen as the all-around player I was’ turned in the wrong direction for you from a production standpoint. How much did the injury you suffered as a result affect your play?

I blew both my MCLs out on both legs. I had double MCL sprains, on By Adam Vingan both (my) left and right knees. I came back from that after five weeks, I think, right before the (2020) Winter Classic, I believe. Jul 16, 2021 The team at the time, we had a tough time, tough go. Things (weren’t

going) well. I wanted to help the team so much, and I think I pushed my It has been more than two weeks since the Predators traded forward comeback a little too much and (came back) too early. My conditioning Viktor Arvidsson to the Los Angeles Kings for two draft picks. wasn’t right. My game wasn’t there, so my confidence got really bad. I think that really had a tough go on me. From his offseason home in Sweden on Friday, Arvidsson spoke to The Athletic about his reaction to being moved after spending parts of seven I think in the bubble, when we went to Edmonton, I was back to my seasons in Nashville. game, and I think in the beginning of the season this year, I was good as I can be. I played really well. I created chances for the team. Every time I This is what Predators general manager David Poile said after the July 1 was on the ice, I had scoring chances. I don’t see me declining in any trade: “The playoffs didn’t go our way or his way. He didn’t play in all the way. I just had some really bad luck. The puck didn’t go my way. I missed games, and he wasn’t 100 percent healthy. At our end-of-the-year some really good chances. When you put those in the net, you get meeting, he was not happy with where he was at. I think it’s fair to say we confident and you score the next game and two the (game after that). weren’t happy. In my conversation with him (on the day of the trade), I Hockey is a lot about confidence, I think. think we both acknowledged that. I believe Viktor is very appreciative and thankful for everything that happened here in Nashville, and I think he What was your reaction to your teammates’ reaction to the trade, needs a fresh start. … I think he’s OK with this. He needed something specifically Filip Forsberg’s thumbs down on Instagram? different. It just felt in talking to him, and I think he would acknowledge Me and Fil have known each other for a long time. Since junior age, we this, that he just didn’t think it was going to work here anymore for a played with each other. I probably would have reacted the same if I was variety of reasons.” in his position. I said this before, I would hate to part ways with him if he What were those reasons? were to go to another team. I understand his reaction. I think it’s normal. We’ve been with each other for so long and played with each other night I think both me and Moa, my wife, we love Nashville. I wouldn’t say I out and night in and had so much fun together. I appreciate it. He wanted to leave. If that’s what the quote is about, it’s not true. We love showed his emotions, and that’s normal. Nashville. We lived in Nashville more than we have lived in Sweden. We lived there for seven years, and we loved it there and we loved the team What do you consider to be your career highlight with the Predators? and we loved the city and the fans. Probably my single-season record in goals (34 in 2018-19). It worked out for a lot of years. This year, I think I played good. I think I What is your favorite memory of playing with Pekka Rinne? was unlucky. I didn’t score on the chances I had. In the beginning of the season, I was the highest guy on the team in scoring chances and stuff My favorite memory (was) probably this year, that last (regular-season) like that, and I just didn’t put the puck in the net. game. It was unbelievable how he got treated. That game was unbelievable. He had a shutout. That was just great. That’s what I will I feel like I didn’t get seen as the all-around player I was, at the end of the remember. It was emotional. I didn’t play that game, but I was on the day. That’s my honest truth about it. I feel like I need to get that off my sideline. I just felt how heartwarming that was for him and his family. That chest. I didn’t play the PK. I didn’t play in all situations, which I did for the was probably my favorite memory from playing with him, for sure. last six years, and I didn’t for this year. I didn’t play the PK. I didn’t play 5- on-6 and so on. I think I can contribute in all those areas. What are you most looking forward to as a member of the Kings?

Me (being) OK leaving, I don’t know. I feel like I wanted to stay. But I am I proved many people wrong in my life. I had to. I feel like I have to again. looking forward to the challenge I have ahead in L.A., and I think I can be I’m going to do it. I’m going to go in there with a fresh mindset and really a huge contributor to their team and have a huge impact on their roster. do my part. I lead with my actions. I’m looking forward to (proving) That’s my opinion of it. everybody that doesn’t believe in me wrong.

I couldn’t be more happy with what happened in Nashville for me and my The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 family, how they saw me. Like, how Lucas (Bergman), the European scout, drafted me and really put in a word for me that I was a good player. I appreciate everything with (former coach) Peter Laviolette and (former associate coach) Kevin McCarthy. They treated me so good. They really brought me into the league as the player I am today. I have nothing bad to say about that. I loved it for a lot of years.

Of course, when production doesn’t go your way, it’s frustrating, and you don’t like it. I think any player could (relate) to that. It’s hard when you’re supposed to produce, and things don’t go your way. I really appreciate the time I had and how they treated me. When (Poile) said the playoffs didn’t go my way, or I had a little bit of injuries, for sure that’s true. I agree. I wasn’t happy, and I wanted to play more at the end. But unfortunately, I couldn’t.

Were you healthy enough to play in more than two playoff games?

Yeah, I think I was.

It sounds like there might have been a difference of opinion between you and Predators coach John Hynes. How would you describe your relationship with Hynes?

No, it was good. We talked a lot and whatever. I had a nagging injury, but I did everything in my power to get back from it. I felt like I was good enough to play, for sure. Maybe they didn’t see it that way. I didn’t play at 1217463 New Jersey Devils

Why NJ Devils trade for Ryan Graves is strong start to important offseason

ROBERT AITKEN JR.

NorthJersey.com

A number of draft picks and one of the largest cap spaces to fill always meant a busy offseason for Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald.

With some sleepless nights still ahead, Thursday's trade with the Colorado Avalanche to acquire defenseman Ryan Graves was the first major move for a team expected to be busy this offseason.

"It's a box we wanted to check off," Fitzgerald told reporters Friday morning. "I had a really good night's sleep, I can tell you."

Graves bolsters a Devils defense that finished among the five worst in the league in goals against and power play goals against, and finished lowest in penalty kill percentage in the NHL this season. Graves comes from the Avalanche, who were among the teams most often playing shorthanded this past season but still killed penalties 83.1 percent of the time, ranked eighth-best in the league last season.

Experience and veteran leadership

Graves is 26 years old and already becomes one of the older players on the young Devils, but also contributes playoff experience, having qualified for the playoffs in two of his three pro seasons at Colorado.

Graves became disposable to Colorado as teams shuffled rosters ahead of the Seattle Kraken expansion draft later this week. The Avalanche traded away Graves to obtain assets instead of risking him being taken by the Kraken and not receiving anything for it.

While Graves' trade was to the benefit of the Devils, it might not be the only one as other teams make offers to get the most value out of their players.

"It's definitely in the back of your mind all year," Graves said. "You can only protect a certain amount of players. I knew that something was going to happen, but I wasn't aware if it was going to be me."

With the trade now complete and Graves heading to New Jersey, the newest Devil is excited to learn his role.

"It's settling," said Graves. "Now, you can get into your summer routine and what's coming for you in the season ahead."

A standout on both sides of the ice

Graves can be a two-way defenseman when needed but shined in Colorado with his penalty-killing prowess.

Graves also has a powerful slap-shot that won contests in the minor leagues and could be a valuable asset on the power play to spark offenses with a man advantage.

Not only is Graves a valuable piece that can help the Devils now, but he is a player that the team has been looking at for some time.

"This isn't something that just happened last night or even a few days ago," Fitzgerald said. "Ryan Graves is a player we have discussed internally for quite some time, probably close to two years, a year and a half."

Fitzgerald says that discussions involving Graves can date back more than a year, during a time in which the Devils were trading away veteran players to gather pieces for the future. Now that Graves is with New Jersey, Fitzgerald hopes the Devils can shift from being a team trading for the future to a team looking for the final piece needed for a contender.

"I can't wait to be in those situations, to be quite frank, where you're just rounding out your team of talent and finding pieces that help you win," Fitzgerald said.

Bergen Record LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217464 New Jersey Devils next step as individuals and as a team. That aspect is pretty fun to be part of.

What do you think you can bring to them? Ryan Graves Q&A: ‘Excited’ to help the Devils take next step after Probably a lot of the same of what I brought to the Avs: reliable proving himself with the Avalanche defensively against top lines, penalty kill, trying to be a consistent influence on the back end and continually trying to grow my game. Just try to be a part of it and fit in where I can. By Peter Baugh Did many of your Avs teammates reach out? Jul 16, 2021 I talked to quite a few of the guys. It’s natural: You have a lot of friends that were close, and I talked to quite a few of them.

Back in February 2018, the Avalanche swapped minor leaguers with the What are your emotions toward the Avalanche organization and what it’s New York Rangers, sending Chris Bigras east for a 22-year-old former meant to you the last few years? fourth-rounder named Ryan Graves. Over the next three years, that deal emerged as a steal for Colorado. Graves developed into a top-four The first thought that comes to mind is I really enjoyed my time there. I defenseman, leading the NHL in plus-minus in 2019-2020 and serving as was really close with the entire team. A lot of good friends that I’ll keep one of the team’s top penalty killers. It was a success story for both for my whole life. I’m thankful for the opportunity. Nothing but good things Graves and the Avalanche front office, one of quality decision-making to say. and good player development. It always takes someone to give you a chance, and I’ll forever be thankful But this month’s Seattle Kraken expansion draft is forcing teams around for that. They had some staff there that really helped me take my game the league to make difficult decisions, and the Avalanche are no to the next level. I was very thankful to have (AHL coach) Greg Cronin exception. General manager Joe Sakic opted to trade Graves on with the Eagles, and he kind of helped me take that next step. Joe and C- Thursday rather than leave him unprotected and risk losing him for Mac gave me the chance to be called up and play, and (coach Jared) nothing to Seattle, sending the defenseman to the New Jersey Devils for Bednar and (assistant) Nolan Pratt gave me the chance to really play, to Mikhail Maltsev and a 2021 second-round pick. play minutes and to get a role that allowed me to develop and allowed me to work through the hiccups and the growing pains. As a whole, I’m “Obviously I knew it was a possibility,” Graves told The Athletic on Friday just thankful. morning. Is there anything you’re most proud of yourself for in the last few years in Speaking from his offseason home on Prince Edward Island, Graves the organization? went over the trade, his time with the Avalanche and his excitement for a new opportunity in New Jersey. Just as a whole, being able to prove to myself and prove to everybody else that I’m able to play at this level and to show I’m able to be an This interview was edited for length and clarity. effective player and to show I belong in the league. I worked hard for a long time to get that opportunity, and they gave it to me. I’m thankful for When did you find out a move might be a possibility? it, and that’s probably the thing I’m most proud of: getting that chance As we talked about earlier, I knew with the Seattle draft looming that and running with it. there was a chance I wouldn’t wear the Avs jersey next year. I found out The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 about five minutes before the trade was announced. It’s something I didn’t think was out of the question, but obviously when you get the news that’s actually happening, you’re surprised, and you don’t expect that to happen to you. You never go into any situation expecting to get traded. It’s all part of the business. Unfortunately, the business side of things has come out a lot in the last year and a half, two years with the pandemic, the flat cap and Seattle now. It’s all a part of it, and obviously I’ll be sad to leave the guys in Denver, but I’m also excited for a new opportunity.

Did you talk to Joe Sakic about the trade?

Joe called me, and I talked to (assistant general manager) Chris MacFarland as well, and they told me what happened and why they did it. I understand. It’s part of the business. And then I talked to Tom Fitzgerald, the general manager of the Devils, and he was excited. And that makes you excited as well. Someone wants you and they’re excited to have you on their team, and that part of it was great. It’s a surprise, but you just have to let it sink in and you have to think about what’s going to happen next year and you get a little bit excited.

What did Joe say the reasoning was behind it?

That’s probably their business, but you can kind of put it together with the expansion draft and what they’re dealing with there. It is what it is. You keep moving forward, and I’m honestly pretty excited for the new opportunity.

Do you know anyone on the Devils?

The only one I know well is A.J. Greer because he was (with the Colorado Eagles). But other than that I don’t know any of their players.

I know you’re a fan of the sport. Is there anyone you’re particularly excited to play with?

The ones that stick out are Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. Those guys are obviously their top-end talent, but they’ve got some guys on the back end, too. They’ve got Damon Severson and Ty Smith, and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is good. They’ve got some good core pieces there. I think they’re kind of at the point where they’re ready to take that 1217465 New Jersey Devils “But we weren’t thinking expansion protection list at all with this,’’ added Fitzgerald. “They’re going to take one player. You know, that’s it. We’re just excited that we can check the box of the characteristics of a defenceman that we wanted.” LeBrun: Thumbs up for Devils trade, latest on Zach Hyman and Gabriel Landeskog And Fitzgerald, if he has his way, is just getting started.

“We’re not done. I want to improve this team,” he said. “My ownership has given us the green light to do what we need to do, without sacrificing By Pierre LeBrun our future. But we want to start playing meaningful games. That’s the next phase of development for Jack (Hughes) and Nico (Hischier), they Jul 16, 2021 have to get to that level. We have to be able to support them with players like Ryan Graves, who has experience in those areas.’’

Let’s award the New Jersey Devils an early offseason thumbs up for the Graves is a big boy at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds who can skate; we just Ryan Graves acquisition Thursday night. witnessed a playoff year where the big boys on D featured prominently. Which is also why the Avs hated losing Graves given their very talented The Devils entered the final stretch before the expansion draft with two yet not physically imposing blue line. Colorado can pivot post-expansion rather notable assets: Ample salary cap room and the ability to add draft and I suspect the Avs will in some form or other. It’s all about depending on the fit without overly complicating their protection issues. signing Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog and Philipp Grubauer right now, but no question they will also try to replace Graves on the blue line in It put them in a decent spot to scrounge around and see if a team was some form over the next few weeks. I wonder if they inquire on Ryan ready to do business with them instead of going the side-deal route with Suter, for example. Seattle. More notes from around the NHL: Enter the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs were wrestling internally with whether to protect Ryan Graves as part of the eight skaters, one goalie • As I reported on TSN’s Insider Trading Thursday, all signs point to the approach, but in the end, decided it was wise to go the more commonly Canadiens being comfortable with Phillip Danault going to market July 28 used 7 F/3 D route. while very much leaving the door open for him to return. Which is to say, I don’t sense a new contract offer coming in the coming days after the The Devils were keeping a close eye. Turns out they’ve been talking to pending UFA center rejected an offer last September (reportedly six Colorado, on and off, for quite a long time when it comes to Graves. years and $30 million). He could still end up returning to the Habs, but I “Ryan Graves has been a player that we’ve identified and we’ve talked suspect only if bigger offers aren’t there on the open market. And who about with Colorado over the past year and a half,’’ Devils GM Tom knows, there may very well be a team willing to pay him between $5 Fitzgerald said. “Just because of need. And what maybe they were million and $6 million a year. We shall see. thinking about and certain players on our team that they felt might get • So what do you do if you’re the Flames? You love your captain Mark them over top. So it’s not like this deal just came up. Giordano. He turns 38 in October and has one year left at a $6.75 million “We’ve identified this player for a while.’’ cap hit. How much are you willing to pay to keep Seattle from selecting him in the expansion draft if you leave him exposed? Or do the Flames Talks heated up over the past week between the two teams, with the Avs protect four D along with Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson and Chris facing the pressure of a Saturday deadline to submit the protected list for Tanev but risk losing a quality forward by only protecting four? Or do they the expansion draft. trade one of those D before Saturday? What I do know is that the price The Avs got Mikhail Maltsev and a second-round pick (61st overall) in quoted by Seattle GM Ron Francis to Flames GM Brad Treliving this this year’s draft in return. Facing the reality of losing Graves for nothing week to stay off Giordano if exposed made Calgary blush. Perhaps that to Seattle, the Avs at least got some asset value. Maltsev, 23, is a 2016 price lowers closer to Saturday. But what if it doesn’t? You can see why fourth-round pick who had nine points (6-3) in 33 games this past Seattle might be interested in Giordano. Quality, leadership guy to start season. He figures to be a bottom-six NHL forward as he further your franchise early on and prime trade bait come February if the Kraken develops and likely a fourth-line center on the deep Avs. aren’t competing for a playoff spot. It’s a win-win for Seattle. I just have a tough time seeing Calgary let it happen. Either way, the Devils couldn’t say no. • My TSN colleague Darren Dreger reported Thursday that Zach “At the end of the day, we just felt this was too good to pass up,’’ said Hyman’s camp, led by agent Todd Reynolds, has the Leafs’ blessing to Fitzgerald. talk directly to teams now instead of waiting for July 28. Given what I reported the previous day as far as the sizeable gap in positions between No doubt about it. He just added a top-4 D who can potentially slot in the Leafs and Hyman’s camp, this makes sense. Toronto’s front office alongside Damon Severson. might as well get a clearer read on what exactly Hyman can fetch on the What it means for the expansion draft decisions for the Devils remains to open market. One thing to keep in mind, only the Leafs can give Hyman be seen. Our Devils beat writer Corey Masisak tweeted this after the eight years in term (well, other than Seattle if Hyman was left unprotected trade Thursday night: in the expansion draft). So let’s say a team offers Hyman six years at a $5.75 M AAV, that’s $34.5 million in total. The Leafs, if they chose to, “The Devils are now likely to protect defensemen Damon Severson, could counter with eight years at $4.75 million AAV for a $38 million total. Ryan Graves and Jonas Siegenthaler from Seattle in the expansion draft. It’s still more money overall in Hyman’s real-life bank account. How much That would leave P.K. Subban, Will Butcher, Colton White and pending more money would a 35-year-old Hyman fetch on the open market in UFAs Ryan Murray and Connor Carrick exposed.’’ July 2027? Food for thought. Although it does have that feeling of Hyman likely being gone from the Leafs. Subban, 32, has one year left on his deal at a $9-million cap hit. • The Avs and Gabriel Landeskog’s camp remained far apart in contract Fitzgerald said the expansion protection list wasn’t set in stone yet. That talks as of Thursday night, a source said. I got to say, I never thought this wasn’t the driving force behind this deal. would be a tough one. The Avs captain means a lot to this team’s on-ice “We haven’t made a final decision on that yet, but more importantly, it success. I understand the Makar contract is paramount. And signing was adding a quality player in what we needed,” he said. “When you Grubauer is also huge. But there’s got to be a sweet spot to make it work come out of your coaches’ meetings and you value what they thought of on Landeskog. Rival front offices are drooling at the idea he might your team and where’s the upgrade, and this is what we need, we need actually go to free agency, something they didn’t really count as a to get bigger, we need mobility, we need to defend better, we need this. realistic possibility until the last few days. I view the Los Angeles Kings This is what we have to do to improve and allow players like (Damon) as a decent bet to inquire if he goes to market. He’d be a good fit there. Severson or (Ty) Smith, guys that have more offensively ability, to be But let’s be honest, a dozen teams will be calling come July 28 if indeed able to shine that way. So those were the goals for us. And to use our Landeskog gets there. I’m still leaning on the side of the Avs getting him cap space. re-signed. • Decent bit of business Thursday by the Florida Panthers, re-signing Anthony Duclair (three years, $3 million AAV) and Gustav Forsling (three years, $2.66 million AAV) to deals with cap-friendly hits. Bill Zito was a finalist for GM of the Year by his peers for a reason. Both these players were under-the-radar pickups last offseason who fit in well. I would expect more of those types of acquisitions in South Florida. Guys who come in and fit what’s developing there. There’s no room in net for pending UFA goalie Chris Driedger. Despite interest from several teams, my money’s on Seattle signing him during their three-day window July 18-21 and him being their expansion draft pick from Florida.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217466 New York Islanders

Islanders trade Nick Leddy for Red Wings forward, pick

By Michael Blinn

July 16, 2021 | 9:19pm | Updated

After seven seasons, the Islanders’ Nick Leddy era is over.

The team traded its longtime defenseman to the Red Wings on Friday, receiving forward Richard Panik and a second-round pick (No. 52) in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Leddy, coming off a strong postseason, was expected to be made available in the upcoming Seattle Kraken expansion draft. The veteran blueliner has one season remaining on his seven-year, $38.5 million deal at a $5.5 million cap hit.

The trade — which includes Detroit paying half of Panik’s $2.75 million salary for the next two seasons — frees up $4.125 million in cap space for the cash-strapped Islanders, who have no shortage of players awaiting new contracts for next season.

Six Islanders veterans are pending free agents, headlined by forward Casey Cizikas and winger Kyle Palmieri, with decisions also to be made on other former Devils Travis Zajac, Andy Greene and Cory Schneider, plus Brayden Coburn. Forwards Michael Dal Colle and Anthony Beauvillier are restricted free agents, as are defenseman Adam Pelech and goalie Ilya Sorokin.

With Leddy out of the picture, the Islanders are expected to protect blueliners Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Scott Mayfield in the July 21 expansion draft. Teams’ lists are due Saturday.

Panik, who was dealt to the Wings by the Capitals at the trade deadline, likely will slot into a middle-six role on the Island. The 30-year-old will be joining his sixth NHL team since entering the league in 2012-13. He posted four goals and 13 points with Detroit and Washington last season.

New York Post LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217467 New York Islanders

Islanders trade defenseman Nick Leddy to Detroit Red Wings in cap- clearing move

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated July 16, 2021 9:14 PM

The Islanders, who must clear salary-cap space this offseason anyway, traded top-four defenseman and core member Nick Leddy to the Red Wings on Friday night rather than lose him for nothing in the upcoming NHL expansion draft to the Seattle Kraken.

In exchange, the Islanders acquired a second-round pick in next week’s NHL entry draft and bottom-six forward Richard Panik. The Red Wings, who have approximately $44 million in cap space, are retaining 50% of Panik’s $2.75 million cap charge while taking on all of Leddy’s $5.5 million.

That’s a net gain of $4.125 million in cap space for the Islanders, who are now approximately $8.5 million under the flat $81.5 million salary cap for next season, per CapFriendly.com.

All NHL teams except Vegas, the most recent expansion team which is exempt from this expansion draft, must submit their list of protected players on Saturday by 5 p.m. The expansion draft is Wednesday and teams can protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie — which is likely what the Islanders will do — or eight skaters and one goalie.

Leddy, who has one season remaining on his seven-year, $38.5 million deal, was not likely to be protected. Instead, the Islanders likely want to protect top-pair defensemen Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech along with Leddy’s defense partner Scott Mayfield, who has two seasons remaining on his extremely team-friendly five-year, $7.25 million deal.

However, Leddy’s trade leaves the Islanders with no other eligible defensemen to expose beyond that trio. So, another move is likely before Saturday’s deadline.

Pelech, goalie Ilya Sorokin and Anthony Beauvillier are the Islanders’ key restricted free agents while Casey Cizikas and Kyle Palmieri are their top unrestricted free agents.

Leddy played 518 regular-season games, including all 56 last season, with 45 goals and 198 assists over seven seasons with the Islanders after being acquired from Chicago, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2013.

The left-shooting Panik has 88 goals and 106 assists in 517 career games. He’s also played for Chicago, the Lightning, Maple Leafs, Coyotes and Capitals.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217468 New York Islanders than $3 million. That may just be enough for Casey Cizikas to stay, but you’re still out a second-pair left defenseman.

So there’s more to come. The second-rounder from Detroit via Edmonton Islanders trade Nick Leddy to Detroit. What’s next in Lou Lamoriello’s helps as the Isles now have two seconds and two seconds in 2022 to offseason plan? play around with and entice another team — Seattle? Arizona? Buffalo? Jersey? — to take some money off the Isles’ books. There isn’t much time, given the trade freeze that runs from 5 p.m. Saturday until after Seattle selects its team on Wednesday and then the Friday start to the By Arthur Staple NHL Draft. Leo Komarov, Thomas Hickey and Andrew Ladd are the Jul 17, 2021 obvious candidates, but there’s also Jordan Eberle in play and that move would shake things up quite a bit.

Even this Leddy move is a jolt simply because he was a mainstay. When There are only three defensemen in Islanders history with more points in the Isles traded for him, it brought legitimacy. blue and orange than Nick Leddy. , Stefan Persson and Tomas Jonsson all have their names on multiple Stanley Cups and Now the Isles are legit. And with that, in today’s NHL, comes cap played in an era of high-flying Islanders and NHL hockey. problems, so Leddy was the first one to go.

Leddy’s arrival to the Island on Oct. 4, 2014, in the first of two enormous The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 trades within hours of each other by Garth Snow, heralded a new era for the franchise. Snow had some good pieces but needed veterans who had been in the winner’s circle before to help lead a young team. He found that in Johnny Boychuk, the loud, ever-smiling righty he got from the Bruins for two second-round picks. And Snow found it in Leddy, who was only 23 at the time of the trade but still had four NHL seasons and one ring with the Blackhawks.

They were an instant pair on the ice and off it. Boychuk’s career ended with an eye injury before last season and now Leddy is off to Detroit, truly the end of an Islanders era.

But it’s just the beginning of this whirlwind offseason for Lou Lamoriello. The Friday night move sent Leddy’s $5.5 million cap hit to the Red Wings for the 52nd pick in next week’s draft plus depth forward Richard Panik, whose $2.75 million cap hit will be split between the Wings and Islanders. So Lamoriello has accomplished the first goal in his offseason plan to give himself as much cap flexibility as possible without damaging the core of a back-to-back semifinal team.

We mentioned earlier Friday that Steve Yzerman was open for business, so this was a good fit for both sides.

The Islanders have an immediate need to sign a veteran defenseman. Like, really immediate: As of the Leddy trade on Friday night the Isles have no defenseman who meets the league requirements for expansion draft exposure. Each team must expose at least one defenseman who’s signed for 2021-22 and played 27 NHL games last season or 54 NHL games the last two seasons combined. Andy Greene and Braydon Coburn are their only options to sign right away, given we’re not in free agency yet. The Isles could also make a trade for a defenseman and then expose that player, but that would be strange, unless it’s part of a larger deal that involves another Islanders defenseman.

So even by the time you read this, Greene or Coburn could be signed for another year.

Beyond that, the Islanders have a hole to fill on their defense. Leddy may have had some shaky moments in the last few seasons, but he was still second on the team in ice time last season, averaging 21:35 and behind only Ryan Pulock. Leddy’s work on the Isles’ so-so power play sometimes left you wanting more, but he still had a team-high 11 power- play points and also led the team with 29 assists. His skating was second to none among Islanders defensemen.

So Lamoriello can upgrade there, but it’s going to take work. Ryan Suter makes a lot of sense, but he’s going to get a multiyear deal befitting a veteran who can still log big minutes, not a show-me contract for a guy who was just bought out. Vince Dunn makes a lot of sense, but the Blues’ asking price is high; if Lamoriello has interest in Vladimir Tarasenko as well, that package will come at the expense of a core winger.

Jamie Oleksiak and Alec Martinez also make sense, but the money has to work. With Leddy off the books and Panik’s $1.375 million cap hit added, the Islanders have $14.5 million in cap space as of now, if you include Boychuk’s $6 million AAV on long-term injured reserve, which seems to be a lock for this next season.

That feels like a decent amount of space. But once deals for Anthony Beauvillier, Adam Pelech and Ilya Sorokin are done, a conservative projection on those three deals knocks the available space down to less 1217469 New York Islanders Perhaps the Suter/Parise buyouts changed the calculus for Lamoriello on simply letting Leddy go to the Kraken in the expansion draft. Even if the Islanders don’t land Suter, whoever does come off the top-four left- handed defense market, leaving the Islanders more in play for someone A reunion for Zach Parise and Lou Lamoriello? What we’re hearing about else that might be out there — Vince Dunn via trade, say, or Alec the Islanders ahead of the expansion draft Martinez or Jamie Oleksiak via free agency.

Lamoriello’s mantra: If you have time, you use it. He still has time to make a call on Leddy. But it’s getting short. The Avalanche did well to get By Arthur Staple a return for Ryan Graves, who was almost certainly going to be Jul 16, 2021 unprotected — Colorado got a second-rounder (originally the Isles’ pick, traded away for Greene) and prospect Mikhail Maltsev from the Devils for a player the Avs were going to potentially lose for nothing in less than a week. We heard plenty at the start of this week, then a few things went down that caused some newer rumblings around the Islanders. So here we Cizikas update are, a day or so until Lou Lamoriello must submit his player protection list to the NHL in advance of Wednesday’s Seattle expansion draft, and It appears that Lamoriello hasn’t had much contact with Casey Cizikas’ there’s lots of talk albeit no action as of yet. camp yet. There’s a lot on the GM’s plate, of course, but Cizikas is a priority UFA for the Islanders and, potentially, for a lot of other teams. It’s Parise, Suter and the Isles basically Cizikas and the Canadiens’ Phillip Danault at the head of the line of checking centers who can contribute offensively when it comes to When Michael Russo dropped the Zach Parise-Ryan Suter twin free agents, though it’s hard to get a sense of what that translates to in explosions on Tuesday, the immediate thoughts went to the Island, at terms of contract offers. Danault turned down a reported $5 million per least for Parise. There’s the still-strong connection between Parise and year deal from Montreal before this season began. Lamoriello, who drafted Parise for the Devils in 2003 at No. 17 — famously two picks after selected Robert Nilsson for the The wrinkle on Cizikas is what’s to come starting Sunday. The Kraken Isles. have an exclusive, 72-hour negotiating window with all UFAs and RFAs left unprotected by the other 30 teams participating in the expansion draft There’s the family connection, with Zach’s father, the late, colorful J.P. (Vegas is exempt). So if Seattle GM Ron Francis has interest in Cizikas, Parise, having his name etched in Islander lore with his overtime goal to he could initiate talks with agent Pat Morris and throw numbers around. eliminate the Rangers in 1975. And there’s the more relevant matter of the Islanders possibly needing a top-nine winger who can score goals Seattle has the full $81.5 million in cap space to bring to the table, so and boost a power play at a low cost. Parise is 36 and coming off a what the Kraken want to discuss and what other cap-strapped teams season in which he was a healthy scratch 11 times, but he had 53 goals want to discuss could be vastly different. But those differences don’t (22 on the power play) the previous two seasons combined. matter to Morris: If the Kraken offer Cizikas four years at $4 million per, that’s the offer the Islanders and other teams have to match or beat. As of Wednesday morning, when the buyouts became official, Parise and Suter are free to talk to teams. It makes little sense for anyone to jump in It’s a scary proposition for teams with UFAs they want to keep. If Francis and sign either one ahead of the expansion draft as that’s one more body and Seattle were particularly dastardly they could negotiate with free to consider for protection, but the calls are coming in, according to league agents they aren’t even interested in signing just to drive up the prices sources. around the league.

And yes, it’s believed that Parise and Lamoriello have connected already. If Cizikas’ camp hears from Seattle and hears a solid offer, it’s going to The other fit for Parise that’s been discussed around the league is Vegas be that much harder for Lamoriello to keep his Identity Line intact. Travis and the Knights may have already reached out to Parise as well. Despite Zajac likely remains the fallback option and he would come in far cheaper the money he’s still owed from the Wild, Parise may not simply take the and for fewer years than Cizikas, but would the Isles fourth line be as veteran minimum $750,000 for a chance to win a Stanley Cup — there imposing? are plenty of instances in recent years of bought-out players garnering decent salaries the following season. Kyle Turris was bought out by Keep an eye on the Wings Nashville last offseason and got a two-year deal worth $1.65 million per Of the teams that might be able to take on assets and contracts that from the Oilers soon after. would ease Lamoriello’s cap crunch, Detroit stands out. Steve Yzerman The Islanders could structure a one-year offer with bonuses since Parise set the market a bit last offseason when he took a second-round pick and is over 35. Lamoriello did that with Andy Greene last year, which helped Marc Staal from the Rangers; Staal had one year left at a $5.7 million fit Greene back in but also left the Isles with a $1.366 million bonus cap hit ($3.2 million actual salary). overage charge for this coming season. If Parise hit his bonuses and the The Islanders, of course, have at least three players taking up cap space. Isles, as expected, will need long-term injured reserve to be cap Two, Leo Komarov ($3 million cap hit, $2 million salary) and Thomas compliant in 2021-22, there’d be more overage for 2022-23, since any Hickey ($2.5 million cap hit and salary), have one year left. The other is achieved bonuses while using LTIR go automatically on the following Andrew Ladd, who has two seasons at a $5.5 million AAV but is only season’s cap. owed $5 million cash. Lamoriello has an extra 2022 second-round pick But we’ve seen already in Lamoriello’s three-year tenure that he has an from the Devon Toews trade and, if he’s feeling desperate, his own 2022 affinity for players who performed for him in the past and Barry Trotz likes first and second. those guys too. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Wings and Isles connect at some As for Suter, he played the first seven of his NHL seasons under Trotz in point over the coming days or weeks on a cap space deal. A few other Nashville. His camp has already fielded plenty of calls expressing interest teams will be calling Yzerman to be sure. and the bidding should be quite a bit higher for Suter than it will be for The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 Parise given that the 36-year-old defenseman was still playing 22 minutes a night this past season.

It’s not known yet whether Lamoriello has reached out to Suter’s camp. The Islanders have to make a decision on their defense corps by Wednesday, so how that plays out will likely dictate what Lamoriello decides to do in terms of trying to jump into the bidding on Suter.

The Leddy decision

Lamoriello’s goal of shedding salary is ongoing in the run-up to July 28, the start of free agency. His goal of moving Nick Leddy to alleviate a difficult expansion-draft decision ends on Saturday at 5 p.m. when the protected list must be submitted to the league. 1217470 New York Islanders

Islanders, Zach Parise Seem Destined for One Another, Ryan Suter Too?

By Christian Arnold

Published 12 hours ago on July 16, 2021

The reunion of Zach Parise and Lou Lamoriello, and the potential homecoming to a team synonymous with his father, JP Parise, would have all the elements for an ESPN 30 for 30. The writing seems to be on the wall for 36-year-old forward to be in orange and blue next season when the puck drops, following the Minnesota Wild’s buyout of his contract earlier this week.

Parise was drafted by Lamoriello in 2003 and played for the New Jersey Devils from 2005 to 2012 when he departed for his hometown of Minnesota and a hefty 13-year, $98 million contract. And Lamoriello tried to acquire Parise in a last-minute trade deadline deal in 2020, but financial complications on both sides kept it from happening.

Now Parise will come at a much cheaper and shorter price tag that wouldn’t hinder the Islanders’ current cap crunch. Sources have suggested to NYI Hockey Now that Parise being an Islander this upcoming year is all but set to happen.

Aside from the connection with Lamoriello and the chance to go to a team that has appeared in the conference finals in back-to-back years, coming to Long Island would present Parise with the chance to play a bigger role than he had been in Minnesota.

Parise had his playing time decreased during the season and he was a healthy scratch for Minnesota to start the playoffs. It had been far from what he had been expecting last year.

“I had my expectations heading into last season and where I fit in on the team,” Parise told the Pioneer Press. “Then it shakes out the way it did. I never questioned whether I was good enough to play in the NHL. Just unfortunate the way it ended up working out during the season. It wasn’t fun, I’ll say that much.”

Barry Trotz and the Islanders would give Parise a bigger role. Depending on who is on the roster come the opening of training camp in the fall, Parise could find himself taking Kyle Palmieri’s spot on the third line next to Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

With all the talk of Parise coming to Long Island, chatter around NHL circles has suggested that Parise is trying to get Ryan Suter to join him. The two have had a good relationship from their time in Minnesota and Suter already knows the Barry Trotz system from his time in Nashville.

Suter was also bought out by Minnesota this week and would come on a relatively cheap deal as well. The 36-year-old defenseman can still play and would help fill out the Islanders’ blue line that could lose Nick Leddy to trade or the expansion draft.

Suter could easily fit the second or third pairing role with either Scott Mayfield or Noah Dobson. The young defenseman took strides last season and having a veteran presence like Suter could continue to help his growth and development.

Both Suter and Parise are set to hit the open market on July 28 now that Minnesota expunged them from their books. The two will garner interest from plenty of teams once they do, but the interest between the Islanders and Parise might be too strong for either side to pass up.

And does that draw Suter to the Islanders? Time will tell.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217471 New York Islanders

Islanders Among Short List of Teams Gabriel Landeskog Would Sign with as a UFA

By Christian Arnold

Published 16 hours ago on July 16, 2021

Another star player has the New York Islanders on his shortlist of destinations he would go to. The Islanders are one of five teams that Gabriel Landeskog would have interest in signing with if he cannot complete a new deal with the Colorado Avalanche, according to Andy Strickland.

Landeskog is set to become an unrestricted free agent in just 12 days after finishing out the final year of a 7-year, $39 million contract extension he signed in 2013. Colorado and Landeskog have reached an impasse in negotiations and Colorado Hockey Now reported on Thursday that the two sides were “far apart.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers are also among teams that are reportedly on Landeskog’s wish list. Strickland reported that Landeskog could ask for a new deal on the open market that pays $9-$10 million per year.

Like any trade or offseason signing for the Islanders, it would take some serious financial to make it work. The Islanders have RFAs Adam Pelech, Anthony Beauvillier and Ilya Sorokin to re-sign, as well as Casey Cizikas, who is set to hit the free-agent market without a new deal.

Gabriel Landeskog would be another potential upgrade for the Islanders should anything come to fruition. The winger could easily play a top-six role for the Islanders, especially with reports that Jordan Eberle is actively being shopped to make cap space.

Still, a deal that would bring in Landeskog — if he hits the UFA market — and would keep the Islanders under the cap would mean several changes to the lineup. It would also prevent them from trading for Vladimir Tarasenko, who the Islanders have reportedly shown interest in as well.

Gabriel Landeskog was selected second overall in the 2011 NHL Draft by Colorado and he has played the entirety of his career in the Mile High City.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217472 New York Rangers

Rangers re-signing Julien Gauthier has intriguing implications

By Mollie Walker

July 16, 2021 | 1:15pm | Updated

The Rangers have signed another one of their restricted free agents ahead of the Seattle Kraken expansion draft.

Julien Gauthier agreed to a one-year deal Friday morning, the team announced, which makes the burly winger another option for the Rangers to fulfill the requirement of exposing two forwards who are under contract in 2021-22 in next week’s expansion draft. Per PuckPedia, Gauthier signed a two-way contract for $775,000 in the NHL and $300,000 in the minors with $325,000 guaranteed.

The signing of Gauthier, along with RFA Brett Howden, gives the Rangers a glut of forwards that could indicate a bigger move in the works.

The Hurricanes traded Gauthier to the Rangers in February 2020 in exchange for defenseman Joey Keane. After competing in just 12 games in his first season on Broadway, recording two assists, Gauthier made the opening-night roster in 2020-21.

Despite the fact that the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Gauthier was one of the few Rangers who could effectively attack the net, the former coaching staff, led by David Quinn, felt the 23-year-old was still adjusting to the pace of the NHL and had room for improvement. Gauthier was often scratched this past season and immediately slid down the right-wing ladder once Vitali Kravtsov came onto the scene in April.

The Rangers re-signed Julien Gauthier

In 30 games in 2020-21, Gauthier scored two goals and dished six assists with 14 penalty minutes.

Before new president and general manager replaced the Rangers’ former managerial tandem of Jeff Gorton and John Davidson and dismissed Quinn, it was clear that Gauthier was the odd-man out on the roster and likely would’ve been exposed in the expansion draft. But Drury and new coach Gerard Gallant could view things differently.

Gauthier is young and has valuable skills that can be developed, but the Rangers may not be willing to work through his recurring issues in the defensive end and away from the puck.

NHL teams have to submit their final protection list by Saturday for the Seattle expansion draft on July 23. Kraken general manager Ron Francis is familiar with Gauthier after drafting the Quebec native 21st overall in 2016 out of the QMJHL while he was at the helm of the Hurricanes.

New York Post LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217473 New York Rangers

Rangers re-sign restricted free agent Julien Gauthier

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

July 16, 2021 1:29 PM

Rangers GM Chris Drury checked off another item from his summer to- do list Friday when forward Julien Gauthier agreed to a one-year contract.

According to PuckPedia, it is a two-way deal that pays $775,000 if Gauthier is in the NHL, and $300,000 if he is playing in the minor leagues.

Gauthier, 23, was a restricted free agent coming off his entry level contract. He’s the third RFA signed by Drury since the end of the 2021 season, and the second in the last week. Forward Brett Howden agreed to a one-year, $885,000 deal last Friday.

The deal comes one day before teams have to submit their protected lists to the NHL for next Wednesday’s expansion draft to stock the league’s 32nd team, the Seattle Kraken, which will begin play in the fall. The 6-4, 227-pound Gauthier is a candidate – along with Howden, Colin Blackwell and Kevin Rooney – for the last forward spot on the Rangers’ protected list.

Teams are allowed to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and a goaltender, or eight skaters and a goaltender. The Rangers are expected to go the 7-3-1 route, and the first six forwards protected would be Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Ryan Strome, Pavel Buchnevich and .

Gauthier, a native of Point-Aux-Trembles, Quebec, was a first-round pick in 2016 by the Carolina Hurricanes and was traded to the Rangers in February 2020, in exchange for defenseman Joey Keane. Gauthier has yet to live up to his potential as a goalscorer and struggled to get consistent ice time under former coach David Quinn. He played in 30 games in 2021, scoring two goals, with six assists, and 14 penalty minutes. In 47 career NHL games, he has two goals and nine assists and 22 PIM.

After signing Gauthier, Drury still has a number of restricted free agents to re-sign. Buchnevich and No. 1 goaltender Igor Shesterkin are RFAs with arbitration rights, while Chytil and defenseman Libor Hajek are RFAs without arbitration rights. Forward Phillip DiGiuseppe and defenseman Brendan Smith are unrestricted free agents.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.17.2021

1217474 Philadelphia Flyers where to build Citizens Bank Park – that a downtown arena would be better for the city’s economy and civic life.

“The stadium district is such a unique urban-planning success story,” Will Wells Fargo Center renovations entice the 76ers to stay? Camillo said. “It’s well-planned. It’s managed. It’s a significant, well- functioning, track-management plan – ingress and egress, everyone’s down here together. The partnership structure works very well between the teams. I would be hard-pressed to think that there’s anything better Mike Sielski out there than what we have today.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.17.2021 Comcast Spectacor will resume on Monday its $300 million renovation of the Wells Fargo Center, a project that was stalled for more than a year by the COVID-19 pandemic and that could affect the long-term relationship between the company and one of the arena’s primary tenants: the 76ers.

The renovation, which began in 2016, is still $100 million away from completion, according to Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Flyers and rents the center to the Sixers. Installation of new and improved guest seating in the arena’s club level is expected to be finished this fall, and additional changes – an upgrade of the exterior facade, remodeled and updated entrances, a greater variety of food and beverage vendors – will begin next summer.

“We’re a local company, and we take pride in our sports teams and our arena,” Valerie Camillo, the center’s president of business operations, said in a phone interview Friday. “We want to invest, to give the best fans in sports what they deserve, and that’s the best experience in sports with the best arena.”

Camillo said that Comcast Spectacor is the sole source of funding for the project. “There are no public monies of any kind,” she said. “There are a lot of needs in Philadelphia, and quite frankly, we don’t think it’s reasonable that we would expect public money to help deliver that.”

It was natural to interpret Camillo’s words as a salvo in the public- relations tug-of-war between Comcast Spectacor and the Sixers, whose plans for a taxpayer-funded arena of their own, at Penn’s Landing, were revealed last August.

Comcast Spectacor sold the Sixers to Joshua Harris, the founder of Apollo Global Management, and his partners in Harris & Blitzer Sports & Entertainment in 2011, and the team’s lease at the Wells Fargo Center expires in 2031.

Harris and the Sixers’ ownership group want their own arena for a host of reasons, according to an Aug. 28 Inquirer report. Those reasons include additional revenue streams, priority in scheduling the team’s games, and concerns about how much the Wells Fargo Center’s condition will deteriorate between now and the end of the lease.

“Comcast Spectacor is a great, long-standing partner of the 76ers, and we’re excited by their continued commitment to delivering a world-class arena experience,” a Sixers spokesperson said via email. “We have a lease with our partners at Comcast Spectacor for another decade. We will continue to explore all options in Philadelphia for when our lease expires in 2031, with a focus on delivering the best experience for our fans.”

When asked whether the renovations were in any way intended as a carrot for the Sixers, Camillo said: “We’re not thinking about our transformation in terms of enticing the Sixers to stay. We’re thinking about it in terms of every guest who comes into the building, and the Sixers are certainly part of that. But we also host Flyers games, concerts, family events, shows. This is an investment in the city, in the community, in the stadium district. We want to provide the city of Philadelphia a world-class arena.

“Look, I don’t want to get into speculation about how the Sixers think about this,” she added. “The Sixers know we want them to stay.”

The Wells Fargo Center opened in 1996, kickstarting a massive refurbishment of the South Philadelphia sports complex that continued with the building of Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park and that led to the razing of Veterans Stadium and the Spectrum. Comcast Spectator owns the development rights for the land next to the center, “and we have exciting plans for that,” Camillo said. “In the next several months, we’re going to have exciting announcements to come there, too.”

That declaration seemed a direct counter to the argument or perception – one that the Sixers have promoted merely by the nature of their plans, one that existed in the early 2000s, when the Phillies were weighing 1217475 Philadelphia Flyers staff, our structure. I think we've made some really meaningful changes and improvements to how we do things, not just from a coaching standpoint, but from a development standpoint, a scouting standpoint and a data standpoint.” Flyers’ GM doesn’t want to overreact to team’s one bad season There are still some questions regarding the veteran leadership of this team, which has missed the playoffs in five of the last nine seasons. Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Sean Couturier and James van Riemsdyk Wayne Fishflyingfishhockey.com will be feeling a little extra heat if the Flyers get off to a slow start in October.

When the Flyers’ playoff-less season came to a rather disappointing end, But it all keeps coming back to whether young players such as Hart, head coach Alain Vigneault wanted to make one thing perfectly clear. Konecny, etc., plus Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick (both had health issues last season) can get back on course. For now, the only sure thing In his opinion, this team should be given a real chance to see what it can is Ivan Provorov. achieve in a “normal" season, including a full-length training camp and a complete 82-game schedule. Behind the scenes, Fletcher and his staff are working to get things going back in the right direction. Fast forward to this past Tuesday and, during a media Zoom call, general manager Chuck Fletcher made it sound like he’s on board with that “We put a lot of time and effort this summer and fixing some things off the thinking. ice that we think will lead to better on ice results,” Fletcher said. “We've looked at everything. Last year was unacceptable. It's been a busy With hopes the 2021-22 NHL season won’t be all that much impacted by offseason behind the scenes, and I'm really happy with some of the the ongoing pandemic, Fletcher doesn’t want to rush to overhaul a roster moves we made. Now we have to find a way to get better on the ice and which, on paper, still looks like a viable contender. that will be the focus from here on out.”

After all, the Flyers did get to within one game of the 2019-20 Eastern Coaching hires on the agenda Conference finals with essentially the same personnel that faltered badly in the 56-game slate earlier this year. Fletcher has at least two coaching appointments to make, one on the Flyers and one on the . It’s no secret up-and-coming standouts such as goaltender Carter Hart, forward Travis Konecny and defensemen Travis Sanheim and Phil Myers On the Flyers, the general manager needs to hire someone to fill the took steps backward in the recent campaign. vacancy left by former assistant coach Ian Laperriere, who took over the head position with the Phantoms. Also, Fletcher will be signing someone How much of the blame can be placed on the pandemic, and how much to assist Laperriere in Allentown. can the lack of progress be attributed to other causes? “We've made a lot of personnel moves that we'll announce in short Whether they can pick up where they left off in March 2020 remains to be order,” Fletcher said. “We've spent two months doing this stuff, so we will seen. have a lot of changes to announce here in the near future. We've worked pretty hard at this. I think we're in a pretty good position going forward.” Fletcher might have to strike a delicate balance here. Does he go out and try to secure more veteran help to augment this roster via trades and Burlington County Times LOADED: 07.17.2021 free-agent signings, or does he proceed cautiously?

“It's hard to say for sure what caused some of our young players not to play at the same level,” Fletcher said on the Zoom call. “The pandemic would be one logical reason. Maybe expectations for some of them coming off a strong year and just assuming you would be able to come back and do the same thing. I do think it's certainly a reason to give pause.”

In a sense, Fletcher has moved past his days as a bit of a gunslinger during his nine-year hitch as general manager of the Minnesota Wild.

Back on July 4, 2012, Fletcher signed forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter to identical nine-year, $98-million contracts.

Coincidentally, both players were bought out by the Wild this past Tuesday.

At the moment, Fletcher might be moving forward with a conservative approach.

“Some of our young players, at least in my opinion, are better than how they performed last year,” Fletcher insisted. “I think you need to be a little bit careful overreacting to one year, particularly in one year, as crazy as last year was. We know they have to be better and we have to be better. I think we just want to be a little bit careful here.”

Fletcher did go so far as to say he would consider trading his No. 1 pick (13th overall) in the upcoming draft if an elite player was available and might seem like a good fit.

But it doesn’t feel like he’s interested in a quick fix via a trade that comes with a high price.

“We've worked hard as an organization for the last seven, eight years to patiently add and draft and develop a lot of young players,” Fletcher said. “It's kind of been the focus of the franchise, going back to 2014 probably. You got to be a little bit careful that you don't change course and start moving good young players that maybe struggled for a little bit last year.

“We have to find a way to make them better. We have to get better and we'll work very hard at that. We'll probably get into this later on in the summer, but we’ve spent an awful lot of time this summer looking at our 1217476 Philadelphia Flyers “Brent wants me to keep it,” kidded Fletcher, who had Flahr sitting right next to him on the Zoom call. “Look, it’s a really good asset. If we use our first-round pick to select a player, we’re obviously able to draft a high- quality player to help us. But we have to explore what we can do with it.” Flyers have big decisions to make over next couple weeks The GM indicated the odds are in favor of keeping the pick. However ...

“This offseason in particular, I’m more willing to move it,” Fletcher said. “If Wayne Fishflyingfishhockey.com there’s some way we can help our team, not only in the short-term but over the longer term — if I can get that type of asset, I’ll certainly look at

doing it.” It’s going to be a busy two weeks for all NHL teams, but the Flyers might Reducing the bad goals-against number be more active than most. It’s no secret the Flyers need to improve on their NHL-worst goals- The NHL Expansion Draft to create a roster for the new Seattle Kraken against number (201 goals in 56 games). But the blame goes beyond comes up on Wednesday, July 21, followed by the NHL Entry Draft on their six starting defensemen. July 23-24 and then the start of NHL free agency July 28. Fletcher let it be known his team needs better defensive play from his Teams must submit protection lists for the expansion draft by Friday. goalies and forwards as well. The Flyers, who missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fifth time in the “It was just ridiculous how many goals we gave up last year,” Fletcher past nine seasons, figure to make a number of moves by way of trades said. “It’s our goaltenders playing better, defensemen playing better, our or free-agent signings during the remainder of the summer. forwards managing the puck better. We are going to need to look at But first there’s the little matter of which player they might have to give up upgrades to our roster and the players who are returning to play better.” to the Seattle team. And let’s not forget the coaching staff, which has gone on record to say a During a media Zoom call on Tuesday, general manager Chuck Fletcher full training camp and a normal schedule can help correct some of these said he’s already had conversations with several players about the faults. likelihood of being left exposed in the draft. “We need them to get the players back in that structure and system,” “We have our expansion draft list put together,” Fletcher said. “If we Fletcher said. “It’s not just one thing that let us fall from seventh in the make moves between now and then, we can adjust it obviously, but we league (in 2019-20) defensively to the bottom of the pile. There’s no have a pretty good idea what we want to do and who we want to protect.” chance to win in this league unless you’re in the top half of the league defensively. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of holes to fill and players Fletcher was general manager of the Minnesota Wild when the on the roster who need to play much better.” expansion Vegas Golden Knights were put together in 2017. Burlington County Times LOADED: 07.17.2021 “We had more time this time than the Vegas draft,” Fletcher said. “More time to make sure we had all the holes filled and met all the criteria we needed to meet. The pandemic and the flat (salary) cap have probably made it more difficult because there are cap pressures on teams. Seattle will certainly have an opportunity to talk to teams about helping them out with cap issues in exchange for various assets.”

Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has been rumored to be left off the Flyers’ protected list and a possible target of Seattle general manager Ron Francis.

There’s also the possibility of a trade with Seattle to augment the selection process. Fletcher acknowledged he’s had multiple conversations with Francis.

“We’ll probably take guidance from them,” Fletcher said. “If there’s something they think would make sense for them and us, but my expectation is we’ll submit the list ... whether there will be conversations after we submit the list or not, time will tell.”

The Flyers haven’t missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 1992-93/1993-94. So there is a bit of pressure to get this thing turned around in somewhat of a hurry.

All that said, Fletcher sounds like he’s not in some sort of panic mode. He appears to be going with the flow of the NHL market.

“This summer to me is similar to every summer,” he said. “The goal is to try to be as competitive as we can next year. And yet we want to make sure we keep a large quantity of future assets that can continue to make us better as we move forward.”

Fletcher said it’s an “exciting” time in the sense with the Seattle expansion draft, with the flat cap, there might be a few more trades. The NHL Entry Draft is always an exciting time. The Flyers are picking higher than they want to pick (13th) but they should get a pretty good player.

“There’s hopefully going to be some exciting additions to our club in the next couple months,” Fletcher said. “We’re going to try to continue to make moves that make us better. We know we have a lot of work ahead of us. We’ll do the best we can.”

No. 1 pick could figure in a trade

Fletcher didn’t rule out the possibility of including his No. 1 pick in a trade package, although he knows his draft guru, assistant general manager Brent Flahr, would frown on that. 1217477 Philadelphia Flyers Friday or Saturday, I will reach out to some of the players for sure to give them a courtesy heads-up. Things could still change, so I don't want to jump the gun too much. I think a few of them are aware of what our position is and we've had good conversations." Kraken down on decisions, trade talk and more as Flyers' big offseason heats up By now, one can safely surmise Voracek is a player the Flyers have chatted with about their expansion draft motives and the path this offseason could take. He has earned that right, having been in Philadelphia for 10 years and being a member of the roster's leadership BY JORDAN HALL group. Voracek turns 32 years old in August and is under contract for three more seasons.

By the end of July and into early August, the Flyers will look considerably "I think, generally speaking, in this environment, it goes without saying different. that it's difficult to move money right now and cheaper contracts are probably more valuable in that sense," Fletcher said. A critical summer for general manager Chuck Fletcher and company is set to heat up with the Kraken expansion draft (July 21), NHL entry draft 3. Ready to wheel and deal? (July 23-24) and commencement of free agency (July 28), three With the handcuffs of a stagnant cap, the Flyers can't look only at free offseason tentpoles within an eight-day span. agency for external help. And they need help after missing the playoffs in Ahead of the club's important stretch, which only continues a busy time 2020-21 and surrendering the NHL's most goals at 3.52 per game. period of evaluation and change, Fletcher and assistant general manager The trade route might be the best avenue to make a major addition, Brent Flahr addressed the media Tuesday morning. whether it be on the back end or up front. Trades make for difficult Let's get into five overarching takeaways from the press conference. decisions and Fletcher will have them this offseason. Trades can also be a way to clear cap and make room for free-agent signings. 1. The protection list Is anything cooking? Soon, things will be. The Flyers can either protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie from being picked by Seattle in the expansion draft or eight In many ways, the expansion draft will be a kick-starter to the Flyers' skaters (with a combination of four or more defensemen) and one goalie. offseason moves. The results of it will give them a clearer picture of what We broke down the Flyers' potential plans at forward and on defense. they still have and the amount of cap space they've gained.

The Flyers must submit their protection list by Saturday. With the club's "The phones have been busy, I've been receiving calls, I've been making pro scouts in town, Fletcher said the Flyers had unanimity in building calls, we're all speaking with each other," Fletcher said. "Every team is in their list, which sounds essentially all but written in stone. a little bit different spot — for some teams, they can acquire a player now and it doesn't impact their list that much. There are other teams that "If we make moves between now and then, we can adjust it, but we have would much rather wait until after the expansion draft to make a trade to a pretty good idea of what we want to do, who we're going to protect and upgrade their club. I think everybody's different. who we'll make available," Fletcher said. "It seems like more teams would prefer to wait until after Seattle makes The Kraken are led by general manager Ron Francis and they recently their decisions, but there is a lot of dialogue and I think teams are trying hired former Flyers head coach as their first-ever bench to get a read of the room right now, see who's available, what other boss. The Flyers' silver lining to losing a player is the gaining of cap relief teams are trying to do and what options we all may have once we get during an offseason in which the club has holes to fill. Because of the closer to the draft and free agency. economic challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, the NHL is operating in a flat-cap world. The Flyers have a little over $13 million in "A lot of chatter, but from our standpoint, we certainly aren't going to be cap space, per CapFriendly.com. That figure will grow following the making a trade today or tomorrow unless something unexpected breaks expansion draft, but it also shrinks when factoring in the club's restricted right now." free agents due for new deals: Carter Hart, Travis Sanheim, Nolan Fletcher said the Flyers are "looking at everything" but will not lose sight Patrick, Connor Bunnaman and Carsen Twarynski. of the big picture beyond 2021-22. The Flyers could strike a deal with Seattle to sweeten a possible "This summer to me is similar to every summer, every offseason," selection, perhaps enticing the Kraken to take a player with a much more Fletcher said. "The goal is to try to be as competitive as we can next year sizable cap hit or a more marginal player with lesser on-ice value. The and yet we want to make sure we keep a large quantity of future assets latter feels less likely, with cap relief looking more attractive here. But the that can continue to help us get better as we move forward." Flyers could simply submit their protection list and see which exposed player Seattle takes, with no real swaying involved by losing more In his third offseason with the Flyers, Fletcher will feel the pressure to win assets. Fletcher said he was "open to either" scenario. now, especially following a quiet second offseason that proved costly. The Flyers have a hole on their top defensive pair and saw staggering "I've had several conversations with Ron going back a few months now, regression in many key areas a year after they came within one win of we'll probably take guidance from them, if there's something that they the Eastern Conference Final. think would make sense for them and would make sense for us," Fletcher said. "My expectation is we'll submit the list and whether there'll be Fletcher reiterated the process of getting back to contending again starts conversations after we submit the list or not, time will tell. But we're with him and falls on everyone. certainly comfortable submitting the list and having them select a player. I've just indicated to them if they have ideas on something else they want "I think there's been a lot of focus on the blue line. I mean, to me, the to accomplish, to let us know." number one priority is our goals against. It was just ridiculous how many goals we gave up last year," Fletcher said. "That goes back to 2. Convos with those exposed everything, it goes back to the coaches having a great training camp and using the practice time early in the season to reinforce our systems and Three players on the Flyers' roster who have larger cap hits and could be our structure, it's our goaltenders playing better, it's our defensemen exposed are Jakub Voracek ($8.25 million), James van Riemsdyk ($7 playing better, it's our forwards managing the puck better. million) and Shayne Gostisbehere ($4.5 million). "We're going to need to look at upgrades to our roster, there's no All three could be left unprotected. Among the three, Voracek and question, and we're also going to need the players that are returning to Gostisbehere are more likely to be exposed, while the club may decide to play better, in particular without the puck and structurally. We’re going to protect van Riemsdyk. We'll find out Sunday when the list is released. need our coaches to get our players back in that structure and reinforce Fletcher said he hasn't yet informed the players that they plan to expose. the system. It's not just one thing that led us to fall from seventh in the league defensively to the bottom of the pile. You have no chance, no "I've had conversations with a few of them, several conversations with a chance, to win in this league unless you're at least in the top half of the couple of them about the likelihood of it and about what we're trying to do league defensively, so we have a lot of work to do. and why," Fletcher said. "As we get closer to Saturday, whether it's "We have holes we need to fill and we have players that are currently on With Ian Laperriere taking over as head coach of AHL affiliate Lehigh our roster that need to play much better. It's got to be a holistic approach; Valley, the Flyers will have a new assistant under Alain Vigneault and a it's not just one player that's going to turn it around, it's everybody, new staff for the Phantoms. starting with me, that has to be much better this year and that has been conveyed to everybody in the organization." Fletcher and Vigneault have truly put their imprint on things. Year 3 is a big one, no doubt. General manager Chuck Fletcher and assistant general manager Brent Flahr. "We spent an awful lot of time this summer looking at our staff, our structure and I think we've made some really meaningful changes and 4. Trading the No. 13 pick? improvements to how we do things, not just from a coaching standpoint, but from a development standpoint, a scouting standpoint and a data Speaking of Fletcher's assets, the Flyers' 2021 first-round pick will be standpoint," Fletcher said. "We put a lot of time and effort this summer one of them over the next week-plus. The club is slotted at 13th overall. into fixing some things off the ice that we think will lead to better on-ice Is that spot in play for a trade? results.

"Depends who you ask," Flahr, who oversees the club's draft efforts, "We've looked at everything. Last year was unacceptable. It's been a joked. busy offseason behind the scenes and I'm really happy with some of the "Yeah, Brent wants me to keep it," Fletcher said with a laugh. "Look, it's a moves we've made. Now we have to find a way to get better on the ice really good asset. If we use our first-round pick to select a player, we're and that'll be the focus from here on out." obviously going to be able to draft a high quality player that'll help us. But Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.17.2021 yet, because it's of high-asset value, I think we have to explore what we can do with it. The likelihood is you normally end up keeping your first- round picks, but this offseason, in particular, I think I'm more willing to look at moving it. If there's some way we can help our team, not just in the short term, but more over several years, over the longer term and it cost me the first-round pick, if I can get that type of asset, I'll certainly look at doing it."

The 2021 draft is the Flyers' third under Fletcher and Flahr. It's worth noting, with every draft thus far, Fletcher has never ruled out the Flyers trading their first-round pick, so this doesn't mean the Flyers are definitely moving their pick. This offseason, however, they may be most inclined to do so compared to the previous two drafts given the big club's current state and the uniqueness of this year's draft.

"If you're going to move the 13th overall pick, either by itself or as part of a package, you better be getting a really good player that can help you for a few years," Fletcher said. "I'm not sure that it has to be position specific. Certainly you want to make sure you're getting a good player that can help you in the short and long term."

The Flyers hold seven picks in the draft, which will be held virtually. What makes the No. 13 overall pick perhaps even more appealing this draft is the lack of consensus on prospects because of the coronavirus-impacted draft year.

"It's probably been written about, the top eight or nine guys, teams will have them in different orders but it's probably going to be the same names," Flahr said. "What you're going to see [after] is it goes all over the board. I think there's a number of players that probably media outlets and whatnot have not seen a lot of, but teams have, teams have done their homework on certain players. Some players haven't played at all this year, which is unique for us and for everybody. You're going to see some variances as the draft expands.

"I don't think there's any generational players in it. However, there are some quality players at the top end and there is some depth throughout the draft. There are some different tiers, like every year. Our group has done a pretty good job identifying those, but I do think there's some depth through the second and third round this year that our guys are excited about, and even beyond."

As Fletcher noted, the Flyers highly value their 13th overall spot. If the Flyers trade the pick, it won't be solely about the pressure of getting better next season. If the Flyers keep the pick — and it won't be surprising if they do — here are five targets at No. 13. We'll look at more as July 23 gets closer.

"We don't really draft by position, especially in the first round," Flahr said. "We go by our list, the best player available. Realistically, as you've seen in the NHL, a lot of these players don't play next year, so sometimes our needs right now are changed two years down the road. That's just a reality we're in."

Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr.

5. 'Busy offseason behind the scenes'

Fletcher said the Flyers will soon be announcing "a lot of personnel moves." 1217478 Philadelphia Flyers The difficult part about projecting — and presumably, negotiating — Hart’s first post-entry-level contract is the distinct lack of obvious comparables. There just aren’t many goaltenders in the recent past who accumulated the degree of NHL experience that Hart has before entering Carter Hart contract projection: Flyers goalie’s early-career ups and their first round of contract negotiations. downs will make for a tricky negotiation In fact, just two goalies in the league right now had more than 100 regular-season appearances when they signed their second contract: Price and Sergei Bobrovsky. Only nine even reached the 50 appearance By Charlie O'Connor Jul 16, 2021 46 mark. In other words, there haven’t been many goalies in the recent past who had the ability to push for even a semi-lucrative second contract in the way that Hart clearly can this summer. Just two of those nine — The Philadelphia Flyers have quite a few restricted free agents in need of Mackenzie Blackwood and Alexandar Georgiev — completed their new contracts this summer. But all pale in importance to Carter Hart. negotiations since the start of the pandemic, which only muddies the comparable waters even more. We’re just not talking about much in the That’s not to say that, for example, the Travis Sanheim negotiations don’t way of precedent here. matter to the Flyers’ future. (They obviously do, assuming he survives the offseason in Philadelphia.) Or that a resolution to the Nolan Patrick One area where there is precedent, however, is term. There may not be situation isn’t a key part of their offseason. (It is.) Or that depth pieces many comparable situations to Hart, but whenever a goalie has had any like Connor Bunnaman and Carsen Twarynski can’t develop into useful real NHL experience entering this type of post-ELC negotiation, there’s NHL bottom-sixers. But few players in the organization — if any — have been a fairly thin band when it came to contract length. Take a quick look the potential to impact the direction of the next decade of Flyers hockey at the 18 goalies currently in the NHL who had played in at least 30 more than their gifted 22-year-old goaltender. games when they signed their second contract and how long those contracts ended up being. And now he needs his first post-entry-level contract. Coming off his worst season by far. This is going to be one interesting negotiation. Now, this isn’t to say that it’s impossible that Hart ends up signing a long- term deal. But given his position and recent NHL history, it would be There’s little to no chance that Hart is traded this summer, even during pretty unprecedented. what promises to be a busy offseason for general manager Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers. But to make moves, Fletcher needs to have a What could have been for Hart general idea of what Hart’s cap hit will be in 2021-22 (and beyond), to guide his planning in both the short term and long term. So what might That said, it’s a fair point to make that before the 2020-21 season, Hart Hart’s looming contract look like? Is he still in line for the massive raise was trending toward a different kind of unprecedented territory. he appeared destined to receive after he helped drive the Flyers to the As noted, Hart doesn’t have many clean recent positional comparables. second round of the playoffs in 2020? Or has his likely price tag dropped But the ones at the top of the market over the past 11 years were substantially as a result of his disastrous 2020-21 campaign? Bobrovsky in 2013, in 2016, Andrei Vasilevskiy in 2016 and Hart’s status entering negotiations Price in 2010. Heading into this season, Hart compared favorably to all four — and that would have been the case if he had merely delivered a When Hart seized hold of the Flyers’ starting goaltender job midway good season. through his age-20 season, it was close to unprecedented in the post- lockout NHL. Since 2004, only two goalies other than Hart — Steve Let’s take a quick look at where Hart would have stood entering this Mason and Carey Price — had appeared in 25 NHL games by the time summer had he merely replicated his solid 2019-20, and then, just out of they turned 21. curiosity’s sake, where he would have stood relative to the field had he broken out and put forth a Vezina-caliber season identical to the one that Add in the fact that he performed quite well in both his age-20 season won Marc-Andre Fleury the award. Don’t forget that per BetOnline, Hart (16-13-1, .917 save percentage) and especially his age-21 campaign had the ninth-best odds to win the Vezina in January at 14-1. He was a (24-13-5, .914 save percentage, and then a .926 save percentage in 14 legitimate dark horse. playoff games), and Hart appeared poised for a massive payday when his entry-level contract expired in the summer of 2021, a deal befitting a Bobrovsky, in the wake of his Vezina season, received a $5.625 million player off to an extraordinary start to his NHL career. cap hit (adjusted to $7.13 million in today’s dollars to account for the increases in cap ceiling) over just two years. And had Hart continued his Then, 2020-21 happened. progression to true stardom last season, he would have been right there with him. But even more interesting is the fact that had Hart simply There were many reasons for Hart’s struggles, from technical issues to repeated his 2019-20 numbers in 2020-21, he still wouldn’t have been far the demanding March schedule to the mental challenges related to the behind Bobrovsky — a bit fewer games played, a slightly lower save pandemic. But regardless of the reasons, it’s inarguable that Hart’s third percentage, and no Vezina, to be sure, but pretty darn close. NHL season was an utter disaster. The numbers are undeniable. Across 27 appearances, Hart posted a 3.67 goals-against average and an .877 If that had meant, say, a $6 million cap hit over two years, imagine how save percentage — both league lows among goalies with at least 25 much Hart might have cost if the two sides ended up structuring a long- games played. It’s not a stretch to say that Hart was the worst starting term contract instead. We’re talking about a market-setting deal here. goalie in hockey. Had Hart merely held on to his 2019-20 gains in 2020-21, he was not going to come cheap this summer. That said, one poor season doesn’t erase two strong ones, especially when those campaigns were delivered at an age when most goaltending The new reality prospects are still years away from carving out full-time NHL roles. Hart enters negotiations with a whopping 115 NHL appearances before Of course, that’s not what happened for Hart. Instead, he had about the turning 23 (101 in the regular season, 14 in the playoffs), 49 wins and a worst contract year imaginable. .905 career regular-season save percentage (.926 in the playoffs). He Now, this certainly doesn’t mean that he can’t and won’t bounce back, may not have arbitration rights yet, but he could sign an offer sheet with possibly as soon as 2021-22. But it does hurt his leverage in negotiations another club, and even though there’s no sign that Hart has any interest this summer. Let’s take a look at where he actually stands — no more in leaving Philadelphia, the theoretical threat does give his camp some painful theoreticals — in the wake of 2020-21 in comparison to his peers extra leverage. On the Flyers’ side, they have four more years of RFA since 2010 who were negotiating a second contract. control of Hart beyond this one, meaning that the soonest he can declare for unrestricted free agency would be 2025, when he’s 26. Hart very clearly isn’t in the Bobrovsky or Murray tier — he hasn’t won a major award or backstopped a team to a championship. His resume also Unfortunately, Evolving-Hockey’s contract-projections model does not is clearly inferior to that of Price when he signed his second deal back in attempt to predict the goaltender position, so to take our guess at Hart 2010. But even with the deflated save percentage — entirely due to negotiation parameters, we’ll have to start from scratch. 2020-21 — Hart still blows away goalies like Gibson and Holtby in terms Comparables and possible terms of games played (and in turn, trust from his organization at a young age), to the point where it’s difficult to imagine him falling in that bracket, either. Two comparables stand out as particularly intriguing for Hart: Vasilevskiy and Blackwood.

Vasilevskiy’s deal — while it ultimately paid off in a big way for Tampa Bay — stands out for how much of an outlier it was. He hadn’t played in many regular-season games, and he had yet to fully usurp Ben Bishop as the Lightning’s starting goalie. But the writing was on the wall for Bishop’s time in Tampa during the 2016 offseason (Bishop was about to enter the final season of his deal), so the Lightning chose to sign Vasilevskiy to an extension a year early (his ELC didn’t actually conclude until 2017) and likely overpay him based on his track record at the time, betting that his talent would push him into a much higher price range if they waited. When Vasilevskiy started 47 games for them the next season and posted a .917 save percentage, it was apparent why the Lightning felt so motivated to lock up their 22-year-old goalie early.

Still, Hart’s resume right now — aside from save percentage — blows away Vasilevskiy’s at the time he signed his extension. He has more NHL experience, more wins, and more playoff success. It’s not difficult to imagine Hart’s camp arguing that on a bridge deal, this is the fair rate for a hyper-talented young player who an organization sees as the starting goalie of the present and future.

Blackwood is more of a Flyers-favorable comparable. Hart does have more games and wins (and an actual playoff resume), but Blackwood comes in with a significantly higher save percentage. Philadelphia would likely acknowledge that Hart deserves a higher cap hit than Blackwood received on a three-year deal, but not a ton more. Add in the fact that the Blackwood deal was signed just a year ago, and it’s a logical starting point for negotiations — particularly from the Flyers’ side.

Where Hart stands

Hart’s poor season certainly hurt the Philadelphia Flyers and their chances of contention in 2020-21 (though in fairness to Hart, it was not the only reason the season devolved into disaster). But it also hurt Hart, and not just in terms of pride; it came at pretty much the worst possible time for him in terms of negotiating his second contract.

Hart didn’t even really have to progress this past season to cash in this summer. He could have merely repeated his 2019-20 results and he would have placed himself in the realm of the top comparable goalies in recent NHL history entering into their post-ELC contracts. Instead, his numbers brought him back to the rest of the pack in every aspect except games played.

My guess? A long-term deal is pretty unlikely now, especially considering that such a structure would have been precedent-setting even in good times. Hart’s camp will likely be worried about locking themselves into a “cheap” long-term deal with their client coming off a truly disappointing season. And the Flyers have to at least be a little bit worried that Hart might not bounce back, leaving them with a massive amount of money and term locked up in the next Matt Murray. It makes sense for both sides to focus their efforts on a shorter contract. Bridge deals are the norm for goalies in this situation anyway.

Given the comparables, somewhere in the $3 million to $4 million range for a cap hit feels like a reasonable estimate on a two- or three-year contract for Hart. Blackwood’s 2020 deal is the obvious model, especially after Hart’s down season pushed him into that statistical territory. That said, Hart has been handed far more responsibility thus far in his career and has playoff success to his credit, so presumably, he’ll receive more than Blackwood’s $2.8 million average annual value. How much more? The Vasilevskiy comp is interesting, but it’s also from five years ago and is something of a unique situation, given where Tampa stood entering that particular offseason from a goaltending standpoint.

In any case, Hart’s truly big contract will likely have to wait now. But if he bounces back as the team — and Hart himself — hopes, it’ll come eventually.

— All statistics courtesy of Evolving-Hockey and CapFriendly.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217479 Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang ($7.25 million) — He must be protected by rule. Mike Matheson ($4.875 million) — Truth be told, Penguins management

probably wouldn’t mind being liberated of Matheson’s leviathan of a Who will the Penguins protect in the expansion draft? contract that still has five years remaining. Losing that cap hit would create a lot of flexibility to adjust the 2021-22 roster. But there really isn’t a great choice for the third defenseman they can protect. Marcus Pettersson also has several years (four) and a large salary cap hit SETH RORABAUGH | Friday, July 16, 2021 6:25 p.m. ($4,025,175) and offers less than what Matheson’s skill set provides. Matheson isn’t a great choice here, but he’s the best out of what is available to the Penguins. The Penguins leave the ice after losing to the New York Islanders in Game 6 of their first-round series at Nassau Veterans Memorial Goaltender Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. on May 26. Tristan Jarry ($3.5 million) — Even after his terrible performance this past Pretty much, the only certainty about who the Pittsburgh Penguins will postseason, Jarry is the only goaltender capable of being a starter protect for Wednesday’s expansion draft is who they must protect. currently in the Penguins’ system. Even with all of his flaws, the 26-year- old Jarry is hardly a lost cause. He can rebound and prove he is capable The “core.” of being a franchise goaltender. Were he exposed, his modest salary cap would make Jarry a tempting choice for the Kraken. Franchise staples Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin each have no-movement clauses in their contracts and, by the NHL’s rules, (Note: All first- and second-year professionals, such as defenseman John must be protected from being selected by the incoming Seattle Kraken. Marino, are ineligible to be selected in the expansion draft.)

As for the rest? There are some obvious names the Penguins will include Tribune Review LOADED: 07.17.2021 to their list of seven forwards, three defenseman and a goaltender.

And there are some borderline choices who might wind up in the Pacific Northwest when the season opens in October.

Whom should the Penguins place on that list? Consider this an educated guess:

(Note: Players are listed with their salary cap hits.)

Forwards

Teddy Blueger, center ($2.2 million) — Having signed a two-year contract extension Wednesday, Blueger’s importance has been heightened by the right knee injury that likely will sideline Malkin for some portion of the season. Depth at center is vital to how the Penguins operate, and Blueger, arguably the team’s top defensive forward, is a major component of that dynamic.

Sidney Crosby, center ($8.7 million) — As mentioned above, he must be protected by rule.

Jake Guentzel, left winger ($6 million) — Not a lot of thought needs to go into this one. Guentzel is young (26), has three years remaining on his contract and has established chemistry with Crosby like few wingers ever have. As one of the more talented players on the roster, he won’t be going anywhere soon.

Kasperi Kapanen, right winger ($3.2 million) — Kapanen is kind of like a lesser version of Guentzel for the reasons listed above. He is a pending restricted free agent next season, so the Penguins still have contract control over him. And he has established chemistry with Malkin. Exposing him would make him a tempting target for the Kraken.

Evgeni Malkin, center ($9.5 million) — He must be protected by rule.

Bryan Rust, right winger ($3.5 million) — As steady and consistent of a player the Penguins have dressed over the past two seasons, protecting Rust offers minimal risk. The only risk lies in his contract status as he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. A consistent 20 goal-threat who likely would have reached the 30-goal mark at least once were it not for the pandemic disrupting the past two seasons, he could command a heavy payday next summer.

Brandon Tanev, left winger ($3.5 million) — There are more talented players the Penguins can protect, such as fellow forward Jared McCann. But there aren’t many members of the roster who are move valued than Tanev. One of the fastest skaters in the league, Tanev is a tone-setter for the team who plays a hard game and can even chip in the occasional bit of offense. Protecting him over others would be more about not having an adequate replacement for what he offers.

Defensemen

Brian Dumoulin ($4.1 million) — Perhaps the Penguins’ best defensive entity, Dumoulin is a no-brainer to protect, even if he turns 30 on Sept. 6. One of the more respected voices in the dressing room, Dumoulin has a presence few on the roster can eclipse. And he’s the perfect counterbalance to Letang, who is always eager to take chances on the rush. 1217480 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins schedule community meetings on Hunt Armory rink and hockey diversity

PAUL GUGGENHEIMER | Friday, July 16, 2021 1:41 p.m.

The interior of the Hunt Armory, shown in February 2020.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have scheduled in-person and virtual community meetings this month on their plans to open an ice rink at the Hunt Armory in Shadyside.

The community sessions are being held July 26 and July 28 and will involve discussions about specific plans related to the project — hours of operation, parking, programming and other matters. Each session will begin with a presentation about plans for the ice rink with a question-and- answer-period to follow.

Earlier this week, the Penguins announced plans to open a seasonal rink within the 46,500-square-foot armory by Thanksgiving. It would be the first public rink built within city limits in decades and become an integral part of the team’s goal to get more African-American kids playing hockey.

The push toward that goal began in earnest just before the pandemic, when the Penguins welcomed the NHL’s Black History Month mobile museum to the Hill District on Jan. 31, 2020. On that day Penguins President and CEO David Morehouse talked about the challenges facing inner-city kids who want to play hockey.

“I grew up in Beechview. I played street hockey on a basketball court. We couldn’t get an ice rink,” said Morehouse. “That’s the same thing with neighborhoods like the Hill District. My goal is not only to get more African-American kids playing hockey, but I want to draft an NHL player from the Hill District.”

The new rink will be supported by a grant from the and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) to improve access to the game of hockey for youth players of color in city neighborhoods.

The rink would be operated from November to March and serve as the headquarters of the Penguins’ Hockey Diversity program and a new middle school hockey training academy. All costs of rink installation and operations will be supported by the Penguins, at no public expense, the team said.

“I’m grateful to the Pittsburgh Penguins for their investment in the Hunt Armory and their work to reopen the doors of this long empty building,” said city council member Erika Strassburger. “I look forward to meeting with members of the community, the Penguins, and all partners to answer questions and troubleshoot any concerns at the two scheduled meetings later this month, as well as throughout the next year.”

The first meeting will be held in-person on July 26 at 6 p.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church, a block from the armory at 315 Shady Ave. The second meeting is a virtual presentation scheduled for July 28 at 6 p.m. on Webex (Password: Hunt728)

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217481 Pittsburgh Penguins As the last overall pick in the 2017 draft, Reilly is always going to be something of a long shot in terms of reaching the NHL. Former Penguins forwards Andy Brickley and Patric Hornqvist as well as defensemen Hans Jonsson and Zach Trotman are proof that being the NHL’s version Penguins A to Z: While hardly irrelevant, Will Reilly remains a long shot of “Mr. Irrelevant” can offer a path to the NHL. But it’s hardly guaranteed.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.17.2021 SETH RORABAUGH | Friday, July 16, 2021 8:01 a.m.

In 28 AHL games last season, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Will Reilly had six points (three goals, three assists).

With the Penguins in the midst of their offseason, the Tribune-Review is looking at all 48 players currently under NHL contracts to the organization in alphabetical order, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari to top-six winger Jason Zucker.

Will Reilly

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Right

Age: 23

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 197 pounds

2020-21 AHL statistics: 26 games, six points (three goals, three assists)

Contract: First year of a two-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $806,250. Pending restricted free agent 2022.

(Note: According to Cap Friendly, Reilly is still exempt from waivers in the event he is sent to the American Hockey League.)

Acquired: Seventh-round draft pick (No. 217 overall), June 24, 2017

2020-21 season: After having the remainder of his senior season (2019- 20) at Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute (RPI) canceled in March of 2020 due to the pandemic, Reilly made the jump to the professional ranks by signing his entry-level contract in April.

Opening the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, Reilly spent his entire first professional season in Northeast Pennsylvania, with the exception of a handful of paper transactions in which he was recalled to the taxi squad for the benefit of the NHL club’s day-to-day management of the salary cap.

After making his season debut in the season opener Feb. 8, the high point of Reilly’s season came quickly. During a 5-4 road win against the , Reilly scored his first career goal off a rebound and recorded an assist.

Primarily deployed on the right side of the third pairing with steady veteran leader Kevin Czuczman, Reilly was eased into things during his first professional season. He also saw some occasional duties with the second power-play unit while appearing in 28 of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s 32 games.

The future: Reilly made satisfactory, if modest, progress in his first professional season. He wasn’t given too much in terms of duties and seemed to digest what was on his plate while adjusting to the professional game.

A dynamic and skilled player blessed with a strong shot and adequate skating, Reilly always could produce offensive figures at the NCAA level. Last season, he began to figure out the defensive details of being a professional. And as a right-handed shot, he carries a little more value just given the dearth of starboard-sided defenseman at all levels of hockey.

Reilly will likely open the 2021-22 season in Wilkes-Barre. With the potential returns of defensemen Niclas Almari, after a season in Finland, and Jesper Lindgren, from shoulder surgery, as well as the presumption that fellow first-year professional Joshua Maniscalco will see more playing time, there will be plenty of competition for playing time on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s blue line.

(Note: As a pending second-year professional, Reilly is exempt from next week’s expansion draft.) 1217482 Pittsburgh Penguins Can the Penguins create the salary cap space to sign their own free agents or a player on the free market?

Defenseman Cody Ceci and forwards Freddy Gaudreau, Evan Rodrigues Six questions to set the stage for Penguins' offseason and Colton Sceviour are the Penguins who will be unrestricted free agents on July 28 at noon.

The toughest decision revolves around Ceci. He signed with Pittsburgh Mike DeFabo7-9 minutes 7/16/2021 last offseason at a time when his value was near a career low and teams around the league were struggling to get under the flat $81.5 million cap.

The one-year, $1.25 million deal proved to be one of the steals of free The Penguins’ season came to a screeching halt on May 26, when the agency, as Ceci leapfrogged promising young defenseman John Marino New York Islanders bounced the East Division champs out of the playoffs to play in the Penguins’ top-four. Now, the veteran defenseman is likely in six games. in line for a seven-figure pay raise.

Nearly two months have passed since that first-round exit. So what kind “We have interest in [Ceci],” Hextall said. “In terms of the cap, that’s of noise have the Penguins made to shake up the roster? another question. Right now we don’t have the space, so we’d have to create the space.” Crickets. The salary cap figures to be one of the critical factors that will determine The reasons for the quiet offseason are two-fold. Part of that stand-pat if the Penguins can sign their own free agents or compete for others on approach reflects the faith that general manager Ron Hextall and the open market. According to CapFriendly, the club currently only has president of hockey operations Brian Burke have in the roster they $1 million in cap space. They could do some salary-cap gymnastics by inherited and the coaching staff already assembled. The other key factor stashing Evgeni Malkin on long-term injured reserve through parts of the is the expansion draft, which Hextall said created a “gridlock” for trade season or by moving a player. We’ll see if they take that path. talks. As for the others, Gaudreau made the most of his opportunities last year But now, after a slow two months, NHL teams are in for a hectic two during one of the Penguins’ injury-plagued stretches. He could be a low- weeks. cost depth option at center and at wing. But in a world where every penny needs to be pinched, can he fit? On Sunday, the NHL is scheduled to reveal every team’s expansion draft protection list. Wednesday is the expansion draft itself, where Hextall What league trends might influence the roster construction, and how anticipates the Penguins will lose a “pretty good player” to the Seattle much will the new front office put its fingerprints on this team? Kraken. That’s followed by the NHL entry draft on Friday and Saturday. Finally, free agency opens on July 28 at noon. Speed is the first word that would be used to describe virtually all of the players Rutherford acquired in his final 24 months on the job, including Got all that? Good. Before it all begins, here are six questions to set the Brandon Tanev, Zucker, Kasperi Kapanen, Mike Matheson and others. stage. But now there are new decision makers who could make some tweaks to Whom will the Penguins lose in expansion? the style and identity of the club. In the days after the season ended, Hextall talked about his desire to add size and toughness to the roster. The Penguins can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one This is in line with what Burke has said previously, when he explained goalie. While debates have raged over whom the Penguins will — or there would be an evolution to the roster. should — protect, the bigger question is whom will they lose? “It appears it’s gone back a little bit to the heavy game,” Hextall told the In terms of forwards, if Jared McCann is not protected, he would be an Post-Gazette recently. “But you’ve got to be really careful looking at appealing player given his age (25), positional flexibility and offensive things in a vacuum. You’ve got to look at more than one year and the upside. Jason Zucker has proven to be a respected leader in the way things have progressed. Because next year it could be the opposite. dressing room who could help build a culture in a new market, even if his It could be back to the skilled teams. $5.5 million cap hit might give Seattle pause. Zach Aston-Reese is a good role player with stellar advanced metrics, which could make him “In reality, you want to be that blend. You’ve got some skill but you’ve appealing for a new team that plans to rely heavily on analytics. One also got some grit and hard-charging players. To me, you kind of want would think Teddy Blueger will be protected after he signed a two-year that hybrid.” contract extension this week. But if he’s dangled, Seattle would have to think twice. Is a trade coming, and could a goalie be part of that conversation?

Defensively, will the Penguins leave Marcus Pettersson and/or Mike Trade talks often heat up around the draft. Just look at last year, when Matheson exposed, and would Seattle he OK taking on those long the Penguins shipped two-time Cup winner Matt Murray to Ottawa. If the contracts? Penguins want to change the look and feel of the roster, create salary cap space or address needs, these next two weeks could be a time to do In the draft, will the Penguins add picks, stand pat or go for win-now? it.

The Penguins enter the draft with only a second-round pick, fifth-round One of the biggest questions surrounds the goalies. Following Tristan pick and three seventh-round picks. That’s not a lot of draft capital for a Jarry’s disappointing postseason performance, the team has expressed build-through-the-draft GM. confidence in their No. 1 netminder. But will they still look at options to solidify the position? It appears from the outside there are three approaches the club could take with the limited resources they have. “We’re comfortable with the two guys that we have,” Hextall said. “They did a real good job over the course of the season. But again, it’s like any First, they could simply just draft players when it’s their turn. While none other position. If we can upgrade our D or or center ice or our wingers, would likely factor into the NHL roster for several seasons, these players we’ll certainly look at everything that comes our way.” could begin to restock a prospect pool that many analysts consider to be one of the thinnest in the league — if not the thinnest. In summation, how much change could be coming this offseason?

The second way to go is to add picks. That would likely mean shipping “It’s so hard to predict,” Hextall said. “Other teams have needs, too. Do off a roster player or two in exchange for a pick. Taking this route, the we match up cap-wise and need-wise?” Penguins could free up much-needed salary cap space to use in this window (more on that later), while also selecting prospects who can help “I’m sure there will be some tweaks for us. But right now, I’m certainly not win in the future. going to try and bet on how many tweaks because I really don’t know.”

The third approach would be to use the draft capital to acquire NHL After the next two weeks, we’ll begin to have some answers. roster players. That was a common Jim Rutherford tactic. But it seems Post Gazette LOADED: 07.17.2021 unlikely given Hextall’s stated goal to keep one eye on the future. He kept the second-round pick at the trade deadline intentionally and plans to use it. 1217483 Pittsburgh Penguins 0.832 1.8

2.61 Penguins still have a goalie problem. Which free agents can fix it? Antti Raanta

0.905 By Sean Gentille Jul 16, 2021 67 0.819

0.92 If you’re thinking about the Penguins’ NHL expansion draft plans right now — who’s protected, who’s not, who stays, who goes — that’s 0.831 understandable. -1.91 It’s the biggest point of discussion in the sport, and it’s five days away. The prospect of losing Jared McCann or Brandon Tanev or Teddy 0.23 Blueger to the Seattle Kraken? Frightful to you. The prospect of creating Linus Ullmark real salary-cap space in the form of, uh, a different player exit? Probably less so. 0.917

And that’s fine! It’s a big deal! It’s also window dressing — because odds 0.817 are, by the time July 21 comes and goes, the Penguins will not have addressed their single, glaring “this is why their season ended in May” 0.937 issue. 0.861

Their goalies will, in all likelihood, be the same. For at least a bit longer. -2.26

Here’s what we know: Tristan Jarry, in both a macro and micro sense, is 3.12 why the Penguins lost their series to the New York Islanders. Whether you blame him for one play or four losses is your prerogative. We also Petr Mrazek know that if some combination of him and Casey DeSmith aren’t better 0.923 than they were last season — forget in the playoffs — not much that happens next week, next month or next winter will matter. 0.83

Here’s what we think we know: that GM Ron Hextall is trying to add a 0.944 veteran goaltender to the mix, rather than just assuming that Jarry will permanently pivot into the guy he was for six weeks in early 2020. That 0.871 guy was good enough. The guy who set up the Islanders’ series-winning 10.73 goal? Negative. 11.78 Coming out of the expansion draft, the Penguins will have somewhere between roughly $1 million and $6.5 million to fill out their roster. Hextall Tristan Jarry was asked by The Athletic’s Rob Rossi how he felt about spending some of that cash, however much it is, on a veteran goalie. 0.909

“Here’s my feeling. We have a cap issue, first of all,” Hextall. “But the 0.802 way I always look at it, any position we can upgrade our team, we will 0.923 look at it and try and make it happen. So, if we could upgrade our forward group, our defensive group, our goaltending group — obviously, we’d 0.818 look at it. Being up against the cap, there’s certainly some challenges there. But we’ll look at everything we can to try and make our team -9.13 better.” -3.08

Let’s classify that as “purposefully vague” — and then, let’s take a look at Petr Mrazek The Athletic’s top 50 players in free agency, pick out the goalies and figure out how they could fit into Hextall’s plans. If you’re looking for “The Guy” — as in, the best realistic option — it’s Mrazek. The Grubauers and Rasks of the world, for all those reasons we First, there are a few names at the top we can eliminate. outlined, aren’t going to happen. Mrazek, though, is feasible. He’s on • Philipp Grubauer is a Vezina finalist and the best goalie on the market. track to hit the market because Alex Nedeljkovic, for all intents and It’s tough to see any scenario where he’s an option in Pittsburgh. purposes, took the net in Raleigh when Mrazek was injured midseason, and Nedeljkovic is younger and shinier. No problems there. • Tuukka Rask is either playing in Boston or nowhere. But Mrazek might be in a sweet spot where his recent performance is a) • Chris Driedger’s negotiating rights seem to be a valuable trade asset for more than solid enough and b) a small enough sample to be a tough sell the Panthers. Hextall’s interest in sending out futures is minimal, and the for anything more than a 1/1A situation. With Jarry, based on every bit of players he’d like to trade aren’t good enough to net Driedger. evidence we have, Mrazek would be the former.

With that said, let’s go. All statistics are from Evolving Hockey and He’s been good for three consecutive years, and — with the caveat that Natural Stat Trick. GMs do unpredictable things on the open market — he’s still in the “$3.5 million or thereabouts” AAV class. His all-situations save percentage is Jarry vs. the field .923, 14 percentage points above Jarry. At five-on-five, the gap grows to NAME SAVE % HD SAVE % 5V5 SAVE % HD 5V5 21 points (.944 to .923). He’s got Jarry beat soundly in high-danger SAVE % GOALS SAVED ABOVE EXPECTED (GSAX)▲ GSAX situations (.830 to .802). Nothing shocking there. 5V5 Where Mrazek lapped Jarry — and the rest of our field — is in Jonathan Bernier accounting for shot quality. His all-situations goals saved above expected (GSAx) last season of 10.73 is nearly 20 goals better than Jarry (minus- 0.914 9.13, near the bottom of the league at 74th of 92 qualifiers). Now, is that partially a function of playing 12 largely good games, as Mrazek did in 0.813 2020-21? Sure. But the track record there — 3.44 in 2019-20, 4.29 in 0.923 2018-19 — is good enough to make it stand more firmly. Think of it this way: When was the last time you saw a Penguins goalie make a save you didn’t expect? Mrazek does that better than most (17.3 GSAx, fourth- best in the NHL over the last three seasons), and the odds that he’d force Jarry into real-life backup status are pretty solid.

Jonathan Bernier

In Bernier, we have another guy who was more effective than Jarry last season — but he’s a little more budget-friendly than Mrazek. Bernier is three years older without the benefits that come from playing for a contender. He’s also got less of a track record as a 1A on a good team.

The fact that Bernier finished last season with the Red Wings was, in fact, a surprise; he was the best goalie on the trade market and a pending unrestricted free agent, and his team was abysmal. Still, he powered through all that to a .915 save percentage and GSAx of 1.8, one of a couple of numbers indicating he was better than Jarry in high-danger situations.

Bernier made sense as a potential deadline acquisition for Hextall, had he more space to maneuver. Now, he’s interesting as an option to bring in as a quote-unquote veteran option — he has timeshare experience, remember — and mix in more as his play dictates.

Linus Ullmark

Statistically, Ullmark’s regular season was similar to Jarry’s — just better. Like Jarry, he had a negative overall GSAx (minus-2.26) that was particularly harmed by his play on the penalty kill (minus-1.39). But at even strength, Ullmark was above average (1.91), while Jarry was simply less bad (minus-3.08).

There’s nothing spectacular about Ullmark. Individually, 2020-21 was his first good season of three in the NHL. But he’s young enough (at 27) to make you believe that the guy we saw in 2020-21 — a half-decent goalie on a bad team that cratered without him — is the guy he really is. That might be enough.

Antti Raanta

In most circumstances, Raanta would be a firm 1B; it’s tough to imagine a good team signing up for a true timeshare involving a guy who’s played in 57 games over the last three seasons. In each of those seasons with the Coyotes, though — and we realize the record is broken — Raanta was better than Jarry was in 2020-21. Raanta’s 2019-20 was, in fact, pretty good, with a 5.64 GSAx and .921 save percentage in 33 games.

Maybe most relevantly, that good year was sandwiched by two that bottomed out at “not terrible” in small sample sizes. The better question is probably whether he makes more sense than DeSmith.

You could ask the same about Jarry, in fact — but that’s another question for another day. Maybe in August.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217484 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' pick slots revealed for upcoming 2021 NHL Draft

BY ALEX DIDION

In an important year for the future of the Sharks, San Jose will have eight total selections in the 2021 NHL Draft.

The Sharks will pick seventh overall in the first round of the July 23 draft, and San Jose's second-round pick (No. 39 overall) belongs to the as the final piece of the trade.

Check out their full allotment of picks below.

Round 1: No. 7 overall

Round 2: None

Round 3: No. 71 overall

Round 4: Nos. 103, 121 overall

Round 5: Nos. 135, 156 overall

Round 6: No. 167 overall

Round 7: No. 199 overall

After multiple seasons without a playoff appearance, the Sharks have remained publicly adamant about the lack of interest in a rebuild, instead looking to "reset" the roster going forward.

The most recent mock draft from The Athletic has the Sharks selecting Michigan center Kent Johnson at No. 7. Johnson was one of the top players in the Big Ten last season and shows promise as a future forward in the NHL.

Doug Wilson and the front office also could be looking to bolster their depth at forward and potentially add another goaltender in the later rounds, now that Alexei Melnichuk and Josef Korenar appear close to cracking the Sharks' active roster.

We'll see who the Sharks end up selecting on July 23 when the first round gets underway.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217485 San Jose Sharks

Does Kuemper Make Sense for Sharks?

| SJHN+Published 3 hours ago on July 16, 2021By Sheng Peng

Could Darcy Kuemper be a starting option for the San Jose Sharks?

“It sounds like they’re gonna move Kuemper, or try to, and Adin Hill would be the guy,” an NHL scout told San Jose Hockey Now earlier this week. “Arizona has been awfully high on [Hill].”

Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff reported yesterday that a trade for Kuemper could come together “in short order, perhaps so that Arizona could move to protect Adin Hill in the upcoming Expansion Draft.”

An expansion draft-related freeze on trade, waivers, and signings begins tomorrow at 12 PM PT and runs through Thursday. Teams must turn in their expansion draft protection lists by 2 PM PT tomorrow.

So yes, a deal for Kuemper, wherever he goes, might have to happen by tomorrow afternoon. And while Seravalli tabbed Toronto and Colorado as likely destinations for Kuemper, the San Jose Sharks also make some sense. We know they’re looking for a starting goalie — we’ve already talked with three NHL scouts about possible candidates:

Scouts on Khudobin, Holtby & Other Sharks Goalie Trade Targets | SJHN+

Scouts Talk Driedger, Ullmark, Grubauer & Other UFA Goalies | SJHN+

We also know San Jose had interest in Kuemper last off-season. So let’s ask the scouts: Do they think Kuemper is a quality starter? Are they concerned about his relatively-poor season? And would they pick him over premier UFA prize Philipp Grubauer for their team?

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217486 San Jose Sharks

Sheng’s Daily: Kuemper Available, Khudobin Off Board for Sharks?

Published 18 hours ago on July 16, 2021By Sheng Peng

ShareTweetFlipRedditComment

“I wouldn’t count out the Sharks going for Grubauer.”

That’s what one NHL scout told San Jose Hockey Now. Three scouts shared their thoughts on how Philipp Grubauer, Chris Driedger, Linus Ullmark, and other UFA goalies might fit the San Jose Sharks:

Scouts Talk Driedger, Ullmark, Grubauer & Other UFA Goalies | SJHN+

Did the San Jose Sharks overpay Dylan Gambrell? Probably. But there also appears to be a good reason for it:

Why Did Gambrell Cost Sharks So Much?

If the San Jose Sharks wanted to trade a big name, what would be a realistic return?

What Are Some Realistic Sharks’ Trade Values?

IN OTHER SAN JOSE SHARKS NEWS…

Joe Pavelski recalls his San Jose Sharks debut:

We’re excited to announce Episode 5 of @jpav8 Path to the Pros is now live on https://t.co/jNz2azs18x! We have once again teamed up the crew over at Legends Athletic Apparel to make this possible. #LightTheTorch pic.twitter.com/6jAjfeKMDI — TorchPro (@torchpro_) July 14, 2021

AROUND THE NHL…

“He died as a hero” — Elvis Merzlikins remembers Matiss Kivlenieks. (The Hockey Writers)

Ben Bishop agrees to waive his no-movement clause for the expansion draft — this means the Stars will protect Anton Khudobin from Seattle. (Dallas Morning News)

Darcy Kuemper is on the trade block — does this mean Arizona will protect Adin Hill? (Daily Faceoff)

Behind William Eklund’s drive to achieve his NHL dream. (The Athletic)

Shea Weber’s career is threatened by lingering foot and ankle problems. (Sportsnet)

OTR: Trade Market Set To ‘Explode’; Seth Jones, Shea Weber | SJHN+

Update: Source Confirms Penguins Serious Interest in Hyman

Ryan Graves traded to New Jersey Devils; Here’s what it means for the Avs moving forward

Landeskog, Avs indeed are “far apart”

Florida Panthers buyout final two seasons of Keith Yandle contract

Florida Panthers sign Anthony Duclair, Gus Forsling to new contracts

Vladimir Tarasenko reportedly would waive no-trade clause for Flyers

Haggerty: Carlo Deal A Good Start For Boston Bruins |BHN+

Who are favorites in the Zach Hyman Derby? Not the Detroit Red Wings

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217487 St Louis Blues Of the 30 players ultimately claimed by the Kraken — one from every team except the expansion draft-exempt Vegas Golden Knights – Seattle can end up with a maximum of 10 players who were free agents entering the negotiating window. Blues must turn in list for expansion draft on Saturday One last thing to keep in mind with the expansion draft. From 2 p.m. Saturday until noon on Thursday, there is a freeze on signing, trading or waiving players by the rest of the NHL teams. So if Tarasenko is not Jim Thomas traded by 2 p.m. Saturday, he cannot be traded until Thursday afternoon. The Kraken have the playing field to themselves.

The Blues’ offseason hits its first milepost Saturday when the team must The NHL is expected to release the protected lists of all 30 teams on submit its list of protected players to the NHL for the Seattle expansion Sunday. draft. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.17.2021 The Blues have two ways to go in terms of their list, which must be turned in by 4 p.m. (St. Louis time). They can submit the names of seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie. Or eight skaters (regardless of position) and one goalie.

It seems all but a certainty that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will go with the 7-3-1 formula, which allows him to protect 11 total players as opposed to nine in the 8-1 formula.

The expansion draft takes place Wednesday night.

Assuming Armstrong does go 7-3-1, 10 of the 11 names appear to be no- brainers: Jordan Kyrou, Ryan O’Reilly, David Perron, Brayden Schenn, Oskar Sundqvist and Robert Thomas at forward; Justin Faulk, Torey Krug and Colton Parayko on defense; and Jordan Binnington at goalie.

That leaves one forward spot unaccounted for. Does Armstrong protect Vladimir Tarasenko, who he’s trying to trade? Or does he expose Tarasenko, thus leaving him there for the taking by the Kraken?

It’s a complicated situation. By exposing Tarasenko, the Kraken would get their choice of Tarasenko or defenseman Vince Dunn.

Under the 7-3-1 formula, exposing Tarasenko would allow the Blues to protect another forward — most likely Ivan Barbashev or Sammy Blais.

Should Tarasenko be exposed and claimed by Seattle, the Blues would be free of his $7.5 million salary-cap hit. That’s money they could use in the free agent market.

If Armstrong is convinced he can’t find a trade partner for Tarasenko, he could even offer a sweetener to the Kraken by adding a player or draft choice to the mix. Or agreeing to retain part of Tarasenko’s cap hit in return for Seattle selecting the disgruntled forward. That would seem to be a drastic solution, and out of character for Armstrong.

In any event, if Tarasenko is exposed and taken by the Kraken under any circumstances, the Blues would get nothing in return for someone who was a perennial 30 goal-plus scorer until shoulder issues derailed his last two seasons.

Among forwards expected to be exposed by the Blues are Tyler Bozak, Mike Hoffman, Jaden Schwartz, Zach Sanford, Kyle Clifford and Mackenzie MacEachern.

Other than Dunn, defensemen expected to be exposed are Robert Bortuzzo, Niko Mikkola and Marco Scandella.

Prospects such as Dakota Joshua, Klim Kostin, Jake Neighbours and Jake Walman are exempt from the expansion draft because they don’t have enough pro experience. (In the case of Neighbours, the team’s first- round pick in the 2020 draft, he has no pro experience in terms of games played.)

There’s another wrinkle to the Seattle expansion draft. From 9 a.m. Sunday until 9 a.m. Wednesday, the Kraken can negotiate with and sign any free agents left unprotected by the other teams. If the Kraken sign a player during this period, he counts as the expansion pick from that team.

Bozak, Hoffman and Schwartz are unrestricted free agents. So if they are left unprotected, as expected by the Blues, they can negotiate and sign with the Kraken during the three-day window. The same holds for restricted free agents Dunn and Sanford, although it’s a different situation with them. As RFAs, the Kraken hold their rights merely by claiming them.

That’s not the case with unrestricted free agents — they remain eligible for free agency on July 28 if not signed by the Kraken. (So it makes no sense for the Kraken to claim an unrestricted free agent if they can’t sign him.) 1217488 Tampa Bay Lightning year and said this run was extra special to her because of the team’s “angel.”

“It really illustrated how much the Bolts winning meant to that Lightning offer ‘poignant’ moments in Quest for the Stanley Cup finale community,” Check said. “(This team’s) so woven into the community and that really struck me.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.17.2021 By Mari Faiello

Published Yesterday

David Check and his crew knew exactly how they wanted to start the sixth season of Quest for the Stanley Cup.

With some availability in Lightning coach Jon Cooper’s schedule, the film crew captured him sitting out on his Anna Maria Island pool patio talking about last year’s Cup run in the Canadian bubbles.

“The big thing for me is, you can’t be full,” Cooper said in between puffs of his cigar. “If you win one Cup, are you full? Or are you still hungry?”

The season came full circle while filming the final scene of the series that streams on ESPN+. The crew was back at Cooper’s pool patio, this time with the Cup sitting on a side table.

“This team was so hungry to win another one, so passionate, they weren’t going to be denied, and it was just so fun to be a part of,” Cooper said. “I guess it’s time to go for three.”

It was these kinds of moments Check, co-executive producer for the show, and crew captured in the seven-episode series, which began shooting in the second round of the playoffs.

The Lightning were heavily featured as defending champions. And it was key to make the on- and off-ice moments come across as authentic as possible, something Check said the Lightning had no issue doing.

“I think every team has a different personality, and Tampa happens to have a group of individuals where their personalities are off the charts,” Check said. “I mean, we can name four or five people that are just (great) personalities on that team.”

Check’s first year on the show was memorable in more ways than one. He has worked on shows like ESPN’s 30 for 30 and movies like the Official 2014 World Series Film and David Ortiz: In the Moment. But the access he and others had with the coaches, officials and players made a huge impact.

“As far as professional sports go, that’s not a level playing field,” he said. “I mean, the NHL is way up there when it comes to the level of access … I don’t know if you can do Quest without that level of access.”

Check enjoyed getting to see how the Lightning operated daily, especially when it came to moments like Blake Coleman showing off his newborn daughter, Carson, ahead of Game 2 against the Islanders in the semifinals.

Check also fondly recalled Ryan McDonagh taking the crew inside of DI Coffee Bar on David Islands so he could get his caffeine fix ahead of Game 7 against New York. And when Pat Maroon talked about how much it would mean to win a third straight Cup.

Getting to film a celebration at a team’s home rink for the first time in the series’ history meant a lot to the crew as well.

“The level of excitement among our crew, and not just in the field, but back in the edit, because you can really capture that emotion of the home crowd just so full throttle in their support for the team, it was an absolute thrill for them to be a part of it,” he said.

And the team’s commitment to and involvement in Tampa Bay couldn’t have been clearer than in some of the “poignant” moments filmed for the season finale.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NHL (@nhl)

McDonagh and Maroon showed off the Cup at DI Coffee Bar after surprising a random family. When they knocked on the door, the mother told the pair of players she had lost her son — a big Lightning fan — last 1217489 Tampa Bay Lightning The boat parade “blew us out of the water” Boats make their way up the Hillsborough River during a boat parade

celebrating the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup victory Monday, July Lightning’s Victor Hedman talks knee injury, Stanley Cup run in TSN 12, 2021 in Tampa. interview Hedman didn’t know so many boats could fill the water of the Hillsborough River until he saw Monday’s boat parade celebration. He estimated more boats — and people — came out this year. By Mari Faiello One of the most memorable moments for Hedman was when the boat Published Yesterday parade came into downtown Tampa by the convention center.

“The sights were unbelievable,” he said. “And it just goes to show about the Tampa community and how they really care about us. We’ve been Victor Hedman is in rest and recovery mode. spoiled the last year with three professional trophies (Bucs won the The Lightning defenseman, who had surgery to repair a torn meniscus Super Bowl as well), but the boat parades are out of this world.” Tuesday, has some time on his hands before his travel plans to return Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.17.2021 home to Sweden kick in.

Fresh off the team’s second straight Stanley Cup win and boat parade celebrations, Hedman hopped on a podcast with TSN’s Ray Ferraro and Darren Dreger on Thursday to talk about his recovery from and winning the Cup at home, among other topics.

Here are four highlights from his interview:

No need to risk regular-season surgery

Hedman, who had been battling a knee injury since March 30, played 19 additional regular-season games before the team’s 23-game Stanley Cup run.

The Norris Trophy finalist said surgery “went well” and he “feels better each day.” And the plan is to be ready for training camp this fall.

Hedman said he probably could have done the procedure during the season, but not knowing exactly what doctors would find when they opened him up was too big of a risk. So Hedman played through it.

“I had to find a little bit of a different way to play my game,” he said. “I couldn’t be as aggressive as I wanted but I still found a way to be effective.”

But it was the idea that this will be the last time this exact group can win a Stanley Cup together that kept Hedman and other injured players (like Ryan McDonagh, Alex Killorn, Nikita Kucherov) going.

“It’s tough in the salary cap era to keep everyone and we know that,” Hedman said. “That was kind of our mindset going in, kind of like the last dance with all of the guys and for us to try and keep the core and bringing in guys that can help us win, that’s our mindset going forward. We’re not here to be satisfied ... we want to win, again.”

Winning at home was “very special”

Hedman said to win the Cup on home ice in a tight game with friends and family filling the stands was “unimaginable.”

“It was something you never thought you’d be able to experience,” Hedman said. “That was very much a dream come true.”

He said both Cup runs were challenging, but he thought everyone benefited from the lack of travel time last year (having to only move between Toronto and Edmonton for the final two rounds).

“It’s not an easy Stanley Cup to win,” he said. “I’ve been in this league for a long time and it’s taken a lot of ups and downs to get to this point, so to be able to do it back-to-back, it leaves you speechless when you think about it.”

A travel demand

Hedman is excited to return home to Sweden, where he hasn’t been since the rebooted training camp ahead of last year’s playoffs.

“A year is a long time,” Hedman said. “I’m very about Sweden, especially this time of the year.”

Hedman added that a lot has changed since the last time he was home — two Stanley Cups and his first child (a son born in October).

“I’m looking forward to coming back home and celebrating this with them,” he said.

As for taking the Cup to Sweden, Hedman has already set his demand: “I’m not coming back (to Tampa) until I get the Cup back home.” 1217490 Toronto Maple Leafs Hutchinson. Defenceman Rasmus Sandin and forward Ilya Mikheyev are exempt based on years of service.

Teams can add pending unrestricted free agents to their protected list, Zach Hyman. Frederik Andersen. The Maple Leafs have quick decisions but typically haven’t. If one signs with Seattle before the draft, that counts to make, but fans hoping for a major shakeup will be disappointed as the Kraken’s pick — limited to one per team.

Seattle has an exclusive two-day window starting Sunday to interview unprotected pending free agents. By Kevin McGranStaff Reporter If you want to argue Dermott has more upside and deserves to be protected more than Holl, go ahead and flip them on your board. But remember, the Leafs could have protected Dermott without re-signing With Zach Hyman’s phone apparently ringing off the hook, while Frederik him. The compliance rules suggest they needed to re-sign Dermott in Andersen’s is not allowed to, Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas order to protect Holl. is priming his staff for one of their busiest weeks in preparing for next season. If you want to protect Kerfoot, it means the Leafs would have to go with seven forwards and only three defencemen, leaving both Holl and Sure, there’s a lot to do: First up is Wednesday’s expansion draft to stock Dermott exposed. Brooks would also likely be protected, along with one the Seattle Kraken, followed by the NHL entry draft of junior players on of Spezza, Simmonds and Engvall. (Two of those latter three would have July 23 and 24, then free agency starting July 28. to be exposed; Brooks doesn’t fit the games-played requirement.) But how much is going to get done? How much change will there be? If you want to expose one of the core players to create cap space, you’re There are a lot of moving, interconnected parts, but all signs point to a out of your mind. very similar Leafs team in the end. Whichever player the Leafs lose will create a hole, though Dermott would Hyman, a versatile forward, and Andersen, for years their No. 1 be the most easily replaced since Sandin was probably already doing netminder, are their key unrestricted free agents. Hyman’s agent, Todd that. Reynolds, was given permission at the beginning of the week to field Losing Kerfoot would be another kettle of fish. If his $3.5-million cap hit offers from other teams. Andersen’s agent, Claude Lemieux, was not. comes off the books, there’d be more money to re-sign Hyman, though That’s telling on a few fronts. replacing Kerfoot becomes an issue. If it’s possible for a Leaf to be underrated, it’d be him. In Hyman’s case, it confirms whispers from behind the scenes that the sides are far apart on a contract. Hyman is willing to give the team that It seems clear that Dubas still believes in this team, despite the fifth early “hometown” discount you might have heard about, believed to be $5 exit from the playoffs in as many years. Wholesale changes are not in the million (U.S.) per year on a long-term term deal. But for the Leafs, who card, and help via the draft — where the Leafs have but three picks — is don’t have a lot of room under the NHL salary cap, that appears to be too not a viable option. If Hyman’s negotiating rights are traded, it would high. likely be for another spin of the draft wheel, giving Leafs scouts another pick to argue over. By letting Hyman’s camp seek other deals, the Leafs’ hopes are twofold: If they have to replace Hyman, it’s quite likely the answer will come from Hyman sees the true measure of his value, perhaps making a deal with within — perhaps Nick Foligno or Alex Galchenyuk, pending free agents the Leafs easier to pursue. who have proven they can play on the top two lines.

The 29-year-old forward gets an offer that the Leafs don’t want to match, In the end, despite the flurry of activity about to hit NHL front offices, it’s so they trade his rights and get something back in return, likely a draft quite likely very little will happen to dramatically change the Maple Leafs. pick. Toronto Star LOADED: 07.17.2021 The Maple Leafs have been sending different messages about pending free agents Frederik Andersen and Zach Hyman.

By denying Andersen the same right, perhaps they’re hinting that they expect to reach a deal to keep the experienced Andersen in the tandem with Jack Campbell.

The Leafs have been linked to other goalies — Darcy Kuemper of the Arizona Coyotes, and perhaps Jaroslav Halak of the Boston Bruins — but all things considered, they remain comfortable with Andersen’s presence in a room where he’s viewed as part of the leadership core, not to mention prominent on star centre Auston Matthews’ Instagram feed.

No deals are expected before Wednesday’s expansion draft. Rosters will be frozen Saturday, with teams submitting their protected lists for the Kraken to consider.

Those lists will be made public Sunday, with the second-guessing and angst of fans scheduled to begin moments after.

A lot of players were re-signed in the last week or so, including Leafs defenceman Travis Dermott, to make teams compliant with the expansion draft rules:

Each team is required to expose two forwards and one defenceman who played at least 27 games last season, or 54 games over two seasons. One goalie either under contract for next year or a restricted free agent must also be made available. That’s why the Leafs signed Michael Hutchinson to a two-year deal last season.

Teams can protect seven forwards, three defencemen and one goalie, or any eight skaters and one goalie. The Dermott signing suggests Dubas will go with the latter — protecting Campbell, Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, , Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, T.J. Brodie and Justin Holl. That would leave exposed: Dermott, Alex Kerfoot, Jason Spezza, Wayne Simmonds, Pierre Engvall, Adam Brooks and 1217491 Toronto Maple Leafs Of the clubs that have shown interest, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are thought to be in the thick of it. Seattle has made inquiries as well.

KOSHAN: Losing Kerfoot in expansion draft would help Leafs financially, If Hyman gets a deal to his liking before July 28, the Leafs will attempt to but create another depth hole work out a trade so Hyman isn’t lost for nothing.

While the expectation has been that Hyman will have a new contract for six or seven years, we’re told that more than a few clubs are fine with an Terry Koshan eight-year deal if they can acquire Hyman’s rights before the 28th.

Publishing date:Jul 16, 2021 • 10 hours ago • 3 minute read • And never mind $5 million a year for the services of Hyman, who was Join the conversation paid $2.5 million in each of the past two seasons. Something in the range of $6-million is probable.

It’s likely there won’t be a trade involving Hyman until after the expansion A best-case scenario for the Maple Leafs in the expansion draft next draft, once teams have a clearer picture of their respective rosters. A Wednesday would be the loss of forward Alex Kerfoot. sign-and-trade involving the Leafs and another club also is a possibility. Financially, we mean. Certainly not for Toronto’s depth chart. Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.17.2021 It’s not that the Leafs would be happy to see Kerfoot leave and become a member of the Seattle Kraken — the 26-year-old has demonstrated a commendable versatility with Toronto in two seasons after being acquired from Colorado — but it would allow the Leafs more room within their off-season budget.

Clubs across the National Hockey League (minus the relative new kids Vegas Golden Knights, who are exempt) must submit their protected lists by 5 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.

The Kraken’s initial roster, including at least 14 forwards, nine defencemen and three goalies, will be revealed on Wednesday night.

NHL teams have the choice of protecting seven forwards, three defencemen and one goalie; or eight skaters and one goalie.

Our thinking is that Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas would lean toward going with the latter option. In that case, forwards John Tavares (who must be protected since he has a no-move clause), Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, defencemen Morgan Rielly, TJ Brodie, Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl and goalie Jack Campbell would be the best group of players to protect.

If it’s 7-3-1, Dubas would open the team to losing Holl or Travis Dermott. Watching either one leave wouldn’t be overly palatable. At an annual average value of $2 million US for each of the next two seasons, Holl has a good contract.

Dermott recently signed for two years with an AAV of $1.5 million. Not only is that type of contract a proper fit for the Leafs, there’s Dermott’s age and background to consider.

A second-round pick by the Leafs in 2015, Dermott won’t turn 25 until December. While it might be true that the Leafs don’t know absolutely what they have in Dermott, we would make the bet that his best NHL days are ahead of him. The Leafs would be loathe to lose not only a home-grown player, but one who could just as easily prosper with Seattle as he might eventually with Toronto.

No matter who the Leafs lose in the expansion draft — forward Pierre Engvall could be another candidate — it’s bound to hurt more than what happened in 2017, when forward was chosen by Vegas. In his following 181 NHL games with four teams, Leipsic scored just 15 goals and spent last season with CSKA Moscow in the KHL.

As of Friday afternoon, Dubas had approximately $9.3 million of space under the $81.5-million cap at his disposal. With 17 players on the NHL roster, Dubas has some adding to do (most crucially in net, unless the club manages to find a way to keep Frederik Andersen), and Kerfoot’s AAV — $3.5 million in each of the next two seasons — would give Dubas more cash with which to work.

If Kerfoot’s contract was off the books, would there be enough to retain winger Zach Hyman, who is headed for unrestricted free agency on July 28? Probably not, though Hyman’s first choice would be to stay with his hometown team and presumably finish his career in Toronto.

Now that Todd Reynolds, the agent for Hyman, has been given permission by the Leafs to speak to other NHL teams, interest in the 29- year-old is picking up across the league.

As of Friday, the expectation was that at least one-third of NHL general managers, if they had not already, were lining up serious proposals to land Hyman. 1217492 Toronto Maple Leafs His need for more weight and height is an area of concern, but those attributes haven’t stopped the Leafs from taking a swing before. He makes up for his size with his effort and eagerness to attack the goal.

NHL Draft: Who could the Maple Leafs target with their first draft pick at “He seems to be well aware of his weaknesses and tries to capitalize on No. 57 his assets by evading physical play and rather being as smart, quick and nimble as he can,” said the scout.

Jack Peart, LHD, Fargo-USHL | May 15, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 186 pounds By Joshua Kloke Jul 16, 2021 34 Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 37

Pronman’s draft board: No. 61 Watching the way Day 2 unfolded for the Maple Leafs at the 2020 NHL Draft made two things clear: the draft can be surprising and the Leafs are Central Scouting ranking: No. 27 among North American skaters still all-in on prospects with strong hockey sense. Peart has the kind of poise and smarts for days that would make him of Even after flipping the 44th pick to the Ottawa Senators for the 59th and interest to the Leafs. The first thing scouts talk about with Peart is how 64th picks, the Leafs were still able to land two of the top 10 ranked his hockey IQ helps him move the puck out of dangerous areas and set European skaters (According to Central Scouting) in Roni Hirvonen and up his forwards really well. Topi Niemelä. These two players were generally projected to go higher “He can understand and read multiple forecheckers, which allows him to than where they did, and both players have the kind of high-end hockey consistently break the puck out and transition the puck, which is a very IQ that has become a hallmark of recent high Leafs draft picks. good trading skill to have, obviously, at the pro levels,” said Fargo head And that brings us to where the Leafs stand in this year’s draft, which coach Pierre-Paul Lamoureux. begins in one week. The Leafs’ highest pick is in the second round at 57. Peart’s ability to read the game also makes him a strong penalty killer. There’s no reason to believe the Leafs will deviate from their propensity to draft for skill and smarts, especially with the addition of Ryan Hardy as “He could anticipate the next play, be a step ahead and jump a play or Leafs senior director of minor league operations. Hardy built up the knock the puck off a stick,” said Lamoreux. Chicago Steel by favouring players with high hockey IQ, and that aligned vision with Kyle Dubas was a big reason for his hire. He can use his deception in the offensive zone but his offensive abilities don’t scream out, either. It could come, though. His combination of puck That vision could then inform the way the Leafs draft in the second movement and skating means he could develop into a special player round. With the help of The Athletic’s prospect gurus Scott Wheeler and should he transition his game to St. Cloud State next year easily enough. Corey Pronman, I put together a list below of possible picks the Leafs could covet with hockey sense and skill in mind. Ville Koivunen, RW, Karpat-Finland Jr. | June 13, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 161 pounds The safe bets Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 43 Sean Behrens, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL | March 31, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 177 pounds Pronman’s draft board: No. 70

Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 26 Central Scouting ranking: No. 20 among European skaters

Pronman’s draft board: No. 48 Koivunen might be the most skilled player on this list. He can set up plays and also attack the net in ways others in Finland’s U20 league Central Scouting ranking: No. 24 among North American skaters cannot.

How Behrens reads the game and executes with skill under pressure “He has the best hockey IQ that I know. He’s the best player that I’ve reminds me of Niemelä. Many believe Behrens makes the most sense for seen in my four seasons with Karpat’s under-20 team,” said Karpat U20 the Leafs. assistant coach Miikka Jarvenpaa. “If a player can win games by himself, he can do it.” He can break out pucks with efficiency and intent with his quick decision- making. He generally makes the right play at the right time and can Jarvenpaa said there’s a professional attitude in the way Koivunen eats, separate himself from forwards and exit the defensive zone well. In the trains and sleeps that far outweighs any other under-20 player he’s seen. offensive zone, he can see plays develop before they happen, which Now, his skating has never been that strong, and many onlookers have makes him a boon on a power play. written him off from reaching the highest levels because of that. It sometimes negatively impacts his defensive game as well. But the What also reminds me of Niemelä is the fearlessness in his game. upside in his offensive game is too high to ignore. “Sean’s a competitor. What drives is his game is his really high compete Could the familiarity the Leafs have with the Karpat program, which they level. For a guy that could, technically, be classified as undersized, he drafted from in 2019 and 2020, increase the likelihood of this pick? On doesn’t know how big he is. People talk about his size, but he plays a lot paper, everything lines up here. bigger than what he is,” said U.S. NTDP coach Dan Muse. Dylan Duke, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL | March 4, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 175 Aleksandr Kisakov, LW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL | Nov. 1, 2002 | 5-foot-10 pounds | 150 pounds Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 32 Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 46 Pronman’s draft board: No. 58 Pronman’s draft board: No. 46 Central Scouting ranking: No. 29 among North American skaters Central Scouting ranking: No. 7 among European skaters Duke has the build and hands to support his greasy, tenacious approach Kisakov’s upside screams “Leafs pick” to me. The winger plays with near the goal, where he’s at his most dangerous. pace, models his game after Artemi Panarin and shows incredible confidence with the puck in the offensive zone. He can separate himself “He can get a defender to go one way and get inside tight space and from defenders in a variety of ways with his crafty stickhandling. That then he’ll use his work ethic and compete level to own that space and get translated to him leading his MHL team in scoring with 36 goals and 73 to the net, which is a big part of his game. And a lot of times, attacking points in 61 games. those areas and creating that space is going to end up creating space for players around him,” said Muse. “What distinguishes him the most is really high hockey IQ,” said a Russian scout who compared him to 2020 Minnesota Wild second-round Muse and the U.S. NTDP coaching staff repeatedly send him clips of pick Marat Khusnutdinov. “He reads the play instantaneously and always Brendan Gallagher to study and possibly emulate. has a ready stock of ways he will act depending on the situation.” But while he’s a threat close to goal, his transition game suffers because of a lack of speed. He’s divisive, but he’s a different type of player than the Leafs have in their prospect pool. If he doesn’t make the necessary Could Salminen’s awkward, below-average skating scare him off from improvements for the pro game, it won’t be for a lack of drive. teams in a way that wouldn’t scare the Leafs?

Olen Zellweger, LHD, Everett-WHL | Sept. 10, 2003 | 5-foot-9 | 175 While he doesn’t showcase high-end stickhandling or puck movement, pounds he plays a complete, smart, poised game and has some serious leadership qualities to boot. Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 47 “He’s not a fancy forward but he can make smart, little plays off the Pronman’s draft board: No. 37 boards that are effective, and that’s how he gets the points. His IQ comes Central Scouting ranking: No. 45 among North American skaters out that way,” said Tomi Maki, ’s development coach.

Zellweger’s excellent skating and mobility not only make him a fun player Artyon Martino, LW, Omaha-USHL | Sept. 28, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 160 to watch, but also enable him to be effective in all areas of the ice. His pounds production in the offensive zone has been a work in progress, but his Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 31 transition game should eventually lead to offence creation, especially on the power play, at a higher level. He’s ranked high, but a shortened WHL Pronman’s draft board: No. 75 season might lead some teams to pass on him. Central Scouting ranking: No. 46 among North American skaters Team Canada U18 head coach Dave Barr said of Zellweger: “He can think the game fast and he can also play the game fast. He’s got good Martino is a fit for the Leafs with his skill and propensity to make exciting hands. He’s got great feet. He’s an Energizer Bunny out there. And he’ll plays with the puck. He can make those sort of opportunistic plays look go into the tough areas and take hits to make plays. He’s got that easy, and is, as Wheeler labeled him “one of the very best problem- uncanny ability to get the job done.” solvers in this draft class.”

Dmitri Kostenko, RHD, Togliatti-VHL | Sept. 25, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 187 He feels like a prototypical Leafs pick, though I’ve had some scouts pounds question how well he handles adversity.

Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 52 Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener-OHL | April 11, 2003 | six-feet | 185 pounds Pronman’s draft board: No. 41 Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 24 Central Scouting ranking: No. 17 among European skaters Pronman’s draft board: No. 36 Pronman projected the Leafs to select Kostenko in his mock draft. He might not have the upside of others on this list, but the composure in his Central Scouting ranking: No. 15 among North American skaters game is evident. He spent most of the season playing against men in the The draft can be strange and good players can fall. If Pinelli does fall, the VHL and succeeded with his excellent stickhandling, passing and ability Leafs will undoubtedly take a look as his hockey sense is one of his best to read offensive-zone plays well with poise from the blue line. qualities as a player. His intelligence shows in the way he reads his “He plays like a mature defenceman with strong character, smooth teammates’ movements, his confidence with the puck and his ability to skating and good hands. Add to this his offensive upside, consistently make compelling plays. He possesses elite playmaking tools as well. good attitude and overall high hockey sense and you get a really “He’s always in the right spots. Once he has the puck in those positions, promising prospect,” said a Russian NHL scout. he has enough skill and he’s got a good enough shot to be a dual threat,” His age could put him in consideration for the Leafs, and he’s set to play said Rangers general manager Mike McKenzie. in the KHL next season. It will be interesting to see if his rush game Pinelli went to Slovenia on loan to get some playing time without an OHL translates. If it does, he could be a winning pick. season, and it’s hard to understate how much that could benefit him as a The reaches person and his maturity in his eventual efforts to turn pro. But there were also questions about his work rate and effort level, particularly Ryder Korczak, C, Moose Jaw-WHL | Sept. 23, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 174 defensively, during his loan stint that might scare some teams off, which pounds is why he’s on this list.

Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 57 Ryan Ufko, RHD, Chicago-USHL | May 7, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 181 pounds

Pronman’s draft board: No. 64 Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 76

Central Scouting ranking: No. 34 among North American skaters Pronman’s draft board: No. 73

Korczak might be ranked a bit lower than some other players on this list, Central Scouting ranking: No. 43 among North American skaters but there’s still no doubting his skill and smarts. Ufko might be more of a third-round pick, but he warranted inclusion as “If I’m watching a Leafs game and I text him right away about a certain he’s got all the tools the Leafs covet and his experience in a program run play, he’ll understand that play,” said Moose Jaw head coach Mark by Hardy might tip the scales in his favour. Plus, if the Leafs feel like O’Leary. “He’s a fun guy to watch clips with because he has a creative trading down, Ufko could be their man. mind.” “He’s a genius hockey player,” said Steel head coach Brock Sheahan. That creativity is most evident in his puckhandling. He can influence “He controls the game with his decision-making. If option A isn’t there, he games by using his elusiveness to beat players cleanly on zone entries can read through options B and C and decide the best option. He covers and can manipulate defencemen in possession by finding seams. up for a lot of mistakes that others make with his calmness with and without the puck.” His skating does require improvement, but more strength could lead to more pop in his stride. Conner Roulette, LW, Seattle-WHL | May 13, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 180 pounds As Pronman attested, the Leafs have a need for centres in their prospect depth chart, and Korczak could be a decent addition. He’s already spent Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 51 three seasons in the WHL and might be closer to the pro game than others on this list. Pronman’s draft board: No. 71

Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit-Jr. A. | April 9, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 186 Central Scouting ranking: No. 36 among North American skaters pounds Roulette might not have the kind of hockey sense others on this list do, Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 29 but he’s still a tremendously creative passer.

Pronman’s draft board: No. 39 “There’s no one element that blows you away but he’s got good hands, he’s a pass-first guy and his vision is outstanding,” said Seattle head Central Scouting ranking: No. 12 among European skaters coach Matt O’Dette. There are concerns about his size and whether his body will physically mature, but he doesn’t shy away from physical play.

“He has a high ceiling if he were to gain a step or two,” said O’Dette.

Though he might be a stretch at 57, his skill still makes him intriguing.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217493 Vegas Golden Knights Five of the six defensemen they used in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final were picked in the expansion draft. The only one who wasn’t was Theodore.

The Knights also flipped four of the additional defensemen they chose in What can Kraken learn from Golden Knights’ expansion draft success? trades and received five draft picks and two players.

Seattle would be wise to do something similar and build a strong back end. It paid off for the Knights immediately. By Ben Gotz “It’s special,” Tuch said. “I guess we’ve been the most successful Las Vegas Review-Journal expansion team in North American sports, people are saying.”

July 16, 2021 - 9:11 am 3. Go big at goalie

It’s hard to put into words the impact the Knights’ selection from the Pittsburgh Penguins had on the franchise. The Seattle Kraken will enter the expansion draft trying to follow in the footsteps of a Golden Knights team that won a division title, Western Marc-Andre Fleury became the team’s face. Its heart. Its soul. His Conference championship and four NHL awards in its inaugural season. incredible play in the inaugural season gave the Knights belief they could win every night even if they were a bunch of misfits. No pressure there. “Obviously, it was tough leaving Pittsburgh,” Fleury said. “Didn’t know The process begins Wednesday when the Kraken, the league’s 32nd what to expect too much about Vegas, and I was worried about not franchise, select their players. The rules will be the same as when the winning too much coming to an expansion team. It’s been such full of Knights drafted their players on June 21, 2017. Teams can protect seven surprises, just from how much the fans are behind us and make the forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender, or eight skaters and a games so fun to play in and the success our team’s had since day one.” goalie. Seattle must take one player from each club except the exempt Knights. There might not be an obvious Hall of Famer waiting to be plucked by Seattle, but the Kraken should still take the hint that finding the right The limited protection lists led many teams to make trades in 2017. goalie will make starting off on the right foot much easier. Those played a major role in the Knights’ early success, and general manager Kelly McCrimmon doesn’t expect teams to shy away from Luckily, they should have options. dealing with Seattle general manager Ron Francise because of that. If Seattle wants experience, possible exposed goalies could include “I think that teams will evaluate it on a case-by-case basis,” McCrimmon Braden Holtby, who won a Stanley Cup with Washington and now plays said. “If they can be in a better position when it’s all said and done by for Vancouver, and Montreal’s Jake Allen. There should be younger cutting a deal with Seattle, that’s what they’ll do. The flip side is, if Seattle netminders available, too, such as former Knight Malcolm Subban, is in a better situation by simply taking a player, that’s what they’re going Washington’s Vitek Vanecek and pending unrestricted free agent Chris to do.” Driedger, who played for Florida last season.

The Kraken, like the Knights, are in a position to field a strong team. With There are a lot of interesting choices for the Kraken to explore. Which that in mind, here are three things Seattle can learn from the Knights: direction they go will determine the early fate of the franchise.

1. Stick them with side deals LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 07.17.2021 The Knights made a lot of good selections in the expansion draft.

But what turned a good night into a great one is the trades they made to acquire a war chest of draft picks and prospects.

The Knights made 10 deals with teams worried about which player they were going to lose. Many of those clubs ended up regretting those trades.

The Knights wound up with seven players and 13 draft picks along with their 30 selections. Three of those players — right wings Reilly Smith and Alex Tuch and defenseman Shea Theodore — have been part of the team’s core all four years.

Two of those draft picks became center Nick Suzuki and defenseman Erik Brannstrom, prospects who eventually were used in trades to acquire left wing Max Pacioretty and right wing Mark Stone.

The Knights took advantage of teams fretting about their rosters to squeeze every asset possible out of the expansion draft. Seattle, as the only club with a clean salary cap sheet right now, could do something similar with teams desperate to offload money in a flat-cap environment.

“The value of cap space when we came in versus the value of cap space today I don’t even think is comparable,” McCrimmon said. “Seattle has a big hammer to swing there.”

2. Load up on D

One of the Knights’ philosophies seemed to be when in doubt, take a defenseman.

They left with 13 despite needing to take only nine. They selected 14 forwards, the minimum number.

Ultimately, the team’s approach was simply smart asset management. The 7-3-1 protection system that 23 of the 30 teams chose allowed them, in theory, to protect their top six forwards but expose one of their best four defensemen. The Knights went where the value was and wound up with a strong blue line plus good extra players. 1217494 As a smaller defenceman, that will obviously mean being smart positionally and aggressive in his puck battles, since having the puck on his own stick is the best form of defence.

Canucks top 10 prospects: Jack Rathbone's got the wheels, looks the JACK RATHBONE real deal (Prospect No. 2 in daily countdown.) Jack Rathbone, the Vancouver Canucks' No. 2 prospect, already has a Age: 22. big opportunity in front of him. Height: 5-11. Weight: 190 pounds.

Catches: Left. Position: Defenceman. Patrick Johnston Draft year: 2017, fourth round. Publishing date:Jul 16, 2021 • 9 hours ago Current team: Vancouver Canucks (NHL).

Outlook: Second-pairing defenceman We talk a lot about how little Mike DiPietro played in 2020-21. The near-certain departure of Alex Edler from the Canucks fold — his It bears noting how little Jack Rathbone has actually played since he was agent confirmed Friday the preference is to sign with a new team in free drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 2017. agency — now opens a big wide opportunity for Rathbone to secure his In the three seasons after his draft, the speedy defenceman suited up for spot on the Canucks’ second defensive pairing. just 86 games between his prep school team, a midget AAA squad and “Rathbone has shown steady development since the Canucks drafted the Harvard Crimson. him out of the high school circuit, specifically adding a defensive “Jack has not played a lot of hockey,” Abbotsford Canucks head coach dimension to match his offensive and puck-moving ones during his time Trent Cull said Friday. “And now he’s playing, you know, practically NHL, in Harvard,” J.D. Burke, editor in chief of EP Rinkside, told Postmedia. American Hockey League pro hockey. So I think there’s a lot of upside “He’s sometimes too puck-focused and is prone to chasing the play in the there for Jack and I think we have to be a little bit patient with him defensive zone, but he’s since reined in those qualities to a point where because as compared to a guy playing college or playing junior, those he’s at least a passable NHL defender. You combine that with a ‘plus’ guys have played maybe 150, 200-plus games — and he hasn’t had skating ability, a good shot and sound rush instincts and all of a sudden those marks, so I think that’s why there’s going to be a lot more growing Rathbone is looking like a realistic bet to play top-four minutes for the still within Jack and developing in his game.” Canucks blue line long-term.” And that, more than anything, is why everyone is such a fan of his 2021 TOP 10 CANUCKS PROSPECTS potential. He’s already pretty good and he hasn’t had that many reps. No. 10: Viktor Persson. He’s the No. 2 name on our 2021 list of the Canucks’ top 10 prospects, up from No. 3 a year ago. No. 9: Arvid Costmar.

His first pro season was as unusual as you could get. While he signed No. 8: Aidan McDonough. last summer, he didn’t end up playing the first half of the season as he chose to stay home and get stronger rather than going to Europe. No. 7: Will Lockwood.

When it came time for Canucks training camp in January, it took him a No. 6: Jonah Gadjovich. moment or two to adjust to the pace of the pro game. But his ability to No. 5: Jett Woo. learn was evident almost from the start and it wasn’t long before it was clear he could keep up, that he just needed to learn the details of the pro No. 4: Kole Lind. game, where even the weaker players are better than almost anyone he’d come up against in college. No. 3: Mike DiPietro.

He stayed in Vancouver as part of the taxi squad once the NHL season, No. 2: Jack Rathbone. which meant he could practice and work with the NHL coaching staff, in No. 1: Sunday preparation for a shortened AHL season. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.17.2021 Then he was shipped off to the Utica Comets, the Canucks’ former AHL affiliate to work with Cull, a former defenceman, and his assistant Gary Agnew.

“He played nothing like me,” Cull said with a laugh. Cull’s highest scoring season at any level he played was 39 points in 60 games for the 1992-93 Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL; Rathbone tallied 31 points in 28 games in 2019-20 for Harvard.

“We only had Jack for eight games so, but what I saw in his short time here, he’s just a very sharp student of the game. This guy is an intellectual kid, he’s an intelligent kid. You talk to him about something, he absorbs it, and that’s amazing, you know, for all of us. Now sometimes we don’t absorb things quick. But very quick learner. Loved his skating.”

Skating is the skill that, on its own, will take you a long way in pro hockey. For Harvard, he always kept his feet moving, which kept his collegiate opponents on their heels, hoping most often just to contain him.

That won’t be the case in the NHL, such is the skating ability of everyone in the show. But it will still stand him in good stead and give him a chance to be an impactful player, whether that’s at even strength or on the power play.

And he’s shown ability in the other important aspects an NHL defender needs as well. He’s a strong passer and has good instincts in his own end, even if he still obviously needs to improve defensively. 1217495 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks ‘trying to move some money’: GM Jim Benning

The Vancouver Canucks’ general manager would like to re-shape his roster again, but will he be able to find a trading partner?

Patrick Johnston

Publishing date:Jul 16, 2021 • 12 hours ago

With less than 24 hours to go until he has to submit his team’s protected list to the NHL ahead of Wednesday’s Seattle Kraken expansion draft, Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning acknowledges that things are very, very busy.

“There’s a lot of talk around the league, we’ll see,” he said Friday afternoon.

“The next 24 hours, combined with what’s going to happen in the expansion draft, combined with what’s going to happen in free agency, it’s going to be interesting.”

Benning acknowledged that he is looking to make a trade.

“Trying to move some money,” he said.

It’s expected the Canucks will protect seven forwards, three defencemen and a goalie, a combination that mostly writes itself. Thatcher Demko will be protected, along with forwards Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, Tanner Pearson, Tyler Motte and likely Kole Lind, plus defencemen Tyler Myers, Nate Schmidt and Olli Juolevi.

A trade would change that dynamic. While Benning has insisted publicly that Nate Schmidt hasn’t asked for a trade, it’s understood the team has been looking to find a new home for the defenceman, who they picked up in a trade last October from the Vegas Golden Knights.

A source close to Schmidt acknowledged to Postmedia previously that it wasn’t an easy year for the blueliner, who struggled to show in Vancouver the two-way form he displayed for most of his time in Vegas.

Holtby is another player understood to be a trade option for the Canucks, though if he isn’t traded he’s expected to be an enticing option for the Kraken in the expansion draft. Would a team like the Boston Bruins, who aren’t re-signing Jaroslav Halak and who are going to be without the services of Tukka Rask until at least January, be interested?

And presumably the Canucks would like to find a new home for Loui Eriksson, who has one year left on his big contract that carries a cap hit of $6 million. The veteran Swede barely played for the Canucks in 2020- 21 and no matter what happens, will be seen as the biggest bust of the Benning era, having scored just 38 goals since signing a six-year, US $36-million deal in 2016.

But to move Eriksson, the Canucks would surely have to package a young player — and they don’t have many blue-chip prospects — or a high draft pick to entice another team to take him on.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217496 Vancouver Canucks Drafted in the third round (91st overall) of the 2004 entry draft, Edler made his Canucks debut during the 2006-07 season and played 925 games in all. From 2010-11 until 2019-20 he led the team in ice time nine out of 10 seasons — the only season he didn’t was when John Tortorella Canucks: Alex Edler ‘rolling the dice,’ will explore free agency was head coach in 2013-14.

The Vancouver Canucks took the strapping, Swedish blueliner in the He has scored 99 goals and added 310 assists over his career, as well third round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft 665 penalty minutes. His 409 points ranks him as the highest-scoring defenceman in team history, and is the 10th-most points recorded by any

Canucks player all time. Patrick Johnston His most productive season was 2011-12, when he played a full 82-game Publishing date:Jul 16, 2021 • 11 hours ago season and scored 11 goals and added 38 assists.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.17.2021

Alex Edler, who has been a Vancouver Canuck since the day he was drafted 17 years ago, will test unrestricted free agency.

Edler’s agent Mark Stowe said Friday that his client’s first choice is to find a new team, not to sign a new deal with the Canucks.

Stowe said this was about Edler wanting to explore free agency for the first time in his life, not about any kind of falling out with the Canucks.

“That’s the intent, that’s what we’re doing first and foremost, if nothing happens and we have to circle back … it’s risky as heck. You’re rolling the dice,” the Point Roberts, Wash.-based attorney said.

“The intent is to get a deal where he would be a fit somewhere else.”

A return to the Canucks after exploring the market wouldn’t be impossible, but Stowe clearly rated it as unlikely.

“That’s secondary really,” he said of thinking of the Canucks as a safety option. “I never want to say never. But that’s not the intent now. But in three weeks, you never know. I’m not closing the door.”

Stowe said there hadn’t been a breakdown in negotiations or any kind of dispute in the future role of the 35-year-old defenceman. This is simply about trying something he’s never done before.

“Nothing like that. It’s a timing thing. He’s 35. He’s never tested the waters. He may never have a chance again. Not many guys are Zdeno Chara,” Stowe said.

Do you want to try free agency at all to begin with was a question Edler had asked himself in the past, Stowe said, but he’d always said he wanted to just stay in Vancouver.

“Last deal it was a possibility (exploring free agency) but he decided he wanted to stay,” Stowe said about 2019, when Edler’s previous contract ran out. Instead, he signed a two-year, US $12-million contract with the Canucks.

Alex Edler's Agent Mark Stowe breaking the news moments ago that #Canucks Defenseman Alex Edler will hit Free Agency.@CHEK_Newshttps://t.co/h4e2SL3agJ pic.twitter.com/hG2Bcbh2Jl

— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) July 16, 2021

Canucks general manager Jim Benning said he understood Edler’s decision.

“We’ve made him an offer, he’s not unhappy with the offer, but he wants to take his time,” Benning said Friday.

And the offer remained open for the time being, but of course things could change, especially once free agency opens up.

“That’s the risk that’s involved from his side,” Benning said. “We told him we want him back (but) we’re going to have to go to the market place, too.”

Edler’s speed started to slip in the last couple seasons but he was still leaned on by the coaching staff to play heavy minutes against the opposition’s top offensive players. The team has struggled defensively the last few years, but his departure would leave a big hole in the Canucks defensive rotation.

As a 35 year old, Edler’s next contract will come with certain structural stipulations defined by the collective bargaining agreement, which usually mean players in his position sign shorter-term deals, but they are also eligible for performance bonuses, unlike most other players. Players on entry-level deals are also eligible for performance bonuses. 1217497 Vancouver Canucks It goes without saying that not all of these situations are equivalent. Not monetizing Hamhuis and Vrbata is remembered as a dark day for a rebuilding club, probably fairly, but some of these players departed Vancouver following playoff runs when selling wasn’t a realistic Canucks offseason: Alex Edler will hit the market, Mike Gillis joins the consideration, some were deadline purchases (as Toffoli was) or NHLPA and more departed after seasons in which they were injured and couldn’t have been dealt anyway (Mitchell).

Nonetheless, for a Canucks organization that — across management By Thomas Drance Jul 16, 2021 53 teams — has been reluctant to rebuild and fitful about chasing playoff berths even at the expense of the big picture, this is a catastrophic heap of opportunity cost. And among them, Tanev and Edler have to loom We got the sense when checking in on contract talks surrounding Alex largest. Edler and the Vancouver Canucks late Thursday evening that while there was still active dialogue between the club and the longest-serving If you use Evolving-Hockey goals above replacement (GAR) metric — a defender in the franchise’s history, there was little in the way of progress. blunt instrument and far from the end-all and be-all in evaluating NHL defenders — these are the most valuable defenders who have logged at On Friday morning, a bombshell dropped. Edler intends to hit the open least 2000 minutes for Vancouver over the past four seasons, or in the market. This isn’t just a matter of Edler sniffing about to see what’s out Travis Green era: there for the first time in his lengthy, storied career when the market opens on July 28th either.

The door isn’t closed from either end, but Edler seems like a player Effectively the Canucks are now likely to lose their three most valuable motivated to take on a new challenge. defenders in aggregate — by GAR anyway — of the past four years without having netted even a single asset in return. “The intent is to get a deal where he would be a fit somewhere else,” Edler’s agent Mark Stowe told Postmedia’s Patrick Johnston on Friday, Considering where the club has been in their rebuilding cycle, what the after his news-making appearance on CHEK-TV. club has accomplished over that time frame — 26th in point percentage, picking in the top-10 in three out of the four seasons — and the “We offered him a contract and he’s never explored free agency,” significant needs the club still has throughout the roster, it’s impossible to Canucks general manager Jim Benning told The Athletic on Friday, when ignore the scale of the collective missed opportunity all of this lost value reached for comment. “I talked to him this morning again, and we’ve represents. been in conversation with Stowe. This isn’t to criticize Benning or Canucks management either, seeing as “He wants to see what’s out there, he’s never been through the process. how this is an organizational issue that predates current hockey We haven’t shut the door down yet either on him coming back. I guess operations leadership. It’s simply to note that in an efficiency contest the risk he runs is as he’s exploring what it looks like for him, if we go out league like the hard-capped NHL, it’s difficult to build a contender when and do something else, then the money may not be there if he wants to you’re a club that consistently doesn’t monetize the type of deadline come back. value that players like Edler — subject to the annual “will he waive?” speculation, as he was through the depths of Vancouver’s rebuild — can “He’s been a joy to have on the team, as far as what he’s done on the ice represent. and in our community,” Benning added. “He’s earned the right here to free agency and to look around, and to see what opportunities are out Mike Gillis joins the NHLPA there for him. And he can always come back.” Multiple sources indicated on Friday morning that former Vancouver While Edler’s foot speed was becoming problematic — to the point where Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis has accepted a he leaned heavily on his defense partners to do some significant work, consultant role with the NHLPA. particularly in the neutral zone both defensively and transporting the puck — his departure leaves a massive hole for the Canucks on the back end, Players and agents were informed of the news late this week, various particularly in the realm of holding down tough matchups and overall two- league sources indicated to The Athletic. way intelligence. Even at age 35, there’s no defender that the club The NHLPA confirmed the hire to The Athletic on Friday, with a trusted more to handle penalty killing duties or the tough matchups. spokesperson noting simply “The NHLPA has retained Mike Gillis as a Edler’s deployment was, in fact, an outlier when compared with that of consultant to evaluate potential business opportunities.” his teammates last season (Edler is the highlighted icon here): Reached by telephone on Friday for comment, Gillis declined to discuss the role or offer further comment.

The club will need to find a lefty capable of holding down that type of Sources indicate that Gillis will be focused, at the outset, on business defensive role, a scenario that’s pressing considering the youthful and development, with some possibility for an expanded portfolio based on offensive orientation of the club’s other leading contenders to play a top- the fit going forward. That’s certainly interesting. The role may be six role on the left side next season — Quinn Hughes and Jack prescribed, but Gillis is now effectively the second highest profile Rathbone. executive at the Players’ Association behind only executive director Donald Fehr. Not to mention, depending on what happens with Nate Schmidt this offseason, the leverage of replacing Edler could be amplified even Gillis last served in an official league capacity as the Canucks’ top further. It’s still more likely than not that Schmidt is ultimately dealt this business and hockey operations executive for six seasons. A former offseason, although that isn’t necessarily a fait accompli and the player agent with a progressive view of the sport, Gillis has been deeply continued cooperation between the two sides — with neither the player, involved in NHLPA matters as an agent in his career. Following his agent, or team throwing any gasoline on the valid questions in the playing career he sued former NHLPA head honcho Alan Eagleson over Vancouver market about Schmidt’s future in Vancouver — does imply his embezzlement of the player’s pension fund, attention from that civil that returning the versatile left-handed defender for a second Canucks suit ultimately snowballed — in combination with some tireless reporting season remains a possibility. from Russ Conway of the -based Eagle-Tribune, which initially tipped Gillis off to the discrepancy — into Eagleson’s disbarment The lost value thing and conviction on charges of fraud and embezzlement in both the United States and Canada. Let’s do a quick rundown of top-four quality defenders, starting calibre goaltenders or top-six quality forwards that have departed Vancouver as It’s certainly an interesting fit, especially considering Gillis’ unique unrestricted free agents in the salary-cap era without garnering any type resume, weight and experience on all sides of the business. of return: Ed Jovanovski, Markus Naslund, , Matthias Ohlund, Willie Mitchell, Sami Salo, Dan Hamhuis, Radim Vrbata, Jacob So … What comes next? Markstrom, Tyler Toffoli, Chris Tanev and now Edler. The Canucks will spend Friday and Saturday morning attempting to trade for an expansion get, a useful player — in the mold of a Mason Appleton or a Warren Foegele, to cite a pair of The Athletic’s Vancouver bureaus favourite expansion targets — before the roster freeze.

The club is in talks with various different teams, looking for something that makes sense for them in terms of the acquisition cost. Make no mistake, there’s a ton of conversation going on between the club and various potential trade partners.

“There’s lots of talk, I don’t know if we’ll get something done before Saturday, but it’s going to be a combination of going into this deadline now, the draft and free agency,” Benning told The Athletic on Friday afternoon, in regards to his club’s overall posture. “It’s going to be a combination of a lot of different moving parts. Just because we don’t get something done now doesn’t mean — as we come out of expansion — that there isn’t stuff that we can do then too.

“This next week to 10 days is going to be important for us, to do what we can do to make the team better.”

In addition to shopping for targets from teams with protection list crunches, which is the top priority for the club at the moment, Vancouver’s hockey operations group is eyeing a market that could develop on the other side of expansion. That’s an important market too, one in which players like Braden Holtby, who really has to be on Vancouver’s roster at the time of Saturday’s roster freeze for exposure requirement reasons, and Schmidt, who will have more value on the other side of expansion when teams aren’t worried about back-end protection issues, are more likely to come into play anyway.

In looking to shed salary commitments before the market opens on July 28, that isn’t really what the club can hope to accomplish before Saturday. The immediate future is about trading futures and expansion exempt prospects for established NHL players that would otherwise be exposed to the Seattle Kraken — like Ryan Graves, who the club kicked the tires on, or perhaps a player like Marcus Pettersson, likely to be left unprotected according to reporting from The Athletic’s Rob Rossi.

Make no mistake though, while opportunity will exist after the freeze, considering the club’s projected protected list and the quality of some players that may be included, this is a crucial opportunity for a team that’s at a very delicate stage of their rebuilding cycle. It’s an opportunity the club really can’t afford to miss.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217498 Vancouver Canucks While Holtby struggled in his first season with the club, he still appears to have some cachet around the league as a veteran leader with an impeccable resume — including a Vezina Trophy in 2016 and a Stanley Cup victory in 2018 — and the club seems to have some real Braden Holtby, Brock Boeser and what we’re hearing about the Canucks’ opportunities to move the veteran netminder and his $4.3 million cap hit plans ahead of the expansion draft in the weeks ahead without exercising a buyout.

It isn’t likely to be straightforward, however, and moving the full freight of Holtby’s backloaded deal — which carries $5.7 million in actual salary for By Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal Jul 16, 2021 88 the 2021-22 campaign — is going to be a stumbling block to any such move.

In under 36 hours, the Vancouver Canucks’ roster will be frozen in place League sources have suggested to The Athletic that Seattle has inquired and will remain that way through the expansion draft. about Vancouver’s willingness to retain money in a possible Holtby side deal in the expansion process. It’s possible that it’s a leverage play to try The clock is ticking, time is short and while the club has tried hard to land to net an additional draft pick while selecting a goaltender and person the an additional player in a trade with teams facing a far greater expansion Kraken value, but that remains to be seen. crunch, to this point, the prices haven’t been to their liking. Yet. The club could consider a side deal to lock in shedding Holtby’s salary or Canucks general manager Jim Benning and his hockey operations consider retention. Either outcome would be preferable to exercising a department are still actively engaged in trade talks with various clubs buyout on a player that seems to have a real, if qualified, market for his facing tough decisions with their protected list ahead of the expansion services heading into the busiest parts of the NHL’s offseason. draft. There’s been a high volume of chatter behind the scenes. Make no mistake, Benning has worked this angle hard. Hunting for a third-line centre

The club kicked the tires, for example, on Colorado Avalanche defender The Canucks want to add two middle-six forwards to their group this Ryan Graves, who was traded to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday offseason, which is advisable, their needs are obvious. evening in exchange for a late second-round pick and Mikhail Maltsev. One of the club’s major priorities is identifying a third-line centre. Though the Canucks didn’t acquire Graves, as of Thursday night, there There was a time earlier on this offseason and down the stretch last was some sense of cautious optimism internally that the club could get a season, where the club flirted with the notion of making J.T. Miller a full- deal done before noon PT on Saturday ahead of the roster freeze — two time third-line centre. Even then, however, the club’s preference was to hours before teams are required to submit their protected list identify some depth pieces that could be options in the middle of their simultaneously to NHL Central Registry and the NHLPA. third line, to give them the flexibility to play Miller elsewhere should the Friday will be a key day for the Canucks on that score. The club is matchup call for it. uniquely well-positioned with its protected list. To their credit, they have Vancouver hockey operations’ thinking on this has seemed to evolve, worked diligently to take advantage of that position. and adding a third-line centre is now a significant priority. Ideally, that While talks are ongoing with the club’s pending unrestricted free agents, centre will be able to kill penalties and win some draws, while bringing the Canucks have gauged the market on some of their players in trade some size to the table to help the club win the battle inside, below the discussions and Benning has been deeply involved in draft preparation hash marks, at both ends of the rink. over the course of the past 10 days, mining value ahead of the roster Minnesota Wild centre Nick Bjugstad was representative of the type of freeze has been the club’s primary focus in recent days. player the club would’ve had an interest in, prior to Bjugstad signing a Now as the work week ends, the rubber meets the road. It comes down one-year deal worth $900,000 with the Wild a few weeks ago. to whether the Canucks can get a deal done to capitalize on the legwork What’s becoming apparent around the industry is that Brandon Sutter is they’ve put in. likely to depart as an unrestricted free agent, although the club hasn’t Lind and the protected list entirely ruled out the possibility of re-signing the veteran centre. The club has also continued to express some interest in bottom-six centre Travis If the Canucks enter the roster freeze without adding an additional body Boyd, a pending unrestricted free agent as well, although they’re sort of up front in a trade, they’ve made the decision internally to protect Kole in a holding pattern with Boyd — a midseason waiver claim from the Lind in the expansion draft, in addition to the obvious other six forwards Toronto Maple Leafs. (Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Motte). The sense we have is that the club rates Boyd as a bottom-six centre and depth piece, but is intent on exploring other options for an everyday There’s no down to the wire internal debate here. The die has been cast. third-line pivot at this point.

Lind is a restricted free agent who will require waivers next season. He On the fourth line, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the club will appeared in only six games for the Canucks, was given real opportunity once again turn to Jay Beagle, entering the final year of his four-year in the top six and underwhelmed in his late-season cameo appearance. deal, which carries a $3 million cap hit. Beagle was injured down the In contrast, affordable fourth-line forward Matthew Highmore seized his stretch last season and is recovering from an ailment that many in the opportunity, is exceedingly affordable and would appear to be a safer bet market thought might result in him spending the final year of his contract to hold down an everyday role for the club next season. on long-term injured reserve, but he’s recovering well and trending to be available for Day 1 of training camp. It comes down to the fact that Lind has more asset value and greater upside. That’s decisive here and it probably should be. Beagle has been paid out a $1 million signing bonus for the 2021-22 campaign already and is due just $1.2 million in salary for this season. As mentioned, the club is still actively engaged in seeking to add bodies It’s thought that there is potentially some market for Beagle’s services both up front and on the back end ahead of the roster freeze. A trade for considering those favourable financials, but the club still rates Beagle’s a forward from a club with expansion issues could render all of this moot. size, speed and abilities both in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill. As it stands, should the Canucks stand pat before Saturday’s freeze, Lind will be the seventh forward protected. The club has also held some initial contract talks with pending unrestricted free agent Tyler Graovac, but reading the tea leaves, we’re Holtby drawing real interest hearing that the club is content to return Beagle as their everyday fourth- Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby, who will be exposed in expansion, is line centre next season. The real focus is on upgrading the middle of drawing real interest from the Kraken and from other teams. their third line, if at all possible, on either the trade market or in free agency. At least one Eastern Conference team and one Western Conference team are believed to be among Holtby’s interested suitors, and league sources indicated to The Athletic on Thursday night that there are even Term an issue for the Canucks in Hyman pursuit? more teams who have expressed some interest. The Canucks — like a ton of teams — were among those that reached Exercising a buyout on Roussel’s contract would only save the club out to Zach Hyman’s camp on Thursday, after the Maple Leafs first-liner approximately $140,000 more in cap space for the 2021-22 campaign was granted permission to explore the market. than they’d save by placing him on waivers and assigning him to the AHL. Vancouver’s interest in the player is real. This wasn’t an exploratory reach out by any means. While finding a taker for Holtby and using at least one buyout appears to be the most likely way forward for the Canucks in carving out additional Hyman is a press-type player, a digger if you will. He’s capable of cap flexibility, the club’s available space will also be largely determined complementing skilled players by winning battles, forechecking hard and by where Pettersson and Hughes come in on their second contracts. playing the type of assertive physical style that results in star-level players spending more time in the offensive zone with the puck on their Negotiations have been unfolding for months now, but progress has been stick. slow. At this point, both players are looking at shorter-term, bridge-type deals. That approach will save Vancouver some money against the cap Every team could use a player like Hyman, even if he is 29 and unlikely in the short term, although it could come at a cost down the road. For to be the player he’s been in Toronto over the past four seasons by the what it’s worth, there’s a strong sense around the industry that a pact midway point of his next contract. with Pettersson is closer at this juncture than a contract with Hughes is.

Team sources declined to specifically comment on the club’s interest in The Canucks’ available cap space, or lack thereof, will also be shaped in Hyman on Thursday, beyond confirming that the club had reached out. part by what occurs with both Alex Edler and Travis Hamonic — a pair of It’s been suggested that the club is a front-runner for Hyman’s services pending unrestricted free agents that the club would prefer to keep for and certainly the interest is legitimate, but there’s also an internal the right price — over the next 11 days before the free-agent market awareness that Hyman is going to demand a ton of term on the open opens. market should he get to July 28 without his rights being dealt or re- Vancouver made offers to both players this week, multiple sources signing in Toronto. That could prove a major stumbling block for the confirmed, but talks appear to be more active with Edler. Discussions Canucks. with Hamonic’s camp have been quiet since the club made their offer If Hyman is intent on signing for the five, six or seven years of term that earlier this week. his camp reportedly wants on his next contract; it’s unlikely that he’ll end Within Vancouver hockey circles it’s been assumed that the lack of up with the Canucks. chatter on Hamonic is a sign that talks with Edler are more advanced or Canucks hockey operations may rate the player highly, but there’s an more positive or that the club is more willing to play hardball with understanding that they have to be very careful in managing the term of Hamonic than with Edler. That doesn’t appear to be the case, even any complementary pieces they bring in — particularly with Pettersson, though the perception is understandable. It’s easy to confuse more Boeser, Horvat, Thatcher Demko and Quinn Hughes all poised to take up discussion with more progress. and increasing proportion of the club’s cap space in the years to come. The club and Edler’s camp have committed more time to discussions and The other big name pending unrestricted free agent that the Canucks haggling in recent days than the club has spent on Hamonic and his were tied to by multiple reports on Thursday was St. Louis Blues forward representatives this week, although that’s in part because a lot of the Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz is a high-end two-way player, also 29, and legwork on possible ranges, contract outcomes and where the two sides while the club does have some potential interest, the fact is that stand was completed with Hamonic and his camp prior to the NHL trade unrestricted free agents that the club can’t officially reach out to just yet deadline back in the spring. aren’t the club’s primary concern. In the case of both players, the sense we get is that the negotiations are Expansion remains the focus, and players like Schwartz — although the still tough at the moment. Hamonic and Edler both have a good case to club would love to add a piece of that calibre to their group — are on the be paid as top-four players based on their minutes and importance to the back burner at the moment relative to the club’s pursuit of players that club last season, but with the club’s overall cap situation and dynamic, if may only be available in a trade because of the pressure caused by the the deals aren’t relatively team-friendly, they’re unlikely to make a ton of expansion process. hockey or business sense from Vancouver’s perspective.

The cap space thing and an update on the two veteran UFAs on the back An annual tradition end Brock Boeser’s name surfaces every year in trade rumours and reports. It’s easy to read between the lines of the Canucks expressing interest in It’s become an annual tradition, a rite of spring for the NHL’s silly season. a relatively expensive unrestricted free agent like Hyman and having an This year Boeser’s status became a talking point once again when The interest in another relatively expensive unrestricted player like Schwartz, Athletic included him on its big board, grading the likelihood of a deal as connecting it with the surprising level of interest in Holtby, and going onto “low”, with Craig Custance citing a source who was quoted insisting the suggest that perhaps the club has a cap clearing move of some sort in Canucks “are open” to a potential Boeser deal. their back pocket. We checked in again on Thursday on this and multiple sources poured We suspect there’s something going on here, even as team and league cold water on the possibility. Benning and Boeser’s agent Ben Hankinson sources held their cards close to the vest when this question was posed have been in close touch over the course of this week, Boeser certainly directly to them in various conversations on Thursday. isn’t being “shopped” and a possible Boeser trade isn’t a remotely likely While things are tight for the Canucks this offseason, the club does feel consideration for the Canucks at the moment. like they have enough room to add one mid-range piece — in that $3 Canucks fans can exhale on this one, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of million to $3.5 million range — without finding a way to reallocate or smoke here based on what we’re hearing. carve out additional cap space in various trades. Still, if you’re going to have enough flexibility to credibly bid on the likes of Hyman and All of that said, it’s worth noting that the club has been engaged in a Schwartz, an additional move (or two) to clear cap space is required. stupendous volume of trade talks over the course of the past few weeks and months. People would be surprised by how many conversations One of those moves is sure to be a buyout, with Jake Virtanen the Canucks management is having regarding all manner of trade leading buyout candidate. The club isn’t likely to rush a buyout and will possibilities, with some versions of those talks including key players from avail themselves of the majority of, if not the entirety of, the buyout the club. window before utilizing this device. The club can push this out as late as July 27 before they’ll have to make a decision. The fact is, considering the club’s overall lack of cap space and significant assets with trade value, Vancouver can’t afford to have a long There have been some rumblings that Antoine Roussel is the leading list of complete untouchables. candidate for the club if they were to execute a second buyout, a possibility that has seemed more realistic in light of developments on the As for the other major Canucks player on The Athletic’s big board, Nate Holtby front. Our sense is that it’s a possibility, has been a subject of Schmidt, the club is actively looking at a variety of possible trade discussion internally, but things don’t appear to be trending in that scenarios involving the veteran defender. Because of the way the direction for the moment. expansion process is designed, and the premium it places on punishing teams with deeper blue line groups, a possible Schmidt deal is somewhat less likely to occur prior to Saturday’s expansion freeze than it is to occur thereafter.

The Schmidt situation remains an interesting one, in that while both sides would be amenable to facilitating a trade that would end the relationship after just one season, the relationship is also still cooperative enough that the Canucks can afford to be a little bit patient. It’s still possible that Schmidt could return to the Canucks next season, although that isn’t the most likely or preferred route for either side at this juncture.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217499 Websites The Kings have had a lot of draft capital in recent years, but they haven’t drafted a premium defense talent yet, which is why sources around the league think L.A. will take whichever of the consensus top four defense prospects are remaining. In this scenario it would be Clarke. The Athletic / NHL Mock Draft 2021: From 1 to 224, Corey Pronman projects all seven rounds 9. Vancouver: Kent Johnson, C, Michigan-Big Ten

Vancouver is expected to take whichever of the consensus top nine skaters are still left, which in this scenario would be Johnson. Corey Pronman Jul 16, 2021 126 10. Ottawa: Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton-WHL

Ottawa may have the most interesting pick in the first round, with league Today we attempt to do the silly and project how the entire 2021 NHL sources unsure if they will go skater or goalie, and if they go goalie, Draft will go, doing a mock draft for all 224 picks. which goalie that would be. As time has gone on in this draft process, more scouts have seemed to lean toward Cossa as the No. 1 netminder, Some of these selections are based on intel I’m hearing about players and I think he will be Ottawa’s selection. If they go skater, the odds-on connected to certain teams, but the deeper you go the more it becomes bet at the moment is Cole Sillinger. an effort to estimate a player’s draft range, using my reporting as a guide. 11. Arizona: Void Team summaries are located at the bottom of the column. 12. Chicago: Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea-SHL In terms of the flow of the first round, team sources mostly expect the top nine I have listed to be the first nine picks in some order, unless a team As with Ottawa, I’ve heard conflicting things from sources on if Chicago is like Detroit or Los Angeles throws a wrench with a goaltender pick. going goalie or skater. If they are going skater, the name I’ve heard the Around the Ottawa, Chicago and Calgary picks is where the draft most is local forward Matthew Coronato, but quite a few sources believe projections get uncertain, which will then dictate how the rest of the first they will pick a goalie. round goes. There is a consensus top 10-12 prospects in my calls with scouts, but not a consensus top 15. 13. Calgary: Fedor Svechkov, C, Togliatti-VHL

Complete guide to the 2021 NHL Draft Svechkov, Coronato and Cole Sillinger are the three names I’ve heard the most with Calgary’s pick. Svechkov’s stock among teams rose First Round sharply following the U18 World Championship.

1. Buffalo: Owen Power, LHD, Michigan-Big Ten 14. Philadelphia: Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls-USHL

There’s been some discourse about Buffalo considering their options at As we go through the draft process, Sillinger is the name I keep hearing No. 1 other than Power, in particular William Eklund and Luke Hughes from scouts as the top 10 candidate who isn’t being mocked enough in have been the alternatives I’ve heard, but I still think at the end of the day the top 10, which in this scenario happens again. The Flyers would likely it will be Power. be very happy to get him at 14.

2. Seattle: Matthew Beniers, C, Big Ten 15. Dallas: Brennan Othmann, LW, Flint-OHL

Beniers has been No. 2 in every mock we’ve done here so far. I’ve heard Othmann is a player I hear mixed things on from scouts in his projected from a few league sources mentioning Eklund as a possibility here, but I range, with some thinking he could go top 15 and others saying he could still think more likely than not it will be Beniers. The lack of center options slide out of the first. He and Chaz Lucius are the two names I’ve heard in the expansion draft is a variable for Seattle, too, I think. most with Dallas’ pick. Both would add a lot of goal-scoring to their system. 3. Anaheim: Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton-WHL 16. New York Rangers: Chaz Lucius, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL We’ve had Guenther at No. 3 in almost every mock we’ve done here and he’s here again. In a scenario where Seattle goes in a different direction Lucius is not getting much love from scouts as we get closer to draft day than above, sources around the league think Anaheim would consider in regards to being a top 10-12 pick, so the chances he gets to this spot Beniers here over Guenther. or later seem to by growing by the day. I have a hard time seeing the Rangers pass up, or either Sillinger or Svechkov, due to their need for a 4. New Jersey: Luke Hughes, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL scoring center, even though Lucius is not a lock to be an NHL center. The Devils have been one of the tougher teams to figure out among the 17. St. Louis: Corson Ceulemans, RHD, Brooks-AJHL lottery clubs. I’ve heard everything from this definitely will be Luke Hughes to this definitely will not be Luke Hughes. Helpful reporting, I Ceulemans is a divisive prospect among scouts at the moment, with know. I’ve heard more of the former in recent days with Simon Edvinsson some saying he should be a top-15 pick and some saying he shouldn’t being the other possibility. even be drafted in the first round. For that reason, I see him ending up 16-25, and he fits a lot of what St. Louis looks for in a defenseman. 5. Columbus: Simon Edvinsson, LHD, Frolounda-SHL 18. Winnipeg: Carson Lambos, LHD, Winnipeg-WHL With Columbus I’ve heard a lot of Edvinsson and Mason McTavish discussions. In this scenario, they take the big Swede, but I think it could Mocking the player from Winnipeg to Winnipeg I realize lacks be McTavish if New Jersey went Edvinsson. imagination. He’s a guy who didn’t have a great season, with an abrupt end due to a medical condition, but teams believe he will make a full 6. Detroit: Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough-OHL recovery. Some scouts believe on pure talent he could go top 12-15, but I’m not even going to pretend I know what Detroit is up to other than due to the season and risks, I presume he’ll go more 15-25. hunches and guesses from league sources (they run a tight ship). 19. Nashville: Daniil Chayka, LHD, Guelph-OHL Hughes and McTavish have been the two names I’ve heard speculated here the most. Chayka’s stock fell as the season went along in Russia, but he’s a guy I keep hearing from scouts that public perception is not matching his value 7. San Jose: William Eklund, LW, Djurgarden-SHL among NHL teams as a 6-foot-3 mobile defenseman with some offense. Eklund is a tough one to mock. If he doesn’t go to one of the first few He’s expected to still be picked in the 17-25 range. teams, I think he starts to fall a bit. People around the league see San 20. Edmonton: Matthew Coronato, RW, Chicago-USHL Jose as a landing spot in this scenario. If he does go before here, you could be looking at whichever of the big four defensemen, such as Coronato has a wide range — some teams are super high on him and Edvinsson or Brandt Clarke, are left. some think he’s more of a 20s pick. It’s hard to see him getting by Edmonton, which has a huge need for a competitive, goal-scoring winger 8. Los Angeles: Brandt Clarke, RHD, Barrie-OHL who at times played center this season.

21. Boston: Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski-QMJHL Bolduc’s stock fell a bit as the season progressed but there’s still quite a Buffalo: Samu Tuomaala, RW, Karpat-Finland Jr. bit of love for him among scouts due to his great speed and skill combination, and an ability to score goals. He gives the Bruins a scoring Anaheim: Evan Nause, LHD, Quebec-QMJHL option and versatility to play center or wing. Seattle: Olen Zellweger, LHD, Everett-WHL

22. Minnesota: Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA-KHL Vegas: Sasha Pastujov, RW, U.S. NTDP-USHL

Mocking Chibrikov is tough. A lot of scouts admit he’s likely a top-20 pick Arizona: Jack Peart, LHD, Fargo-USHL on pure talent, but a small, not-that-fast winger with SKA presents a lot of risk variables. Minnesota took an SKA player last year in Marat Detroit: Logan Stankoven, C, -WHL Khusnutdinov, so they are a team speculated as being a possible Ottawa: Colton Dach, C, Saskatoon-WHL Chibrikov landing spot. Nashville: Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Chicago-USHL 23. Detroit: Isak Rosen, RW, Leksands-SHL Vancouver: Zachary L’Heureux, LW, Halifax-QMJHL When I sent around my mock to some scouts one name that kept coming back as “too low” and “should be top 20” is Rosen. I disagreed, hence Ottawa: William Stromgren, LW, MODO-Allsvenskan he’s here at 23. I think he and Detroit make a lot of sense from a talent and style standpoint. Arizona: Tyler Boucher, RW, U.S. NTDP-USHL

24. Florida: Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL Chicago: Alexandr Kisakov, RW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL

I think Florida would prefer to be picking a defenseman at this slot given Calgary: Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener-OHL how much their system lacks great young defensemen, but there isn’t an Philadelphia: Zach Dean, C, Gatineau-QMJHL obvious player that fits that bill at 24. If Lambos or Ceulemans slid here, they would be very strong candidates. In this scenario, Bourgault’s skill Dallas: Simon Robertsson, RW, Skelleftea-SHL level makes a lot of sense. Detroit: Prokhor Poltapov, LW, CSKA-MHL 25. Columbus: Aatu Raty, C, Karpat-Liiga Los Angeles: Justin Robidas, C, Val-d’Or-QMJHL Trying to figure out where Raty goes has been tough. He’s a player who a lot of NHL scouts thought could be a top-10 if not top-5 pick early in the Winnipeg: Cameron Whynot, LHD, Halifax-QMJHL campaign, but a slot in the 20s looks like the likely landing spot for him. Nashville: Stanislav Svozil, LHD, Brno-Czech Extraliga With Columbus going Edvinsson at No. 5, he adds to their much-needed center depth, adding a lot of skill to that position. Detroit: Danila Klimovich, RW, Minsk Zubry-Belarus Jr.

26. Minnesota: Wyatt Johnston, C, Windsor-OHL Buffalo: Chase Stillman, RW, Sudbury-OHL

Johnston is a weird case given he didn’t play all season other than the Minnesota: Sean Behrens, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL U18 worlds, but he’s a prospect I’m hearing is more likely than not to go on Day 1, likely in the 20s. He would add to Minnesota’s young center Washington: Anton Olsson, LHD, Malmo-SHL depth with Marco Rossi and Khusnutdinov. Florida: Brent Johnson, RHD, Sioux Falls-USHL

27. Carolina: Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea-SHL Toronto: Dmitri Kostenko, RHD, Togliatti-VHL

Lysell is a wide-range player in terms of where he could go due to his Pittsburgh: Ilya Fedotov, RW, Nizhny Novgorod-MHL great speed and hands, but the more scouts I talk to the less I buy into him being a top-15 guy. A pick in the 20s seems more realistic. I’m sure Carolina: Aleksi Heimosalmi, RHD, Assat-Finland Jr. Carolina would prefer a defenseman here given how forward-heavy their system is, but he fits a lot of what they typically target. New York Islanders: Riley Kidney, C, Acadie-Bathurst-QMJHL

28. Colorado: Oskar Olausson, RW, HV71-SHL Colorado: Ayrton Martino, LW, Omaha-USHL

I’m not ruling out Olausson finding a way into the top 20 because his Chicago: Ville Koivunen, RW, Karpat-Finland. Jr. toolkit gets some scouts excited, but I’m hearing 20s is a much more Montreal: Samuel Helenius, C, JYP-Liiga likely scenario for him. He provides speed, skill and a goal-scoring threat for Colorado’s great forwards to play with. Montreal: Oliver Kapanen, C, KalPa-Liiga

29. New Jersey: Shai Buium, LHD, Sioux City-USHL Third Round

Buium, Fargo defenseman Jack Peart and Quebec’s Evan Nause are New York Rangers: Tristan Broz, LW, Fargo-USHL three defensemen that had late climbs that I keep hearing a lot of late first-round/early second-round discussions about. Buium was a big part Anaheim: William Trudeau, LHD, Charlottetown-QMJHL of Sioux City’s playoff push as a big, highly skilled defenseman and along Seattle: Alexei Kolosov, G, Minsk-KHL with Hughes would help solidify the blue line in New Jersey. New Jersey: Dylan Duke, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL 30. Vegas: Kirill Kirsanov, LHD, SKA-KHL Columbus: Scott Morrow, RHD, Shattuck St. Mary’s-US High School Kirsanov is in a group of defenseman who could go late first/early second in Buium, Nause, Peart, Olen Zellweger and a few others. He would Detroit: Benjamin Gaudreau, G, Sarnia-OHL make a lot of sense for Vegas in that he matches what they typically San Jose: Artem Grushnikov, LHD, Hamilton-OHL value. Los Angeles: Vladislav Lukashevich, LHD, Yaroslavl-MHL 31. Montreal: Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City-USHL Vancouver: Albert Sjoberg, RW, Sodertalje-Allsvenskan Knies’ stock rose toward the end of the season with a great last month or so in the USHL, reminding people what they saw in his underage season. Ottawa: Guillaume Richard, LHD, Tri-City-USHL He would bring a skill and physicality mix to Montreal’s system on the wing. Washington: Jackson Blake, RW, Eden Prairie-US High School

32. Columbus: Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit-Finland Jr. Montreal: Nolan Allan, LHD, Prince Albert-WHL

Salminen’s great U18 worlds elevated his stock to a bubble first/high Calgary: Josh Doan, RW, Chicago-USHL second candidate as a center with size, skill and competitiveness that Philadelphia: Olivier Nadeau, RW, Shawinigan-QMJHL appeals to NHL scouts. Dallas: Conner Roulette, LW, Seattle-WHL Second Round New York Rangers: Brett Harrison, C, Oshawa-OHL Montreal: Zakhar Bardakov, C, Podkolsk-KHL

St. Louis: Lorenzo Canonica, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL Montreal: Connor Lockhart, RW, Erie-OHL

Winnipeg: Oscar Plandowski, RHD, Charlottetown-QMJHL Detroit: Joe Vrbetic, G, North Bay-OHL

Nashville: Matvei Petrov, RW, Krylja Sovetov-MHL Fifth Round

Calgary: Ryan Ufko, RHD, Chicago-USHL New Jersey: Vasily Atanasov, C, Khanty-Mansiysk-MHL

Boston: Ryder Korczak, C, Moose Jaw-WHL Anaheim: Deni Goure, C, Owen Sound-OHL

Minnesota: Caedan Baniker, C, Kamloops-WHL Seattle: Ty Gallagher, RHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL

Montreal: Vincent Iorio, RHD, Brandon-WHL Columbus: Matvei Averochkin, C, CSKA-MHL

Buffalo: Jakub Brabenec, C, Brno-Czech Extraliga Columbus: Valtteri Koskela, LHD, JYP-Liiga

Los Angeles: Ryan Winterton, C, Hamilton-OHL Detroit: Manix Landry, C, Gatineau-QMJHL

Minnesota: Tristan Lennox, G, Saginaw-OHL San Jose: Daniil Lazutin, C, SKA-MHL

Carolina: Aidan Hreschuk, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL Los Angeles: Peter Reynolds, C, Saint John-QMJHL

Colorado: Carson Latimer, RW, Edmonton-WHL Vancouver: Matthew Fusco, RHD, Dexter School-US High School

New York Islanders: Ethan Del Mastro, LHD, Mississauga-OHL Detroit: Brody Lamb, RW, Dodge County-US High School

Detroit: Liam Dower Nilsson, C, Frolunda-Sweden Jr. Arizona: Ty Murchinson, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL

Buffalo: Jack Matier, RHD, Ottawa-OHL Vancouver: Nikita Grebenkin, RW, Magnitogorsk-MHL

Tampa Bay: Kyle Masters, RHD, Red Deer-WHL Calgary: Daniil Sobolev, RHD, Windsor-OHL

Fourth Round Montreal: Roman Schmidt, RHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL

Buffalo: Kyle Kukkonen, C, Maple Grove-US High School Dallas: Joel Nystrom, RHD, Farjestad-SHL

Anaheim: Cole Huckins, C, Acadie Bathurst-QMJHL New York Rangers: Caden Brown, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL

Seattle: Janis Moser, LHD, Biel-NLA St. Louis: Jack Beck, RW, Ottawa-OHL

New Jersey: Cole Jordan, LHD, Moose Jaw-WHL Winnipeg: Dmitri Katevelskii, C, Kazan-VHL

Columbus: Haakon Hanelt, C, Berlin-DEL Nashville: James Malatesta, LW, Quebec-QMJHL

Detroit: Ben Roger, RHD, London-OHL Anaheim: Andre Gasseau, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL

San Jose: Tyson Galloway, LHD, Calgary-WHL Boston: Cal Thomas, LHD, Maple Grove-US High School

New York Rangers: Red Savage, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL Minnesota: Nikita Novikov, LHD Dynamo Moscow

Chicago: Eric Alarie, LW, Moose Jaw-WHL Washington: Lukas Pajer, RW, Litomerice-Czech-2

New York Rangers: Nick Roukounakis, LW, Thayer Academy-US High Florida: Joey Pierce, RHD, Hermantown-US High School School Toronto: Ty Voit, LW, Sarnia-OHL Arizona: Jake Chiasson, C, Brandon-WHL Pittsburgh: Sean Tschigerl, LW, Calgary-WHL Chicago: Henry Nelson, LHD, Maple Grove-US High School Vegas: Aku Koskenvuo, G, HIFK-Finland Jr. Los Angeles: Daniil Pylenkov, LHD, Podolsk-KHL San Jose: Ryan Mast, RHD, Sarnia-OHL Philadelphia: Topias Vilen, LHD, Pelicans-Liiga New York Islanders: Jacob Guevin, RHD, Muskegon-USHL Dallas: Jack Bar, RHD, Chicago-USHL Philadelphia: Robert Baco, RW, Karlovy Vary-Czech Jr. New York Rangers: Zack Ostapchuk, C, Vancouver-WHL Buffalo: Andrei Buyalski, C, Dubuque-USHL Montreal: Dmitry Kuzmin, LHD, Molodechno-Belarus Tampa Bay: Dmitry Zugan, C, CSKA-MHL Vegas: Carter Mazur, LW, Tri-City-USHL Sixth Round Nashville: Vernier Miettinen, C, Espoo-Finland Jr. Buffalo: Taige Harding, LHD, Fort McMurray-AJHL Edmonton: Nikolai Makarov, LHD, CSKA-MHL Anaheim: Victor Sjoholm, RHD, HV71-Sweden Jr. Boston: Jayden Grubbe, C, Red Deer-WHL Seattle: Nick DeGrazia, LW, Sudbury-OHL Minnesota: Simon Knak, LW, Portland-WHL New Jersey: Cameron Berg, C, Muskegon-USHL Washington: Kalle Vaisanen, LW, TPS-Finland. Jr. Columbus: Marcus Almquist, RW, Rodovre-Denmark Florida: Martin Rysavy, LW, Vitkovice-Czech Extraliga Detroit: Simon Motew, RHD, Kitchener-OHL San Jose: Eetu Luikas, LW, TPS-Liiga San Jose: Noah Meier, LHD, ZSC-NLA Arizona: Joshua Lopina, C, UMass-Hockey East Los Angeles: Thomas Milic, G, Seattle-WHL Carolina: Joshua Roy, RW, Sherbrooke-QMJHL Vancouver: Owen McLaughlin, C, Mount St. Charles-US High School Nashville: Hunter Strand, C, Tri-City-USHL Ottawa: Josh Bloom, LW, Saginaw-OHL New York Islanders: Avery Hayes, RW, Hamilton-OHL Arizona: Graham Sward, LHD, Spokane-WHL Chicago: Shane Lachance, LW, Junior Bruins-NCDC Carolina: Cade Ahrenholz, RW, Lakeville South-US High School

Calgary: Liam Gilmartin, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL Colorado: Owen Murray, RHD, Green Bay-USHL

Philadelphia: Jacob Holmes, LHD. Sault Ste. Marie-OHL New York Islanders: Stiven Sardarian, RW, CSKA-MHL

Dallas: Patrik Hamrla, G, Karlovy Vary-Czech Extraliga Vegas: Niko Huuhtanen, RW, Taapara-Finland Jr.

New York Rangers: Taylor Gauthier, G, Prince George-WHL Montreal: Tucker Robertson, C, Peterborough-OHL

St. Louis: Daniel Laatsch, LHD, Sioux City-USHL Tampa Bay: Philip Granath, RW, Frolunda-Sweden Jr.

Vancouver: Yaroslav Busygin, LHD, Chekhov-MHL Team-by-team draft results:

Nashville: Charles-Alexis Legault, RHD, Lincoln-USHL Anaheim Ducks

Edmonton: David Gucciardi, LHD, Waterloo-USHL Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton-WHL (3)

Boston: Ilya Safonov, C, Kazan-KHL Evan Nause, LHD, Quebec-QMJHL (34)

Minnesota: Florian Elias, C, Mannheim-DEL William Trudeau, LHD, Charlottetown-QMJHL (66)

Washington: Cameron Rowe, G, Wisconsin-Big Ten Cole Huckins, C, Acadie Bathurst-QMJHL (98)

Florida: Connor Kelley, LHD, Minnesota-Duluth-NCHC Deni Goure, C, Owen Sound-OHL (130)

Toronto: Jack Harvey, LW, Chicago-USHL Andre Gasseau, C, U.S. NTDP (148)

Edmonton: Justin Janicke, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL Victor Sjoholm, RHD, HV71-Sweden Jr. (162)

Carolina: Jimi Suomi, LHD, Jokerit-Finland Jr. Arizona Coyotes

Buffalo: Carl Lindbom, G, Djurgarden-Swedn Jr. Jack Peart, LHD, Fargo-USHL (37)

New York Islanders: Jack O’Brien, C, Portland-WHL Tyler Boucher, RW, U.S. NTDP-USHL (43)

Vegas: Tyson Hinds, LHD, Rimouski-QMJHL Jake Chiasson, C, Brandon-WHL (107)

Montreal: Francesco Arcuri, C, Kingston-OHL Joshua Lopina, C, UMass-Hockey East (122)

Tampa Bay: Rasmus Korhonen, G, Assat-Finland Jr. Ty Murchinson, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL (139)

Seventh Round Graham Sward, LHD, Spokane-WHL (171)

Buffalo: Artur Cholach, LHD, Kiev-Ukraine Boston Bruins

Pittsburgh: Anthony Kehrer, RHD, Wisconsin-Big Ten Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski-QMJHL (21)

Seattle: Dru Krebs, LHD, Medicine Hat-WHL Ryder Korczak, C, Moose Jaw-WHL (85)

Tampa Bay: Justin Ertel, LW, Summerside-MHL Jayden Grubbe, C, Red Deer-WHL (117)

Columbus: Arsenii Sergeev, G, Shrevport-NAHL Cal Thomas, LHD, Maple Grove-US High School (149)

St. Louis: Carter Serhyenko, G, Prince Albert-WHL Ilya Safonov, C, Kazan-KHL (181)

San Jose: Zack Stringer, LW, -WHL Bryce Montgomery, RHD, London-OHL (213)

Carolina: Miguel Tourigny, RHD, Blaineville-Boisbriand-QMJHL Tim Delay, C, St. Sebastian’s School-US High School (217)

Vancouver: Jacob Melanson, RW, Acadie-Bathurst-QMJHL Buffalo Sabres

Ottawa: Brendan Clark, LW, Johnstown-NAHL Owen Power, LHD, Michigan-Big Ten (1)

New Jersey: Matvei Nadvorny, RW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL Samu Tuomaala, RW, Karpat-Finland Jr. (33)

Chicago: Ivan Zhigalov, G, Team Belarus U18-Belarus Chase Stillman, RW, Sudbury-OHL (53)

Calgary: Nate Benoit, LHD, Mount St. Charles-US High School Jakub Brabenec, C, Brno-Czech Extraliga (88)

Philadelphia: Zakhar Vinogradov, G, Voronezh-VHL Jack Matier, RHD, Ottawa-OHL (95)

Dallas: Aleksi Malinen, LHD, JYP-Liiga Kyle Kukkonen, C, Maple Grove-US High School (97)

New York Rangers: Vladimir Sychov, LW-SKA-MHL Andrei Buyalski, C, Dubuque-USHL (159)

Carolina: Dovar Tinling, C, Vermont-Hockey East Taige Harding, LHD, Fort McMurray-AJHL (161)

Florida: Luke Mittelstadt, LHD, Eden Prairie-US High School Carl Lindbom, G, Djurgarden-Swedn Jr. (188)

Tampa Bay: Evgeni Kashnikov, LHD, Gatineau-QMJHL Artur Cholach, LHD, Kiev-Ukraine (193)

Edmonton: Talyn Boyko, G, Tri-City-WHL Calgary Flames

Boston: Bryce Montgomery, RHD, London-OHL Fedor Svechkov, C, Togliatti-VHL (13)

Minnesota: Josh Pillar, RW, Kamloops-WHL Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener-OHL (45)

Pittsburgh: Martin Schreiber, LHD, Linkoping-Sweden Jr. Josh Doan, RW, Chicago-USHL (77)

Chicago: Viljami Juusola, LHD, Karpat-Finland Jr. Ryan Ufko, RHD, Chicago-USHL (84)

Boston: Tim Delay, C, St. Sebastian’s School-US High School Daniil Sobolev, RHD, Windsor-OHL (141)

Pittsburgh: Viljami Marjala, LW, Quebec-QMJHL Liam Gilmartin, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL (173) Nate Benoit, LHD, Mount St. Charles-US High School (205) Benjamin Gaudreau, G, Sarnia-OHL (70)

Carolina Hurricanes Liam Dower Nilsson, C, Frolunda-Sweden Jr. (94)

Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea-SHL (27) Ben Roger, RHD, London-OHL (102)

Aleksi Heimosalmi, RHD, Assat-Finland Jr. (59) Joe Vrbetic, G, North Bay-OHL (128)

Aidan Hreschuk, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL (91) Manix Landry, C, Gatineau-QMJHL (134)

Joshua Roy, RW, Sherbrooke-QMJHL (123) Brody Lamb, RW, Dodge County-US High School (138)

Jimi Suomi, LHD, Jokerit-Finland Jr. (187) Simon Motew, RHD, Kitchener-OHL (166)

Miguel Tourigny, RHD, Blaineville-Boisbriand-QMJHL (200) Edmonton Oilers

Dovar Tinling, C, Vermont-Hockey East (209) Matthew Coronato, RW, Chicago-USHL (20)

Cade Ahrenholz, RW, Lakeville South-US High School (219) Nikolai Makarov, LHD, CSKA-MHL (116)

Chicago Blackhawks David Gucciardi, LHD, Waterloo-USHL (180)

Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea-SHL (12) Justin Janicke, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL (186)

Alexandr Kisakov, RW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL (44) Talyn Boyko, G, Tri-City-WHL (212)

Ville Koivunen, RW, Karpat-Finland. Jr. (62) Florida Panthers

Eric Alarie, LW, Moose Jaw-WHL (105) Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL (24)

Henry Nelson, LHD, Maple Grove-US High School (108) Brent Johnson, RHD, Sioux Falls-USHL (56)

Shane Lachance, LW, Junior Bruins-NCDC (172) Martin Rysavy, LW, Vitkovice-Czech Extraliga (120)

Ivan Zhigalov, G, Team Belarus U18-Belarus (204) Joey Pierce, RHD, Hermantown-US High School (152)

Viljami Juusola, LHD, Karpat-Finland Jr. (216) Connor Kelley, LHD, Minnesota-Duluth-NCHC (184)

Colorado Avalanche Luke Mittelstadt, LHD, Eden Prairie-US High School (210)

Oskar Olausson, RW, HV71-SHL (28) Los Angeles Kings

Ayrton Martino, LW, Omaha-USHL (61) Brandt Clarke, RHD, Barrie-OHL (8)

Carson Latimer, RW, Edmonton-WHL (92) Justin Robidas, C, Val-d’Or-QMJHL (49)

Owen Murray, RHD, Green Bay-USHL (220) Vladislav Lukashevich, LHD, Yaroslavl-MHL (72)

Columbus Blue Jackets Ryan Winterton, C, Hamilton-OHL (89)

Simon Edvinsson, LHD, Frolounda-SHL (5) Daniil Pylenkov, LHD, Podolsk-KHL (109)

Aatu Raty, C, Karpat-Liiga (25) Peter Reynolds, C, Saint John-QMJHL (136)

Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit-Finland Jr. (32) Thomas Milic, G, Seattle-WHL (168)

Scott Morrow, RHD, Shattuck St. Mary’s-US High School (69) Minnesota Wild

Haakon Hanelt, C, Berlin-DEL (101) Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA-KHL (22)

Matvei Averochkin, C, CSKA-MHL (132) Wyatt Johnston, C, Windsor-OHL (26)

Valtteri Koskela, LHD, JYP-Liiga (133) Sean Behrens, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL (54)

Marcus Almquist, RW, Rodovre-Denmark (165) Caedan Baniker, C, Kamloops-WHL (86)

Arsenii Sergeev, G, Shrevport-NAHL (197) Tristan Lennox, G, Saginaw-OHL (90)

Dallas Stars Simon Knak, LW, Portland-WHL (118)

Brennan Othmann, LW, Flint-OHL (15) Nikita Novikov, LHD Dynamo Moscow (150)

Simon Robertsson, RW, Skelleftea-SHL (47) Florian Elias, C, Mannheim-DEL (182)

Conner Roulette, LW, Seattle-WHL (79) Josh Pillar, RW, Kamloops-WHL (214)

Jack Bar, RHD, Chicago-USHL (111) Montreal Canadiens

Joel Nystrom, RHD, Farjestad-SHL (143) Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City-USHL (31)

Patrik Hamrla, G, Karlovy Vary-Czech Extraliga (175) Samuel Helenius, C, JYP-Liiga (63)

Aleksi Malinen, LHD, JYP-Liiga (207) Oliver Kapanen, C, KalPa-Liiga (64)

Detroit Red Wings Nolan Allan, LHD, Prince Albert-WHL (76)

Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough-OHL (6) Vincent Iorio, RHD, Brandon-WHL (87)

Isak Rosen, RW, Leksands-SHL (23) Dmitry Kuzmin, LHD, Molodechno-Belarus (113)

Logan Stankoven, C, Kamloops-WHL (38) Zakhar Bardakov, C, Podkolsk-KHL (126)

Prokhor Poltapov, LW, CSKA-MHL (48) Connor Lockhart, RW, Erie-OHL (127)

Danila Klimovich, RW, Minsk Zubry-Belarus Jr. (52) Roman Schmidt, RHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL (142) Francesco Arcuri, C, Kingston-OHL (191) Robert Baco, RW, Karlovy Vary-Czech Jr. (158)

Tucker Robertson, C, Peterborough-OHL (223) Jacob Holmes, LHD. Sault Ste. Marie-OHL (174)

Nashville Predators Zakhar Vinogradov, G, Voronezh-VHL (206)

Daniil Chayka, LHD, Guelph-OHL (19) Pittsburgh Penguins

Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Chicago-USHL (40) Ilya Fedotov, RW, Nizhny Novgorod-MHL (58)

Stanislav Svozil, LHD, Brno-Czech Extraliga (51) Sean Tschigerl, LW, Calgary-WHL (154)

Matvei Petrov, RW, Krylja Sovetov-MHL (83) Anthony Kehrer, RHD, Wisconsin-Big Ten (194)

Vernier Miettinen, C, Espoo-Finland Jr. (115) Martin Schreiber, LHD, Linkoping-Sweden Jr. (215)

Hunter Strand, C, Tri-City-USHL (124) Viljami Marjala, LW, Quebec-QMJHL (218)

James Malatesta, LW, Quebec-QMJHL (147) San Jose Sharks

Charles-Alexis Legault, RHD, Lincoln-USHL (179) William Eklund, LW, Djurgarden-SHL (7)

New Jersey Devils Artem Grushnikov, LHD, Hamilton-OHL (71)

Luke Hughes, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL (4) Tyson Galloway, LHD, Calgary-WHL (103)

Shai Buium, LHD, Sioux City-USHL (29) Eetu Luikas, LW, TPS-Liiga (121)

Dylan Duke, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL (68) Daniil Lazutin, C, SKA-MHL (135)

Cole Jordan, LHD, Moose Jaw-WHL (100) Ryan Mast, RHD, Sarnia-OHL (156)

Vasily Atanasov, C, Khanty-Mansiysk-MHL (129) Noah Meier, LHD, ZSC-NLA (167)

Cameron Berg, C, Muskegon-USHL (164) Zack Stringer, LW, Lethbridge-WHL (199)

Matvei Nadvorny, RW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL (203) Seattle Kraken

New York Islanders Matthew Beniers, C, Big Ten (2)

Riley Kidney, C, Acadie-Bathurst-QMJHL (60) Olen Zellweger, LHD, Everett-WHL (35)

Ethan Del Mastro, LHD, Mississauga-OHL (93) Alexei Kolosov, G, Minsk-KHL (67)

Avery Hayes, RW, Hamilton-OHL (125) Janis Moser, LHD, Biel-NLA (99)

Jacob Guevin, RHD, Muskegon-USHL (157) Ty Gallagher, RHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL (131)

Jack O’Brien, C, Portland-WHL (189) Nick DeGrazia, LW, Sudbury-OHL (163)

Stiven Sardarian, RW, CSKA-MHL (221) Dru Krebs, LHD, Medicine Hat-WHL (195)

New York Rangers St. Louis Blues

Chaz Lucius, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL (16) Corson Ceulemans, RHD, Brooks-AJHL (17)

Tristan Broz, LW, Fargo-USHL (65) Lorenzo Canonica, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL (81)

Brett Harrison, C, Oshawa-OHL (80) Jack Beck, RW, Ottawa-OHL (145)

Red Savage, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL (104) Daniel Laatsch, LHD, Sioux City-USHL (177)

Nick Roukounakis, LW, Thayer Academy-US High School (106) Carter Serhyenko, G, Prince Albert-WHL (198)

Zack Ostapchuk, C, Vancouver-WHL (112) Tampa Bay Lightning

Caden Brown, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL (144) Kyle Masters, RHD, Red Deer-WHL (96)

Taylor Gauthier, G, Prince George-WHL (176) Dmitry Zugan, C, CSKA-MHL (160)

Vladimir Sychov, LW-SKA-MHL (208) Rasmus Korhonen, G, Assat-Finland Jr. (192)

Ottawa Senators Justin Ertel, LW, Summerside-MHL (196)

Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton-WHL (10) Evgeni Kashnikov, LHD, Gatineau-QMJHL (211)

Colton Dach, C, Saskatoon-WHL (39) Philip Granath, RW, Frolunda-Sweden Jr. (224)

William Stromgren, LW, MODO-Allsvenskan (42) Toronto Maple Leafs

Guillaume Richard, LHD, Tri-City-USHL (74) Dmitri Kostenko, RHD, Togliatti-VHL (57)

Josh Bloom, LW, Saginaw-OHL (170) Ty Voit, LW, Sarnia-OHL (153)

Brendan Clark, LW, Johnstown-NAHL (202) Jack Harvey, LW, Chicago-USHL (185)

Philadelphia Flyers Vancouver Canucks

Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls-USHL (14) Kent Johnson, C, Michigan-Big Ten (9)

Zach Dean, C, Gatineau-QMJHL (46) Zachary L’Heureux, LW, Halifax-QMJHL (41)

Olivier Nadeau, RW, Shawinigan-QMJHL (78) Albert Sjoberg, RW, Sodertalje-Allsvenskan (73)

Topias Vilen, LHD, Pelicans-Liiga (110) Matthew Fusco, RHD, Dexter School-US High School (137) Nikita Grebenkin, RW, Magnitogorsk-MHL (140)

Owen McLaughlin, C, Mount St. Charles-US High School (169)

Yaroslav Busygin, LHD, Chekhov-MHL (178)

Jacob Melanson, RW, Acadie-Bathurst-QMJHL (201)

Vegas Golden Knights

Kirill Kirsanov, LHD, SKA-KHL (30)

Sasha Pastujov, RW, U.S. NTDP-USHL (36)

Carter Mazur, LW, Tri-City-USHL (114)

Aku Koskenvuo, G, HIFK-Finland Jr. (155)

Tyson Hinds, LHD, Rimouski-QMJHL (190)

Niko Huuhtanen, RW, Taapara-Finland Jr. (222)

Washington Capitals

Anton Olsson, LHD, Malmo-SHL (55)

Jackson Blake, RW, Eden Prairie-US High School (75)

Kalle Vaisanen, LW, TPS-Finland. Jr. (119)

Lukas Pajer, RW, Litomerice-Czech-2 (151)

Cameron Rowe, G, Wisconsin-Big Ten (183)

Winnipeg Jets

Carson Lambos, LHD, Winnipeg-WHL (18)

Cameron Whynot, LHD, Halifax-QMJHL (50)

Oscar Plandowski, RHD, Charlottetown-QMJHL (82)

Dmitri Katevelskii, C, Kazan-VHL (146)

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217500 Websites He struggled in his first season in Luleå, posting a .901 save percentage through 21 games as a 16-year-old with the U20 team. But Luleå’s coaches weren’t worried. What they saw in him were two things they don’t often see in goalies. The Athletic / ‘I can be a great goalie’: NHL Draft prospect Jesper Wallstedt believes he’s worthy of a high pick First, his innate understanding of the game.

“His way of reading the game is really good,” Törnqvist said. “You either have that or you don’t. That’s a skill that’s really hard to practice. When By Joshua Kloke Jul 16, 2021 12 he moves well in perfect balance, and he plays with confidence, that’s a thing you see from really good goalies. They have a certain charisma on

the ice. He makes the hard chances look easy.” Jesper Wallstedt is aware of what has happened in previous drafts: since Then, there was his ability to quickly apply lessons from practice into 2003, only 19 goalies have been selected in the first round, the majority games, from how to properly guard his post, how to skate quicker around of which were selected outside the top 10. his goal, and his technique while in goal. “There’s probably been a lot of goalies that haven’t turned out, so there’s “Some players take a long time to learn things,” Törnqvist said. “Jesper probably a high risk and high reward from picking goalies,” Wallstedt can do something once and learn.” said. This is why Wallstedt’s ascent continued at a rapid pace. Scouts marvel Wallstedt knows that, once again in this year’s draft, there will be at how Wallstedt has developed ahead of schedule. Multiple scouts told questions about the inherent risk of picking a goalie near the top 10. But The Athletic that makes Wallstedt look closer to the NHL than Russian there is still a sense of pride in his voice, which stems from his belief that goalie Iaroslav Askarov, taken in the first round of the 2020 draft at No. goalies picked early in drafts can eventually lead teams late in the 11 by Nashville. playoffs. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler wrote that ahead of this most recent “If you watched the Stanley Cup Final, there were two first-round picks season, Wallstedt “had only ever looked like a manufactured goaltending playing in goal, and there were four first-round picks in the semifinals,” robot, the kind who checked every single box.” Wallstedt said. I asked Wallstedt what he believes he’s done to progress so quickly. Eventually, Wallstedt wants to play in a Stanley Cup Final, and if his pre- draft pedigree is any indication, he has a chance to get there. For years, “I’ve always trusted myself and believed in myself,” he said. “I have the 18-year-old, 6-foot-3, 214-pound goalie has progressed ahead of always known that I can get to where I am right now and get even further. schedule, tracking the puck remarkably well, and using his natural Before this season, I have played three years in the under-20 league. I hockey sense to, in the words of one NHL scout, “make saves look haven’t hurried up to play men’s hockey. I prepared as well as possible in routine when they are more than that.” All along, he has been viewed as Luleå to get ready for the SHL team, when at the time I felt that I was Sweden’s next great goalie. ready for it. When I go out there on the ice, it was just about winning the game for the team. That’s the thing that matters the most: winning the “I have a lot of potential to fill up,” Wallstedt said. game. Development comes throughout the practices and the games ,too. And so while there will continue to be questions about the merits of But when you’re out there, you’re just thinking about winning the game.” drafting a goalie early in the first round, Wallstedt thinks he is worth the I WAS GOING THROUGH SOME JESPER WALLSTEDT (G, 2021 risk. #NHLDRAFT) CLIPS AND SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON HIS GAME “I believe if you know what you’re doing I feel like there shouldn’t be AGAINST FROLUNDA ON OCT 24. much of a risk,” he said. HE LOST 4-1 AND WASN'T FLASHY, BUT IT WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE When Wallstedt’s adviser, Karl Hellgren, first met Wallstedt as a OF JUST HOW SMOOTH AND RELAXED IN HIS CREASE. teenager, he was immediately taken aback. PIC.TWITTER.COM/UDQTETS3ZJ

“I had to remind myself that he was 15 years old,” Hellgren said. “When — STEVEN ELLIS (@STEVENELLISTHN) OCTOBER 29, 2020 you talk to him, he was so mature. He knew what he wanted. He’s been Throughout his three seasons in Luleå, his personality has come out. preparing for (the NHL Draft) for so long.” Törnqvist dismisses the stereotype about goalies being antisocial when That maturity is evident in Wallstedt’s consistently calm demeanour, with discussing Wallstedt. his voice rarely changing tones as he speaks about his goals. There is “He wants to take a big role in the team and wants to be a leader,” still an air of positivity when he discusses his career up to this point as Törnqvist said. “That was easier for him when he was in junior, and it’s one of Sweden’s most touted youth goalies, and humility when hard to be a leader when you’re playing with men. But he’s a social guy discussing his future. who wants to be around his friends and teammates.” “It just gave me extra energy,” Wallstedt said of the constant chatter Wallstedt’s voice will boom not just throughout the Luleå dressing room around him as a teenager about his future. As a 15-year-old he spent the but on the ice as well. He breaks down the importance of being a majority of the season with Västerås’ U20 team, posting a .921 save talkative player rather clearly. percentage through 25 games. “I have one of the most unique positions,” he said. “There’s two of us “But I always remembered to have it in my mind to stay humble,” he said. playing. In some ways, you have to be a leader as a goalie because you “And to keep being ready to put down the work. Because there’s a long have to be outgoing and know what you’re doing. You have to be on the way left to get to the NHL, right?” same board as everyone.” When Wallstedt was 15, he had a choice to make with his NHL future in Playing goal provides him “a lot of different perspectives.” mind: stay with VIK Västerås HK, his hometown club with which he had come up through the youth ranks, or move almost 900 kilometres north to “I always talk with defenceman and forwards, too, for that reason,” Luleå. Wallstedt said. “And they’ve given me their perspective of every situation. Together, we can also solve a lot of different situations and come up with He opted to move to Luleå, far away from his family, because they had a solution together. It’s very important to work together as a team and not more of a dedicated goalie coaching department, with one full-time as individuals.” goalies coach for the men’s team and one full-time coach for the junior program. He relied on that attitude throughout his first full season in the SHL. As an 18-year-old, Wallstedt played sparingly to start the year and then “To move away from home and to become more mature, understanding didn’t see the net much in Sweden’s disappointing quarterfinal exit at the how important it is to come to practice with the right mindset every day, 2021 world juniors. that’s been a big part of his development,” Luleå goalies coach Gusten Törnqvist said. He returned to Luleå with “energy,” he said. “I wanted to prove to everyone that I could have done better for myself,” Wallstedt added.

And he did. He played eight straight games for Luleå afterward, posting an impressive .919 save percentage throughout. But after surrendering four goals on 18 shots in his final game of that stretch, he returned to the backup role, playing just six games through the final three months of the season, including the playoffs.

“It was a strange period of my life,” Wallstedt said. He’d gotten used to playing but was reminded that success in the SHL, and eventually in the NHL, will come with consistency “through the ups and downs.”

And that’s his goal for next season: play more with Luleå and showcase consistency to match his talent. Scouts appreciate his composure in goal and how well he uses his feet to push into the right spots, but understand there’s room to grow.

Heading into the season, Wallstedt wants to build up his strength and his explosiveness and become more aggressive on the ice.

“I want to be more athletic in some situations. I want to build myself as an athlete, not just a hockey goalie,” he said.

And in the process, he hopes to reward whichever team drafts him. He wants to show that team and their fans that he’s worth the risk that comes with drafting a goalie in the first round because “I can be a great goalie one day and make my team win a couple of Stanley Cups, hopefully.”

He’s not alone. Törnqvist is convinced of Wallstedt’s future as a bonafide NHL starter, having watched him progress. In Törnqvist’s estimation, Wallstedt has proved that he is a low-risk player.

Said Törnqvist, “Once (Wallstedt) understands 100 percent what it takes to be a professional goalie, he’s going to be really, really good.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.17.2021 1217501 Websites The Oilers simply can’t rely on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as much as they have.

If this team is going to get over the playoff hump it needs to be able to Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' focus shifts to addressing forward depth and goalie win games when the Big 2 get shut down. Sure, it won’t happen every tandem time, but the book on Edmonton is simple: Shut down 97 and 29 and you shut down the Oilers — period.

That puts Holland in the market for a third-line centre who can do all the Mark Spector@sportsnetspecJuly 16, 2021, 11:44 AM things that expect of a competent 3C — win draws, kill penalties, check top lines — but generate some offence as well. Edmonton played raw

rookie Ryan McLeod in that slot in the playoffs last season, and it wasn’t EDMONTON — A stock Ken Holland line revolves around how much a fair ask of the 21-year-old. easier it is to go from 25th place to 12th place, than it is to go from 12th So, who’s out there? into the top five. This summer he is living that theory. Well, Phillip Danault is the clear-cut favorite among free agent centres An Oilers team that moved from 25th to 12th to 11th place in the NHL who can handle defensive responsibilities. But the same team won’t get standings these past three years has made huge regular season strides, Keith, Hyman and Danault. That’s a pipe dream. yet done nothing in the playoffs. A 1-7 post-season record over that time, after two second-place finishes in its division, tells the tale of a club Paul Stastny would work, but he is both 35 and coming off a $6.5 million whose issues have graduated from massive and all-encompassing to AAV. After two stints with Winnipeg, if Stastny were to come North he’d elements more subtle. be a viable option for Edmonton, but it seems a tall ask of a veteran American centre who likely has options south of the border. Holland filled a need this week when he dealt for Duncan Keith to anchor his second defensive pair, and when/if he gets Adam Larsson signed, An annual tout that comes up in these parts is former University of he’ll have a blue-line that stacks up pretty well. We predict that signing Alberta Golden Bear Derek Ryan. But he is likely to be left unprotected will occur shortly after the Expansion Draft, with Larsson doing his part to by Calgary, and as a Spokane, Wash., native there is a very real chance help his team acquire Keith and get through the draft without losing a key the Seattle Kraken make him an expansion pick. component. Ryan Getzlaf is another name who would be awesome in this position. Remaining Time -3:22 But make up a list of 36-year-olds who play an entire career in California, then move to the family up to the Edmonton tundra. It’s a mighty short What do Oilers need from Keith to justify price tag? list. Now, it’s on to the forward lines, where a lack of depth killed Edmonton in Clearly, Holland needs to fill this spot. Having McLeod and Jujhar Khaira its four-game sweep at the hands of Winnipeg. And in goal, where as his Bottom 6 centres simply is not good enough. nobody inside this organization wants to see the same tandem back for a third season. Not at an average age of 36 years old, between Mike Smith Moving Mikko and Mikko Koskinen. Signing a 39-year-old Mike Smith isn’t a bad thing — as long as he has a So, where do we start? partner who is up and coming, like a Chris Driedger, or Igor Shesterkin.

Funny, Holland might be asking himself the same thing… Smith’s numbers last season were Top 6 or 7 in the NHL. Sure, he’s old. But numbers are numbers, and he posted elite ones. Zach Hyman or Jaden Schwartz? So another one-year deal would be acceptable for a player who has Holland has enough cap space to make one expensive free agent move, become a leader in Edmonton’s room. But there has to be movement and the plan is for that to be a top-line left winger for Connor McDavid. away from Koskinen, a goalie many in the organization no longer trust, Hyman is target No. 1, Schwartz No. 2, and after that, it might be time to who makes a ridiculous $4.5 million thanks to the gift bestowed by explore the trade market for a Jake DeBrusk, Rickard Rackell or perhaps outgoing GM Peter Chiarelli. even a player like Detroit RFA Tyler Bertuzzi. At worst Koskinen gets bought out, leaving Edmonton a cap hit of $1.5 Newly signed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will inhabit the other top-six left wing million for the next two seasons. At best the final year of his deal gets off- position for the foreseeable future, while Jesse Puljujarvi is a fixture on loaded in a trade — the Oilers tried and failed at that in the Keith deal. the right side. That leaves two holes for legit top six wingers — one of each side — and right now the left side is Edmonton’s priority. Either way, a tandem of Smith and a younger goalie works well. Smith and Koskinen — again — does not. Hyman is seen as the right player for Edmonton: He has skill and can play alongside elite offensive players, but he is not a perimeter scorer, Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.17.2021 which the Oilers have in abundance. Hyman is seen as the exact type of responsible, close-in scorer needed to compliment a line with McDavid and a shooter like Puljujarvi.

Remaining Time -6:49

NHL's piping-hot rumour mill making for 'NBA-style off season'

The Wilcox, Sask. native Schwartz is seen as a less expensive alternative — a player who does everything well, but not one thing stellar — while a trade for DeBrusk is iffy because of his contract status. DeBrusk would be a popular acquisition as he was born and raised in Edmonton and his Dad Louie was an Oiler, but his Qualifying Offer after next season is lofty at $4.41.

And if a GM doesn’t tender that offer, DeBrusk becomes unrestricted. That’s Boston’s problem right now, and one another team will be wary of taking on.

It is more likely that Edmonton will be looking at DeBrusk as a UFA a year from now.

*I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time.

Depth of Talent 1217502 Websites more now, looking back on it, but it's part of the play and little things like that happen."

Where does your feistiness come from? TSN.CA / ‘Extremely competitive’ prospect L'Heureux aims to emulate "It's just a genetic thing to be honest. My whole family is kind of like that – Tkachuk, Marchand whether it's cards or board games or [other activities], there's usually kicking and screaming and fighting and everybody wants to win. Since I was a kid at the playground or school I wanted to win, so it's something By Mark Masters that's stuck with me and it's given me a lot of success so far, so I don't want to change."

You scored 10 goals and added 13 assists in your final 14 games of the Zachary L'Heureux plays a lot bigger than his 5-foot-11, 196-pound frame season. Why did you finish so strong? might suggest. "I didn't necessarily have the best start, so I knew coming into the second "I'm a strong power forward," the 18-year-old left winger said. "I'm a guy half if I wanted to have a strong push for the NHL draft, I had to be better. that plays a lot in the offensive zone and is good around the net. I'm I focused on keeping it simple and playing my style and I did a good job extremely competitive, and that's what drives me to always win 50-50 in that area and the points came, but I was more than a points player. I battles and be first on the puck. And it's not always going to be a dump in was playing a lot better in general and being more involved." and working low in the zone. I'm a guy who can go through a defenceman and make a play, so that dual threat is something other Zachary L’Heureux is tearing a strip off the QMJHL. 6th point in last 3 teams need to watch out for." games. #ZachAttack https://t.co/mnFvhdA3v7

L'Heureux piled up 19 goals and 20 assists in 33 games with the Halifax — Allan Walsh (@walsha) April 4, 2021 Mooseheads this season. He also racked up 47 penalty minutes. So, it's no surprise that L'Heureux lists a couple of the National Hockey League's Why do you wear No. 66? top agitators, Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk and Boston's Brad Marchand, "It has nothing to do with [Mario] Lemieux or anything like that. That was as his role models. before my time. It's more about my mom. She played high school "Players who have a lot of skill and a lot of grit and are always involved in basketball and she was No. 6, so I've always wanted 66 or a number with the plays, and they stick up for themselves," L'Heureux noted. "They stick a six in it. It's a connection we have and it’s showing respect to my family up for their teammates." and something that means a lot to me. Of course, now, getting to the higher levels you get the Mario Lemieux chirps and what not, but that has When you play that style it's sometimes tough to keep your emotions in nothing to do with it." check. L'Heureux was suspended four times during the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season. What was it like growing up in the Montreal area?

"I play on the edge," he explained. "When the wires touch sometimes you "You're born a Montreal Canadiens fan and being able to see their kind of cross the line. One thing about growing up and learning how to playoff push this year and the way the city and country came around become a professional, you're going to push your limits. I know I'm not them, it's something special. Growing up, I got the opportunity to go to done making mistakes and I'll probably make a lot more, but I learn from the Bell Centre a couple times and it's definitely something special. It’s every single one of them." something magical. You're thinking that one day I could play in that barn for the team or against them, so it's something where you're stars truck There were certainly mitigating factors during this strange pandemic and it's special. You are born into the hockey world around here." season as the Mooseheads faced off exclusively against the five other teams in the Maritimes Division. Did you have a favourite fan moment growing up?

"We were playing teams [many] times, so emotions build up and it's one "I remember getting back from school and my mom or dad telling me they of those things that I have to learn from," he said. "From every somehow scored tickets. You didn't really care where you were sitting, it suspension I got, I came back stronger and better." was just the opportunity to stay up past your bedtime on a weekday. Going to an experience like that, just the feeling, the ability to touch the During a conversation with TSN from his family home just outside roof and seeing all the fans, it's something that you can't really explain Montreal, L'Heureux explained how he handles the discipline question how it feels ... I definitely have a few memories like that." when he chats with NHL teams. He also shared how growing up a Canadiens fan fuelled his love of the game. TSN director of scouting Craig Button has you going to the Philadelphia Flyers at No. 13 in his latest mock draft, so you may be off the board The following is an edited transcript of the interview. before the Canadiens pick. That said, have you thought about what it would be like to be selected by your hometown team? How do you handle the questions about discipline when you speak with NHL teams? "The draft is going to be full of surprises. If I am [picked by Montreal] I'll be extremely happy, but I'd be happy literally anywhere. So, it's not "It's pretty easy, if you just look at my stats, to think this guy is maybe a something I have my mind too much on but, at the same time, it's hothead, but once I'm able to talk to teams and explain every situation definitely a thought. Who knows? When draft day anything could and what happened and how I see it, they're able to notice that maybe happen." there's a bit more meaning to it than the on-paper stuff. They like my feistiness, my edge that I play with. It's something that, of course, they What did it mean to you to score the overtime winner during the gold- like about my game. I know that I need to learn to control that a bit better. medal game at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer? They know that too. So, they just want to know my perspective on it. Whoever picks me will help me work with it and work through it." "It's something that flashed by so quickly. You watch it on video, and you remember it more then, but that was probably one of my most special You received a game misconduct for spitting on Nov. 6 against moments in hockey. I mean, being able to represent my province and Charlottetown. What happened? going to those Games, it was the first time I could compare myself on a national level and see my strengths and weaknesses compared to guys "It was the end of the period and I got hit from behind and thought it was that I hadn't even heard of before. We had a great group and great pretty dirty. Nobody kind of reacted to it, so, being the player I am, I coaches, and the environment was unreal ... That overtime game against jumped up and, wouldn't say I attacked the guy, but gave him an earful Ontario with the team they had with Brandt Clarke, Brennan Othmann and we ended up having a little tilt. I ended up getting punched in the and Shane Wright just to name a few, you know, they had a really good face a couple times. I definitely got rocked a bit, so had a mouthful of team and for us to win that was definitely a special moment." blood. I was on my way to go to the dressing room and I kind of spit toward the other bench. I didn't hit anybody. I don't think I was within two .@EquipeduQuebec scores in OT to take gold over or three metres of them, so there were no COVID issues there, but it's @GoTeamOntario! What a finish to the 1st week of @CanadaGames! something that I definitely have to learn from. I'm happy that at least I pic.twitter.com/z61E6uB2tH didn't hit anybody, and nobody was harmed. It's something I regret a bit — TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 23, 2019 What do you remember about the goal?

"I remember it off by heart now from watching it so many times, but I can't tell you I remember exactly what it was like being in that moment. Watching it over on video, it's one of those plays that, you know, is part of my game. I got the puck and brought it to the net and picked up my rebound and good things happen. It's a special moment and it still gives my chills when I watch."

The translation of your last name from French to English is 'The Happy One,' is that an apt description of you off the ice?

"Heureux means happy, so it's definitely been a nickname that, the last couple years playing in English markets, has stuck around and describes me well. I'm a guy that likes to have a smile on his face and who jokes around. I like it as a nickname and now that people are catching on it's definitely fun. It’s something that, being in Quebec and growing up here, people don’t [bring it] up much, but the last couple years in Moncton and Halifax it's something people noticed."

Ice Ice Baby by Zachary L’Heureux (@heureux_zachary). #2021NHLDraft #QMJHL #LHJMQ @HFXMooseheads @walsha @ElliotDesnoyers pic.twitter.com/S0u1iIHUyj

— Denis Leblanc (@DenisL_1981) November 30, 2020

TSN.CA LOADED: 07.17.2021