Here is a rundown of the original content over the past seven days here at PHR.
Our look around the salary cap situation continues as we started our look at the Atlantic Division. Zach broke down the situation for Boston while I did the same for Buffalo, Detroit, and Florida. Despite missing the playoffs last year, both the Sabres and Panthers find themselves fairly close to the Upper Limit heading into the season.
There are five high-quality remaining restricted free agents around the league in Brayden Point (Tampa Bay), Mikko Rantanen (Colorado), Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary), plus Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine (Winnipeg). At this point, it’s starting to look likely that at least one of these will carry over into the season. Which player is most likely to remain unsigned when the puck gets dropped to start the regular season? Make your prediction here.
Gavin held his weekly Thursday chat. Topics included Jared Spurgeon’s long-term extension, the Dustin Byfuglien situation in Winnipeg, a prediction on Chris Kreider’s future with the Rangers, a projection for what top pick Jack Hughes does this season, a discussion on Carolina’s stockpiling of defensemen, and more.
Our 2007 redraft series continues as we wrap up the selections in the teens. Winger Carl Hagelin went to the Rangers with the 17th selection while Lars Eller dropped five spots from his original draft slot but still wound up with the team that initially drafted him in St. Louis. Anaheim is now on the clock and will undoubtedly wind up with a pick that had more NHL success than their actual selection. Make your pick for them here.