Headlines

Newsstand News & Rumors

Winnipeg Jets Re-Sign Paul Stastny

By | at July 26, 2021 7:46 pm

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Winnipeg Jets have re-signed forward Paul Stastny. It’s a one-year deal that carries a $3.75MM cap hit.

Stastny, now 35 years of age, will look to spend his second-straight full season in a Winnipeg uniform with a bit more offensive success. The four-time 60-point scorer has had a rougher go of it in recent years with injury catching up to him and has seen his ice time reduced as well. He’s posted back-to-back seasons under 40 points for the first time in his career, but he’s still a capable top-six talent who brings veteran leadership.

It’s certainly an efficient gamble on a one-year deal for the Jets and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. While Stastny’s finishing ability isn’t what it used to be, he’s still one of the best offensive chance generators in the league. He could do well playing with a talent like Blake Wheeler or Pierre-Luc Dubois, both big-name players who struggled offensively in Winnipeg last season. Stastny also still brings one of the better complete games in the league, maintaining his role as an above-average defensive center with penalty-killing capabilities.

It remains to be seen whether this one-year pact could be Stastny’s last go of it in the league, but what’s for certain is that he’s taking a team-friendly deal. Taking a pay cut of almost $3MM to stay with the team, they’ll likely use the added space to make an addition to the defense corps in front of goalie Connor Hellebuyck. A more well-rounded team could bring great success to the Jets this season as they still look to capture their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

9 comments Newsstand Transactions Winnipeg Jets

2021 NHL Draft Results

By | at July 24, 2021 5:05 pm

It may not be a Tuesday in October, but it isn’t the fourth Friday in June either. The 2021 NHL Entry Draft will again be a unique event and it is about far more than just the date. With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting many draft-eligible prospects from competing in full seasons and in some cases at all, as well as limiting NHL scouts from live viewings, this is set to be a very unpredictable draft. While the class is not especially strong at the top, it is deep and teams could have very different opinions on top players based on their incomplete profiles. Some players expected to go early could fall, even by a round or two, while others taken with top picks could come as complete surprises. On top of that, the draft class has also expanded by seven picks, one per round for the NHL’s newest addition, the Seattle Kraken expansion franchise. Beginning on Friday night and through Saturday afternoon, 223 NHL hopefuls will hear their names called. Perhaps more than ever though, it is hard to predict where each of those 223 may fall.

Round One

  1. Buffalo Sabres – D Owen Power, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
  2. Seattle Kraken – F Matthew Beniers, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
  3. Anaheim Ducks – F Mason McTavish, Peterborough (OHL)
  4. New Jersey Devils – D Luke Hughes, USNTDP (USHL)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Kent Johnson, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – D Simon Edvinsson, Frolunda HC (SHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – F William Eklund, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
  8. Los Angeles Kings – D Brandt Clarke, Barrie (OHL)
  9. Arizona Coyotes (from VAN) – F Dylan Guenther, Edmonton (WHL)
  10. Ottawa Senators – F Tyler Boucher, USNTDP (USHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – Forfeited
  12. Columbus Blue Jackets (from CHI) – F Cole Sillinger, Sioux Falls (USHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Matthew Coronato, Chicago (USHL)
  14. Buffalo Sabres (from PHI) – F Isak Rosen, Leksands IF (SHL)
  15. Detroit Red Wings (from DAL) – G Sebastian Cossa, Edmonton (WHL)
  16. New York Rangers – F Brennan Othmann, Flint (OHL)
  17. St. Louis Blues – F Zachary Bolduc, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – F Chaz Lucius, USNTDP (USHL)
  19. Nashville Predators – F Fedor Svechkov, Ladia Togliatti (MHL)
  20. Minnesota Wild (from EDM) – G Jesper Wallstedt, Lulea HF (SHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – F Fabian Lysell, Lulea HF (SHL)
  22. Edmonton Oilers (from MIN) – F Xavier Bourgault, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
  23. Dallas Stars (from WSH via DET) – F Wyatt Johnston, Windsor (OHL)
  24. Florida Panthers – F Mackie Samoskevich, Chicago (USHL)
  25. Columbus Blue Jackets (from TOR) – D Corson Ceulemans, Brooks (AJHL)
  26. Minnesota Wild (from PIT) – D Carson Lambos, Winnipeg (WHL)
  27. Nashville Predators (from CAR) – F Zachary L’Heureux, Halifax (QMJHL)
  28. Colorado Avalanche – F Oskar Olausson, HV71 (SHL)
  29. New Jersey Devils (from NYI) – F Chase Stillman, Sudbury (OHL)
  30. Vegas Golden Knights – F Zach Dean, Gatineau (QMJHL)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – D Logan Mailloux, London (OHL)
  32. Chicago Blackhawks (from TBL via CLB) – D Nolan Allan, Prince Albert (WHL)

Round Two

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F Prokhor Poltapov, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – D Olen Zellweger, Everett (WHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – D Ryker Evans, Regina (WHL)
  4. Detroit Red Wings (from NJD via VGK) – D Shai Buium, Sioux City (USHL)
  5. Arizona Coyotes (from CLB via OTT) – F Josh Doan, Chicago (USHL)
  6. Vegas Golden Knights (from DET) – D Daniil Chayka, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
  7. Ottawa Senators (from SJS) – F Zack Ostapchuk, Vancouver (WHL)
  8. Carolina Hurricanes (from LAK via NSH) – D Scott Morrow, Shattuck St. Mary’s (HS-MN)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – F Danila Klimovich, Molodechno (Belarus)
  10. Los Angeles Kings (from OTT) – F Francesco Pinelli, Kitchener (OHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – F Ilya Fedotov, Novgorod (MHL)
  12. Carolina Hurricanes (from CHI via CLB) – D Aleksi Heimosalmi, Assat (Liiga)
  13. Calgary Flames – F William Stromgren, MODO (Allsvenskan)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – F Samu Tuomaala, Karpat (Liiga)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Logan Stankoven, Kamloops (WHL)
  16. Dallas Stars (from NYR via DET) – F Artem Grushnikov, CSKA (Russia-Jr.)
  17. Ottawa Senators (from STL via BUF, VGK, LAK) – D Ben Roger, London (OHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – F Nikita Chibrikov, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
  19. Carolina Hurricanes (from NSH) – F Ville Koivunen, Karpat (Liiga)
  20. New York Islanders (from EDM via DET) – F Aatu Raty, Karpat (Liiga)
  21. Buffalo Sabres (from BOS) – F Alexander Kisakov, Dinamo Moscow (MHL)
  22. Minnesota Wild – D Jack Peart, Fargo (USHL)
  23. Washington Capitals – D Vincent Iorio, Brandon (WHL)
  24. Florida Panthers – D Evan Nause, Quebec (QMJHL)
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs – F Matthew Knies, Tri-City (USHL)
  26. Pittsburgh Penguins – F Tristan Broz, Fargo (USHL)
  27. Los Angeles Kings (from CAR) – F Samuel Helenius, JYP (Liiga)
  28. Arizona Coyotes (from COL via NYI) – D Janis Moser, Biel-Bienne (NLA)
  29. Colorado Avalanche (from NYI via NJD) – D Sean Behrens, USNTDP (USHL)
  30. Chicago Blackhawks (from VGK) – F Colton Dach, Saskatoon (WHL)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – F Riley Kidney, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
  32. Montreal Canadiens (from TBL) – F Oliver Kapanen, KalPa (Liiga)

Round Three

  1. New York Rangers (from BUF) – F Jayden Grubbe, Red Deer (WHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Sasha Pastujov, USNTDP (USHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – F Ryan Winterton, Hamilton (OHL)
  4. New Jersey Devils – F Samu Salminen, Jokerit (Finland-Jr.)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Stanislav Svozil, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – F Carter Mazur, Tri-City (USHL)
  7. St. Louis Blues (from SJS) – F Simon Robertsson, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)
  8. Nashville Predators (from LAK via CAR) – D Anton Olsson, Malmo (SHL)
  9. Dallas Stars (from VAN) – F Ayrton Martino, Omaha (USHL)
  10. Ottawa Senators – F Oliver Johansson, Timra IK (Allsvenskan)
  11. New York Rangers (from ARI via NJD and WAS) – F Ryder Korczak, Moose Jaw (WHL)
  12. Anaheim Ducks (from CHI via MTL) – D Tyson Hinds, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Cole Huckins, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
  14. Buffalo Sabres (from PHI) – G Alexei Kolosov, Dinamo Minsk (KHL)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Justin Ertel, St. Andrew’s College (HS-CAN)
  16. Washington Capitals (from NYR) – D Brent Johnson, Sioux Falls (USHL)
  17. San Jose Sharks (from STL) – G Ben Gaudreau, Sarnia (OHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – D Dmitry Kuzmin, Molodechno (Belarus)
  19. Carolina Hurricanes (from NSH) – G Patrik Hamrla, HC Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
  20. Los Angeles Kings (from EDM via CGY) – D Kirill Kirsanov, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – F Brett Harrison, Oshawa (OHL)
  22. Minnesota Wild – F Caedan Bankier, Kamloops (WHL)
  23. Montreal Canadiens (from WSH via SJS) – D Dmitri Kostenko, Lada Togliatti (VHL)
  24. Buffalo Sabres (from FLA) – F Stiven Sardarian, CSKA Moscow (Russia-Jr.)
  25. Calgary Flames (from TOR via LAK) – D Cameron Whynot, Halifax (QMJHL)
  26. Edmonton Oilers (from PIT via EDM) – D Luca Munzenberger, Kolner EC (Germany-Jr.)
  27. Chicago Blackhawks (from CAR) – D Taige Harding, Fort McMurray (AJHL)
  28. Colorado Avalanche – F Andrei Buyalsky, Dubuque (USHL)
  29. New York Islanders – G Tristan Lennox, Saginaw (OHL)
  30. Carolina Hurricanes (from VGK) – D Aidan Hreschuk, USNTDP (USHL)
  31. Buffalo Sabres (from MTL) – F Josh Bloom, Saginaw (OHL)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – D Roman Schmidt, USNTDP (USHL)

Round Four

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F Olivier Nadeau, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Joshua Lopina, UMass (NCAA)
  3. Seattle Kraken – D Ville Ottavainen, JYP (Finland)
  4. New Jersey Devils – G Jakub Malek, VHK Vsetin (Czech-Jr.)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Guillaume Richard, Tri-City (USHL)
  6. Vegas Golden Knights (from DET) – F Jakub Brabenec, HC Kometa Brno (Czech)
  7. San Jose Sharks – D Gannon Laroque, Victoria (WHL)
  8. New York Rangers (from LAK) – F Brody Lamb, Green Bay (USHL)
  9. Chicago Blackhawks (from VAN) – D Ethan Del Mastro, Mississauga (OHL)
  10. New York Rangers (from OTT) – F Kalle Vaisanen, TPS (Liiga)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – D Emil Martinsen Lilleberg, Sparta Sarpsborg (Norway)
  12. Chicago Blackhawks – F Victor Stjernborg, Vaxjo Lakers HC (SHL)
  13. Carolina Hurricanes (from CGY via LAK) – F Jackson Blake, Chicago (USHL)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – D Brian Zanetti, Lugano (Switzerland-Jr.)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Conner Roulette, Seattle (WHL)
  16. New York Rangers – G Talyn Boyko, Tri-City (WHL)
  17. Montreal Canadiens (from STL) – D William Trudeau, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
  18. Detroit Red Wings (from WPG via VGK) – F Red Savage, USNTDP (USHL)
  19. Nashville Predators – D Ryan Ufko, Chicago (USHL)
  20. Edmonton Oilers – F Jake Chiasson, Brandon (WHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – G Philip Svedeback, Vaxjo Lakers HC (Sweden-Jr.)
  22. Minnesota Wild – D Kyle Masters, Red Deer (WHL)
  23. Washington Capitals – D Joaquim Lemay, Salmon Arm (BCHL)
  24. Florida Panthers – D Vladislav Lukashevich, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
  25. San Jose Sharks (from TOR) – F Ethan Cardwell, Barrie (OHL)
  26. Arizona Coyotes (from PIT) – G Rasmus Korhonen, Assat (Finland-Jr.)
  27. Ottawa Senators (from CAR) – F Carson Latimer, Edmonton (WHL)
  28. Nashville Predators (from COL via OTT) – D Jack Matier, Ottawa (OHL)
  29. New York Islanders – F Cameron Berg, Muskegon (USHL)
  30. Tampa Bay Lightning (from VGK via MTL) – F Dylan Duke, USNTDP (USHL)
  31. Minnesota Wild (from MTL) – F Josh Pillar, Kamloops (WHL)
  32. Vegas Golden Knights (from TBL via DET) – F Jakub Demek, HC Kosice (Slovakia)

Round Five

  1. New Jersey Devils (from BUF) – D Topias Vilen, Pelicans (Liiga)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Sean Tschigerl, Calgary (WHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – F Jacob Melanson, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
  4. Columbus Blue Jacket (from NJD) – D Nikolai Makarov, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F James Malatesta, Quebec(QMJHL)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – F Liam Dower Nilsson, Frolunda HC (SHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – D Artem Guryev, Peterborough (OHL)
  8. Carolina Hurricanes (from LAK via OTT) – F Robert Orr, Halifax (QMJHL)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – G Aku Koskenvuo, HIFK (Finland-Jr.)
  10. Dallas Stars (from OTT via MTL and DET) – D Jack Bar, Chicago (USHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – F Manix Landry, Gatineau (QMJHL)
  12. Vancouver Canucks (from CHI) – D Jonathan Myrenberg, Linkoping HC (Sweden-Jr.)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Cole Jordan, Moose Jaw (WHL)
  14. Montreal Canadiens (from PHI) – D Daniil Sobolev, Windsor (OHL)
  15. Dallas Stars – D Jacob Holmes, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
  16. New York Rangers – F Jaroslav Chmelar, Jokerit (Finland-Jr.)
  17. St. Louis Blues – D Tyson Galloway, Calgary (WHL)
  18. Winnipeg Jets – F Dmitri Rashevsky, Dynamo St. Petersburg (VHL)
  19. Carolina Hurricanes (from NSH) – F Justin Robidas, Val-d’Or (QMJHL)
  20. Anaheim Ducks (from EDM) – G Gage Alexander, Winnipeg (WHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – F Oskar Jellvik, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
  22. Montreal Canadiens (from MIN) – F Joshua Roy, Saint John (QMJHL)
  23. Washington Capitals – F Haakon Hanelt, Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)
  24. Florida Panthers – G Kirill Gerasimyuk, SKA-Varyagi (MHL)
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs – F Ty Voit, Sarnia (OHL)
  26. Pittsburgh Penguins – D Isaac Belliveau, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  27. Detroit Red Wings (from CAR via VGK) – D Oscar Plandowski, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
  28. San Jose Sharks (from COL) – F Max McCue, London (OHL)
  29. New York Islanders – F Eetu Liukas, TPS (Liiga)
  30. Philadelphia Flyers (from VGK) – D Ty Murchison, USNTDP (USHL)
  31. Buffalo Sabres (from MTL) – F Viljami Marjala, Quebec (QMJHL)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – F Cameron MacDonald, Saint John (QMJHL)

Round Six

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F William von Barnekow, Malmo (SHL)
  2. Anaheim Ducks – F Kyle Kukkonen, Maple Grove (HS-MN)
  3. Seattle Kraken – G Semyon Vyazovoi, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
  4. New Jersey Devils – D Viktor Hurtig, Vasteras IK (Sweden-Jr.)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Ben Boyd, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
  6. Detroit Red Wings – F Pasquale Zito, Windsor (OHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – F Liam Gilmartin, USNTDP (USHL)
  8. Calgary Flames (from LAK) – F Jack Beck, Ottawa (OHL)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – D Hugo Gabrielsson, Frolunda HC (Sweden-Jr.)
  10. Carolina Hurricanes (from OTT) – D Bryce Montgomery, London (OHL)
  11. Arizona Coyotes – D Cal Thomas, Maple Grove (HS-MN)
  12. Chicago Blackhawks – F Ilya Safonov, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – F Lucas Ciona, Seattle (WHL)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – D Ethan Samson, Prince George (WHL)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Francesco Arcuri, Kingston (OHL)
  16. Washington Capitals (from NYR) – D Dru Krebs, Medicine Hat (WHL)
  17. San Jose Sharks (from STL) – F Theo Jacobsson, MODO (Allsvenskan)
  18. Vancouver Canucks (from WPG) – F Connor Lockhart, Erie (OHL)
  19. Nashville Predators – F Simon Knak, Portland (WHL)
  20. Edmonton Oilers – F Matvey Petrov, MHK Kyrlia Moscow (MHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – D Ryan Mast, Sarnia (OHL)
  22. Minnesota Wild – D Nate Benoit, Mount St. Charles (HS-RI)
  23. Washington Capitals – G Chase Clark, Jersey Hitmen (NCDC)
  24. Florida Panthers – F Jakub Kos, Ilves (Liiga)
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs – G Vyacheslav Peska, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
  26. Edmonton Oilers (from PIT) – F Shane Lachance, Tabor Academy (MA-HS)
  27. Carolina Hurricanes – G Nikita Quapp, Krefeld Pinguine (DEL)
  28. Buffalo Sabres (from COL) – D Nikita Novikov, Dynamo Moscow (MHL)
  29. New York Islanders – D Aleksi Malinen, JYP (Liiga)
  30. Vegas Golden Knights – D Artur Cholach, Sokol Kiev (Ukraine)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – F Xavier Simoneau, Drummondville (Simoneau)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – D Alex Gagne, Muskegon (USHL)

Round Seven

  1. Buffalo Sabres – F Tyson Kozak, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
  2. Pittsburgh Penguins (from ANA) – D Ryan McCleary, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
  3. Seattle Kraken – F Justin Janicke, USNTDP (USHL)
  4. Tampa Bay Lightning (from NJD) – D Daniil Pylenkov, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)
  5. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Martin Rysavy, HC Prerov (Czech Republic)
  6. St. Louis Blues (from DET) – F Ivan Vorobyov, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)
  7. San Jose Sharks – D Evgeni Kasnikov, Gatineau (QMJHL)
  8. Carolina Hurricanes (from LAK) – G Yegor Naumov, MHK Kyrlia Moscow (MHL)
  9. Vancouver Canucks – F Lucas Forsell, Farjestad BK (Sweden-Jr.)
  10. Ottawa Senators – D Chandler Romeo, Hamilton (OHL)
  11. New Jersey Devils (from ARI) – Zakhar Bardakov, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)
  12. Chicago Blackhawks – D Connor Kelley, USNTDP (USHL)
  13. Calgary Flames – G Arseni Sergeev, Shreveport (NAHL)
  14. Philadelphia Flyers – F Owen McLaughlin, Mount St. Charles (HS-RI)
  15. Dallas Stars – F Albert Sjoberg, Sodertalje SK (Sweden-Jr.)
  16. New York Rangers – D Hank Kempf, Muskegon (USHL)
  17. Carolina Hurricanes (from STL) – Nikita Guslistov, Severstal Cherepovets (KHL)
  18. Florida Panthers (from WPG) – D Braden Hache, Kingston (OHL)
  19. Tampa Bay Lightning (from NSH) – F Robert Flinton, St. Paul’s (HS-NH)
  20. Edmonton Oilers – D Maximus Wanner, Moose Jaw (WHL)
  21. Boston Bruins – Andre Gasseau, USNTDP (USHL)
  22. Montreal Canadiens (from MIN) – G Joe Vrbetic, North Bay (OHL)
  23. Pittsburgh Penguins (from WSH) – D Daniel Laatsch, Sioux City (USHL)
  24. Chicago Blackhawks (from FLA) – F Jalen Luypen, Edmonton (WHL)
  25. Boston Bruins (from TOR) – D Ty Gallagher, USNTDP (USHL)
  26. Pittsburgh Penguins – F Kirill Tankov, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)
  27. Carolina Hurricanes – D Joel Nystrom, Farjestad BK (SHL)
  28. Colorado Avalanche – F Taylor Makar, Brooks (AJHL)
  29. New York Islanders – F Tomas Machu, HC Vitkovice (Czech Republic)
  30. Vegas Golden Knights – G Carl Lindbom, Djurgardens IF (Sweden-Jr.)
  31. Montreal Canadiens – F Sam Lipkin, New Jersey (NCDC)
  32. Tampa Bay Lightning – Niko Huuhtanen, Tappara (Finland-Jr.)
74 comments Newsstand

Florida Panthers Acquire Sam Reinhart

By | at July 24, 2021 12:40 pm

July 24: The deal is now official. The Sabres will receive Levi and a 2022 first-round pick in exchange for Reinhart. Panthers GM Bill Zito released a short statement on his newest forward:

Sam has established himself as one of the best playmaking scorers in the league, and we are thrilled to be able to add him to our Panthers lineup. His competitiveness and hunger to succeed will fit seamlessly with the culture we are building here in South Florida.

LeBrun adds that the first-round pick is top-10 protected. Should it end up that high, the Sabres will receive Florida’s 2023 pick instead.

July 23: The Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers are working hard on a Sam Reinhart trade, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The Sabres already moved long-time defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen earlier today have been rumored to be ready to move on from both Reinhart and captain Jack Eichel this summer. The trade call is pending, but Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic confirms that Reinhart will be heading to Florida. Friedman notes that goaltending prospect Devon Levi will be going back to Buffalo as part of the return.

Reinhart, 25, has been one of the only beacons of consistency in a brutally inconsistent franchise over the past six seasons, posting somewhere between 17-25 goals and 40-65 points each season. Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider he played just 54 games this season, but still managed a 25-goal campaign.

Unlike Ristolainen, who is often blamed for a lot of the losing in Buffalo because of his negative possession statistics, Reinhart is seen as someone who could break out if given the chance in a better situation. He has been, however, the focus of some fan’s ire because of a lack of effort at times, though that has been a common refrain for many of the Sabres that have been in Buffalo for several years, repeatedly missing the playoffs. He has also been given relatively prime opportunities for the Sabres, hardly ever being given much defensive responsibility despite playing nearly 20 minutes a night. Reinhart only really moved back to the center ice position this season, lining up more as a winger through his first several years in the league.

Still, for the Panthers, this will represent another win-now move for a team that was already among the best in the league in 2020-21. Florida went 37-14-5, but ran into the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. They fell in six games, failing to score a single goal in the deciding match. Reinhart represents a boost to that offense, and one that can be moved around the lineup depending on the rest of the moves the Panthers make this summer.

Like Sam Bennett though, a fellow 2014 draftee, Reinhart is a restricted free agent this offseason, and will be looking for a hefty contract. He is arbitration-eligible and just one year away from UFA status, meaning any multi-year contract will be expensive. If the Panthers believe he can be a core piece for them moving forward, that might make sense, but even a short-term deal could work for the team given how close they appear to contention.

39 comments Buffalo Sabres Florida Panthers Newsstand

Flyers, Blue Jackets Swap Jakub Voracek, Cam Atkinson

By | at July 24, 2021 10:48 am

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired another big-ticket player acquiring  Cam Atkinson from the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, the Flyers will send Jakub Voracek back to the Blue Jackets. Atkinson joins Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen as the other big names coming into Philadelphia this offseason, really changing the landscape of the Flyers roster. Neither team has retained any salary in the deal.

Atkinson, 32, has four years left on his current contract and carries a $5.875MM cap hit. After scoring 41 goals in the 2018-19 season, Atkinson’s numbers have come down significantly over the last two seasons, but is still one of the most dynamic players on the Blue Jackets roster. After trading Seth Jones, this next move perhaps signals that the Blue Jackets are going to tear out all of the older players on the team and start a rebuild.

Of course, Voracek doesn’t fit into that narrative, as he is 31 and actually comes with an even higher cap hit. The Flyers were clear that Voracek was on the table when they left him exposed to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, as his $8.25MM cap hit limits what they can do with the rest of the roster. Voracek’s deal will expire at the end of the 2023-24 season, and could perhaps even be flipped by the Blue Jackets to make his contract more palatable. Despite his big cap number, the veteran forward doesn’t have any trade protection.

Voracek actually started his NHL career in Columbus, playing three years for the club before going to the Flyers in 2011. He has been a consistent offensive performer through the years, but has never been a big goal-scoring threat. This season, he registered just nine goals, but still had 43 points in 53 games. For the Flyers, it’s mostly just about shaking up a core that had hit a plateau and no longer looked like true contenders. Adding Atkinson gives the team a different look, while also saving the team a little bit of cap space.

In fact, Philadelphia now has a little over $12.4MM in cap space for this summer, with new contracts for RFAs Carter Hart and Travis Sanheim to come. The team actually could still be in the market for some free agent additions, though they’ll have to be careful with how they spend their money. Both captain Claude Giroux and top forward Sean Couturier are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next summer. If they intend to re-sign them—which certainly doesn’t seem guaranteed after the huge changes recently—handing out any other big-money deals will be tough to work around.

14 comments Columbus Blue Jackets Newsstand Philadelphia Flyers

Colorado Avalanche Extend Cale Makar

By | at July 24, 2021 9:41 am

One of the most exciting young players in hockey has a new contract. The Colorado Avalanche have announced a six-year, $54MM extension with Norris Trophy finalist Cale Makar. The 22-year-old defenseman chimed in himself to confirm the deal as well. Makar joins Alex Pietrangelo and P.K. Subban as the fifth-highest paid defenseman in the NHL at his $9MM AAV.

A Hobey Baker-winning superstar for the UMass Minutemen not long ago, Makar has proved in just two shortened regular seasons and three postseasons that his ability not only translated to the NHL, but is amplified even further. Makar has been among the elite in the league over the past two seasons, recording 94 points in 101 games with 22:27 average time on ice (and climbing). Makar already has a Calder Trophy, All-Rookie Team selection, and First Team All-Star selection under his belt at 22 and finished just shy of adding the Norris Trophy to the list this year as well. The Avalanche hope that Makar’s growing trophy collection will soon include a Stanley Cup too.

The ceiling for Makar at his age and with his dynamic ability is limitless and the Avalanche knew they needed to lock him up long-term, no matter how much money it took. Amazingly, Makar will still be in the prime of his career at 28 when this current contract expires, likely leading to another long-term deal down the road at an inconceivable financial total if his play keeps up. Despite a small frame and offensive focus, Makar is not afraid to play a physical game and has the defensive tools and IQ to hold his own in all three zones. Even if Makar’s offense starts to tail off from his current torrid point-per-game pace, he should easily maintain his value through this contract and beyond and his defensive play and puck moving continue to develop to be among the best in the league.

While adding a $9MM cap hit to the payroll is not easy, the Avs are actually fortunate that the number was not higher. Surely influenced by the six-year term rather than the maximum eight years but also likely impacted by the current flat cap and Colorado trying to keep their contending roster together, Makar settled for $9MM when he probably had a case to match Erik Karlsson for the top number in the NHL among blue liners at $11.5MM. The deal affords the Avalanche some more flexibility as they try to additionally re-sign Gabriel Landeskog and Philipp Grubauer this off-season. With Makar signed, CapFriendly projects Colorado to have over $20MM in cap space but with only 14 players on that projected roster. Things will be tight this summer and beyond in Denver, but the most important piece is now locked up.

8 comments Colorado Avalanche Newsstand

Vancouver Canucks Acquire Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Conor Garland

By | at July 23, 2021 5:20 pm

The Vancouver Canucks have landed their big fish, acquiring Oliver Ekman-Larsson from the Arizona Coyotes. The team will also land restricted free agent forward Conor Garland, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. The Coyotes are expected to receive Vancouver’s first-round pick this year (9th overall), a 2022 second-round pick and forwards Antoine Roussel, Loui Eriksson and Jay Beagle, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, who also notes that the Coyotes will be retaining 12 percent of Ekman-Larsson’s salary. CapFriendly adds that a 2023 seventh-round pick will also be going to the Coyotes.

This is a huge deal in terms of salary, as the Canucks clear three bad contracts off the books to make room for Ekman-Larsson. The 30-year-old defenseman carries a cap hit of $8.25MM through the 2026-27 season, but is owed $10.5MM in actual salary each of the next three years. Even after the Coyotes retained a portion of it ($990K/season), Vancouver is taking on a huge risk that the veteran defenseman will be able to not only maintain his current level of play, but rebound to the levels that landed him that deal in the first place.

In 2018 when he signed the eight-year, $66MM extension, Ekman-Larsson was coming off a 14-goal, 42-point campaign with the Coyotes. He had previously received votes for the Norris Trophy on four occasions and had just posted his fifth consecutive season with double-digit goal totals. The risky part, even then, was that it was a true extension, signed with a full year still left on his previous deal. While that final year at $5.5MM was also very productive, this new contract hasn’t brought much success for the Swedish defender.

In 2019-20, he scored just nine goals and 30 points in 66 games, while seeing his possession numbers drop across the board. Despite still seeing prime powerplay time, his effectiveness with the man-advantage dropped, resulting in just seven powerplay points. This season, he scored just three times in 46 games, logging his lowest point total since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. That came after a 2020 offseason filled with trade talks, with Vancouver and Boston the two teams he told Arizona he’d be willing to go to.

To make room for him in Vancouver, the team is moving out three contracts that total $12MM in cap room this season, but will actually require just $8.1MM in actual salary (minus some of the bonus payments that were likely already made by the Canucks) from the Coyotes. The most crucial part for Arizona is that each of Roussel, Beagle and Eriksson will become unrestricted free agents next season, meaning this is very little commitment from the Coyotes. A high first-round pick to swap Ekman-Larsson’s expensive deal for ones that will only affect the team this season is a steal, though there is of course that other player heading to Vancouver.

Garland, 25, has come on as the Coyotes most impressive forward in recent years, scoring 39 points in each of the last two seasons. His 47 goals in 164 games since entering the NHL will be a welcome addition to the Canucks lineup, though how much it will cost is still uncertain. Garland is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent with quite a case, after his previous two-year, $1.55MM (total) deal expires.

In all, this is a risk from the Canucks standpoint. Betting on Ekman-Larsson to rediscover his top-end form in a flat-cap era is one that could cost them good, young players in the future, especially given the other negotiations that the Canucks have coming up this summer. Sure, they moved out some bad money for this year, but this deal has financial ramifications that far outreach the 2021-22 season.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

45 comments Newsstand Utah Mammoth Vancouver Canucks

Boston Bruins Sign Taylor Hall

By | at July 23, 2021 5:19 pm

In a move that seemed inevitable, the Boston Bruins have officially re-signed Taylor Hall. The former MVP has inked a four-year deal worth $24MM, meaning he’ll carry a $6MM cap hit for the Bruins moving forward. It’s a step down from the $8MM he made in 2020-21, but comes with the security of a multi-year contract. Per CapFriendly, the breakdown is as follows:

2021-22: $4.5MM, NMC
2022-23: $6.0MM base, $1.0MM SB, NMC + M-NTC (16 team no trade list)
2023-24: $6.25MM base, $1.0MM SB, NMC + M-NTC (10 team no trade list)
2024-25: $5.25MM base, NMC + M-NTC (10 team no trade list)

Hall, 29, had a dreadful start to his 2020-21 season, scoring just two goals in 37 games with the Buffalo Sabres. Looking disinterested and frustrated, he was unable to create offense at the level he was accustomed to, though part of that was simply bad luck. Hall had just a 2.3% shooting percentage in Buffalo, finding the back of the net just twice on 88 shots. That number was begging for some regression to his career number of 10.2% and in Boston, surrounded by better linemates, Hall found it.

After being acquired by the Bruins at the deadline, Hall scored eight goals and 14 points in 16 games (with a 16.7% shooting percentage), immediately finding chemistry with veteran center David Krejci. While his playoff performance wasn’t quite as good, it quickly became apparent how well Hall fit as a secondary scoring option behind Boston’s big line and an extension seemed likely. When both sides expressed a desire for a contract, it was all but a certainty that Hall would be back after the expansion draft.

That’s not to say this deal comes without risk. Hall has faced injury troubles throughout his career, playing more than 76 games just once in his 11 seasons, and has been one of the most inconsistent offensive performers in the league since winning the Hart Trophy in 2018. That season he scored 39 goals in 76 games for the New Jersey Devils, but has just 37 in the 151 games since. His possession numbers and shot creation have stayed excellent throughout, but it is still not a guarantee that Hall lives up to this new contract in Boston.

One of the biggest questions? His lack of playoff experience. For a team like Boston that has its sights set on the Stanley Cup every year, Hall’s 25 career postseason games are a risk. It’s hard to know exactly how he will perform when the checking is tighter and the games more physical, though he does have 17 points in those 25 appearances so far.

It’s obviously a bet that Bruins GM Don Sweeney is willing to make, and it comes at a reasonable cost. Hall will slide in just behind Brad Marchand as the team’s fourth-highest paid forward.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

 

11 comments Boston Bruins Newsstand Transactions

Philadelphia Flyers Acquire Rasmus Ristolainen

By | at July 23, 2021 12:57 pm

The Philadelphia Flyers moved out some cap space by trading Shayne Gostisbehere yesterday, but didn’t wait long to use it up. The team has acquired defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Robert Hagg, a first-round pick in this year’s draft (14th overall) and a second-round pick in 2023.

Ristolainen, 26, has just one year remaining on his contract and carries a $5.4MM cap hit. Though he brings the mix of size–Ristolainen stands 6’4″–and offensive upside that teams covet, he has also been routinely derided by more analytical measures. Even in some of the traditional stats like +/-, Ristolainen’s overall impact on the game has been poor, registering a whopping -163 over his 542-game NHL career. That entire career has been spent in Buffalo, where things haven’t gone well since he made his debut 2013, but at least part of that failure has to fall at the feet of Ristolainen, who has averaged nearly 24 minutes a night throughout his career.

Perhaps with a more reasonable role and strong partner those numbers can improve, but it is still a staggering price for the Flyers to pay after jettisoning Gostisbehere yesterday. The Flyers have now completely made over their defense corps in short order, acquiring Ryan Ellis and Ristolainen while shipping out Hagg, Gostisbehere, and Philippe Myers. The two newcomers now join Ivan Provorov, Justin Braun, RFA Travis Sanheim and prospect Cameron York as the likely top-six in Philadelphia next season, pending any additional moves.

For Buffalo, getting a pick in the first half of this year’s first-round is a successful haul for a player that was nearing the end of his time in a Sabres uniform. It wouldn’t have made much sense to re-sign Ristolainen as an unrestricted free agent next summer, and his comments in the past suggest he may not have even been open to it. With Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart also reportedly on the market, the Sabres could quickly amass quite the collection of draft picks and future pieces to build around.

It also confirms that it was the correct decision to protect Ristolainen in the expansion draft, even if it did end up costing them young defenseman William Borgen. The return for Ristolainen, which includes a player in Hagg that is a legitimate NHL option, is obviously much more important.

In Hagg, who has one year left on his own contract before unrestricted free agency and holds a $1.6MM cap hit, the Sabres potentially have another piece they can flip at some point. The 26-year-old has played 236 games at the NHL level including 34 this year for the Flyers, mostly in a depth role. He recorded just five points, but was still a physical presence on the back end, tallying 100 hits in those 34 contests.

After paying that price to get him, the question now becomes whether the Flyers will extend Ristolainen and at what cost. The team is already locked in long-term with Ellis and Provorov, who combine for $13MM through at least 2024-25. With so many other multi-year commitments already on the books at forward, the Flyers will need to be careful how they dole out any money this summer.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

23 comments Buffalo Sabres Newsstand Philadelphia Flyers

New York Rangers Sign Barclay Goodrow

By | at July 22, 2021 1:00 pm

July 22: The wait is over, and Goodrow is officially a New York Ranger. The six-year term was correct, and PuckPedia provides the full breakdown:

  • 2021-22: $750K salary + $1.75MM signing bonus
  • 2022-23: $2.5MM salary + $500K signing bonus
  • 2023-24: $5.1MM salary
  • 2024-25: $5.0MM salary
  • 2025-26: $3.75MM salary
  • 2026-27: $1.25MM salary + $1.25MM signing bonus

The deal will carry an average annual value of $3.64MM and includes a 15-team no-trade clause.

July 19: The New York Rangers traded a seventh-round pick for the opportunity to negotiate with Barclay Goodrow ahead of free agency, and it looks like it may result in a long-term contract. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff tweets that there has been significant progress between the two sides on a six-year contract that will carry an average annual value of around $3.6MM. Even if agreed to, the contract would have to wait until July 22 when the transaction freeze is lifted.

Goodrow, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has never scored more than eight goals in a single season and reached a career-high of 26 points in the 2019-20 campaign. Despite that lack of offensive success, the 28-year-old forward is still a valuable, versatile, bottom-six piece that the Rangers obviously believe can help them take the next step. Able to play center and the wing, Goodrow brings size, physicality and a penchant for showing up at the most important moments.

In 2019, before he even joined the Lightning, Goodrow finished one of the most remarkable comebacks in NHL history when he scored an overtime goal for the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks had been down 3-0 partway through the third period of game seven against the Vegas Golden Knights, but scored four times on a single powerplay to take the lead. After Jonathan Marchessault scored to send it to overtime in the dying seconds, it was Goodrow that would slice through the Vegas defense and end the game in overtime. He scored another game-winning tally this year against the Carolina Hurricanes, but it was a shot block late in the deciding 1-0 game five against the Montreal Canadiens that will be remembered most from this postseason run. Goodrow threw his body in front of a Shea Weber blast in the final minute of the game, leading to his coach Jon Cooper pointing to the play as one that “sums up the character” of the Lightning.

Many will rightfully question whether that kind of contribution is worth $3.6MM or a six-year contract. Long-term deals for bottom-six players have very rarely worked out in favor of the team that signs them, and this would certainly qualify as one of the more risky examples. Goodrow’s six goals and 20 points look fine as a depth option making $925K in Tampa Bay, but it’s hard to see how he’ll bring much excess value to New York.

The Rangers changed their entire front office and coaching staff this year, with some reports at the time indicating that it was a few embarrassing losses to the New York Islanders that confirmed the decision for owner James Dolan. If that’s true, then perhaps the team is attempting to follow the Islanders’ model of quality depth throughout the entire lineup—a philosophy indicated once again by the team’s protection of Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck this week. The Rangers also protected Kevin Rooney, himself a fourth-line option that brings size, versatility, and physicality to the bottom-six.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

33 comments New York Rangers Newsstand Tampa Bay Lightning

Arizona Coyotes Acquire Shayne Gostisbehere

By | at July 22, 2021 12:37 pm

The Arizona Coyotes have acquired Shayne Gostisbehere from the Philadelphia Flyers. The offensive defenseman has been in the rumor mill for years, but will finally find his way out of Philadelphia. The Coyotes will also receive a 2022 second-round pick and a 2022 seventh-round pick, the Flyers will not receive anything. Philadelphia GM Chuck Fletcher released a short statement on the move:

This was a difficult decision but one we thought was necessary given the reality of the salary cap. Shayne has been a quality player for this organization since the moment he arrived in Philadelphia and has been a part of many special moments in his seven seasons as a Flyer.

After landing Ryan Ellis just before the trade freeze went into effect, it was clear the Flyers would need to clear some money before the season started. Moving Gostisbehere accomplishes that, as his $4.5MM cap hit will be going to the Coyotes in full.

Ever since he signed a six-year, $27MM contract extension in 2017, there has been speculation about Gostisbehere’s future in Philadelphia. He had burst onto the NHL scene in 2015-16 with 46 points as a rookie, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting, and followed it up with an up-and-down sophomore campaign. At first, the new deal seemed like a steal, as Gostisbehere racked up 65 points in 78 games during the 2017-18 season. But then things started to unravel, to the point where he was made a healthy scratch several times over the last two seasons.

This year, he had 20 points in 41 games, still playing a high-risk style that drove offense but sacrificed defense. There’s no question that he can be a valuable piece to a team looking for someone to contribute from the back end, but with the other options already in the Flyers system, he had become redundant.

For Arizona though, Gostisbehere not only represents a player that can still contribute, but also a way to recoup some of the assets the organization has lost over the last few years. The team was forced to forfeit two high draft picks after scouting violations and then renounced another after selecting a player that had been convicted of assault. By accepting Gostisbehere’s full cap hit, they’ve added two picks to the system that they can use to build it back up.

The Coyotes, under the leadership of new GM Bill Armstrong, now have seven second-round picks over the next two drafts. Though the 11th pick this year, which originally belonged to them, will still be forfeited, they at least will be able to pump prospects into the organization that have a chance to help them find success in the future. Twice now, along with accepting Andrew Ladd‘s deal, the team has used cap space as a weapon. It will be interesting to see if Gostisbehere actually plays out his deal in Arizona, or is actually flipped at some point to a contender at a lesser cost.

This story originally referenced a tweet from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet that indicated the picks were going to Philadelphia. 

52 comments Newsstand Philadelphia Flyers Utah Mammoth
Show all
Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors