On the Calgary Flames …
Eric Francis of the Calgary Herald: Flames forward Troy Brouwer will likely be left unprotected for the expansion draft. When the Flames gave up a second round pick for Curtis Lazar, it meant they likely planned to keep him.
Their seven protected forwards will likely be Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mikael Backlund, Michael Frolik, Micheal Ferland, Sam Bennett and Lazar.
Brouwer, Matt Stajan and Brett Kulak could interest the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Flames will likely protect defensemen Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton and T.J. Brodie.
The 31-year old Brouwer has three years left on his contract at a $4.5 million cap hit. Vegas may not interested in the contract and the fact that he finished the season playing on the Flames fourth line. Golden Knights GM George McPhee did trade for Brouwer when he was with the Capitals and gave him a three year deal.
Stajan has a year left on his deal with a cap hit of $3.12 million.
Aaron Vickers of NHL.com: Goaltender Chad Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent but hopes to be able to return next season.
“Absolutely,” Johnson said during the team’s end of season media availability Friday.
“It was fun to play here. The fans are great, as I know. My family enjoyed it and my wife enjoyed it. More importantly it was a great hockey team to be a part of, a great organization and one heading in the right direction.
“I want to be a part of that. There’s always issues with contracts that have to be figured out and things like that, but my heart is here. There’s no denying that.
“I’d love to remain here in Calgary.”
Other Flames UFAs include Brian Elliott, Dennis Wideman, Michael Stone, Deryk Engelland and Kris Versteeg.
Versteeg and Michael Stone would like to be back as well.
“It’s a great place for me and my family, and I think it’s a good situation with the team,” Stone said. “We’re a good team. I would definitely enjoy being back.”