While speculation has center Matt Duchene likely signing a long-term deal with the Nashville Predators, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman writes that the Montreal Canadiens aren’t out of the running yet. While Nashville may still be the favorite to land the star center, Friedman writes that one of his sources says that it’s not locked in and Montreal still is in the race.
Duchene, who grew up a fan of the Canadiens, would be a big addition for the Canadiens if they can land him. Duchene would likely become their top center in hopes of vaulting Montreal back into a playoff spot.
- TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that while things are still in the works, he believes that the Colorado Avalanche and an unidentified team are the finalists to sign unrestricted free agent forward Joonas Donskoi. The 27-year-old scored 14 goals and 37 points last season and could provide the team with a solid middle-six option for the Avalanche. While LeBrun notes that he doesn’t know who the other team is, he believes that Buffalo and Edmonton are not in the running anymore.
- The Washington Capitals managed to trade off one of their key restricted free agents in Andre Burakovsky Friday in hopes of saving some cap room, but even being free of that contract, the money is tight in Washington. In fact, Washington general manager Brian MacLellan said that because the NHL salary cap was lower than expected ($81.5MM), the team will likely be forced to sign restricted free agent Jakub Vrana to a short-term deal, according to NHL.com’s Tom Gulliti. Washington had initially planned to lock up Vrana to a long-term deal when the team had expected the cap to be set at $83MM, but with the number being lower than expected, the MacLellan doesn’t believe the team has the money to sign him long-term.
- Vegas Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee confirmed that the team is close to signing veteran unrestricted free agent defenseman Deryk Engelland, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal’s David Schoen. The 37-year-old had a down season last year, but the veteran who actually played in Vegas in the ECHL before the Golden Knights came about, has been a community leader there. He is likely expected to take a bottom-six role next season and could find himself more in a 6th/7th role on defense.
- TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the Montreal Canadiens are among three teams that are interested in signing veteran goaltender Curtis McElhinney. The 36-year-old had a great season in Carolina after the Hurricanes claimed him off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the beginning of the year. He finished the season with a 2.58 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 33 appearances. LeBrun also adds that it doesn’t look like Toronto is one of the other two teams.
- Former NHL player Patrik Berglund, who walked out on the Buffalo Sabres in the middle of last season, is exploring a return the the NHL and has several teams interested, according to Fox Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland. Berglund, who was packaged to Buffalo in the Ryan O’Reilly trade last offseason, didn’t like it in Buffalo and finally requested that his contract to be terminated after playing just 23 games in a reduced role. The 31-year-old scored 17 goals in the 2017-18 season, but scored just twice before walking away this year.
I don’t know why any team would be interested in Berglund. He walked out on his teammates mid-season with no warning. That’s not a guy you go to war with.
y any team wants to sign a “quitter” in berglund is beyond me. There are better more hungry kids out there more deserving to be in the NHL than him. Maybe he should put on a wig and go play for the nwhl.
Bergie isn’t even a guy you want to go to peace with, either. And, the NWHL has higher standards! No wigs or falsies! He should just relegate himself to the European Tour and slide quietly into oblivion…
Some are saying that the Preds would have to move out Turris if they signed Duchene, but that really isn’t the case. Josi’s expected extension wouldn’t kick in until the 20/21 season and will likley be a 5M add per season from his current 4M deal (9M AAV for those who like that term) and by then Granlund’s 5.75M deal comes off the books. With Subban’s 9M deal now gone, the Preds are in a great position to lock up Duchene. Trading Turris might make sense anyway, but they don’t have to do it.
As for the Habs signing Duchene, I’m not sure it makes sense for them. First, they now have Kotkaniemi, Domi, Poehling and Suzuki at center, so which of them becomes a 4th line center or moved to wing if they bring Duchene in? Second, it would leave them with no cap space to improve the position they need most help out, that being on defense.
I’ll bet the $10.00 I have in my pocket that Duchene lands in Nashville. :)
My god, you are all terrible, terrible petiole. Berglund, (unfortunately) had some serious mental health issues (massive bout of depression, most likely). He didn’t feel happy playing hockey and being away from home.
Also, he took full responsibility for his actions, and holds no ill will toward Buffalo. Frankly, I’d like to see him given another chance. From the little I can gather he seems to be in a better headspace.
Wander who other 2 teams interested in McElhinney ? Edmonton, Ottawa, Florida, ????
If he’s playing for $800,000 or less, I’d take a shot on Berglund with the Pens. A bigger center to pair with Teddy Blueger in the bottom six would be nice to have.
If he bombs out, he can be waived and sent to the minors (where he might not report anyway) and his cap hit is gone.
Aloop – we’re all terrible people because you’re making up stories and assuming he had mental health issues? No. He said himself he lost his passion for hockey. Nothing to do with mental health. Next time try working with facts instead of nonsense you made up to fit your narrative.
Manos – No, you’re a terrible person because you made an assumption about someone, incorrectly judged them, got your story wrong, then attacked the person who called you out on your bs, without ever just doing a simple Google search to realize that you have no idea what you’re talking about. Look it up, the dude was not well. Next time try working with facts instead of nonsense you made up to fit your narrative.
Thurrn with the burn lol
I thought Duchene grew up a David the Avs
Pretty sure Duchene was a fan of the Avs growing up.