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NHL Rumours: Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals

Michael Frolik NHL Rumours

We’re now into August and just over a month away from the beginning of training camp. Most teams are looking to make the finishing touches to their rosters while some teams are still negotiating with top RFA’s as well as clearing cap to make room for those players. Last Word on Hockey will continue to bring you NHL rumours as we lead up to the beginning of the NHL season. Today we have NHL rumours from the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals.

All NHL Rumours come from their original sources and are subject to change. 

NHL Rumours

Calgary Flames

Rumour: Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reports that he is hearing that the Calgary Flames may have interest in right shot defenceman Alexander Petrovic.

Analysis: As it stands, the Flames do not have a ton of cap space available to be making any moves. They are in the process of buying out the contract of Michael Stone to clear up some more space in order to sign Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane. They will still need to move out another piece in order to afford these two players. The two names that are constantly being brought up are T.J. Brodie and Michael Frolik.

If the Flames do move Brodie it would clear a roster spot for Alex Petrovic. As of now Brodie slots in on the right side but is a left-hand shot. He is also in the final year of his contract which pays him $4.65 million. Moving him rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season seems like the most sensible move. The club could bring in a future asset for him as well as clear more space to sign their RFA’s.

In signing Petrovic, the club would get a third pairing shutdown defenceman who plays a physical style of game. He is a solid penalty killer. However, the oft-injured defender does not bring a whole lot offensively. This is not a huge deal, however, and the Flames already have solid offensive-minded defenceman in Mark Giordano, Noah Hanifin and Juuso Valimaki. What is more concerning is that Petrovic has been a black hole in terms of possession. That said he would also come a lot cheaper than Brodie. Perhaps the Flames believe that he will be better away from Edmonton.

Flames Also Interested in Moving Michael Frolik

Rumour: Kent Wilson of The Athletic wrote a piece looking at potential destinations for Michael Frolik as the Flames may look to move him to clear some cap space.

Analysis: The second our Calgary NHL Rumours, Frolik could be a casualty as the Flames try to clear some space to get one of their most important players Matthew Tkachuk locked up long term. Wilson lists the Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets as potential teams to land Frolik. However, it’s not as easy as just trading him, as Frolik owns a 10 team no-trade clause. This would almost certainly rule out the Senators.

The most realistic fit would be the New Jersey Devils. They have a ton of cap space and have shown that they are looking to compete this year after winning the draft lottery to select Jack Hughes, trading for P.K. Subban and signing Wayne Simmonds. Frolik would be able to fit into the club’s middle six. He plays a solid two-way game and is an exceptional penalty killer. This would take some of the responsibilities off the Devils young players and let them focus more on offence. Frolik would also serve as a mentor for the Devils young roster and would be a solid add for the team as they look to get back into playoff contention.

New York Rangers

Rumour: Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post writes that although the Rangers bought out Shattenkirk to clear space, more moves to clear cap space may happen.

Analysis: Cyrgalis lists both Vladislav Namestnikov and Chris Kreider as two potential casualties of the current cap squeeze in New York. Kreider is a very valuable piece and will certainly require a huge raise from his current $4.625 annual salary. Kreider is set to become an unrestricted free agent at seasons end and given the fact that the Rangers are already tight against the cap as it is, it may be best to move him now in order to keep the accelerated rebuild going and not lose such a valuable piece for nothing at seasons end.

Washington Capitals

Rumour: Bob McKenzie reported via Twitter that Washington Capitals prospect Chase Priskie has informed the club that he will not be signing with them and will become a free agent on August 15th.

Analysis: McKenzie states that Priskie should be a highly sought after free agent defenceman once he hits the market. Priskie finished his senior year with Quinnipiac scoring 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points in 36 games. The 23-year-old right shot defenceman has good skating abilities and offensive tools to succeed at the NHL level. Teams such as the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are amongst the teams who would certainly be looking to acquire his services. All three teams are in need of right shot depth on the back end. Especially Winnipeg, who lost two of their top three this off-season.

 

Main Photo: TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 06: Calgary Flames Right Wing Michael Frolik (67) in warm-ups prior to the NHL regular-season game between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs on December 6, 2017, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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