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Utah Signs Juuso Valimaki To Two-Year Extension

at CDT | by 4 Comments

7:50 PM: TSN’s Chris Johnston reports Valimaki will earn an AAV of $2MM on his new deal.

5:09 PM: Continuing with a busy day on the blue line, the Utah Hockey Club has agreed to a two-year contract with pending restricted free-agent defenseman Juuso Valimaki. The team did not disclose any financial terms regarding the deal.

Even with Valimaki likely sliding down the depth chart today with the team’s addition of Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning and John Marino from the New Jersey Devils, the young defenseman may excel in a more limited role. During the 2022-23 NHL season, Valimaki scored four goals and 34 points in 78 games while averaging 18:11 of ice time per night, and saw his production slip to two goals and 17 points in 10 fewer games played while averaging more than a minute more of ice time per game.

Although it is unlikely, if all things stay the same on the blue line for Utah, Valimaki should be able to partake in a top-four role on the left side of the defensive core. However, there are rumblings that even after the trades today, Utah is still interested in Brandon Montour once he hits the free-agent market on Monday (X Link). If the organization can land Montour, they would likely shift Sean Durzi to the left side while demoting Valimaki to a bottom-pairing role.

Whatever the case may be, Utah has dramatically improved its defensive core over the last 24 hours. Despite the probable demotion coming to Valimaki on the depth chart, he is a flexible defenseman with the ability to play in nearly any situation.

Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports was the first to report that Utah and Valimaki had agreed on an extension. 

Leafs Among Teams Interested In Nikita Zadorov

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It was announced yesterday that defenseman Nikita Zadorov will be testing the open market, after not finding agreeable terms with the Vancouver Canucks. Now, TSN’s Darren Dreger has reported the specifics of those negotiations – sharing that Vancouver’s highest offer to Zadorov was $5MM. The veteran defender feels he can up that price in free agency, where Dreger adds at least 10 teams have expressed interest, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto’s interest comes as no surprise. General manager Brad Treliving has shared that the team will be prioritizing size and grit in their defensive additions this year – two traits that Zadorov brings in abundance, even if he may need reigned in elsewhere. Toronto were among the teams pushing to trade for Zadorov before his move to the Canucks, though they were joined by the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders in the race.

Each of those competitors should be expected to return to Zadorov this summer. The Devils recently drafted highly acclaimed Russian defender Anton Silayev – who plays a similarly brazen and aggressive style to Zadorov. That could make the older Russian a great mentor, though it’d also likely limit New Jersey to a short-term deal, as they anticipate the emergence of both Silayev and Seamus Casey in the NHL. Dallas and New York could be in better spots to give Zadorov term – with the Stars facing the possibility of losing Chris Tanev to the market while the Islanders could use all of the defensive help they can get.

It’s that kind of desperation that Zadorov will be banking on, looking to inspire a bidding way among teams in need of stout top-four defenders. But teams could run a risk of buying in a player’s market. In his age-29 season, Zadorov posted six points in 21 games with the Flames and 14 points in 54 games with the Canucks. What’s more, he added a career-high 125 penalty minutes in those matchups. It was one of Zadorov’s most eventful seasons, though 2021-22 still stands as his career-year, when he recorded 22 points and 77 penalty minutes in 74 games.

With July 1st just days away, Zadorov has set his price north of $5MM. Even with his low scoring, he’ll still stand as one of the market’s top defensemen, behind players like Tanev, Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Shayne Gostisbehere. It will be likely in Zadorov’s best interest to sign as quickly as he can, before more acclaimed defenders have a chance to set the market price.

Toronto could also be pushed off the scent here, after acquiring the rights to pending UFA Chris Tanev for Max Ellis and a seventh-round pick. The Leafs haven’t yet engaged in talks with Tanev, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (Twitter link), though the two sides will have through the weekend to find Tanev a deal in his hometown. Tanev is likely pushing for a similar dollar figure as Zadorov, and fills a like role on the right-side of the top four. Even then, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that both Zadorov and Oliver Ekman-Larsson could remain in Toronto’s plans (Twitter link).

Islanders Announce Doug Houda Won’t Return

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The New York Islanders have dismissed assistant coach Doug Houda, general manager Lou Lamoriello shared with Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News (Twitter link). Lamoriello added that the team will be retaining fellow assistant coaches John MacLean and Benoit Desrosiers. Lamoriello also shared that they will be announcing Houda’s replacement as soon as Monday.

Houda will be moving away from the Islanders after spending the last two seasons overseeing New York’s penalty kill. He didn’t inspire much, though, with the Islanders boasting the worst-ranked penalty kill in the league this season. It was a sharp fall from their top-10 ranking last year, and has seemingly earned Houda the boot.

Formerly a player, Houda racked up 561 career NHL games across 15 years in the league, spending extended time with the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres. He was a heavy, high-event defender who did well in shutdown roles. That’s the mindset he’s brought to his coaching career, which kicked off one year after his retirement, when Houda joined his alma mater Rochester Americans as an assistant coach.

Houda worked his way up to the NHL after just two seasons behind an AHL bench, proceeding to spend 10 seasons on the Boston Bruins’ bench, then six years with the Detroit Red Wings, prior to his pair of seasons in New York. While he certainly didn’t accomplish what he wanted to with the Islanders, Houda’s playing career and reputation as a loyal assistant coach will likely earn him a new role quickly.

2024 NHL Draft Pick Tracker

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June 29, 2:40 p.m.: The draft is now complete. The full order of selection and list of picks throughout all seven rounds can be found below.

June 29, 10:00 a.m.: Day 2 of the draft is kicking off shortly! Keep up with your team’s later-round picks using our pick tracker below. You can also check out all of yesterday’s pick swaps and the trades leading up to the picks with our offseason trade tracker.

June 28: The 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere in Las Vegas is getting underway momentarily. We’re providing in-depth coverage on all the happenings tonight and Saturday for Rounds Two through Seven, but if you’re looking for a quick reference list of who’s been picked, we’ve got you covered. This tracker will be updated live all throughout tonight and tomorrow.

As the first round progresses, you can check out how well our Gabriel Foley did at projecting the picks with his 2024 Mock Draft.

First Round

1. San Jose Sharks – C Macklin Celebrini / Boston University (NCAA)
2. Chicago Blackhawks – D Artyom Levshunov / Michigan State (NCAA)
3. Anaheim Ducks – RW Beckett Sennecke / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
4. Columbus Blue Jackets – C Cayden Lindstrom / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
5. Montreal Canadiens – RW Ivan Demidov / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
6. Utah Hockey Club – C Tij Iginla / Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
7. Ottawa Senators – D Carter Yakemchuk / Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
8. Seattle Kraken – C Berkly Catton / Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
9. Calgary Flames – D Zayne Parekh / Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
10. New Jersey Devils – D Anton Silayev / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
11. San Jose Sharks (from BUF) – D Sam Dickinson / London Knights (OHL)
12. Minnesota Wild (from PHI) – D Zeev Buium / University of Denver (NCAA)
13. Philadelphia Flyers (from MIN) – C Jett Luchanko / Guelph Storm (OHL)
14. Buffalo Sabres (from PIT) – C Konsta Helenius / Jukurit (Liiga)
15. Detroit Red Wings – RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygård / Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
16. St. Louis Blues – D Adam Jiříček / HC Plzeň (Czechia)
17. Washington Capitals – RW Terik Parascak / Prince George Cougars (WHL)
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI) – C Sacha Boisvert / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
19. Vegas Golden Knights – LW Trevor Connelly / Tri-City Storm (USHL)
20. New York Islanders (from TBL) – LW Cole Eiserman / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
21. Montreal Canadiens (from LAK) – C Michael Hage / Chicago Steel (USHL)
22. Nashville Predators – C Yegor Surin / Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
23. Anaheim Ducks (from TOR) – D Stian Solberg / Vålerenga (Norway)
24. Utah Hockey Club (from COL) – C Cole Beaudoin / Barrie Colts (OHL)
25. Boston Bruins – C Dean Letourneau / St. Andrew’s College (U18 AAA)
26. Los Angeles Kings (from WPG) – RW Liam Greentree / Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
27. Chicago Blackhawks (from CAR) – LW Marek Vanacker / Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) – RW Matvei Gridin / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
29. Dallas Stars – RW Emil Hemming / TPS (Liiga)
30. New York Rangers – D EJ Emery / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
31. Toronto Maple Leafs (from EDM) – D Ben Danford / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
32. Edmonton Oilers (from FLA) – RW Sam O’Reilly / London Knights (OHL)

Second Round

33. San Jose Sharks – LW Igor Chernyshov / Dynamo Moskva (KHL)
34. Carolina Hurricanes (from CHI) – D Dominik Badinka / Malmö Redhawks (SHL)
35. Anaheim Ducks – C Lucas Pettersson / MoDo Hockey J20 (J20 Nationell)
36. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Charlie Elick / Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
37. Winnipeg Jets (from MTL) – D Alfons Freij / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
38. Colorado Avalanche (from UTA) – G Ilya Nabokov / Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
39. Ottawa Senators – D Gabriel Eliasson / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell)
40. Seattle Kraken – C Julius Miettinen / Everett Silvertips (WHL)
41. Calgary Flames – LW Andrew Basha / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
42. Buffalo Sabres (from NJD) – D Adam Kleber / Lincoln Stars (USHL)
43. Washington Capitals (from BUF) – D Cole Hutson / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
44. Pittsburgh Penguins (from PHI) – D Harrison Brunicke / Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
45. Minnesota Wild – RW Ryder Ritchie / Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
46. Pittsburgh Penguins – LW Tanner Howe / Regina Pats (WHL)
47. Detroit Red Wings – LW Max Plante / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
48. St. Louis Blues – D Colin Ralph / Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-Prep)
49. New Jersey Devils (from WSH) – G Mikhail Yegorov / Omaha Lancers (USHL)
50. Carolina Hurricanes (from NYI) – LW Nikita Artamonov / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
51. Philadelphia Flyers (Note: compensatory pick for not signing 2018 first-round pick Jay O’Brien) – C Jack Berglund / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
52. Washington Capitals (from VGK) – D Leon Muggli / EV Zug (NL)
53. San Jose Sharks (from TBL) – D Leo Sahlin Wallenius / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
54. New York Islanders (from LAK) – D Jesse Pulkkinen / JYP (Liiga)
55. Nashville Predators – C Teddy Stiga / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
56. St. Louis Blues (from TOR) – D Lukas Fischer / Sarnia Sting (OHL)
57. Los Angeles Kings (from COL) – G Carter George / Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
58. Florida Panthers (from BOS) – C Linus Eriksson / Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
59. Philadelphia Flyers (from WPG) – D Spencer Gill / Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
60. Columbus Blue Jackets (from CAR) – G Evan Gardner / Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
61. New York Islanders (from VAN) – C Kamil Bednarik / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
62. Calgary Flames (from DAL) – RW Jacob Battaglia / Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
63. Seattle Kraken (from NYR) – C Nathan Villeneuve / Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
64. Edmonton Oilers – G Eemil Vinni / JoKP (Mestis)
65. Utah Hockey Club (from FLA) – D Will Skahan / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

Third Round

66. Anaheim Ducks (from SJS) – RW Maxim Massé / Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
67. Chicago Blackhawks – C John Mustard / Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
68. Anaheim Ducks – C Ethan Procyszyn / North Bay Battalion (OHL)
69. Carolina Hurricanes (from CBJ) – D Noel Fransén / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
70. Montreal Canadiens – C Aatos Koivu / TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
71. Buffalo Sabres (from UTA) – RW Brodie Ziemer / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
72. Chicago Blackhawks (from OTT) – RW AJ Spellacy / Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
73. Seattle Kraken – D Alexis Bernier / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
74. Calgary Flames – D Henry Mews / Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
75. Washington Capitals (from NJD) – LW Ilya Protas / Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
76. Colorado Avalanche (from BUF) – LW William Zellers / Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-Prep)
77. Nashville Predators (from PHI) – D Viggo Gustafsson / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell)
78. Montreal Canadiens (from MIN) – C Logan Sawyer / Brooks Bandits (BCHL)
79. Anaheim Ducks (from PIT) – D Tarin Smith / Everett Silvertips (WHL)
80. Detroit Red Wings – C Ondřej Becher / Prince George Cougars (WHL)
81. St. Louis Blues – LW Ondrej Kos / KOOVEE (Mestis)
82. San Jose Sharks (from WSH) – RW Carson Wetsch / Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
83. Vegas Golden Knights (from NYI) – G Pavel Moysevich / SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)
84. Calgary Flames (from VGK) – G Kirill Zarubin / AKM Tula (MHL)
85. New Jersey Devils (from TBL) – RW Kasper Pikkarainen / TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
86. Columbus Blue Jackets (from LAK) – D Luca Marrelli / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
87. Nashville Predators – RW Miguel Marques / Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
88. Seattle Kraken (from TOR) – G Kim Saarinen / HPK U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
89. Utah Hockey Club (from COL) – D Tomas Lavoie / Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
90. Washington Capitals (from BOS) – LW Ēriks Mateiko / Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
91. New Jersey Devils (from WPG) – RW Herman Träff / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell)
92. Chicago Blackhawks (from CAR) – RW Jack Pridham / West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
93. Vancouver Canucks – RW Melvin Fernström / Örebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell)
94. Nashville Predators (from DAL) – RW Hiroki Gojsic / Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
95. St. Louis Blues (from NYR) – C Adam Jecho / Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
96. Utah Hockey Club (from EDM) – D Veeti Väisänen / KooKoo (Liiga)
97. Florida Panthers – D Matvei Shuravin / Krasnaya Armiya Mosvka (MHL)

Fourth Round

98. Utah Hockey Club (from SJS) – D Gregor Biber / Rögle BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
99. Nashville Predators (from CHI) – G Jakub Milota / Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
100. Anaheim Ducks – C Alexandre Blais / Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
101. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Tanner Henricks / Lincoln Stars (USHL)
102. Montreal Canadiens – D Owen Protz / Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
103. Utah Hockey Club – C Gabe Smith / Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
104. Ottawa Senators – LW Lucas Ellinas / Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
105. Seattle Kraken – C Ollie Josephson / Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
106. Calgary Flames – RW Trevor Hoskin / Cobourg Cougars (OJHL)
107. Philadelphia Flyers (from NJD) – C Heikki Ruohonen / Kiekko-Espoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
108. Buffalo Sabres – D Luke Osburn / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
109. Winnipeg Jets (from PHI) – LW Kevin He / Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
110. Minnesota Wild – D Elliott Groenewold / Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
111. Pittsburgh Penguins – D Chase Pietila / Michigan Tech (NCAA)
112. Ottawa Senators (from DET) – LW Javon Moore / Minnetonka High (USHS-MN)
113. St. Louis Blues – C Tomas Mrsic / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
114. Washington Capitals – G Nicholas Kempf / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
115. New York Islanders – G Dmitry Gamzin / Zvezda Moskva (VHL)
116. San Jose Sharks (from VGK) – G Christian Kirsch / Zug U20 (U20-Elit)
117. Ottawa Senators (from TBL) – LW Blake Montgomery / Lincoln Stars (USHL)
118. Tampa Bay Lightning (from LAK) – D Jan Goličič / Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
119. New York Rangers (from NSH) – C Raoul Boilard / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
120. Toronto Maple Leafs – D Victor Johansson / Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
121. Colorado Avalanche – C Jake Fisher / Fargo Force (USHL)
122. Minnesota Wild (from BOS) – D Aron Kiviharju / HIFK (Liiga)
123. Buffalo Sabres (from WPG) – D Simon-Pier Brunet / Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
124. Carolina Hurricanes – D Alexander Siryatsky / Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)
125. Vancouver Canucks – C Riley Patterson / Barrie Colts (OHL)
126. Detroit Red Wings (from DAL) – G Landon Miller / Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
127. Nashville Predators (from NYR) – LW Viktor Nörringer / Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
128. Tampa Bay Lightning (from EDM) – RW Hagen Burrows / Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
129. Florida Panthers – C Simon Zether / Rögle BK (SHL)

Fifth Round

130. Montreal Canadiens (from SJS) – RW Tyler Thorpe / Vancouver Giants (WHL)
131. San Jose Sharks (from CHI) – D Colton Roberts / Vancouver Giants (WHL)
132. Colorado Avalanche (from ANA) – G Louka Cloutier / Chicago Steel (USHL)
133. Carolina Hurricanes (from CBJ) – LW Oskar Vuollet / Skellefteå AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)
134. Montreal Canadiens – G Mikus Vecvanags / Tukums (Latvia2)
135. Utah Hockey Club – C Owen Allard / Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
136. Ottawa Senators – D Eerik Wallenius / HPK U18 (U18 SM-sarja)
137. Colorado Avalanche (from SEA) – G Ivan Yunin / Yastreby Omsk U18 (Russia U18)
138. Chicago Blackhawks (from CGY) – C Joel Svensson / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
139. New Jersey Devils – C Max Graham / Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
140. Minnesota Wild (from BUF) – D Sebastian Soini / KOOVEE (Mestis)
141. Seattle Kraken (from PHI) – LW Clarke Caswell / Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
142. Minnesota Wild – G Chase Wutzke / Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
143. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) – D Nate Misskey / Victoria Royals (WHL)
144. Detroit Red Wings – D John Whipple / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
145. St. Louis Blues – D William McIsaac / Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
146. New Jersey Devils (from WSH) – G Veeti Louhivaara / JYP U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
147. New York Islanders – G Marcus Gidlöf / Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
148. Philadelphia Flyers (from VGK) – RW Noah Powell / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
149. Tampa Bay Lightning – C Joona Saarelainen / KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
150. Calgary Flames (from LAK) – C Luke Misa / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
151. Toronto Maple Leafs (from NSH) – C Miroslav Holinka / HC Oceláři Třinec U20 (Czechia U20)
152. Toronto Maple Leafs – LW Alexander Plesovskikh / Mamonty Yugry (MHL)
153. Utah Hockey Club (from COL) – D Aleš Čech / BK Mladá Boleslav (Czechia)
154. Boston Bruins – C Jonathan Morello / St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)
155. Winnipeg Jets – C Markus Loponen / Kärpät U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
156. Carolina Hurricanes – RW Justin Poirier / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
157. Toronto Maple Leafs (from VAN) – G Timofei Obvintsev / Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
158. Dallas Stars – D Niilopekka Muhonen / KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
159. New York Rangers – LW Nathan Aspinall / Flint Firebirds (OHL)
160. Edmonton Oilers – LW Connor Clattenburg / Flint Firebirds (OHL)
161. Colorado Avalanche (from FLA) – C Maxmilian Curran / Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Sixth Round

162. Vancouver Canucks (from SJS) – RW Anthony Romani / North Bay Battalion (OHL)
163. Chicago Blackhawks – D Ty Henry / Erie Otters (OHL)
164. Los Angeles Kings (from ANA) – D Jared Woolley / London Knights (OHL)
165. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Luke Ashton / Langley Rivermen (BCHL)
166. Montreal Canadiens – C Ben Merrill / St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-Prep)
167. Utah Hockey Club – C Vojtěch Hradec / BK Mladá Boleslav (Czechia)
168. Carolina Hurricanes (from OTT) – D Timur Kol / Omskie Krylia (VHL)
169. Florida Panthers (from SEA) – C Stepan Gorbunov / Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL)
170. Calgary Flames – C Hunter Laing / Prince George Cougars (WHL)
171. New Jersey Devils – C Matyáš Melovský / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
172. Buffalo Sabres – D Patrick Geary / Michigan State (NCAA)
173. Philadelphia Flyers – RW Ilya Pautov / Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
174. Minnesota Wild – D Stevie Leskovar / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
175. Pittsburgh Penguins – D Joona Väisänen / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
176. Detroit Red Wings – LW Charlie Forslund / Falu IF J18 (J18 Region)
177. Calgary Flames (from STL) – D Eric Jamieson / Everett Silvertips (WHL)
178. Washington Capitals – C Petr Sikora / HC Oceláři Třinec U20 (Czechia U20)
179. New York Islanders – D Xavier Veilleux / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
180. Vegas Golden Knights – LW Trent Swick / Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
181. Tampa Bay Lightning – C Kaden Pitre / Flint Firebirds (OHL)
182. Anaheim Ducks (from LAK) – RW Austin Burnevik / Madison Capitols (USHL)
183. Edmonton Oilers (from NSH) – D Albin Sundin / Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
184. Carolina Hurricanes (from TOR) – D Roman Shokhrin / Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)
185. Colorado Avalanche – D Tory Pitner / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
186. Boston Bruins – D Loke Johansson / AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)
187. Winnipeg Jets – C Kieron Walton / Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
188. Carolina Hurricanes – LW Fyodor Avramov / Kapitan Stupino (MHL)
189. Vancouver Canucks – D Parker Alcos / Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
190. Utah Hockey Club (from DAL) – D Ludvig Lafton / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
191. New York Rangers – LW Rico Gredig / HC Davos (NL)
192. Edmonton Oilers – C Dalyn Wakely / North Bay Battalion (OHL)
193. Florida Panthers – LW Hunter St. Martin / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Seventh Round

194. San Jose Sharks – G Yaroslav Korostelyov / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
195. Tampa Bay Lightning (from CHI) – LW Joe Connor / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
196. Edmonton Oilers (from ANA) – C William Nicholl / London Knights (OHL)
197. Vegas Golden Knights (from CBJ) – C Lucas Van Vliet / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
198. Los Angeles Kings (from MTL) – RW James Reeder / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
199. Tampa Bay Lightning (from UTA) – LW Noah Steen / Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
200. Toronto Maple Leafs (from OTT) – D Matthew Leahy / Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
201. Florida Panthers (from SEA) – G Denis Gabdrakhmanov / Tyumenski Legion (MHL)
202. Seattle Kraken (from CGY) – D Jakub Fibigr / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
203. Detroit Red Wings (from NJD) – LW Austin Baker / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
204. Buffalo Sabres – RW Vasily Zelenov / RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)
205. Philadelphia Flyers – D Austin Moline / Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 Prep (USHS-Prep)
206. Tampa Bay Lightning (from MIN) – G Harrison Meneghin / Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
207. Pittsburgh Penguins – C Mac Swanson / Fargo Force (USHL)
208. Detroit Red Wings – D Fisher Scott / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
209. St. Louis Blues – C Antoine Dorion / Québec Remparts (QMJHL)
210. Montreal Canadiens (from WSH) – RW Makar Khanin / Dynamo St. Petersburg (VHL)
211. St. Louis Blues (from NYI) – C Matvei Korotky / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
212. Washington Capitals (from VGK) – C Miroslav Šatan / HC Slovan Bratislava U20 (Slovakia U20)
213. Nashville Predators (from TBL) – C Erik Påhlsson / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
214. Anaheim Ducks (from LAK) – D Darels Uļjanskis / AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)
215. Colorado Avalanche (from NSH) – C Christian Humphreys / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
216. Toronto Maple Leafs – LW Sam McCue / Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
217. Colorado Avalanche – C Nikita Prishchepov / Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
218. Edmonton Oilers (from BOS) – D Bauer Berry / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
219. Buffalo Sabres (from WPG) – G Ryerson Leenders / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
220. Carolina Hurricanes – LW Andrei Krutov / Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)
221. Vancouver Canucks – D Basile Sansonnens / Gottéron U20 (U20-Elit)
222. Dallas Stars – C William Samuelsson / Södertälje SK J20 (J20 Nationell)
223. Pittsburgh Penguins (from NYR) – D Finn Harding / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
224. Montreal Canadiens (from EDM) – D Rasmus Bergqvist / Skellefteå AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)
225. Toronto Maple Leafs (from FLA) – D Nathan Mayes / Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Maple Leafs Acquire Rights To Chris Tanev

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired the rights to pending unrestricted free agent Chris Tanev from the Dallas Stars (Twitter link). The return is depth forward Max Ellis and a 2026 seventh-round pick, shares Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff (Twitter link). Toronto will have two days to negotiate with the prolific defensive-defenseman before he enters free agency on July 1st.

This trade reunites Tanev with his hometown of Toronto late into his career. Now 34, Tanev has pulled together a career to be proud of, totaling 190 points in 792 games, spending 10 years with the Vancouver Canucks, four years with the Calgary Flames, and then one brief playoff run with the Dallas Stars. His role has held steadfast through the changes of scenery – with Tanev among the most popular top-pair shutdown defenders in the league. He’s vindicated that reputation over the last five seasons, with plenty of teams reportedly in the market when Vancouver and Calgary traded him away.

It’s Toronto who will win the Tanev sweepstakes this time around, though they show up to the race a bit late in Tanev’s career. That might not stop them from giving him healthy term, though, with TSN’s Darren Dreger reporting that Tanev’s next deal could run for as long as five-to-eight years (Twitter link). That term would carry Tanev to, or beyond, 40 – though it could also help keep the deal’s cap hit down. The Leafs could use every dollar they can save, with $18.83MM in cap spcae to re-sign a daunting 15 pending free agents. That list includes players like Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi, as well as the rotation of backup goaltenders in Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, and Matt Murray.

While Toronto has the luxury of not needing to re-sign every player, they’re bound to commit more money than they’d like to the few they do bring back. It’s hard to think Tanev is in line for a team-friendly deal, even if he were to land substantial term with his hometown club. But with a deadline right around the corner, fans may not have to wait long for the mysteries of his deal to be revealed. When they are, Toronto will be locking up a stout, reliable defensive-defenseman who should compliment Morgan Rielly’s offensive style much better than his previous linemates.

Tanev’s representation did not speak with Toronto before the trade, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Flyers Buy Out Cam Atkinson

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06/29: Atkinson has cleared unconditional waivers and will be bought out, shares Sportsnet’s Elliote Friedman (Twitter link).

06/28: The Philadelphia Flyers are planning to buy out the final season of Cam Atkinson’s seven-year, $41.125MM contract, the team shared. Philadelphia will carry a $2.358MM cap hit this season, and a $1.758MM cap hit next season, as a result of this buyout – accumulating $1.759MM in total savings over the $5.875MM cap hit that Atkinson was due this year. The Flyers will also get out from under Atkinson’s modified no-trade-clause, which allowed the veteran winger to submit a 10-team no-trade list.

This buyout brings a quiet end to Atkinson’s three-year stretch in Philadelphia. He was plenty productive two sesaons ago, posting 23 goals and 50 points in 73 games – his highest scoring since 2019. But Atkinson was forced out of the entirety of the 2022-23 season with a neck injury and struggled to rekindle his spark this year. He fell to a measly 13 goals and 28 points in 70 games. On the back of lagging performances, Atkinson slipped all year, ultimately earning multiple healthy scratches in the season’s second half.

Benchings are a heavy fall for Atkinson, who spent nearly a decade locked into the Columbus Blue Jackets top-six earlier in his career. He posted at least 20 goals in every season between 2013 and 2019 – including a career-high 41 goals and 69 points in 80 games during the 2018-19 season. But injuries have never been Atkinson’s friend – with a string of lower-body injuries limiting his early career and a nagging right-ankle sprain ultimately cutting his 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons in half. With the writing of an aging veteran on the wall, Columbus flipped Atkinson to the Flyers in July of 2021, acquiring Jakub Voracek – another veteran winger plagued by injuries.

And while Atkinson will now enter the free agent market with still winds, there seems to still be interest around the league. The San Jose Sharks were reportedly interested in trading for Atkinson just two weeks ago, though his trade protection kept him from going to a Sharks team that seems set for another down year. San Jose surely would’ve preferred Atkinson’s near-$6MM price tag, as they try to reach the cap floor, but will now get a chance to negotiate openly with the 12-year veteran. Atkinson hasn’t found much success over his career, playing in just 35 career postseason games, but he offers the leadership of a veteran with 770 career games – a presence that could be invaluable to young teams like the Sharks.

Golden Knights Trade For Alexander Holtz, Akira Schmid

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The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired goaltender Akira Schmid and forward Alexander Holtz from the New Jersey Devils, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman (Twitter link). In return, New Jersey has received forward Paul Cotter and Vegas’ 2025 third-round pick.

This trade provides Vegas a quick fill-in for Logan Thompson after they dealt him to the Washington Capitals for two picks. Thompson served as Vegas’ starter in the wake of injuries to Adin Hill last season, posting 25 wins and a .908 save percentage in 46 starts. It was a strong year for Thompson that warrants another shot at opportunity. He’ll search for that in Washington, while Vegas brings in Schmid, 24, who’s filled a much more typical backup role with the Devils. He posted a measly five wins and .895 save percentage this year, but was much more effective as a rookie last season, when he managed nine wins and a .922 save percentage in 18 games. Schmid is still in need of a bigger sample size, but his career .899 save percentage through 43 games suggests a modest NHL upside.

The Golden Knights will get to test that upside alongside the surprising addition of top young forward Alexander Holtz. Previously the seventh-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Holtz struggled to earn consistent ice time under previous Devils head coach Lindy Ruff. Even then, Holtz found his way to good effect, recording 16 goals and 28 points while playing in all 82 games this season. Holtz seemed rife with upside this season, even amidst an ever-changing role. Consistency in the Vegas top-six could lead to a major pay-off, though Holtz will have to fight with Pavel Dorofeyev for the role of young sniper atop the Vegas depth charts.

Meanwhile, New Jersey receives the projectable role of Cotter. He stepped as Vegas’ full-time fourth-line centerman this year, recording 25 points and 41 penalty minutes through 76 games. It was his second full-year on an NHL roster, having recorded 13 goals and 18 points in 55 games last year. Cotter doesn’t inspire too much down the lineup, though he should be a responsible addition to New Jersey’s bottom lines.

Bruins Acquire Vinni Lettieri In Swap With Wild

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The Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild have swapped depth forwards and fourth-round picks – with Boston acquiring Vinni Lettieri and Pick 110 from the Wild for Jakub Lauko and Pick 122 (Twitter link).

This move comes as much more minor than some of the day’s blockbusters. But it could stand as one of the most memorable trades of the day, with Minnesota using Pick 122 to select star Finnish defenseman Aron Kiviharju. Kiviharju was once considered a lock for the Top 10, and maybe even the Top 5, of the 2024 NHL Draft – after breaking into Finland’s Liiga at the age of 16. He vindicated the hype through his rookie season, tallying three assists in 21 games and adjusting well to the pace of a pro game. That set Kiviharju up for what many expected to be a smash season this year, though a knee injury suffered on September 30th cut his season short before it could even get underway.

Kiviharju returned to captain Team Finland at the World U-18 Championship, recording three assists in five games an looking ready to put his injury aside. But an early end to Finland’s season kept him from playing much more. He finished his draft year with two points in seven Liiga games and tons of questions swirling around him.

But while Minnesota earns a big bet on upside with this swap, the Bruins get a bit more predictability. Lettieri served a modest role on Minnesota’s fourth line last season, working his way to nine points and 24 penalty minutes in a career-high 46 appearances. He’s now up to 27 points in the first 129 games of his NHL career – though he’s shown a knack for filling the gritty roles of a bottom-line center. He moves to Boston alongside Elliott Groenewold, who the Bruins selected at Pick 110. Groenewold also boasts plenty of predictable impact – with a tall frame and long reach making him effective at engaging in, and winning, puck battles – but a lack of explosivity keeping him from ever making too much of a spark.

Boston will hope the pair can have the anticipated effects on the NHL lineup, while Minnesota is taking a home run swing while replacing Lettieri’s role with the quaint Lauko.

Capitals Acquire Logan Thompson

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The Washington Capitals have acquired goaltender Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Pick 83 this year and Washington’s 2025 third-round pick, per Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review Journal (Twitter link).

This trade gives Washington a quick answer to the question of who was going to fill Darcy Kuemper’s role after he was swapped for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Kuemper served as Washington’s preferred starter last year, though he was limited to just 33 appearances as a result of injury and personal absences. He also wasn’t near his normal self in the games he did play, recording just 13 wins and an .890 save percentage, the first sub-.900 season of his career.

In Kuemper’s absence, Charlie Lindgren staked a strong claim on Washington’s starting role. He recorded 25 wins and a .911 save percentage through 50 appearances, showing the potential to win games for the Capitals when their offense wasn’t moving. He faltered a bit in the postseason – allowing 14 goals on 93 shots as the Capitals got swept – but Lindgren’s left his mark all the same, commanding the NHL starting role after just one year in a full-time backup position.

Lindgren should be the favorite to hang onto Washington’s starting role again next year. After all, he’s now the highest-paid goalie on the roster. But he’ll face like competition in Thompson, who assumed Vegas’ starting role to good effect in the wake of injuries to Adin Hill. Thompson, 27, recorded 25 wins and a .908 save percentage in 46 games this season, continuing the strong start to his NHL career that began in 2021. He’s since totaled 58 wins and a .912 save percentage through 107 career games. That’s a fantastic track record to acquire via trade, especially for a contract that’s technically cheaper than the veteran’s minimum of $775K.

Thompson will join what should be a fun competition for goalie minutes, fighting with Lindgren and Hunter Shepard. Thompson’s consistency could speak to the highest upside of the three.

For their part in supporting Washington’s goaltending room, Vegas receives a pair of picks and a bit more freedom with their own goalies. Adin Hill has proved dazzling when he stays healthy, bosting a career .910 save percentage through 139 games. He’ll now be the team’s unquestioned starter heading into next season, while Jiri Patera and Isaiah Saville will compete for the backup role, pending another move.

Kings Acquire Tanner Jeannot

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The Los Angeles Kings have acquired forward Tanner Jeannot from the Tampa Bay Lightning, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic (Twitter link). In return, Tampa receives Pick 118 in this year’s draft and L.A.’s second-round pick in 2025, per Tracey Myers of NHL.com (Twitter link). The move has since been confirmed by the team.

This trade quickly succeeds Mikhail Sergachev’s move to the Utah Hockey Club. The two moves combine to free up $11.165MM in cap space, massively supporting Tampa’s pursuit of franchise centerman Steven Stamkos. It also quickly succeeds Tampa’s acquisition of Jeannot, which came ahead of the 2023 Trade Deadline, with the Lightning acquiring the winger for Callan Foote and one pick in each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth rounds.

Jeannot recorded 24 goals, 41 points, and 130 penalty minutes in his rookie 2021-22 season with the Nashville Predators. But he’s struggled to find that same spark since, totaling just eight goals and 18 points in 75 games with Tampa Bay between last season and this season. With the Lightning facing a cap crunch that may cost them the face of their franchise, they’ve been forced to accept defeat – winning back less than half of the assets they gave up for Jeannot.

But while the trade may illicit soul searching on Tampa’s end, it stands as a low-cost, high-upside move for the Kings. Jeannot carries a low-stakes $2.665MM cap hit – setting him up well to fill the girtty, high-energy bottom-six forward role left open by Carl Grundstrom’s trade to the San Jose Sharks. The Kings have used Grundstrom’s grit to good effect, and could be getting a more dynamic iteration in Jeannot, who shows much more drive down the ice and confidence on the puck. Los Angeles will be searching for any boost they can receive after a middling 2023-24 campaign, though the gritty style that’s led Quinton Byfield to success could also be exactly what Jeannot needs to rediscover his groove.

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