The NHL is entering its busiest part of the off-season. The NHL Draft has come and gone and the free agent frenzy is right around the corner. It keeps the rumour mill churning. The expansion draft has added a new layer to the normal NHL off-season craziness, with the Vegas Golden Knights wheeling and dealing. The league is now in its ‘legal tampering phase’, where teams can begin meeting and negotiating with potential free agents, so there is a lot of buzz. The following are some of the rumours and transactions circulating throughout the league, including Connor McDavid, Joe Thornton, Kevin Shattenkirk and more.
NHL Rumours: Connor McDavid, Joe Thornton, Kevin Shattenkirk and more
Connor McDavid
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug and Sportsnets Elliotte Freidman are reporting that the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid are close to singing a contract extension. The deal is reported to be eight years, $106 million dollars. The annual cap hit is $13.25 million. The deal would be the richest in NHL history.
Further to @TSNRyanRishaug McDavid mention, hearing deal will be around $13.25M for 8 yrs. Big win for EDM to get that term, as opposed to 5
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 28, 2017
Connor McDavid is coming off a 30 goal, 100 point season with the Oilers. He won the Art Ross, Hart Memorial and Ted Lindsay awards this year.
Joe Thornton
Elliotte Friedman reports there is a lot of interest in Joe Thornton. Friedman reports the Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers are all potential suiters. While the Detroit Red Wings are interested, Thornton does not want to sign with a re-building team.
Kevin Shattenkirk
Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN 1040 that he thinks the New Jersey Devils will have the biggest offer for Kevin Shattenkirk.
But I have a feeling that New Jersey will probably have the biggest bid, is my guess. The Devils have the most cap room. Shattenkirk is from the area. Certainly the Devils have a hole there on that side.
Furthermore, Elliotte Friedman reports, with the New York Rangers not interested in Shattenkirk, the Buffalo Sabres might make a significant offer.
Karl Alzner
Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports that Karl Alzner is interested in joining the Montreal Canadiens.
Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Alzner is seeking a contract in the 4 to 4.5 million dollar per season range.
Boston Bruins
Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe reports the Boston Bruins have interest in forward Radim Vrbata. The Bruins unsuccessfully tried to acquire Vrbada at the trade deadline in March.
The Boston Herald reports that the Bruins have reached out to free agent defenceman Trevor Daley.
Detroit Red Wings
Craig Custance of the Athletic reports the Detroit Red Wings are in the market for defence. The Red Wings have had conversations with free agents Ron Hainsey, Trevor Daley and Dan Girardi. Custance also believes the Red Wings will approach Dmitry Kulikov as well.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Elliotte Feidman reports that there is a “low-key possibility” that the Penguins are interested in forward Matt Duchene. Friedman still thinks the New York Islanders are the front runners, but that the Penguins were interested “in a stealth way”.
Friedman believes that a package including defenceman Olli Maatta would be hard for Colorado to pass up.
Winnipeg Jets
Elliotte Friedman reports the Winnipeg Jets could have interest in defenceman Dmitry Kulikov.
The Winnipeg Sun is also reporting that the Jets are in the market for a goalie. Options include Brian Elliott and Steve Mason.
