A couple of management questions and contract talks between the Panthers and Sam Bennett are going well
Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Star: Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan is in the final year of his contract. There may also be questions about Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake‘s future. Results from this playoff could determine their fate.
Shanahan could find a new home quickly if he’s not extended. The New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres could be watching closely.
Contract talks between the Florida Panthers and pending UFA Sam Bennett have gone well since the March 7th trade deadline. Could expect an extension of upwards of $60 million.
NHL Injuries: Flames, Avs, Stars, Oilers, Wild, Predators, Sens, Canucks, Capitals, and Jets
Top 12 pending NHL RFAs
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Looking at the top 12 pending RFAs.
1. Evan Bouchard – Edmonton Oilers – D – arbitration eligible – $3.9 million cap hit
He had 82 points last year and will be closer to 60 this year. Could be looking at something around $10 million a season.
2. Luke Hughes – New Jersey Devils – D – no arbitration – $925,000
His brother Jack is at $8 million. Brock Faber is a comp, and he’s signed for eight years at $8.5 million. Would they look to bridge him around $5.1 million?
3. Noah Dobson – New York Islanders – D – arbitration eligible – $4 million
Has dealt with injury and has struggled at both ends this year. Switched agents. He could be looking for an eight-year deal around $8 million per.
4. Gabriel Vilardi – Winnipeg Jets – C/RW – arbitration eligible – $3.44 million
A top-six forward two years away from being a UFA.
5. Matthew Knies – Toronto Maple Leafs – LW – no arbitration – $925,000
He wants to remain in Toronto, and the Leafs had no interest in moving him at the deadline (for Mikko Rantanen).
6. JJ Peterka – Buffalo Sabres – C – no arbitration – $855,833
He could be looking for a long-term deal at around $7 million. GM Kevyn Adams said they had no interest in trading him at the deadline, despite the rumors.
7. K’Andre Miller – New York Rangers – D – arbitration eligible – $3.872 million
An extension could cost somewhere in the $6 to $6.5 million range, and the Rangers need to get it done.
8. Lukas Dostal – Anaheim Ducks – G – arbitration eligible – $812,500
Took over for an injured John Gibson, who could get traded this offseason, and ran with it. In line for a nice payday.
9. Marco Rossi – Minnesota Wild – C – no arbitration – $883,334
The Wild will finally have some cap space to work with and he’ll be a priority for the Wild. They could look at a bridge deal, say Cole Perfetti‘s two-year, $6.5 million deal.
10. Dmitry Voronkov – Columbus Blue Jackets – D – arbitration eligible – $925,000.
He’s getting a top-six spot and has already scored 20 goals this year.
NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens GM Clarifies Overpaying in Trade Statement
11. Mason McTavish – Anaheim Ducks – C – no arbitration – $894,167
The Ducks have the cap space. Back in 2023 GM Pat Verbeek signed Troy Terry for seven years at $7 million per. A comparable could be Quinton Byfield‘s five-year deal at $6.25 million.
12. Fabian Zetterlund – Ottawa Senators – LW – arbitration eligible – $1.45 million
The San Jose Sharks may not have wanted to pay him, so they dealt him to the Senators at the deadline.
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