The SC finals are in the rearview and the longest season in NHL history is put to bed.
The NHL Awards are handed out on Thursday night and the draft begins Friday night at the Sphere in Vegas.
The off-season is expected to be a busy one with the first salary cap increase since COVID. The players association opted to leave salaries as is instead of accepting a pay cut during the COVID season(s) and to do that they basically borrowed against future earnings, which suppressed the cap at the current levels.
Anyway, lot of activity could happen between now, the draft and free agency. Several big names rumored to be on the trading block.
Trevor Zegras (MTL and NYR among those named as "interested")
Martin Necas
Patrik Laine
Linus Ullmark (just traded to OTT)
Nikolaj Ehlers
Maybe Mitch Marner and more and then there is buyouts, FA, etc.
Here is the Ullmark trade FWIW:
TRADE ALERT: The #Sens have acquired G Linus Ullmark from @NHLBruins in exchange for (Boston’s original) ’24 first-round draft pick (no. 25 overall), C Mark Kastelic and G Joonas Korpisalo. As part of the transaction, the #Sens will retain 25% of Korpisalo’s remaining salary.… pic.twitter.com/0xRMxi8wZS
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 24, 2024
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Further to @FriedgeHNIC
and @PierreVLeBrun
reports, sources say Juuse Saros will sign an eight-year extension with #preds carrying an AAV of approximately $7.5M once he's eligible to do so on Monday.
9:51 PM · Jun 27, 2024
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216.2K
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Ullmark is just under contract one year and Markstrom two.
Reminds me a little of FLA extending Bob after drafting Spencer Knight at #13. Knight has had issues but it was good to see him holding the SC.
Askarov cannot be happy with this.
@KevinWeekes
👀
4 Goalies getting plenty of interest in the market ; Thompson, Stolarz, Hill, and Brossoit. 2 of them are UFA’s, all 4 are @StanleyCup
winners as well 💍.
#HockeyX
But as you know, HABS have young Dmen coming up out of the you know what who are just waiting to get their turn. The article even said, “too bad they selected that Dman last year in the 1st round instead of the sexy forward….they wouldn’t be feeling this stressed out at the thought of selecting BUIUM this year had they not taken the Dman last year.
So, my question to you pj…..are you okay drafting BUIUM tonight and trying to trade several of your young Dmen prospects to acquire a forward or two….or would you prefer to take the best forward available tonight and the heck with BUIUM ?
I would have taken Michkov last year, but to second guess not taking a Russian prospect is kind of disingenuous. A lot going on there.
Also we just saw Cutter Gauthier get traded for Jamie Drysdale, so I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe MTL trades Reinbacher or a different D prospect for McGroarty (plus a pick probably). Problem solved.
I would have taken Michkov last year, but to second guess not taking a Russian prospect is kind of disingenuous. A lot going on there.
Also we just saw Cutter Gauthier get traded for Jamie Drysdale, so I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe MTL trades Reinbacher or a different D prospect for McGroarty (plus a pick probably). Problem solved.
If all the top 3 fwds get scooped up there will probably even be a better D than Buium that falls to the Habs. Plus there are damn good fwds like Iginla & Sennecke that slot in right around 5-10. The Demidov thing is the most interesting. I think teams finally got to see him close up in Ft. Lauderdale so that's why late mocks have moving up as high as #2.
Quote:
Buium. He's really good, but...I was thinking MTL may have a shot at Cole Hutson with their 2nd first. That would be ridiculous that many legit D who can probably fit in your top 4. Some say Cole is better than Lane.
I would have taken Michkov last year, but to second guess not taking a Russian prospect is kind of disingenuous. A lot going on there.
Also we just saw Cutter Gauthier get traded for Jamie Drysdale, so I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe MTL trades Reinbacher or a different D prospect for McGroarty (plus a pick probably). Problem solved.
If all the top 3 fwds get scooped up there will probably even be a better D than Buium that falls to the Habs. Plus there are damn good fwds like Iginla & Sennecke that slot in right around 5-10. The Demidov thing is the most interesting. I think teams finally got to see him close up in Ft. Lauderdale so that's why late mocks have moving up as high as #2.
But if you scroll up you actually see a post I had where the odds for Demidov to be picked #2 overall are not becoming lower (meaning more likely to go #2) they're going higher.
So, not sure what to believe.
I do think it was legit that PHI was trying to move to 5 (and IMO it was to have a shot at Demidov), but we saw that was unsuccessful.
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Further to @FriedgeHNIC
and @PierreVLeBrun
reports, sources say Juuse Saros will sign an eight-year extension with #preds carrying an AAV of approximately $7.5M once he's eligible to do so on Monday.
9:51 PM · Jun 27, 2024
·
216.2K
Views
Yeah saw this yesterday. It is absolutely bizarre for a team that so meticulously manages the cap. You have a young #1 in your system and you give a 29 year old goalie 8 years? Head scratcher. I think had the Devils caught wind of this deal they would have probably made a strong run at Askarov.
Quote:
Buium. He's really good, but...I was thinking MTL may have a shot at Cole Hutson with their 2nd first. That would be ridiculous that many legit D who can probably fit in your top 4. Some say Cole is better than Lane.
I would have taken Michkov last year, but to second guess not taking a Russian prospect is kind of disingenuous. A lot going on there.
Also we just saw Cutter Gauthier get traded for Jamie Drysdale, so I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe MTL trades Reinbacher or a different D prospect for McGroarty (plus a pick probably). Problem solved.
If all the top 3 fwds get scooped up there will probably even be a better D than Buium that falls to the Habs. Plus there are damn good fwds like Iginla & Sennecke that slot in right around 5-10. The Demidov thing is the most interesting. I think teams finally got to see him close up in Ft. Lauderdale so that's why late mocks have moving up as high as #2.
Have you seen Buium? He's one of those players you watch and can easily see him in the NHL game. He reminds me of what the Rangers hoped K'Andre Miller would become. Activates well, defends well, smoother skater, just oozes athleticism.
A lot of D in this draft.
Quote:
In comment 16544778 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
Buium. He's really good, but...I was thinking MTL may have a shot at Cole Hutson with their 2nd first. That would be ridiculous that many legit D who can probably fit in your top 4. Some say Cole is better than Lane.
I would have taken Michkov last year, but to second guess not taking a Russian prospect is kind of disingenuous. A lot going on there.
Also we just saw Cutter Gauthier get traded for Jamie Drysdale, so I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe MTL trades Reinbacher or a different D prospect for McGroarty (plus a pick probably). Problem solved.
If all the top 3 fwds get scooped up there will probably even be a better D than Buium that falls to the Habs. Plus there are damn good fwds like Iginla & Sennecke that slot in right around 5-10. The Demidov thing is the most interesting. I think teams finally got to see him close up in Ft. Lauderdale so that's why late mocks have moving up as high as #2.
Have you seen Buium? He's one of those players you watch and can easily see him in the NHL game. He reminds me of what the Rangers hoped K'Andre Miller would become. Activates well, defends well, smoother skater, just oozes athleticism.
A lot of D in this draft.
Buium is great. I get that you watch a ton of NCAA hockey but the guys who are dialed into the whole pool like Pronman, Morreale etc...all have Levshunov and Silayev ahead of him and my point was if those teams in the top 4 scoop up fwds instead one of those 2 slide down as well. Either way the Habs get a back line stud.
Well one big asset expires tonight. I guess we could deal whomever we draft at 10. I love Tkatchuk but I don't know. PJ felt #10, Bratt/Mercer & Casey wasn't enough so I'm not sure how much we can give to get him. Askarov would be interesting, not sure Fitz would want to put that much resources into goaltending in one off season though. It wouldn't be crazy at all though with Markstrom being so old and it would still leave them a ton of cap space to fill needs on D & fwd
Quote:
In comment 16544827 Stu11 said:
Quote:
In comment 16544778 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
Buium. He's really good, but...I was thinking MTL may have a shot at Cole Hutson with their 2nd first. That would be ridiculous that many legit D who can probably fit in your top 4. Some say Cole is better than Lane.
I would have taken Michkov last year, but to second guess not taking a Russian prospect is kind of disingenuous. A lot going on there.
Also we just saw Cutter Gauthier get traded for Jamie Drysdale, so I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe MTL trades Reinbacher or a different D prospect for McGroarty (plus a pick probably). Problem solved.
If all the top 3 fwds get scooped up there will probably even be a better D than Buium that falls to the Habs. Plus there are damn good fwds like Iginla & Sennecke that slot in right around 5-10. The Demidov thing is the most interesting. I think teams finally got to see him close up in Ft. Lauderdale so that's why late mocks have moving up as high as #2.
Have you seen Buium? He's one of those players you watch and can easily see him in the NHL game. He reminds me of what the Rangers hoped K'Andre Miller would become. Activates well, defends well, smoother skater, just oozes athleticism.
A lot of D in this draft.
Buium is great. I get that you watch a ton of NCAA hockey but the guys who are dialed into the whole pool like Pronman, Morreale etc...all have Levshunov and Silayev ahead of him and my point was if those teams in the top 4 scoop up fwds instead one of those 2 slide down as well. Either way the Habs get a back line stud.
I'm not an expert, I do like Buium - I have seen him a lot as an American and NCAA player.
but 5Bowls point was the Habs, while not a juggernaut by anyone's definition, don't need D.
These are their under 24 D right now (by age oldest to youngest):
Arber Xhekaj 23 (UDFA)
Jordan Harris 23 (3rd round)
Kaiden Guhle 22 (1st round)
Jayden Struble 22 (2nd round)
Justin Barron 22 (1st round)
Logan Mailloux 21 (1st round)
Lane Hutson 20 (2nd round)
Adam Engstrom 20 (3rd round)
Reinbacher 19 (1st round)
Engstrom and Reinbacher have some projection still, but the rest of these guys are pretty close to all being legit top 4 D. Definitely top 6.
And MTL has Matheson, Savard, Kovacevik as veterans on the roster.
That's why it's not a good if forwards go early. Best case for MTL would be Celebrini and a bunch of D. Realistically Lindstrom isn't dropping to 5, but after that nothing would surprise me (Demidov is really the big one, maybe Iginla but I don't see him going before 5 - even 5 some people say is a little over-drafted, but who really cares if he develops into his potential).
@reporterchris
The #stlblues have acquired Alexandre Texier from #CBJ for a mid-round draft pick and, per @PuckPedia
, signed him to a two-year extension carrying a $2.1M AAV.
3:36 PM · Jun 28, 2024
·
19K
Views
LA Kings
@LAKings
We've acquired the 26th, 57th and 198th overall selections in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 21st overall pick.
Full Release 📝 https://bit.ly/3VLTQ8r
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
As the Flyers announced, Cam Atkinson is on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a buyout
12:02 PM · Jun 28, 2024
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173.9K
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I love this stuff. more than the NHL. Holy shit - lol - these top 6 are loaded. The Olympics is going to be awesome. I do wonder though if Crosby is still involved or if maybe someone like Bedard is on the team (assuming he's not in the 4 nations)
USA:
Canada:
Sweden:
Finland:
#Canucks were one of the teams in the mix - a potential checkdown option if no Zadorov.
Sportsnet
@Sportsnet
Nikita Zadorov will not be re-signing with the Canucks, GM Patrik Allvin announced Friday.
LA Kings
@LAKings
We've acquired the 26th, 57th and 198th overall selections in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 21st overall pick.
Full Release 📝 https://bit.ly/3VLTQ8r
This is interesting pj. I see two possibilities here:
#1: HABS have someone locked in at 21 who they don’t think will make it to 26
Or
#2: They are in heavy trade talks with another team who want their #26 pick to be sexier (a bit higher up).
I’m choosing Door #2…..I think the HABS will trade that pick (#21 now) in order to acquire another decent forward. They did this will Kirby Dach and then they did this with Alex Newhook. Besides, it is too risky thinking a player you covet will be around at #21…someone else may cover that player too.
I’m expecting Part 3 tonight……stay tuned….
Well one big asset expires tonight. I guess we could deal whomever we draft at 10. I love Tkatchuk but I don't know. PJ felt #10, Bratt/Mercer & Casey wasn't enough so I'm not sure how much we can give to get him. Askarov would be interesting, not sure Fitz would want to put that much resources into goaltending in one off season though. It wouldn't be crazy at all though with Markstrom being so old and it would still leave them a ton of cap space to fill needs on D & fwd
I would happily give up the 10th overall pick, Daws or Schmid, and Jake Allen for Askarov. If Nashville doesn't want Allen the Devils could easily trade him for a draft pick. Let Markstrom and Askarov split time over the next two years then when Markstrom's contract expires Askarov can take over as the full time starter.
I wonder if the Devs offered #10 would they do it?
I wonder who for? Demidov?
Iginla? maybe Lindstrom is dropping?
Very interesting.
THE MOST BORING SPORTS EVENT IN MY LIFE.
Now things are very different with media and entertainment, since this was the 1994 draft.
It wasn't exactly a star-laden draft. Ed Jovanovski was the top pick. best players was Daniel Alfredsson, picked in the 6th round.
The draft was eleven rounds then. Some notables from that draft: Tim Thomas, Chris Drury, Jose Theodore, Milan Hejduk, all in later rounds.
Best thing about it was seeing the stanley cup without a crowd, lol.
Between the Canes and Necas, and Nashville and Askarov you have to think they've at least checked in with the Devils.
not sure what to think with all the alleged trade up activity
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Predicting #NHLDraft is a fool’s errand. Subterfuge is real.
Speculation suggests it opens like this:
1. #sjsharks Macklin Celebrini
2. #blackhawks Artyom Levshunov
3. #flytogether Beckett Sennecke
And… that’s when the jockeying would begin for #CBJ No. 4 pick. Buckle up.
6:53 PM · Jun 28, 2024
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29.2K
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Seems like a no-brainer, but I thought Michkov was too.
Helenius if he's there?
Don't teams usually congratulate the champs at the draft?
Stunned he fell to 10. He’s gotten some Hedman comps. He’s an ideal fit and complement to guys like Nemec and Hughes. Devils also have Seamus Casey coming up as a puck mover. Building a potential high end defense.
Quote:
get the russian monster.
Stunned he fell to 10. He’s gotten some Hedman comps. He’s an ideal fit and complement to guys like Nemec and Hughes. Devils also have Seamus Casey coming up as a puck mover. Building a potential high end defense.
It's hard for fans like me to know what you're getting with the Russians lately b/c they are prohibited from INTL tourneys. So it's youtube clips and live streaming KHL games, lol.
i think his upside is more like Chara than Hedman, but who knows, either outcome would be awesome.
Long delay for that trade. Hope for no more trades in this 1st round.
Quote:
In comment 16545218 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
get the russian monster.
Stunned he fell to 10. He’s gotten some Hedman comps. He’s an ideal fit and complement to guys like Nemec and Hughes. Devils also have Seamus Casey coming up as a puck mover. Building a potential high end defense.
It's hard for fans like me to know what you're getting with the Russians lately b/c they are prohibited from INTL tourneys. So it's youtube clips and live streaming KHL games, lol.
i think his upside is more like Chara than Hedman, but who knows, either outcome would be awesome.
Yeah that’s who Corey Pronman compared him to as well. Either way two great defenseman where there’s real projection. Will have to wait 2 years but he’ll be an NHLer in 2026 season
Helenius completed the rare triple, U18, WJC (U20), and WC in one year. 1st Fin to do it and something like 7 people have done it.
@SpectorsHockey
With the 15th overall pick, the #RedWings select Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. He's the first Norwegian in NHL history to be chosen in the first round of the draft #2024NHLDraft
8:58 PM · Jun 28, 2024
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1,164
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