New Jersey: Who stays and who goes?
Abbey Mastrasco of NorthJersey.com: Free agency begins July 1st and one of the bigger names New Jersey has in the UFA market is Patrick Maroon.
No true consensus exists but the feeling is Maroon may go home to St. Louis. His child goes to school there and lives there.
Michael Grabner busted big time in New Jersey but may get another chance, if the price is low enough.
As for John Moore, he is going somewhere else (Abbey says stays)? The market demands are way too high. Few think he is staying at the prices he can command elsewhere.
Eddie Lack is long gone from the goalie position.
Sign a defenseman? No, trade!
Matt Larkin of The Hockey News declares the best way to go for UFA defensemen is a trade.
Mike Green presents himself as the best unrestricted free agent on the blueline. However, his chances of re-signing with Detroit are rising. That goes for several free agents as well. It is a very light market which means maybe trades are a better option.
Erik Karlsson brings on the most rumors and of course the biggest return. On the other hand, Justin Faulk is still available from Carolina even after the Dougie Hamilton acquisition. Matt Dumba’s name tossed around the rumor mills is not surprising. Tyson Barrie perpetually is on the block, but appears not likely to be moved at this time. Even Torey Krug, Jake Muzzin, and Colton Parayko have been involved in trade talk before and even after the draft.
In case of no Tavares, now what Toronto?
James Mirtle of The Athletic: Toronto draws a tough assignment this summer with several free agents likely to re-sign with their current teams. Having ample cap space and no one to spend it on is less than optimal.
Garret Sparks earns a promotion which means Calvin Pickard and even Curtis McElHinney are expendable.
On defense, Jake Gardiner remains the wildcard. His price determines what Toronto may do on the blueline. Tyler Ennis and even Matt Dumba become slight possibilities though Minnesota is not cap strapped.
There could be trades.
Wing is easier as James van Riemsdyk is almost expendable when considering the depth of Toronto at the position.
Centers offer a different outlook if the main free agents do not come. William Nylander moving to center could happen. Riley Nash or Derek Ryan become options and would be an upgrade over Tyler Bozak. The expectation is Kyle Dubas either trades or signs two free agents at center. This keeps Nylander on the wing.