The NHL is entering its busiest part of the off-season. The NHL Draft has come and gone and the free agent frenzy is here. It keeps the rumour mill churning. The following are some of the rumours and transactions circulating throughout the league, including Kevin Shattenkirk, Ilya Kovalchuk and more.
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NHL Rumours: Kevin Shattenkirk, Ilya Kovalchuk and more
Kevin Shattenkirk
Bob McKenzie reports that the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres are the front runners to sign Shattenkirk. McKenzie also believes the Arizona Coyotes and and Colorado Avalanche are circling as well.
Matt Duchene
Darren Dreger reports that Colorado general manager Joe Sakic continues to mull over trade offers for Matt Duchene. The two most interested teams are the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators.
Ilya Kovalchuk
Pierre LeBrun reports that the New Jersey Devils are not close to trading the rights of Kovalchuk.
Hearing that the Devils don’t have anything close trade-wise on Kovalchuck. Obviously that can change today potentially (con’t)…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2017
LeBrun also reports that the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are on Kovalchuk’s ‘wish list’.
Rangers, Blue Jackets and Leafs believed to be among the teams on Kovalchuk’s wish list… not sure Toronto has any interest though…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2017
Jaormir Jagr
Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the Florida Panthers will not re-sign Jaromir Jagr.
Further to @DarrenDreger, Jaromir Jagr’s agent Petr Svoboda confirms the Panthers have cut ties. Jagr hitting the open market.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2017
Jagr, 45, spent the last three seasons with the Panthers.
Montreal Canadiens
Pierre LeBrun reports that the Montreal Canadiens are going to let Alexander Radulov test the free agent market. The two sides are still far apart on contract negotiations.
Bob McKenzie is reporting that the Montreal Canadiens are willing to let Andrei Markov test the free agent market.
I’m hearing UFA D Andrei Markov‘s “ask” of MTL is two years with AAV of $6M. At that price, MTL likely to let him go to market. We’ll see.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2017
San Jose Sharks
Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the San Jose Sharks have offered Patrick Marleau a two-year contract.
Kevin Kruz of CSN Bay Area is also reporting that the Sharks could offer Joe Thornton a multi year deal.