On the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets, European Free Agents, San Jose Sharks and the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Things weren’t right for Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Kesler all season. He battled through 48 games and though he won’t have offseason surgery – had the major surgery last season on his hip – he’ll be going through heavy rehab and treatment. It is possible that he sits out all of next season. The Ducks, nor his agent are commenting, and it sounds like he doesn’t plan on retiring.
One under the radar team to watch on Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Noah Hanifin is the Vancouver Canucks.
The New York Islanders have started their press to get John Tavares re-signed as they may have begun to think he could be leaning towards leaving. Talk is that they are interested in signing Ilya Kovalchuk and have let teams know that they want to improve their goaltending situation.
There has been some speculation that the Islanders could trade Josh Ho-Sang, go isn’t sure.
The Winnipeg Jets will look to sign pending restricted free agent goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to a long-term extension.
Most European free agents have already signed, but one that is still available is 28-year old defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich. The Jets are one of the teams that have shown some interest.
Vegas Golden Knights hold the rights to Nikita Gusev who KHL contract is up. If he waits one more season he would be an unrestricted free agent.
Two other players who might be considering making the move to North America are Alexander Barabanov and Mikhail Grigorenko.
Friedman wonders with the price and need for centers in the league, could be the cost for arbitration-eligible Chris Tierney be too much for the San Jose Sharks.
The Maple Leafs will be looking to replace Mark Hunter‘s management position and there will be lots of interest. Jeff Marek wondered about Wes Clark, who was with Kyle Dubas in Sault Ste. Marie and later joined the Maple Leafs. He was an amateur scout with the Florida Panthers in 2016 and is ‘tight’ with John Tavares. One NHL executive names a bunch of people off the top of his head that could be interested: Sean Burke, Mike Futa, Scott Howson, Bill Armstrong and Rob DiMaio. Another GM wondered if Hunter’s guys – Lindsay Hofford and Jim Paliafito – will remain.
Do the Maple Leafs look to add someone in an advisory role to replace what Lou Lamoriello was going to do? May not happen. Former Hurricanes GM Ron Francis may be looking to take a year off.