It’s Monday and we’ve got another edition of NHL rumours. Today is another West Coast bias edition of our NHL rumours where our set of three rumours centres on the Pacific Division. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Calgary Flames, Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
Today is also Memorial Day in the United States and we thank those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames
Rumour: The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian takes a look at what may happen to Johnny Gaudreau‘s future with the Flames.
Johnny Gaudreau’s future, Chris Tanev’s surgery: What we learned from #Flames exit interviews
via @TheAthletic https://t.co/Z7iwbdJ5Fm
— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) May 29, 2022
Analysis: Flames’ general manager pushed “all in” like a poker player with a surefire winning hand. However, the phrase “What now” comes to mind after the Edmonton Oilers won the Battle of Alberta. Oilers captain Connor McDavid proved tougher than any hand the Flames had in the hole.
There are plenty of restricted free agents like Matthew Tkachuk, Andrew Mangiapane and Oliver Kylington to sign. However, the main focus seems to be on Gaudreau, who is an unrestricted free agent.
The former Boston College standout is one of 12 Flames players that are on expiring contracts. Treliving is going to have to do some surgery in order to keep some of the prime players on the team. However, Gaudreau is set to make a pretty penny if he tests the open market.
Gaudreau said he’s going to discuss things with his family and Treliving wants to make the star a Flame for a long time. Calgary is going to wait to talk to Gaudreau, so we’ll know sooner rather than later.
Vegas Golden Knights
Rumour: Jesse Granger of The Athletic peered into the Golden Knights goalie situation for next season.
Analysis: Logan Thompson played well after Robin Lehner battled injuries during the season. Thompson signed a three-year deal worth about $767,000 per season. He’ll be a low-cost backup for the Knights, who will have to trim some fat from the cap in the off-season.
A likely casualty of Thompson’s strong play will be Laurent Brossoit, who makes $2.325 million per season until the end of next season. Vegas is going to have to clear out space and the Brossoit contract would be a good place to start. He could serve as a solid backup or challenge for a number one spot in some places.
Lehner seems to be the firm No. 1 goalie, but it looks like Thompson may get the keys to the crease in the next couple of seasons. He showed plenty of promise when he got starts last season.
Los Angeles Kings
Rumour: The Athletic’s Lisa Dillman took a look at who may be on the move in the off-season from the Kings.
https://twitter.com/reallisa/status/1529140589433716736
Analysis: Los Angeles was a surprise team that reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs before being ousted by the Oilers. The team’s younger players came along well and veterans like Jonathan Quick turned back the clock.
However, Dillman brings back the annual tradition of who stays and who goes despite the solid season. There will need to be moves for the recently-extended general manager Rob Blake. One move will be replacing former captain Dustin Brown. He retired at the end of the season and his veteran leadership will be missed.
Players that are certain to be on the move according to Dillman include Andreas Athanasiou, Brendan Lemieux, Lias Andersson, Alexander Edler, Olli Maatta and Troy Stecher. She did the caveat that some of these may be toss-ups, but realize there may not be room for everyone on the roster.
It seems like a few of these players will be causalities for prospects such as Samuel Fagemo and Jaret Anderson-Dolan. One of Edler or Matta could return, but it’s unlikely that both will be asked back.
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