It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re closing in on the NHL Draft and the start of free agency. Teams are trying to figure out the future of their respective clubs. They have to fit in their respective players under a salary cap that isn’t going to increase very much. Today’s edition of NHL rumours is an All-Atlantic edition. We have NHL rumours focusing on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumours: The latest 32 Thoughts had Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussing what William Nylander‘s future will be with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Friday 32 Thoughts news & interview pod. Guest is @GoldenKnights owner Bill Foley, and he’s terrific. Links to your preferred platform here: https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 23, 2023
Analysis: Friedman believes the Leafs will “take a run” at trying to extend Nylander. Marek said that Nylander is represented by Lewis Gross. The agent also represents Johnny Gaudreau, who got the deal done with the Columbus Blue Jackets last off-season. Toronto general manager Brad Treliving has experience in dealing with Gross. Gaudreau didn’t re-sign with the Flames when Treliving was the still the Calgary GM.
Toronto still also has to find a way to get an Auston Matthews deal done. That seems to be the top priority while Nylander is a close second. Things have been quiet about the core four, but maybe Treliving is trying to lock down the younger pieces.
Nylander, whose current cap hit is just shy of $7 million, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2023-24 campaign. The Swede has been a solid goal-scorer for the club over the last few seasons.
Florida Panthers
Rumour: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun discusses the Panthers goaltending future. Florida goalie Alex Lyon said that he’d like to stay with the Eastern Conference champions.
It’s time for a fresh start for Milan Lucic. Could a return to Boston be in the cards?@PierreVLeBrun has free-agent rumblings, including the possibility of Connor Hellebuyck to the Devils and Ryan O’Reilly re-signing in Toronto.https://t.co/BZkuRxqJTD
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 21, 2023
Analysis: There are plenty of free agent goalies that will be available. However, Lyon wasn’t listed on LeBrun’s list of unrestricted free agent goalies. The former Yale University product was vital in helping the Panthers get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first place. He helped get the team settled before Sergei Bobrovsky got on a roll.
The 30-year-old netminder made $750,00 this season and might be in line for a raise. However, he wasn’t listed because he wants to stay on with the team. Pete Rutili of Wasserman Hockey talked to LeBrun about Lyon’s future.
“Alex loves it there. It’s a really good fit. But we’ll see what happens. If he does go to market, certainly I’m sure there will be options for him. But his preference would be to stay.”
One thing that complicate Lyon’s return is Spencer Knight‘s return from the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program. Knight’s three-year, $13.5 million extension kicks in next season. This deal could complicate things, but Lyon wants to make it work.
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