Here I give my opinion on all the latest signings and two trades from last week as well as five players entering their final year of their deals and who I think will be moved before the deadline.
Here is my top 5 forwards who are entering the final year of their deal who i think are most likely to be dealt sometime between now and the trade deadline.
1 Patrick Kane
This is probably the biggest situation to watch over the rest of the offseason and next year as so far the Blackhawks haven’t moved on from their star winger. Now coming into the offseason we knew that the Blackhawks were going into full rebuild move and they proved that with not qualifying Kubalik and Strome as well as trading DeBrincat and Dach so they have moved on from 4 young potential top 6 forwards and one of the guys everyone thought would also be moved is still there in Patrick Kane. Now Kane has a $10.5 Million dollar cap hit for next season as he is entering the final year of his deal and has a full NMC and the Blackhawks seem to be keen on keeping him to at least start the season and see where is goes because unlike Toews who is still a good player but more of a 3rd line player, Kane is still a great top line winger and I don’t think he wants to be part of a rebuild and if he hasn’t yet then I think soon he will say to Davidson that he wants out of Chicago and would be willing to waive his NMC for probably a team of his preference. Now I think a deal happens closer to the deadline because you will have injuries that could open up cap space and I wouldn’t rule out a 3rd party maybe even eating some salary to make the cap work better. Now I have heard the Oilers, Lightning, Stars, Rangers and Avalanche all be interested in Kane in rumours but I think a great fit for him and maybe a under the radar team who could look to acquire him would be the Carolina Hurricanes as I think that they might be in on Kane as they have been in on big names like Eichel and Tkachuk until the very end and I think that maybe a package of their 2023 1RD pick, Ethan Bear, Martin Necas and one of Gunler, Suzuki or Bokk would be able to make a trade work and imagine a top line in Carolina of Aho, Svechnikov, and Kane for the playoffs as that would be just sick. But I definitely expect a trade out of Chicago in the future and while I would think it happens closer to the deadline I think there is no doubt that he will be moved out of Chicago’s organization and bring the end of a era.
2 Vladimir Taransenko
This has been going on for over a year since Tarasenko asked for a trade in early July last year and it just hasn’t come to fruition yet but I could definitely see a trade come together some time soon. Now Tarasenko asked for a trade last year just after the Stanley Cup ended and the Blues tried to trade him during the offseason but not many teams wanted to take on 2 years of $7.5 Million dollars on the cap for Tarasenko who was coming off of surgery and didn’t know how his arm would do, but then went into the year with the Blues and put up outstanding numbers getting 34 goals and a career high 82 points in 75 games for St.Louis and then it sounded like he was okay playing the last year of his deal in St.Louis but now it sounds like he still wants out of St.Louis and while I think he would definitely get a better return then last year they would also be moving a 82 point player off a roster that has already lost Perron this offseason. Now if they do decide to trade him I think they will get a decent return and while teams like the New York’s and Carolina have been interested I wonder if the Devils might be able to make a trade as i would not be surprised if the Devils were in the playoff race this year and maybe move a 2RD pick in 2023, Shakir Mukhamadullin and one of Haula, Tatar or Johnsson in a package that I think might just appeal to the Blues as long as Tarasenko agreed to the deal. Now if the Blues start off great and are trending toward making the playoffs then I would say Tarasenko stays with St.Louis but if they are a bubble team or out of the playoffs come the trade deadline I think that he is a name that could be moved.
3 J.T Miller
The Canucks went into the offseason with a goal of clearing cap space and they so far haven’t been able to that so I think the biggest player that a trade was speculated around in Miller is still a very likely candidate to be moved in my opinion. Miller was rumoured to be on the move last year but was never dealt by the deadline as the Canucks never got the package they were looking for and waited until this offseason but they haven’t got a offer they like this offseason as well as the draft and free agency past without a trade. Now Miller only has a $5.25 Million dollar cap hit for this year and put up 99 points last year and I think out of all five players I am discussing he is probably one of the more likely to sign a extension but the Canucks are weary of giving him a long term deal with his age and the fact that a long term deal might turn sour so unless Miller is winning to do a 2-3 year deal with Vancouver I think he gets traded. Now I also believe a Miller deal could happen either close to the deadline or a backup option for teams who miss out on Kadri. Some teams that have been mentioned in trade talks are once again both New York teams, New Jersey, Colorado and Toronto but i wonder if the Minnesota Wild end up at least inquiring about Miller because if the Canucks retained 50% of his cap hit then Minnesota could fit him under the Cap and with maybe a package of the Wild’s 2RD pick in 2023, Calen Addison and Frederick Gaudreau I think the Canucks would be interested because Gaudreau could be a short term fix as the 3RD line Center and Addison can be that young top 4 D prospect they want and Miller would be a nice short term Fiala replacement who could play with Boldy in the Second line, but whichever teams end up talking to Vancouver I think that a deal definitely gets done before the trade deadline this year.
4 Jonathan Huberdeau
There was lots of talk entering the offseason about how the Panthers were probably going to extend long time forward Jonathan Huberdeau and after it sounded like they might now want to pay the $10 Million extension price that Huberdeau will probably get they shipped him in a package to Calgary for the 5 year younger Matthew Tkachuk who the Panthers were willing to sign to a long term extension. Now for Huberdeau he was a bit blindsided by the trade and will play for Calgary this year and while I don’t think a extension is completely out of the picture for Huberdeau in Calgary I do think that with all the good players leaving Calgary I don’t think Huberdeau will be any different and with the loss of Tkachuk and Gaudreau I think Calgary will do worse this year probably going from guaranteed top 3 in the Pacific to a bubble playoff team who could miss the playoffs and with the Flames not wanting the same scenario that player out this year with Gaudreau happening next year with Huberdeau then I think a trade is in the cards for Calgary. Now I think a trade would be closer to the deadline as the Flames want to see how he fits but I definitely see a trade happening and while there has been lots of recent speculation that Huberdeau might want to sign back home In Montreal there hasn’t really been any rumoured trade places for him so I think three teams who could be interested would be New York I, Colorado and New Jersey but i think the best fit would be Colorado. Colorado would probably need a top 6 forward after Burakovsky departed last year and I think a package of their 1RD pick in 2023, Oskar Olausson and J.T Compher would be able to get it done for Calgary as I think Colorado is a team who is in win now mode and I think with a bit of salary retained could be a great fit for Colorado, but either way I think a Huberdeau deal is likely and his time in Calgary will be short.
5 Tyler Bertuzzi
As the Red Wings have made moves to be more competitive they have also acquired so many forwards that they might move a few and with so much speculation about him staying or going I think that Bertuzzi might find himself out of Detroit sooner then he thinks. Now Bertuzzi was coming off a outstanding season where he recorded 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games and I think that the top line with Larkin and Raymond was a driving force of the Red Wings team last year but I think that might be coming to an end. Now Bertuzzi is entering the final year of his deal and I wonder if the recent acquisitions of Copp, Perron and Kubalik are to full in the lineup if Bertuzzi gets traded because Detroit has a abundance of top 9 forwards and I think that with those three being acquired they could trade Bertuzzi and then have Kubalik or Zadina play on the top line for the Red Wings. Now I wouldn’t be surprised if a Bertuzzi tor e happened before the season started but I think it could also happen before the deadline and while a team like Toronto or LA has shown in Bertuzzi I wonder if the Islanders would be a good fit for him. NYI has a hole at wing in their top six and I think Bertuzzi might be just the player to help unlock Barzal’s potential and I don’t think the return would be as much as the others but I think a return of Holmstrom, Bellows and their 2023 2RD pick might be enough to get a deal done but I definitely see Bertuzzi as a name that will be moved by the Deadline.
Here are two trades that happened last week
Calgary Florida
Jonathan Huberdeau Matthew Tkachuk
Mackenzie Weegar 2025 CON 4RD (CAL)
Cole Schwindt
2025 CON 1RD (FLO)
Analysis: after Tkachuk told the Flames that he wouldn’t agree to a long term deal in Calgary it didn’t take long for a deal to come together but it is a massive trade with a team i didn’t think would be able to pull it off as the Flames deal Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional 2025 4RD pick to the Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau, Mackenzie Weegar mid level prospect Cole Schwindt and a conditional 2025 1RD pick of the Panthers.
For the Panthers first as it seems the Panthers are pretty okay with moving out any and all future assets to keep this team in win now mode as they have now given up three prospects (Smilanic, Tippett and Schwindt) and three future 1ST round picks (2023 Montreal, 2024 Philadelphia, 2025 Calgary) as well as few mid round picks in exchange for Giroux, Chiarot and Tkachuk. Now that they have mortgaged their future to win now, I think that this is actually a really good move because even though they gave up two superstars and a 1RD pick to get a guy of Tkachuk’s caliber is amazing. Tkachuk has hit at least 40 points in all 6 of his seasons with Calgary and had a amazing 104 point season last year which was a career high as well as his first 40 goal season so Tkachuk definitely has offensive upside and I think that can continue in Florida. Now Tkachuk signed a 8 year extension with Calgary that was moved to Florida so that Florida could get him for 8 seasons and the deal is 8x&9.5 and I think that is a really good contract for Florida and Tkachuk as Tkachuk is young and the contract takes him right through his prime while the Panthers get a 100 point player locked up long term, and I think that in Florida he will either play on the top line and probably get around 100 points again on a line with Barkov, or he plays on the 2nd line with Bennett and help balance their lines and maybe not produce as much but which ever line he plays on he also bring the grit and physically ability that the Panthers were missing in the playoffs so this is a great addition for Florida.
As for Calgary this is probably the best package you could get for Tkachuk as they got another 100 point player in the trade in Huberdeau as well as 3 other things and that is a haul. Now for Huberdeau he seems to be a Gaudreau replacement and there is actually a lot of similarities between him and Gaudreau as both had 115 points playing in their respective teams top 6 on the left wing and Gaudreau is only a year younger then Huberdeau so I think Huberdeau will fit very well on the Flames top line with Lindholm. Now the only problem with Huberdeau is that he is in the same position that Gaudreau was last year as he is entering the final year of his contract and now if the Flames are out of the playoffs they can deal him and bring in quite a haul for him while if they are in the playoff race they could use him as their own rental just like Gaudreau last year but risk losing him for nothing, so with me personally thinking the Flames are going to do at least a bit worse then last year I think that closer to the deadline Huberdeau could be traded and I am not sure he wants a extension in Calgary but that is another option and I think the Flames get a amazing player here. Next is Weegar who really took his level of play up last year as he had a career high 44 points last year and a career high 8 goals in 80 games and proved that he is a legit top 4 defensemen and even got a couple Norris votes last year and is the real deal and with the Flames defence he can have the chance to produce even more as Hanafin and Andersson are the top pair and he can play on the second pair and get better matchups then he did in Florida as a top pair defensemen and I think he will be a great point producing defensemen for the Flames. And once agin the problem with Weegar is he is in the final year of his deal and could walk to free agency so the Flames options are move him for what would be a good return, try and sign him to a extension or keep him as their own rental and risk him walking to free agency and I personally think trading him for a huge return is what will wind up happening, but either way then Flames got a amazing top 4 defensemen as well in this deal. Then you have Schwindt who was a 3RD pick in 2019 and had his best year in the AHL last year putting up 19 goals and 40 points in 72 games last year and seems like a good prospect and while I think he needs at least a year or two more in the AHL before he is NHL ready I can see him be a pretty good middle six forward in the NHL purring up maybe 30 points in the future for Calgary. And lastly the Flames and Panthers swapped draft pick as the Panthers dealt their 1RD pick in 2025 to Calgary and the Condition on that pick is that if the Panthers won the draft lottery in 2025 then the pick shifts to a 2026 1RD pick, and Calgary gave Florida their 2025 4RD pick and the condition on that pick is that if the Flames get the 2025 1RD then Florida gets the 2025 4RD pick, and if the Flames get the 2026 1RD pick them the Panthers get their 2026 4RD pick.
So I think for the time being and definitely in the short the Flames are the winners for getting a great haul in exchange for Tkachuk even though it’s close because the player going the other way is Tkachuk, but depending on what happens with Huberdeau and Weegar will decide who wins the deal because if Huberdeau and Weegar re-sign or are traded for massive hauls at the deadline then Calgary still wins the deal but I’d they get underwhelming returns in trades or they walk for nothing in free agency then I can say the Panthers probably win the trade but this is a blockbuster that shocked me and stunned the league.
Seattle Columbus
Oliver Bjorkstrand 2023 3RD (CAL)
2023 4RD (WIN)
Analysis: the Columbus Blue Jackets were in a tough position following the signing of Patrik Laine as they were over the Cap and has to pay a heavy price to get that cap space in the form of a minimal return as they trade good forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Kraken in exchange for only a 3RD and 4RD pick in next years 2023 draft.
For the Blue Jackets it was a underwhelming return as Bjorkstrand had only finished the 1st year of his 5 year contract extension and has shown over the last few years that he is a lethal top 6 goal scorer putting up at least 20 goals in 3 of the last 4 years (he had 18 in the COVID shortened season) including a career high 28 this past year and also had a career high 57 points this past year for Columbus and as a established top 6 forward who can score I thought that the Jackets would’ve kept him and moved Gustav Nyquist who is a middle six forward and only had one year left at $5.5 Million, but with teams wanting a top prospect or pick to take on Nyquist contract it made more sense to move a better forward for minimal return and they do get draft capital as they now have 8 picks in next years draft and that is good because this draft will be deep but I still think the return was deeply underwhelming.
As for the Kraken they get a steal of a deal and as one of the few teams that still had cap space they used it to good use as they had made it their mission this offseason to get players who will help them score goals and that is just what they are getting with Bjorkstrand. Bjorkstrand has had multiple 20 goals seasons in Columbus playing on either the 2nd or 3rd line but I think he will be able to get top line minutes in Seattle as they still don’t have too many established top end forwards and I think if Seattle put him on the top line with Beniers who we saw what his potential could be with his late season stint last year, and if both would be able to stay healthy I don’t think it is out of the realm of possibility that Bjorkstrand could put up 30 goals next year. So I think that Seattle won this trade and it isn’t even close as they get a top six forward with 30 goal potential for only a 3rd and 4th round pick and while the Jackets did get Laine signed they definitely had to pay a high price for signing him.
Here is a list of all the NHL signings that have happened between JULY 21st and JULY 27th.
Metro
Carolina
Forward Ryan Dzingel and the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. This is Dzingel’s second stint in Carolina after playing the 19-20 and part of 20-21 there and after a bad year for him where he had 5 goals and 8 points in 32 games with the Coyotes and Sharks and while I do think he will be able to make the roster, I am not sure he cracks the opening night roster and I think he will play some games but won’t be a regular NHL forward.
Left Defensemen William Lagesson and the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Lagesson played the most games in the NHL in a season last year and the most points as he had 5 points in 33 games last year and had 2 points in 11 AHL games and while I still think he is a good player who can play on the third pair in the NHL, with the way Carolina’s team is set up I think he will start in the minors next year with a good chance of being a call up option.
Center Stelio Mattheos and the Carolina Hurricanes have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Mattheos had a career high in the AHL last year putting up 10 points in 59 AHL games last year and while I see him maybe getting into the NHL in the future I think he will have another year developing in the AHL next year.
Columbus
Winger Patrik Laine and the Columbus Blue Jackets have come to terms on a 4 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $8.7 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Laine is coming off a absolutely stunning season where he once again hit over 50 points with 56 points in 56 games and if not for injuries he could’ve easily got 70 points. So now with this new deal I would expect him to play top line minutes with newly acquired Gaudreau and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets 100 points if he is able to stay healthy next year.
Right Winger Trey Fix Wolansky and the Columbus Blue Jacekts have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Fix Wolansky got his first taste of NHL action this year getting into 6 games and putting up 2 points but even after getting into NHL games this year I think he will continue developing his game in the AHL next year.
New Jersey
Forward Jesper Boqvist and the New Jersey Devils have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.874 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. After having a career year with 23 points in 56 games, Boqvist will bet on himself with this contract and I think he should have no problem earning a bottom six role with the Devils next year.
New Jersey
Left Defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and the New Jersey Devils have come to terms on a 5 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $3.4 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. After some up and down years in Washington Siegenthaler found his game in his first full year in New Jersey as he put up 1 goal and 14 points in 70 games and I think while the contract may be too rich and I wouldn’t have gone over $2.5 Million, he is probably one of the more underrated defensive defensemen and I think he will continue to play well in the Devils top 4 next year.
New York R
Winger Tim Gettinger and the New York Rangers have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Gettinger had a really good AHL season last year putting up 10 goals and 25 points in 45 AHL games and was able to get into 8 NHL games putting up no points and while I think he will play a majority of next year in the AHL I think he will be one of the first call ups for New York R and I could even see him get a shot on the 4th line.
Philadelphia
Center Tanner Laczynski and the Philadelphia Flyers have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Laczynski suffered some injuries that limited his playing time last year but he played decent in the AHL putting up 17 points in 28 games and also played in 1 NHL game last year getting no points and while I think he still has NHL potential probably being a 3rd or 4th line Center, I think he starts in the AHL next year and is one of the first call up options for the Flyers.
Pittsburgh
Right Winger Kasperi Kapanen and the Pittsburgh Penguins have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $3.2 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Kapanen has a mediocre season for the Penguins last year putting up 11 goals and 32 points in 79 games and while he is a good player I don’t think he is a $3 Million dollar player and I would’ve given him closer to $2 Million but he is still a good player and I suspect he will continue to be a middle six winger for at least the upcoming year.
Winger Danton Heinen and the Pittsburgh Penguins have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $1 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. After a couple of rough season Heinen got back on track last year with the Penguins as he put up a new career high of 18 goals and also got 33 points in 76 games with the Penguins last year and was able to go back to Pittsburgh where I think he once again be a very productive bottom six forward next year.
Atlantic
Boston
Right Winger, Center Jack Studnicka and the Boston Bruins have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Studnicka hasn’t been able to establish himself at the NHL level as he has 7 points in 37 career NHL games over 3 years including 3 points in 15 games last year but after putting up 35 points in 41 AHL games and with the loss of some players I think that Studnicka will get a NHL opportunity maybe even in the middle six.
Detroit
Left Defensemen Robert Hagg and the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.800 Thousand dollars and the deal is 1 way. Hagg had a good showing last year getting 9 points in 64 games with the Panthers and Sabres and while he isn’t the most offensive defensemen he is definitely a good defender and with Pysyk now our month with his injury I think that Hagg should either be their 7th defensemen or be sent down and be a call up option.
Florida
Center Henry Bowlby and the Florida Panthers have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Bowlby player very well in his second season of pro as he put up a career high 28 points in 63 AHL games and while I think in the future he could be a decent bottom six forward, I believe that he will go back to the AHL next year and continue to develop.
Ottawa
Winger Jayce Hawryluk and the Ottawa Senators have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Hawryluk played in the SHL last year taking a break from pro hockey and did outstanding putting up 8 goals and 19 points in 39 games and I think he stands a good chance to make the Senators roster but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a healthy scratch for some of the games.
Tampa Bay
Left Defensemen Trevor Carrick and the Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Carrick had a pretty good year in the Ducks AHL team getting 10 goals and 30 points in 61 games and I think he will be a good depth defensemen for Tampa Bay playing next year in the AHL again for the Lightning.
Winger Lucas Edmonds has signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the AAV is $.862 Thousand dollars. Edmonds was a 3RD pick in this years draft and he will still play in the OHL for the next few years but when he is ready for the NHL I can see him being a decent middle six Winger for the Bolts.
Pacific
Anaheim
Isac Lundestrom and the Anaheim Ducks have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $1.8 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Lundestrom finally had his breakout year and put up some good numbers getting 16 goals and 29 points in 80 NHL games last year which is a career high and after avoiding arbitration with this deal I think he will continue to be a integral part of the Fucks middle six for the next few years.
Goaltender Olle Eriksson Ek and the Anaheim Ducks have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Eriksson Ek who is the brother of Joel in Minnesota had a nice season in the AHL last year having a .880 SV % and a 3.44 GAA in 26 games and while he is still a good quality prospect who I think has backup potential, I think there is two many players ahead of him and that he will play in the AHL again this year.
Left Defensemen Simon Benoit and the Anaheim Ducks have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Benoit showed last year that he belongs in the NHL as he played in 53 NHL games putting up 5 points including his first career NHL goal and I think he will once again get a shot playing on the 3rd pair and should continue being a NHL player for the Ducks.
Defender Urho Vaakanainen and the Anaheim Ducks have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.850 Thousand dollars and the deal is 1 way. Vaakanainen played over 10 games in a season last year for the first time in his career as he got into 29 games with the Bruins and Ducks putting up 6 points in those games and unlike the Bruins who have a stacked D-Corp, the Ducks have way more spots open and I think Vaakanainen will have a chance next year to be a top 4 Defensemen in Anaheim.
Left Defensemen Olli Juolevi and the Anaheim Ducks have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Juolevi’s stock has dropped drastically since being a 6th overall pick in 2019 as he had no points in 18 games with the Panthers and Red Wings combined and even played in the AHL getting 1 point in 3 games and now with his 3rd team in 2 years, I do believe he has the potential to be a solid 3rd pair defensemen at the NHL level but with his recent play I think he will start the season in the AHL and be a call up option for the Ducks.
Calgary
Center Matthew Phillips and the Calgary Flames have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Matthew Phillips had a breakout season last year in the AHL putting up a outstanding 31 goals and 68 points in 65 games and while I think at least one more season in the AHL would be good for him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was able to get into the Flames roster next year.
Edmonton
Right Winger Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers have avoided arbitration by coming to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $3 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Puljujarvi is a good Winger who beat his career high in points last year putting 14 goals and 36 points in 65 games last year and I think that while he did sign a new deal and kill the trade rumours for now, the Oilers still need cap space and even if it is not immediate I do think the Oilers will continue to look for a trade because he does have some inconsistency but is still a really good top 6 forward in my opinion.
Los Angeles
Center Jaret Anderson Dolan and the Los Angeles Kings have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Anderson Dolan was able to get into 7 NHL games last year but played mostly in the AHL where he had 24 goals and 47 points in 54 games and while I think he could play on the 4th line for LA and is NHL ready, with the depth on that team I would expect him to have another year in the minors.
Center Gabriel Vilardi and the Los Angeles Kings have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.825 Thousand dollars and the deal is 1 way. With so many good young players Vilardi lost his NHL spot last year only getting into 25 NHL games and putting up 7 points but did well in the AHL putting up almost a point per game pace with 38 points in 39 AHL games and I think with the one way deal and being waiver eligible that he will be able to play a consistent piece to LA in the bottom six either on the 3rd or 4th line.
San Jose
Forward Steven Lorentz and the San Jose Sharks have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $1.05 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Lorentz was recently acquired by the Sharks in the Brent Burns trade and is coming off a career year in Carolina where he had 8 goals and 13 points in 67 games and I think that in San Jose and with this new deal he will get more of a opportunity with the Sharks and should be able to produce more then last year in a more prominent bottom six role.
Seattle
Left Winger Carson Twarynski and the Seattle Kraken have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Twarynski only played in the AHL last season putting up 18 points in 71 AHL games and even though he does have 22 games of NHL experience so far I think he will once again play in the AHL for the Kraken’s new AHL Affiliate and be a call up option for the Kraken.
Right Winger Kole Lind and the Seattle Kraken have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.850 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Lind had a great season in the AHL last year getting 17 goals and 35 points in 46 AHL games and got into 23 NHL games putting up a decent 8 points and I think that after last years showing he is ready for a regular NHL role probably playing in the bottom six for the Kraken next year.
Center, Right Winger Morgan Geekie and the Seattle Kraken have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $1.4 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Geekie had a career last year for the Kraken as he put up 7 goals and 22 points in 73 NHL games and I think the $1.4 Million dollar cap hit is well deserved and he should continue to be a effective depth scorer in the Kraken’s bottom six.
Left Defensemen Michael Kempny and the Seattle Kraken have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is 1 way. Kempny lost his consistent NHL spot last year as he played in 15 NHL games putting up 2 points and also played in 24 AHL games getting 7 assists, but in Seattle I see him as the 7th defensemen for them and while I don’t expect him to play on a nightly basis, I do think he will get into some games and be effective.
Left Winger, Center Ryan Donato and the Seattle Kraken have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $1.2 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Donato has himself a career year in his first season with the Kraken as he put up 16 goals and 31 points in 74 NHL games last year and I think he will be able to continue to put up at least 30 points next year for Seattle probably in a bottom 6 role on most likely the 3rd line.
Central
Chicago
Right Winger Buddy Robinson and the Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms on a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Robinson spilt time last year between the NHL and AHL with Anaheim getting 5 points in 32 NHL games and 9 points in 28 AHL games and while I think the most likely scenario for the big winger is go back to the AHL and be a high call up option, with the Blackhawks the way they are I could see him get a spot on the fourth line for Chicago next year.
Colorado
Left Defensemen Keaton Middleton and the Colorado Avalanche have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Middleton had a reasonable AHL season last year putting up 11 points in 49 games last year and he only has 3 games of NHL experience under his belt and with the Avalanches depth on defence I think he plays in the AHL again next year.
Left Winger Mikhail Maltsev and the Colorado Avalanche have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.800 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Maltsev didn’t get into many games at the NHL level with the Avalanche as he only play 18 games for no points but he did get to 48 points in 56 games in the AHL and I think there is a chance he makes the NHL roster with the Avalanche losing some depth but I think he will probably go back to the AHL and be a call up option for later in the season.
Dallas
Left Defensemen Will Butcher and the Dallas Stars have agreed to terms on a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and it will be a two way deal. Butcher’s value has gone way south over the last few years and is now on a two way deal and he only got into 37 games last year putting up 2 goals and 8 points and I think on the Stars he will probably make the roster but I think he will make it as a 7th defensemen and will get chances to play but not in every game.
Nashville
Winger Nino Niederriter and the Nashville Predators have agreed to a 2 year contract that will carry a AAV of $4 Million dollars and it is a 1 way deal. Niederriter is coming off one of his most productive seasons ever putting up 24 goals and 44 points in 75 games with Carolina last year and while he is not the player he used to be, he is still a good middle six forward and should be a very productive player in Nashville.
St.Louis
Center Nathan Todd and the St.Louis Blues have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Todd had a pretty good AHL year last season putting up 23 points in 49 AHL games and with the Blues having pretty good depth at the forward position right now I would expect him to go back to the AHL next year and be a call up option for St.Louis.
Winger Klim Kostin and the St.Louis Blues have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is 1 way. On a deep St.Louis team Kostin hasn’t been able to crack the Blues NHL roster but he played a decent amount last year putting up 4 goals and 9 points in 40 NHL games and put up 6 points in 17 NHL games and I think with the way he played last year he will be ready for a full time NHL role and with some of the depth gone in St.Louis I think Kostin stands a good chance of making the roster either on the 3rd or 2nd line.
Winnipeg
Left Winger Jeff Malott and the Winnipeg Jets have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Malott had a career year in the AHL putting up 41 points in 62 games and while I think he could still play in the NHL, I think he goes back to the AHL next season.
Center Pierre Luc Dubois has accepted the Winnipeg Jets qualifying offer giving him a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $6 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. After a down year in his first season with Winnipeg, Dubois bounced back last year putting up 28 goals and 60 points and even though he had a good year he still wants out of Winnipeg so while he should remain a productive second line player next year for Winnipeg, I think his days in Winnipeg are numbered.
Defender Jonathan Kovacevic and the Winnipeg Jets have come to terms on a 3 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.767 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Kovacevic had a pretty productive year for a defender in the AHL putting up 30 points in 63 games but while the Jets need better defence I think he works on improving his game at the AHL level next year.
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