It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re into round one of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, but we’ve got plenty of rumours to discuss. Teams are trying to figure out how to re-sign certain players and what other changes need to be made to their rosters. Some critical decisions will be made in the coming weeks as we roll towards the NHL Draft and the start of July 1 free agency. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Carolina Hurricanes
Rumour: Hurricanes team reporter Walt Ruff of NHL.com said General Manager Don Waddell is optimistic about extending deadline acquisition Jake Guentzel.
Nuggets from Don Waddell's media availability moments ago –
• Jesper Fast's upper-body injury is not a concussion and is only expected to keep him out "a matter of days."
• He is "optimistic" that the team will be able to re-sign Jake Guentzel, but discussions are tabled at… pic.twitter.com/e5sdBxPmiN
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) April 19, 2024
Analysis: Guentzel came over from the rival Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2024 NHL trade deadline. However, he’s endeared himself to the Canes faithful in a short time. The Omaha, Nebraska native scored eight goals in 17 regular season games with Carolina. He’s also netted a goal and an assist in two post-season games.
However, money might be a sticking point for the veteran forward. The 29-year-old is in the final year of his deal that sees him make $6 million per season. Guentzel would probably get a slight increase on the open market. However, Waddell thinks he can lock down the centre to an extension.
Discussions of a new contract have been put on the backburner with the playoffs going on. In contrast, Waddell has to make some choices in the offseason. A number of contracts come up and some of these include Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Jordan Martinook, Teuvo Teravainen, among others. The money could be there if there are some departures, but some other holes would need to be filled.
Carolina probably doesn’t want Guentzel to be just a rental, so it will try to make a deal happen. However, a deep playoff run might push contract talks back. Getting Guentzel locked up long-term will likely be one of the first things Waddell tackles.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: The Fourth Period reported that the Flyers and General Manager Daniel Briere are looking to make some additions in the offseason. Briere said that his focus will be trying to bring in a top-four type defenceman.
Analysis: The Flyers did make strides despite collapsing at the end of the regular season schedule falling out of post-season contention. Philadelphia overcame a lot and its young players did make some strides. However, improvements do need to be made and the blueline is something Briere is targeting. Philadelphia did extend Nick Seeler, but traded Sean Walker to the Colorado Avalanche at the deadline. The organization also picked up Jamie Drysdale via trade with the Anaheim Ducks. At this point, it’s not known who the Flyers brass will be targeting in the offseason.
The Flyers have just over $2.18 million in available salary cap space next season. More room could be made in putting defenceman Ryan Ellis on long-term injured reserve. This will give the team another $6.25 million of cap room to play with. It also seems like veterans like Marc Staal and Erik Johnson won’t return to the club for the next season. Philadelphia wants to go younger with the defensive group and letting the experienced walk as of July 1 seems to be part of that plan.
There were a number of rumoured trades around the deadline, but nothing came to fruition in March. Names like Scott Laughton, Morgan Frost, and Joel Farabee were bandied about in hypothetical trades. However, there was no action taken by Briere. Maybe the organization revisits some of those deals in the coming offseason. That could also free up some much-needed cap space to seek a defensive target.
Main photo by: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
