NYHN Daily: Trading Beau Not Worth it, Eichel Drama Heats Up & More

The New York Islanders still have not announced a signing since free agency opened on Wednesday, so everyone continues to wait. In the meantime, is it worth exploring trading Anthony Beauvillier for a defenseman? And the Jack Eichel drama is getting wilder as time goes on.

All of this and more in today’s daily links!

The New York Islanders still need a defenseman to fill the void left by Nick Leddy, and that might need to come via a trade.  Would that mean Anthony Beauvillier would need to be part of any deal and would it even be worth it? (NYI Hockey Now)

When free agency opened, everyone assumed Jack Eichel would have been traded away by then. Instead, things have continued to digress and Eichel’s agents were tired of the narrative being controlled by the Buffalo Sabres. On Friday night they made their voices heard. (Buffalo News)

Individually, the decisions are rational and positive. Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ron Hextall has not made a mistake with player acquisition, he didn’t reach for a player in the 2021 NHL Draft, and he has added free agents on appropriate contracts. So far, so good. And the offseason isn’t over. In a vacuum, each decision is above criticism and justifiable. Even worthy of a pat of praise. In totality, they’re not nearly enough for the situation, and the Penguins are withering. Hextall is slow-walking the “win now” effort and replacing it with a “win if you can” strategy. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

It wasn’t the fairytale ending for Vegas Golden Knights fans or goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. In some perfect world, Fleury would have won a Stanley Cup on Vegas ice and skated into the sunset with a beaming smile. At the very least, Fleury would have played out his career in his adopted hometown after nearly 15 years in Pittsburgh. Instead, he was NHL trade fodder. The Golden Knights unceremoniously traded Fleury to the Chicago Blackhawks for little more than a bag of pucks to clear his $7 million salary off the books. To end the suspense and drama, Barstool Sports in Chicago reports that sources say Marc-Andre Fleury will report to the Chicago Blackhawks. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Boston Bruins center David Krejci sounded incredibly conflicted during his zoom exit interview with the media last month at the end of Boston’s playoff run when it came to his hockey plans for next season. The 35-year-old playmaking center was torn about continuing with the Boston Bruins at the end of his contract or heading back to his native Czech Republic where his young children could learn the language, experience the Czech culture firsthand and spent more time with Krejci’s family after living in the USA for pretty much the entire year during his NHL career. He made his decision on Friday (Boston Hockey Now)

Alex Ovechkin smiles his signature missing-tooth smile as he opens his presser with a casual, “What’s up, guys?” The Washington Capitals captain signed a five-year, $47.5 million extension on Tuesday. “I still wanna be out there, I still wanna be better. I have five more years to be better,” Ovechkin said. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers’ top priority in free agency was to sign a goaltender. Carter Hart struggled last season and they needed to sign someone to not only back him up but perhaps be the 1B to Hart’s 1A. They couldn’t settle for a career backup, but rather needed someone with experience. They chose to sign the 31-year-old goalie Martin Jones. But was Martin Jones the right choice? (Philly Hockey Now)

When Sam Bennett was traded to the Florida Panthers from Calgary at the deadline, he felt an instant chemistry with his teammates that translated extremely well to the scoresheet. There was never a doubt that a new deal would get done in South Florida. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Red Wings lost Darren Helm via free agency this week–the last member of that 2008 Stanley Cup team that skated with the Cup on Pittsburgh ice. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Bonino, Bonino, Bonino! The San Jose Sharks snagged Nick Bonino, Andrew Cogliano, and James Reimer. But are they right for the Sharks? (SJ Hockey Now)

The Canucks and GM Jim Benning hit the free-agent market for a bunch of names you’ve heard but are borderline NHL players. They signed two-way deals. Vancouver’s AHL team should be dynamite. (Vancouver Hockey Now)