The big day is finally here and we’ve got plenty of NHL rumours. Teams are going to be scrambling to get things ready for the big day. However, there’s plenty of last-minute stuff to talk about. General managers are going to be busy in a matter of hours and there’s plenty of chatter. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers
Rumour: Vince Z. Mercogliano of the Lower Hudson Journal News said the Rangers may not be super active, but may make some moves this free agency window.
We’re roughly 16 hours away from the opening of NHL free agency.
What’s the outlook for the #NYR? Here’s a thorough breakdown 👇🏼 https://t.co/x9K6G9Ar0c
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 1, 2023
Analysis: The team has $11.76 million in salary cap space, but they have two big priorities to worry about. General manager Chris Drury has to sign restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller in the window. The team also has four to seven more roster spots left to fill. Drury may have to do some bridge deals for the pair and hope the salary cap eventually goes up more than the standard $1 million over the past few seasons.
There could still be some low-cost options that the Rangers may look into. New York needs forwards, lefty defencemen and a backup goalie. Mercogliano mentioned players such as Noel Acciari, Nick Bjugstad, and Garnet Hathaway as forward options. Defensive options that were listed include Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Carson Soucy, and Marc Staal. ESPN Insider Kevin Weekes said the team may sign Connecticut native Jonathan Quick as a backup.
Colorado Avalanche
Rumour: Adrian Dater said that the Avalanche might be interested in bringing in unrestricted free agent forward Max Pacioretty.
I’m hearing more that Max Pacioretty to Colorado could really happen
— Adrian Dater (@adater) June 29, 2023
Analysis: Colorado may have more salary cap space with captain Gabriel Landeskog possibly out long-term. This opens up some more possibilities for Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland. Landeskog’s $7 million cap hit will be on the LTIR and help the Avalanche find a comparable replacement.
Pacioretty was injured for most of the season with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, he’s a productive player when he’s healthy and on his game. Colorado needed secondary goal-scoring because it was sorely missing last season. The team’s loss to the Seattle Kraken can partially be attributed to the lack of depth scoring. Pacioretty has been a multi-time 30-goal scorer in the league. Colorado would love to get the New Canaan, Conn. native into the fold.
Main photo by: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
