Tkachuk to leave school to sign with the Senators
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: ESPN’s John Buccigross reported yesterday that Senators 2019 fourth overall pick Brady Tkachuk will announce today that he’ll be leaving Boston University to sign with the Senators.
TSNs Dave Poulin on Tkachuk leaving school early
“Is (leaving) better for development? It’s just so hard and so personal. Because there was a precedent, people think that’s the best way. I think this is still unbelievably personal and it’s up to the individual. (Tkachuk) played one year of college and, if in his mind, he wants to be an Ottawa Senator, then that’s the most important thing.”
The chances of Tkachuk making the Senators out of training camp are good.
Zack Smith plays on the left side but could be moved to center. Smith could also be traded before the start of training camp.
If Tkachuk doesn’t make the Senators, the London Knights of the OHL own his CHL rights. He’s also eligible to play at the World Junior Championships.
Murray Pam: Tkachuk agent is going to be Craig Oster, who also is the agent for Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone. Oster is also the brother of Brady’s mom.
Drouin doesn’t have a knee injury
Allan Walsh: “In the stupidity department, some rumor websites are “reporting” that Jonathan Drouin injured a knee playing summer hockey. Total BS. He’s 100% healthy. Everyone can go back now to enjoying their summer.”
Vasilevskiy and Point will need new contracts soon
Joe Smith of The Athletic: The Anaheim Ducks and John Gibson recently agreed on an eight-year contract extension, giving him the fifth highest salary cap hit at $6.4 million among goaltenders.
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy will be eligible for an extension after the season and will be looking for a big raise from his $3.5 million.
“If (Vasilevskiy) wins the Cup and MVP, then he’ll get (Carey) Price money,” said one agent, who does not represent Vasilevskiy. “Otherwise, between $8-8.5 million AAV.”
Sergei Bobrovsky will be a UFA after this season and could see his $7.425 million cap increase to the $9 million range.
Lightning forward Brayden Point will be an RFA after this season, but there haven’t been any extension talks just yet. They could do a three-year bridge deal like they did with Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov.
The Lightning may be better off signing Point a long-term deal, but it may be difficult to fit his salary cap hit in.