The offseason is officially alive. Players will get to hear their names called as they get ready to live out their childhood dream. Not to mention, the free agency frenzy is a few days away, although fireworks have already begun. Trades and contracts have already been given, getting the party started early. Regarding names being called, those could come in the form of trades. Two teams that we focus on in Today’s NHL Rumours are the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers.
NHL Rumours
Vegas Golden Knights
Rumour: Kevin Weekes has heard rumblings of Logan Thompson‘s availability
Been told Logan Thompson would be open to a trade to a playoff contender – not necessarily a powerhouse, just a team that is in contention – and where he would be dubbed the No. 1, considering Adin Hill is on brink of re-signing.#VegasBorn https://t.co/SiMXaoq4cG
— WillieGRamireZ (@WillieGRamirez) June 28, 2023
The Vegas Golden Knights goaltending carousel continues. After seeing five different goalies make key appearances, one could be on his way out. After a strong playoff performance by Adin Hill, the likelihood of his re-signing is high. Rightfully so. Hill had an excellent regular season and backstopped the Golden Knights to a championship. In addition, his 7.7 goals saved above expected was stellar. Furthermore, his 2.17 goals against average and .932 save percentage were among the best. But the goalie who could be packing bags is Logan Thompson.
Vegas will be tight against the salary cap. With the decision looming to sign Hill and the deadline acquisition of Ivan Barbashev, they have decisions to make. Thompson, if healthy, had a good chance of beating Matthew Beniers for the Calder Trophy. Thompson had a strong season with a 2.65 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. Not to mention, he is 26 years of age and makes a team-friendly $776k going into next year. Thompson was deemed the number one after Robin Lehner got put on the LTIR and would love to have that opportunity elsewhere.
Florida Panthers
Rumour: The Florida Panthers shopping Anthony Duclair
Sounds like the Florida Panthers are actively shopping Anthony Duclair, who is entering the final year of his contract.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 27, 2023
You cannot always keep the band together forever. The reigning Eastern Conference champions will seek to unload a player in salary cap relief. Florida currently has around $10 million in cap space, but have free agents they’d like to bring back. One notable is Radko Gudas, a force for them on the back end. To gain extra space, the club is looking to trade away winger Anthony Duclair.
Duclair has one year left on his current contract making $3 million per season. With other key players such as Brandon Montour, Gustav Forsling, Sam Reinhart, and Anton Lundell expiring in one year, there is so much wealth. Duclair can fetch a good return as well. He is a proven player who can be a solid depth scorer throughout his career. In addition, he is coming off a career year the season before with 31 goals, 27 assists, and 58 points. This season saw him miss all but 20 games in the regular season, but he did make up for it in the playoffs.
At an affordable cap hit, teams looking to shore up their scoring depth should come calling.
Main Photo: © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
