Metropolitan Notes: Copley, Blue Jackets, Flyers

While the Capitals have top prospect Ilya Samsonov under contract, don’t expect him to make the jump to the NHL right away if backup Philipp Grubauer is traded as expected.  GM Brian MacLellan told J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington that they would like to give him some time to get acclimated to playing on the smaller North American rink and that Hershey starter Pheonix Copley would likely be the number two in Washington.  The 26-year-old didn’t put up great numbers in the minors this past season, posting a .896 SV% and a GAA of 2.91 in 41 appearances.  However, it’s at least worth noting that he’s signed for the league minimum $650K for 2018-19 which will come in handy for a team that figures to be right up against the Upper Limit again.

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan:

• The Blue Jackets head into the summer with a trio of key players being eligible for contract extensions on July 1st in winger Artemi Panarin, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, and defenseman Zach Werenski. Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch notes that GM Jarmo Kekalainen would like to get new deals done with all three players sooner than later.  Given the combined cost to get all three signed, it would certainly be desirable to get them done quickly as that could very well shape what types of other moves they make during the summer.
• While the Flyers have plenty of cap space to work with this offseason, they’re not expected to be going after the top free agents on the open market, cautions Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post. GM Ron Hextall is cognizant of the fact that blueliner Ivan Provorov and winger Travis Konecny are in line for new contracts after next season which will result in a lot more money on the books and if they extend winger Wayne Simmonds, he’ll also get a notable raise on his next deal.  Philadelphia will look to add a right-shooting defender this summer and may turn to the free agent market to find a third-line center to replace UFA Valtteri Filppula.