Keys to the offseason for the Colorado Avalanche
Ryan S. Clarke and Kristen Shilton of ESPN: Looking at the keys to the offseason for the Montreal Canadiens after their Conference Finals loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Projected cap space: $3 million
2026 draft picks: 4th, 4th (CAR), 5th (BOS), 5th (PHI), 7th, 7th (NYR), 7th (OTT), 7th (PIT)
Defensemen Brent Burns and Brett Kulak are pending UFAs. If they’re brought back or not, will determine if they need to find third-pairing defensemen or not.
Will they look to strengthen their supporting players? Limited cap space. Forward Ross Colton is in the last year of his deal and they could look to move his salary to allow them a few more options.
Time is running out on having Cale Makar on a friendly $9 million contract.
NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens Have Begun Offseason Plans
Patrik Laine wished he were traded at the deadline
Priyanta Emrith: Montreal Canadiens pending UFA forward Patrik Laine said that he was disappointed that he wasn’t traded at the deadline as he was hoping for a chance to play again this season.
He added: “that’s how it goes sometimes… we’re still obviously happy to be here with this group…”
Marco D’Amico: Laine, when asked if he was asked by the Canadiens to waive his no-trade clause during this past season: “That’s why I have an agent. But I don’t think I was ever asked, no.”
Stu Cowan: Laine confirmed that at the end of the season, he wasn’t injured.
Pierre LeBrun: With Laine staying on the IR, and being a UFA, he is now eligible to sign a bonus-laden contract for next season. Having a lower base salary next year may be appealing to some teams.
Rod Brind’Amour Has the Carolina Hurricanes Adopting a Championship Mindset
Vladimir Tarasenko would like to remain with the Minnesota Wild, but he’s not a priority and there may not be room
Joe Smith of The Athletic: Vladimir Tarasenko seemed to welcome being able to help mentor Minnesota Wild’s 22-year-old rookie Danila Yurov this past season. The 34-year-old Tarasenko had a bit of bounce back year and potted 23 goals.
He’s a pending UFA and fit in nicely with the Wild, on and off the ice. Tarasenko and his family are hoping to be able to remain. His two-year deal carried a $4.75 million cap hit, and if he were to be brought back, it would have to be at a reduced number.
Tarasenko shares the same agent as Kirill Kaprizov, Paul Theofanous, and the Wild likely won’t be interested in playing hardball with him again. Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron will take priority over Tarasenko. The Wild might look to re-sign Marcus Johansson to a one or two-year contract at between $1 and $2 million over Tarasenko.
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