It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. The 2023 NHL Draft is here, but picking players isn’t the only thing that’s going down. There have already been a number of deals made and plenty more to come. We also have the start of free agency awaiting us on July 1. Some contracts have already been signed, but more willing be coming. Today’s NHL rumours is a star-studded one with the latest on the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
San Jose Sharks
Rumour: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun said the Sharks have fielded calls from a number of teams about Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
As mentioned in here, hearing that Seattle, Toronto and Carolina are among several teams who have chatted with San Jose about Erik Karlsson ⤵️ https://t.co/LcydhjeaPe
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 27, 2023
Analysis: LeBrun mentioned that the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken were clubs that are pursuing Karlsson. The Athletic and TSN insider said that more teams than those three are after the Norris Trophy winner. Karlsson is a big-ticket target, but it’s going to take a lot to move him.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier can retain half of Karlsson’s salary, but he likely doesn’t want that much dead money on the cap for the next four seasons. Karlsson is making $11.5 million per season and the Sharks don’t want to eat that much of a cap hit for that many years. The salary cap should hopefully start going up more, but it would still be a hefty number.
Karlsson is a game-changer that would be a big boost to any contender. However, the team that acquires him is going to have to pay a large ransom in order to get him. This deal might take some work to get done, but it could happen.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: TSN’s Chris Johnston reports the latest on the Auston Matthews and William Nylander extensions.
Brad Treliving on the #leafs push to extend Auston Matthews and William Nylander: "I'm confident we're going to get both players signed until proven otherwise."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 27, 2023
Analysis: Treliving said that he’s confident that both players will ink new extensions that take hold after the 2023-24 season. Both Matthews and Nylander have their respective deals end after next season. However, they can sign extensions after July 1. Both players are important parts of the Maple Leafs lineup.
Toronto also has to worry about providing depth for the rest of the Core Four. However, Matthews might be offering a lifeline to his team. The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli was on Sportsnet 590 and discussed the Matthews deal. Seravalli said Matthews is all about building a team that can win the Stanley Cup. It’s not about getting a contract that would see him get $15 million per season.
A deal that would give Treliving more cap room would be a big boost. Nylander needs a new deal and goalie Ilya Samsonov is a restricted free agent this season. Giving Toronto more cap space would be a massive lift to a franchise with gigantic expectations.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
