It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re well underway in round two, but we’ve got plenty to discuss when it comes to some eliminated clubs. These teams that missed the post-season will have to figure out some things in order to get back into the mix for the playoffs. Some deals are coming up and general managers have to make some decision in the coming off-season. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Buffalo Sabres and the Philadelphia Flyers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News said a source has revealed to him that contract talks have already begun between the team and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Contract talks are underway between the Sabres and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's agent.
How much will it cost to sign the 25-year-old after his breakout season? A look at what the restricted free agent can expect this summer:https://t.co/20DF7785ld
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) May 8, 2024
Analysis: The Sabres made a late charge at a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. However, the team still holds the longest active NHL playoff drought. It’s not been a pleasant decade-plus in Western New York, but Luukkonen started to take contract of the crease later on in the season.
The 25-year-old should get a decent raise from his $867,500. This is after he posted a career-high with 54 games played, 27 wins, 2.57 goals-against-average, a .910 save percentage, and five shutouts. The 25-year-old netminder might finally be the answer for the Sabres’ long-time problems in between the pipes.
Many thought that he would give way to Devon Levi in net, but the Finnish goalie took the ball and ran with it last season. General manager Kevyn Adams might get to focus his energies elsewhere instead of the nagging question of how to fix the problems in goal.
Lysowski gave some possible comparables for Luukkonen. Names like Juuse Saros, Filip Gustavsson and Ilya Samsonov came up as contract frameworks. All of those deals were three or four years and around $3.55-$5 million. Adams may give a shorter or middle-term deal to as a bridge to Levi or a chance to lock in a long-term deal. Something like three or four years at around over $4 million might be the solution.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: Kevin Kurz of The Athletic was asked about an extension for defenceman Cam York in his latest mailbag.
Flyers mailbag: Michkov’s future, Walker’s offseason, possible 2026 UFA targetshttps://t.co/q0dDizbAAV
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) May 6, 2024
Analysis: York found himself in head coach John Tortorella’s dog house during the season. However, the 23-year-old had a great second-half and earned the trust in his head coach. York finished with 10 goals and 30 points in all 82 games. He also got himself more ice time as the season wore on.
However, is York’s play going to translate into a new contract. The Anaheim Hills, Calif. native currently makes $1.6 million and is heading into his final year of a contract. However, he can sign a contract extension on July 1 like anyone can when going into a final year of a contract.
The main thing Kurz brings up is the sustainability of York’s play. Does general manager Daniel Briere decide to lock down York for a decent amount of term and money? Or does Briere play the waiting game and see if York’s strong play was a fluke?
There’s not a lot of history in Briere’s contract negotiations. However, Kurz takes a look at the contract extension of Owen Tippett. The youngster was signed to an eight-year, $49.6 million contract on Jan. 26. This move came seemingly out of the blue and could offer some insight to what Briere is thinking. Philadelphia’s general manager might be of the mindset to get York locked down to a new contract.
The front office’s focus might be getting restricted free agents like Bobby Brink and Egor Zamula signed. Other priorities might be beefing up the roster via free agency and trades. However, York could get a new contract if he starts off the season strongly.
Main photo by: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
