On the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Matt Duchene, LA Kings, Ottawa Senators and more …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: One executive thinks that offer sheets are coming.
“There simply are not enough impact players available in free agency,” one said. “If you need to improve your team — and fast — it’s going to be your best option.”
With the ‘summer LTIR’ – either Nathan Horton or Joffrey Lupul is on LTIR – giving the Toronto Maple Leafs have about $3 million for RFA Connor Brown.
The Washington Capitals were trying to get Evgeny Kuznetsov signed for around $6 million a season but quickly realized that, that wasn’t going to happen. The current NHL CBA has a window from July 1st to 5th were the KHL can go after RFAs, and the KHL was going to find big money for him. Rumors were $10 million a season on one or two year deal.
Word is if a player has an NHL contract and is playing in the AHL, they won’t be eligible for the Olympics.
Matt Duchene could start the season with the Colorado Avalanche. It also shouldn’t be a surprise if teams continue to try an acquire him this offseason. Teams like the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and maybe the Calgary Flames.
thinks the Avalanche were targeting Mathew Barzal and Ilya Sorokin from the Islanders, Brandon Carlo or Charlie McAvoy from the Bruins, and Mattias Ekholm from the Predators.
Duchene has only two years left on his deal and makes it tough for teams like the Carolina Hurricanes.
thinks there could be something to the Phil Kessel rumors.
Still think that John Tavares remains with the New York Islanders.
The Maple Leafs tried to sign Mike Condon, but the Senators went to three years.
speculated a couple weeks ago that a Dustin Brown – Dion Phaneuf trade made sense. Guessed the wrong Kings player – Marian Gaborik.
A few Western Conference teams are showing some interest in Dwight King.
The Anaheim Ducks weren’t able to give Patrick Marleau the bonus structure the Maple Leafs could.