Daily Links
NYHN Daily: Islanders and Tarasenko Talk, Buyout Window Begins & More
The New York Islanders are in a cap crunch. While Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello looks to shed cap space and bring back as many players as they can, rumors are swirling on the idea of sniper Vladimir Tarasenko potentially making his way to the island. Is that a move the Islanders can realistically make? This story and more in today’s daily links!
After the New York Islanders had been knocked out of the playoffs a win shy of reaching the Stanley Cup Final, the questions turned to whether or not the Islanders should have added more scoring to the roster. While the Islanders didn’t during their lengthy playoff run, they might have a chance to add a scorer’s touch now that Vladimir Tarasenko reportedly asked for a trade from the St. Louis Blues. And the Islanders are on the shortlist of teams that Tarasenko would go to, according to The Athletic. But would it be worth it for the Islanders to give up significant pieces in the hopes that trade would push them over the hump? (NYI Hockey Now)
Are the Toronto Maple Leafs finally about to beat the Boston Bruins at something? On Wednesday, TSN NHL Insider Darren Dreger reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are amongst a group of teams that are kicking the tires on trying to sign Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall if he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 28. “(Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has) engaged in discussions about an extension for Taylor Hall with his agent Darren Ferris,” Dreger said. “This shouldn’t come as breaking news, there was interest from the Boston standpoint prior to making the trade with the Buffalo Sabres. (Boston Hockey Now)
I asked a question of sources and a couple of my fellow National Hockey Now colleagues. It was a simple enough question as we’re all chasing stories, NHL trade angles, and free agency. We’re speaking to people on the other side of the fence who get to know these things or even make those decisions. The Pittsburgh Penguins trade chatter and offseason have thus far been quiet. So, I sent out the S.O.S. — Has anybody heard anything from the Penguins? Crickets. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
It’s never easy. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones is one of the biggest fish on the market this offseason. The fourth overall pick from the 2013 NHL Draft has been the talk of the town for over a month, and for good reason. Jones, 26, fits the description of what the Philadelphia Flyers need this offseason: a right-handed defenseman to play on the top pair with Ivan Provorov. But his contract situation is a complicated one. (Philly Hockey Now)
As we get into the heat of the Florida Panthers offseason, many questions are swirling around the local future of defenseman Keith Yandle. When I kicked open the latest edition of our reader mailbag, I expected a few questions about what could happen between Yandle and the Panthers — and there was little disappointment. You all did manage to ask some other questions as well. (Florida Hockey Now)
Interesting speculation came out of St. Louis during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final that could be of interest to the Washington Capitals: Vladimir Tarasenko wants out. Per The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford, the Russian winger requested a trade. He reportedly is unhappy with how the Blues handled his shoulder injury, reduced his role, and didn’t reward him the captaincy. Meanwhile, in the District, rumors are still brewing in regards to Evgeny Kuznetsov’s future with the team. Frank Seravalli reported that the Capitals are “tired of his antics” and could move the center this offseason. Given the situation, as well as similar cap hits and star power between both players, could Washington consider dealing Kuznetsov for Tarasenko? (Washington Capitals)
The completion the Stanley Cup Final means teams can buy out contracts starting tonight. But that doesn’t mean general manager Steve Yzerman will rush to remove players from his roster. The buyout period lasts until July 29. Yzerman’s primary buyout options are Frans Nielsen and Danny Dekeyser. He could even consider Richard Panik, who was traded to Detroit in the Anthony Mantha-Jakub Vrana swap. The Caps moved him because he didn’t fit well in Washington. (Detroit Hockey Now)
It’s a bold statement to assert that one specific area of a team’s game was what not only eliminated them from the playoffs but also cost them a real chance to win the Stanley Cup. But that’s exactly what happened to the Vegas Golden Knights because of a lack of power-play production, and the numbers prove it. (Vegas Hockey Now)
In just two short weeks, one Avalanche player will exchange their Burgundy and Blue sweater for one of Seattle’s sleek new Deep Sea and Ice Blue getups. And I see it coming down to two guys. They’re easily the two most polarizing players on the Avs roster these days, and I’m sure about half the Avalanche fanbase wouldn’t mind seeing either of those guys go. Their names are Tyson Jost and Ryan Graves. (Colorado Hockey Now)
How would you steer the San Jose Sharks? Two years out of the post-season, Doug Wilson is opting for a “reset.” That’s not another word for a rebuild. “There’s no reason why we can’t be back in a very good position by next season,” the San Jose Sharks GM said in March. (San Jose Hockey Now)
Jon Cooper put a voice to the topic that is on a lot of minds. “I guess we’ll see if we can three-peat,” the Tampa Bay Lightning coach said. The Lightning have that opportunity after winning the Stanley Cup for a second straight season Wednesday, ending the season with a 1-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Final at Amalie Arena. (NHL)
Brendan Gallagher’s tears during his postgame press conference Wednesday symbolized how much the Montreal Canadiens thought they could win the Stanley Cup when most others didn’t. The forward welled up pondering the wasted opportunity after the Canadiens lost 1-0 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at the Tampa Bay Lightning, who won their second consecutive championship. Gallagher had heard many suggestions that the Canadiens should be satisfied to have made it this far. He was having none of it. (NHL)
The NHL offseason began Wednesday after the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final to win their second straight championship. Though the 2020-21 season ended two days ago, the rest of the NHL had been making plans for what’s to come in the next few weeks, including 2021 NHL Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken on July 21, the 2021 NHL Draft on July 23-24, and the opening of the free agent signing period on July 28. Here are the top 10 questions going into the NHL offseason: (NHL)
Travis Dermott signed a two-year, $3 million contract to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. It has an average annual value of $1.5 million. The 24-year-old defenseman could have been a restricted free agent July 28. He scored six points (two goals, four assists) in 51 games this season and did not have a point in three Stanley Cup Playoff games. (NHL)
The NHL’s buyout window officially opened 24 hours after Game 5 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, meaning teams are now free to make their cost-cutting moves. SN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun wrote Thursday that buyouts could be made as early as Friday morning. With the salary cap remaining flat at $81.5 million, many teams could consider using the buyout window to increase their cap space this off-season. One player who has been seemingly awaiting a buyout for several months in New York Rangers defenceman Tony DeAngelo, who last played for the team in January. (TSN)
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