NHL Rumours: Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres

It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. The off-season has arrived and teams are going into overdrive to set their 2023-24 lineup. Teams are also thinking about the future and not just next season. Clubs are trying to lock down players for multiple years or move them on for future assets. July 1 is going to be a major day for contract signings and other transactions. This is an all-Atlantic Division edition of NHL rumours. Today’s Lake Erie-centric rumours focus on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

Pittsburgh Penguins

Rumour: The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman looked at what major players can sign contract extensions after July 1. This edition of NHL rumours focuses on forward Jake Guentzel.

Next year’s UFA class is headlined with star power, from Matthews, Aho, and Nylander to Toews and Hellebuyck.

Looking ahead at what these players might make, since they can be extended as soon as this July 1https://t.co/gVI4zmyTCQ

— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) June 15, 2023

Analysis: The Penguins have new leadership with Kyle Dubas as the new president of hockey operations. Dubas has yet to name a general manager, but that will happen after the NHL Draft. Management will have to think about the next contract for the Omaha, Neb. native. Guentzel is in the last year of a contract that sees him make $6 million per season. Whoever the next Penguins general manager is will have to concern themselves with the 28-year-old getting a nice raise.

Sidney Crosby‘s final year of his deal is coming up in 2024-25 and the Penguins’ window to contend may be closing after that. Re-signing Guentzel seems to be a no-brainer for Dubas and whoever the new GM is. The two-time 40-goal scorer could become the team’s highest-paid player if he gets more than a $8.7 million deal. However, they could agree to a team-friendly deal that gives the team more flexibility.

Evgeni Malkin took a deal that helped out the club by taking only $6.1 million and Crosby could do the same thing. Dubas has experience in dealing with tight cap constraints from his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, getting Guentzel a new deal is a high priority.

Buffalo Sabres

Rumour: Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News said that Victor Olofsson and his camp expect a trade from Sabres.

Will be interesting to see how Vegas tries to repeat. I wonder about a player like Victor Olofsson, who scored a few power-play goals on passes from Jack Eichel. Could fit nicely with the GK.

ICYMI, all signs point to an Olofsson trade this summer:https://t.co/yA6nPybu4H

— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) June 14, 2023

Analysis: Lysowski did say that the Swedish winger’s camp thinks the deal is going to take some time. Olofsson has a year left on his contract at a $4.75 million and will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 campaign. Lysowski said that Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams is actively trying to make a trade happen.

Adams is working on multiple fronts about trading around in the first round of the NHL Draft. The Sabres are picking at the 13th slot and could use Olofsson as a trade chip. However, it’s not known if Olofsson would be packaged with the pick.

There’s a load of talented players in AHL Rochester that have emerged and they’ve made Olofsson expendable. Youngsters like Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka and Jiri Kulich could make the this year. Adams can get $4.75 million off the books if he deals the Swede for a pick or some prospects. The Sabres will likely be in the goalie market and want to maximize their space to make a move.

Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports