Russell’s Roundup: Romanov’s Next Contract; Johansen Terminated

The NHL World had another busy day on Tuesday. The league is slowly reawakening, and training camps are appearing on the horizon. The day’s biggest news was the Edmonton Oilers verdict on the offer sheets tendered to Phillip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. The Oilers failed to match the deals, relinquishing both former first-round picks to the St. Louis Blues. News later broke of the Flyers terminating Ryan Johansen’s contract due to what the team coined a “material breach” in the contract. Johansen’s camp has already given some indications that he will file a grievance against the contract termination. Here at NYI Hockey Now, I reviewed Alexander Romanov’s potential payday ahead of next summer.

New York Islanders:

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders have had a slower summer, but the next 12 months are anything but. In addition to Romanov, multiple key players will need new contracts, including Noah Dobson. Romanov has a wider range than almost everyone else on the list, and his play this upcoming season carries a lot of water. Here’s the full breakdown.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Philly Hockey Now: The news broke at noon that the Flyers will terminate Johansen’s contract due to a “material breach” in the contract. That breach remains unknown, but the speculation involves an injury Johansen suffered and subsequent treatment thereafter. Here’s the initial breakdown, which includes the Flyers’ statement.

More Philly HN: Some hours later, Johansen’s camp released their version of events, outlining the need for a serious surgery that would sideline the player indefinitely. Evidently, the Flyers don’t believe this issue just sprung from the ground. Oh, and by the way, the agent for Johansen just so happens to be the same agent who waged war with the Flyers when another of his clients, Cutter Gauthier, demanded a trade. This won’t resolve soon, writes Jonathan Bailey.

Montreal Hockey Now: Marc Dumont continued his breakdown of the Laine trade. The move immediately and tremendously upgrades the Canadiens lineup, especially at forward. Dumont writes that Laine can specifically and importantly help the Habs on the man advantage.

Sportsnet: So, after a week filled with drama and speculation, the Oilers did not match the offer sheets. Financially, it would be a tremendous burden on the Oilers to make it work. Mark Spector points out the largest reason why it’s smart not to. Getting players to take less to win would be out the window. It was a smart decision.

Sportsnet: Blues GM Doug Armstrong stepped up to the microphone and gave perhaps one of the funniest quotes of the offseason. “I’d do it to my mother if she was managing the Oilers.” Armstrong was referring to the speculation that he only signed the offer sheets because Stan Bowman runs Edmonton. Armstrong bristled at that notion and nipped it in the bud.

Nashville Hockey Now: Old friend Barry Trotz has a vested interest in the now-ongoing Johansen and Flyers saga. The Predators have a $4 million cap hit that they retained two Johansen trades ago that could disappear when this contract is officially shredded.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Training camp is coming down the road. The Devils roster has undergone a strong makeover in net and on the backend, along with some forward depth cycling around. James Nichols has a small taste of training camp with a roster update.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The wailing and gnashing of teeth at the seeming irrelevance of the Penguins’ summer continued after they stayed away from Patrik Laine. The core is fading, and the Penguins still haven’t signed Crosby. Now, they missed a chance at an almost-free elite sniper. Dan Kingerski looks at the reason why.