Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington on Holtby and Johansson:
On Friday, the Washington Capitals avoided an arbitration ruling with Braden Holtby, signing the goaltender to a five-year, $30.5 million contract with an average annual value of $6.1 million.
Gormley writes that this deal leaves the Capitals with around $4.2 million in cap space and speculates that an arbitrator could award that figure to forward Marcus Johansson if he reaches a hearing next Wednesday. Gormley adds that the big difference between the two is that the Capitals planned to secure Holtby long-term but management is likely content with a one- or two-year deal with Johansson.
Ryan Dadoun of NBC Sports Pro Hockey Talk on Lou Lamoriello luring New Jersey staff to Toronto:
Dadoun writes that Lamoriello has no plans to bring any Devils staff with him to Toronto, including his son Chris who is the general manager for the Devils’ AHL affiliate and is senior vice president of hockey operations in New Jersey.
Rumours are circling that David Conte, long-time head of scouting in New Jersey, may come to Toronto. His contract was not renewed by the Devils after Ray Shero took control of the team and Conte and Lamoriello have decades of experience working together.
Tom Gulitti tweeted that Conte may be brought in to assume a senior advisor or scouting consultant role in Toronto.
TSN’s Frank Seravalli adds that Conte is interested in coming to Toronto but doesn’t want a “courtesy” job. Conte said:
I’d be foolish to pretend that (job) would not have great appeal for me. It is a complicated process; there are already people in place. It’s really so premature to even have that discussion. This is really about Lou and his job and how great this is for him.
Bryan Mcwilliam of TheScore.com on Soderberg’s role in Colorado:
Mcwilliam writes that Carl Soderberg was Colorado’s replacement plan for recently-traded Ryan O’Reilly. Mike Chambers from the Denver Post said:
The Avs told Soderberg he was the planned replacement for Ryan O’Reilly, who was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres on June 27 in a four-player trade. That and not having to play the free-agency game made Soderberg’s choice easy.
Mcwilliam adds that GM Joe Sakic has reportedly spoken of playing Soderberg on a line with Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon.
On potential nicknames for the proposed expansion team in Las Vegas, Justin Cuthbert of TheScore.com writes:
Would-be Las Vegas owner Bill Foley said Friday that season ticket depositors will have a role in naming the team, should the NHL grant a franchise.
Foley said:
Get ready with your suggestions and keep the faith. The door has been opened and we’ve stepped through. Thanks to all of you for your input and support.
Foley submitted the expansion application with the Black Knights nickname attached and has been open about his preference for that name throughout the expansion process.
