{"id":440168,"date":"2024-04-23T09:42:21","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T13:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=440168"},"modified":"2024-04-23T09:42:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T13:42:21","slug":"nhl-rumours-minnesota-wild-and-calgary-flames","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/04\/23\/nhl-rumours-minnesota-wild-and-calgary-flames\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We&#8217;re starting the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, there is plenty of chatter about teams that didn&#8217;t make the post-season tournament. General managers have to take stock and see what adjustments they need to make. Some decisions need to be made this off-season. However, there are others coming along in the future, but the groundwork needs to be set now. Today&#8217;s NHL rumours focus on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/04\/17\/marc-andre-fleury-re-signs-with-minnesota-wild\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a> and the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/03\/12\/nhl-rumours-calgary-flames-and-buffalo-sabres-2\/\" target=\"_self\"> Calgary Flames.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>All NHL Rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n<h3>Minnesota Wild<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Joe Smith and Michael Russo of The Athletic said<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/5432802\/2024\/04\/22\/wild-kirill-kaprizov-minnesota\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> the clock is ticking<\/a> on making the Wild a contender. The main reason is to try and keep superstar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapriki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Kaprizov<\/a> beyond next season. Kaprizov is an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The clock is ticking for <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#mnwild<\/a>, with next year an important one to give Kirill Kaprizov hope he can be part of a contender. &quot;We need to show him that we\u2019re committed to winning,&quot; Bill Guerin says.  Our insider w\/ <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RussoHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@RussoHockey<\/a> tackles that topic and more  <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tBjsk0DZu5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/tBjsk0DZu5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JoeSmithNHL\/status\/1782443420650270759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> Minnesota missed out on the post-season and its time for general manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gueribi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bill Guerin<\/a> to reset and make some moves. The Wild did show some signs of life after replacing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/evasode01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dean Evason<\/a> with John Hynes. However, the club was on the outside looking in.<\/p>\n<p>Kaprizov is a bonafide superstar, but needs to be surrounded with some weapons. There are talented players like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zuccama01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mats Zuccarello<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eriksjo02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Eriksson Ek<\/a>. However, some more pieces would be helpful. There&#8217;s one massive problem the Wild has and that&#8217;s plenty of dead cap space. Minnesota has another year of nearly $14.8 million of dead cap space. This is due to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/parisza01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Parise<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suterry01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Suter<\/a> buyouts.<\/p>\n<p>However, there&#8217;s only one more season of pain. The dead hit will drop to nearly $1.7 million and free up over $13 million. This should give the Wild enough to be a force in free agency. Hopefully this will be enough to convince the Russian to stay long-term with the team.<\/p>\n<p>Kaprizov is arguably one of the most exciting players in franchise history. Guerin would do well to make sure that he&#8217;s doing all he can to build a contender.<\/p>\n<h3>Calgary Flames<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Pat Steinberg of Calgary&#8217;s Sportsnet 960 talked about the status of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/greeraj01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A.J. Greer<\/a> with the club. Greer is an unrestricted free agent this coming off-season.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Pending UFA AJ Greer says he hasn\u2019t had conversations about signing back with Calgary as of yet.<\/p>\n<p>Says he\u2019s excited for having those talks and has a \u201cgood feeling\u201d about them. Clearly would like to be back. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Flames<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Fan960Steinberg\/status\/1781357122841727172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 19, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> Greer said that he hasn&#8217;t had conversations with coming back to the club. However, the pending UFA is excited to have talks with general manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/conrocr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Craig Conroy<\/a> in the off-season. The Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, Quebec said he has a good feeling about returning to the team. Greer also said that he would love to come back to the team for the 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n<p>The 27-year-old only scored six goals and 12 points in 59 games. However, Greer was limited by a fractured foot in late January before the All-Star Break. Greer did return to the lineup in March. However, the former <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/04\/21\/nhl-predictions-april-21-with-colorado-avalanche-vs-winnipeg-jets\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a> draft pick said the injury was still bothering him. This is why he missed the last four games of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Greer made $762,500 for this campaign and is looking to get another deal. The forward was a waiver claim, so he had some decent value. He can play both wing spots and that versatility can be helpful to a roster that might undergo some changes this off-season.<\/p>\n<p>Calgary has made over its roster with trading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tanevch01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Tanev<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lindhel01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elias Lindholm<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hanifno01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Noah Hanifin<\/a>. We&#8217;ve speculated in previous NHL rumours pieces that Conroy might make some more moves in the summertime. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marksja02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Markstrom<\/a> question still looms large among other issues.<\/p>\n<p>Greer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/fantasy\/hockey\/news\/flames-a-j-greer-solid-in-fourth-line-role\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">has been solid on the fourth line<\/a> for the Flames this season. Conroy will likely at least discuss bringing back Greer in the off-season. Greer is likely going to get a shot somewhere if he doesn&#8217;t come back to Calgary.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We&#8217;re starting the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, there is plenty of chatter about teams that didn&#8217;t make the post-season tournament. General managers have to take stock and see what adjustments they need to make. Some decisions need to be made this off-season. However, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":432902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,4547,30,4548,4321],"tags":[3599,3175,5814,5481,2393,5931],"class_list":["post-440168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flames","category-hockey","category-wild","category-nhl","category-rumours","tag-a-j-greer","tag-bill-guerin","tag-calgary-flames-rumours","tag-craig-conroy","tag-kirill-kaprizov","tag-minnesota-wild-rumours"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/440168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=440168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/440168\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/432902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=440168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=440168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=440168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}