Ryan Graves trade just the beginning as they say…
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: The New Jersey Devils needed to improve their defense and the price was steep in some circles. However, New Jersey picked up Ryan Graves on Thursday night. Colorado needed dollars to try and sign Captain, Gabriel Landeskog.
They acquired Mikhail Maltsev and a second-round pick. That late-round pick is more like a third-round selection. Either way, New Jersey received a defenseman that can play some minutes and be a good three or four in their corps. More importantly…
“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 our future. But we want to start playing meaningful games. That’s the next phase of development for Jack (Hughes) and Nico (Hischier), they 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.’’
Graves represents the beginning. More is to come to erase the loss of last season.
In other news, Zach Hyman has been permitted to talk to other teams. Gabriel Landeskog still could go to market on the 28th but Colorado still has the inside track. Gustav Forsling and Anthony Duclair were re-signed this week as Florida tends to in-house matters.
So, that Tampa Bay Lightning summer…
Joe Smith of The Athletic: Julian Brisebois had little time to savor the repeat championship for Tampa Bay. He had a day. Back to work, Tampa Bay faces some summer of decisions.
This is one resilient, crazy team. No matter the pieces, that has been the constant. Brisebois does not have a glut of RFA’s to be concerned about and has players with market value. That’s essential. Tyler Johnson may even still be with Tampa Bay in the fall for example.
It appears likely no deal will be swung with Seattle and the Kraken will get a good player from Tampa Bay. It is not etched in stone whether Tampa goes 7-3-1 or 4-4-1 but the latter is more likely to keep Ryan McDonagh.
Barclay Goodrow and Blake Coleman expect to go somewhere else. One other thing is that Brisebois does not expect LTIR to be used. As for a backup goaltender, that’s a question for free agency perhaps.