NYHN Daily: Ovechkin Goes Digital, Nilsson Retires & More

The New York Islanders locked up defenseman Adam Pelech a few days ago but since then no other signings have been announced. But that doesn’t mean the NHL world has stopped.

Here are today’s daily links!

Could new Boston Bruins defenseman Derek Forbort find himself riding shotgun with Charlie McAvoy to start the 2021-22 regular season? Training camp is still a month away but Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy already admitted that it’s no guarantee the Terriers connection of Matt Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy remain the Bruins’ top pairing this coming season. (Boston Hockey Now)

Trading for Ryan Ellis kicked off a flurry of activity this offseason for the Philadelphia Flyers. It was the first of several moves to change the course of the team in more ways than one. After a very disappointing season, changes needed to be made –– and they were. And his contract makes the move even better. (Philly Hockey Now)

The Great 8 is going digital. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is officially launching his own NFT collection that fittingly drops on August 8 (8/8). Ovechkin teamed up with Ethernity Chain and Impossible Brief for the new collection. Ethernity explains that the collection, “showcases the major accomplishments, signature gear and proud Russian heritage of one of the greatest hockey players to ever grace the rink.” (Washington Hockey Now)

The Boston Bruins were among the few NHL teams to opt for a development camp during this shortened offseason. It’s also providing a development that’s of interest to Detroit Red Wings fans. If there was any doubt that Keith Petruzzelli’s time as a Red Wings prospect was over and done with, the telling evidence was right there in black and white. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Pat Maroon said “there’s no doubt in my mind” the Tampa Bay Lightning can win the Stanley Cup for a third consecutive season. “I truly think we can run it back again,” the Lightning forward told The Athletic on Friday. (NHL)

Anders Nilsson retired from hockey Sunday. The 31-year-old goalie had not played since Dec. 16, 2019, for the Ottawa Senators because of post-concussion syndrome.”My post-concussion symptoms and neck problems make it impossible for me to continue as a professional goalie,” Nilsson said on Instagram. “Obviously not the way I wanted my career to end, but I got to achieve my dream as a kid to play in the NHL and represent my home country Sweden on the world stage. (NHL)

William Douglas has been writing The Color of Hockey blog for the past nine years. Douglas joined NHL.com in March 2019 and writes about people of color in the sport. Today, he profiles Dean Barnes and his collection of hockey cards featuring Black players. Dean Barnes used Canada’s coronavirus pandemic lockdown last year to resume a childhood hobby. (NHL)

Our Seven Questions series opened last week focusing on a critical approaching season for Pierre-Luc Dubois in Winnipeg and a new-look blue line in Calgary. Today, we head to Ottawa and ask a simple question: Is the goaltending healthy enough to deliver a playoff team next season? (TSN)

The Edmonton Oilers have signed goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year, two-way contract worth $750,000 per season, the team announced on Sunday. Skinner, 22, made 33 saves for the victory in his only start with the Oilers last season. (TSN)

Even with a relatively flat salary cap for the foreseeable future NHL teams have not been shy about handing out significant long-term contracts this offseason. Since July 1 there have been 15 contracts (re-signings and free agent signings) signed that are at least five years in length and carrying a salary cap hit of more than $5 million per season. There is always some risk with that in a salary cap environment, especially when it comes to free agency. As we already know, most long-term contracts signed in free agency tend to end in a buyout or a trade. (NBCSN)

The NHL free-agency frenzy of 2021 started 27 days later than the usual opening day of July 1, but it was as wild as any in recent memory, with more than $500 million spent on deals on the first day alone. A number of valuable players remain who have yet to make their decisions — and potential franchise-altering trades for Jack Eichel and Vladimir Tarasenko are still possible as well. But after the first big wave, here is where things stand for all 32 teams. (ESPN)