It’s time for some more NHL rumours to start the off-season. The Vegas Golden Knights won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. However, the work continues for the 31 teams that fell short of the ultimate prize. The other clubs are looking to be the one to hoist the big silver chalice. The juicy NHL rumours are just getting started. This round of NHL rumours has items on the Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild.
NHL Rumours
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts podcast had the latest on the Carter Hart situation.
Monday 32 Thoughts Game 5 preview and news pod. Links to your preferred platform: https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm Enjoy!
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 12, 2023
Analysis: Friedman said that the Sabres are likely going to be in on every big-name goalie that’s available this off-season. Buffalo has been linked to goalies like Connor Hellebuyck and others. The Sabres made plenty of steps forward this season. However, goaltending was a rough spot for the franchise for most of the season.
Buffalo does have Devon Levi as a goalie of the future. However, the Sabres want to get someone that will allow Levi to develop for at least the next couple of seasons. Levi did all he could to keep Buffalo in the hunt until the final days, but a bigger-name goalie is what they need.
The Flyers are already going into full teardown mode under new general manager Daniel Briere. There’s always the temptation to burn it all to the ground. Ivan Provorov has already been traded, but more moves may happen this off-season. Scott Laughton, Kevin Hayes and Travis Konecny might be also on the block this off-season.
Minnesota Wild
Rumour: The Athletic’s Trade Board 2.0 has a number of Wild players that could be on the move this offseason.
Analysis: General manager Bill Guerin met with 37-year-old defenceman Alex Goligoski to see if he would waive his no-trade clause. Goligoski was a healthy scratch near the end of the season. The veteran blueliner has a $2 million cap hit but also has a full no-trade clause. There’s a hope Guerin can get that contract off the books.
Minnesota may also try to move some more players to alleviate salary cap pressure. Young defenceman Calen Addison appears in the 15th slot on the website’s second trade board of the off-season. Fellow RFA Brandon Duhaime also appears on the trade board at number 26. Negotiations could get sticky and Guerin may cut his losses and make a deal.
The Wild have to endure two years of pain with the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts on their books. Minnesota will have nearly $15 million of dead cap space to deal with in the next two seasons. The salary cap going up only $1 million hamstrings Guerin and the Wild. Minnesota is going to have to make some financial sacrifices in the next two seasons.
Main photo by: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
