While Minnesota has been active in re-signing players in recent days with new deals for centers Joel Eriksson Ek and Nick Bjugstad, they also are in discussions on a new contract for defenseman Brennan Menell, reports Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription link). Talks have picked up in recent weeks with a formal offer on the horizon. The 24-year-old is believed to be seeking a one-way contract to return from the KHL and put up the numbers to justify such an offer as he was second in the league in points by a blueliner this season, notching 38 points in 47 games.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- As part of his efforts to be traded to a place closer to his son, Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith has changed agents and is now represented by Gerry Johannson of The Sports Corporation, notes Postmedia’s Jim Matheson. He had previously been repped by RWG’s Ross Gurney. Johannson happens to be based out of Edmonton which Matheson believes could help the veteran eventually wind up with the Oilers although due to expansion, such a move wouldn’t come until after Seattle picks their team.
- Draft prospect William Eklund intends on remaining in Sweden next season before coming to the NHL, relays Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News (Twitter link). The 18-year-old is a consensus top-ten pick and accordingly, his entry-level contract would supersede the final year on his deal with Djurgarden but instead, he’ll stay with them and try to build on a 23-point season, impressive numbers for someone that can still be in their junior system for two more years.
- The Maple Leafs have added some defensive depth as their farm team announced the signing of blueliner Ben Finkelstein to a one-year, minor-league deal. The 23-year-old was a seventh-round pick of Florida back in 2016 but didn’t sign in 2020 after wrapping up his college career. Finkelstein spent this season with Greenville of the ECHL, averaging nearly a point per game with 11 goals and 21 assists in 35 games.
If Chicago retains so Keith is down to 3-4 million and Edmonton doesn’t put him on the top pairing like Chicago did (averaged just over 23min) then Keith could be a really good piece despite what everyone keeps saying.
Not many are saying he can’t be a useful player. What is being said is that he is not worth his cap hit plus valuable assets like Hawks fans keep claiming he is worth to the Oilers. He has more value to Hawks fans for what he has done than what Oilers fans feel he might do for them.
He has requested the trade and is only allowing it to certain teams. He might have value to hawks fans but that doesn’t matter because he wants out
And he has a contract to honor. If they can’t find what they deem is market value he has 2 options. Play for them or retire. Right now it sounds like they value him more than the team’s he is willing to waive his NMC for.
As a Hawks fan I’d hope the team would retain salary in order to get the best return possible while sending him where he wants to go.
He’s given everything to this team and he’s one of, if not the best defensemen in franchise history. He deserves to go where he wants to go and hopefully the team getting him will pay a decent value provided the Hawks help grease the wheels contract-wise or by perhaps taking salary back that makes sense for both sides.
Finkelstein what a name