It’s time for a Fourth of July edition of NHL rumours. Today may be America’s birthday, but there are plenty of NHL rumours to talk about. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are looking to be in the mix in the Eastern Conference next season. Both clubs have made some moves, but more may be in the offing. Today’s NHL rumours focuses on these two contenders.
All NHL Rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli said the Leafs need to make some moves to become salary cap compliant and find room to sign restricted free agent goalie Ilya Samsonov.
Deadline for RFAs to elect salary arbitration is Wed. July 5 @ 5pm ET.
Brad Treliving mentioned a second buyout window in Nashville, wouldn’t be surprised to see Ilya Samsonov file – which opens that second window for Leafs if need be.
Have to find a solution for Matt Murray.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 3, 2023
Analysis: The Leafs are over $8.8 million over the salary cap at this time. New general manager Brad Treliving has to find some space to re-sign Samsonov to a new deal. One move that will likely be made is Jake Muzzin and his contract going on long-term injured reserve. This will help, but the team needs to create even more space.
Toronto would still be over the cap by $2.4 million for the upcoming season. This likely means that goalie Matt Murray will be bought out or traded soon. The second buyout window begins are RFAs file for arbitration. Toronto probably doesn’t want to have dead money on the cap, but many not have much choice if the team can’t find a suitor.
A trade could happen, but the Leafs would probably have to attach a sweetener to make a deal occur. Murray’s contract is an albatross at nearly $4.7 million, but buying out the deal would give Treliving some breathing room. Or at least enough to possibly re-sign Samsonov.
Carolina Hurricanes
Rumour: The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman reports the Hurricanes are closing in on a deal for unrestricted free agent forward Vladimir Tarasenko.
It sounds like Tarasenko will be signing with the Hurricanes
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) July 4, 2023
Analysis: Things are still fluid in this situation involving the Russian forward. Tarasenko was reportedly rumoured with the Ottawa Senators as well. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning may also been inquiring about Tarasenko.
The 31-year-old right wing played for the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. However, the Blueshirts can’t retain him due to salary cap issues. Tarasenko is one of the bigger names still available along with Matt Dumba and the injured Patrick Kane.
Despite not getting a deal right away, Tarasenko is still in demand according to insiders. Andy Strickland said that the Yaroslavl, Russia native has a myriad of offers from one to multiple years. The veteran is a 30-40 goal scorer and helped the St. Louis Blues win a Stanley Cup in 2019. He’ll be useful to any team that signs. However, it would be a big move for Carolina. The Hurricanes had injury issues torpedo the club’s chances last season and adding Tarasenko would be huge.
Main photo by: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
