It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re past both Canada Day and American Independence Day. However, we’ve got plenty of NHL rumours. Teams have already made some big signings, but there may be more moves to come. This edition of NHL rumours has plenty of good vibes as it talks about players that want to stay. Today’s edition features the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that newly-signed forward Max Domi wants to stay with the Maple Leafs long-term.
Updated since initially dropped. Final podcast of season. Thank you @JeffMarek and especially @amandelic for your work. Thank you to everyone who listens. We’re nothing without you! Links to your preferred platform: https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm you. Have an awesome summer!
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 4, 2023
Analysis: Domi comes home to Toronto after drifting around the league for a number of years. Max’s father, Tie Domi, played for the Leafs and was a fan favourite with the club. The Winnipeg native spent a number of his formative years in Toronto. There’s a famous tweet of the younger Domi posing with his father clad in Leafs gear.
Max Domi is set to make $3 million for the next season, which is the same as he took last year and $2 million less than what he got from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Friedman said that Domi wants to stay with the Leafs and be one for a good, long time. He might be willing to take a discount to stay and keep the Leafs as a contender.
New general manager Brad Treliving has to worry about signing extensions for Auston Matthews and William Nylander (if that can happen.) Domi might be willing to accommodate the team’s needs and make it easier to keep some of the bigger-name players. Domi’s days as a journeyman might be over if he has his way.
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: We stick with Friedman and 32 Thoughts as he talks about the ongoing extension talks for Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Analysis: Friedman said that Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams was in talks with both young defencemen. The sides met up at the rookie combine to discuss extensions. Both Dahlin and Power are said to be happy in Buffalo and want to stay long-term. Adams and Buffalo management are looking to get deals done sooner rather than later.
Dahlin has been rumoured to get an eight-year deal of $10 million while details of Power’s next contract are not yet known. Both players are eligible for contract extensions now that July 1 has passed. Dahlin will become an unrestricted free agent while Power will be a restricted free agent. However, Power won’t be eligible due to not racking up enough service time. It’s much like the situation Cole Caufield had with the Montreal Canadiens this off-season.
Both blueliners seem to be willing to commit to the promising Sabres squad. Dahlin and Power will be cornerstones for a team looking to take the next step and break the team’s Stanley Cup Playoff drought. Things are looking bright in Western New York, but Adams needs to make these extensions a high priority.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
