It’s time to start your weekend off right with some more NHL rumours. We’re midway through July and that means the dog days of summer. However, we still have some NHL rumours to give you. Some restricted free agents have yet to be signed and could be heading to arbitration hearings. There are also a number of players that are eligible for contract extensions because they’ll be heading into the last year of their deals. Today’s NHL rumours looks at the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Carolina Hurricanes
Rumour: Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman appeared on NHL Network to discuss a few players that extend their respective deals. This rumour deals with Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes.
Analysis: Friedman said that the Hurricanes are in a holding pattern when it comes to the Aho contract extension. Carolina is still waiting on if Erik Karlsson will be coming over via trade. Getting the Norris Trophy winner would take a big financial commitment and that would force general manager Don Waddell to wait. San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier would likely have to retain some salary, but he’s likely not going to retain the maximum 50-percent of the $11.5 million cap number. The Canes are also still rumoured to be in on Vladimir Tarasenko, but there hasn’t been much movement in the last few days.
Friedman added that a deal should get done to extend Aho long-term. The insider said that an eight-year deal with a $9.5 million cap hit might be the right number. However, he doesn’t have a timeline on when the deal could get completed. There’s always a little bit of worry with a $9.5 million cap hit. However, there’s hope the salary cap will finally move upward to absorb some of that number.
Montreal Canadiens
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Eric Engels addressed if forwards Joel Armia and Mike Hoffman will be traded anytime soon.
In our final Canadiens mailbag of the season, we address several key questions facing the team.
Let's dive right in. (@EricEngels) https://t.co/E3GxwH5a0k
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 6, 2023
Analysis: Engels said that Montreal general manager Kent Hughes would have traded both forwards if he were interested. However, it seems like he’s going to play the waiting game. Hughes would love to get both Armia’s and Hoffman’s contracts off the books, but it’s not pressing at this time.
Montreal’s front office probably doesn’t want to retain salary and give up an asset to make a deal happen for both veterans. Hughes might be able to swing a trade if another club takes the full cap hit. However, the flat cap may prevent teams from taking a risk on either player.
This brings up a pair of options for the Canadiens’ brass. They could waive one or both players to make room for younger talent. The second option could be waiting until the March 1 trade deadline and see if they could be traded to a team needing forward help.
Main photo by: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
