Kings in the hunt for Hutton
Dennis Bernstein: The Los Angeles Kings are still in the mix for free agent defenseman Ben Hutton. Can expect a decision from Hutton coming soon.
If the Flames want to clear some salary cap space
Brian Costello: The Calgary Flames have $7.7 million in salary cap space left and still need to re-sign Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane.
If they need to create more space, what about sending Michael Frolik who has one year left at $4.3 million to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Riley Nash (retaining $500,000?)? Nash has two years left but at $2.75 million per.
Frolik is better than Nash but it would give the Flames $2 million in extra cap space. Nash would be a stopgap fourth liner.
Canucks and Boeser still have lots of work to do
Rick Dhaliwal: With training camp beginning in two weeks, there is still lots of work for the Vancouver Canucks to do to get a Brock Boeser contract done in time for camp.
What the Oilers may want from Tampa?
Jim Matheson: “If Oilers talking to Tampa re Puljujarvi for young player, most likely they would want C Anthony Cirelli or D man they wanted to draft in Jesse’s draft year Sergachev. Most likely prospect winger: Taylor Raddysh, who had 46 pts in first AHL season. Former jr teammate of McDavid”
Comparables for Nurse’s next contract
Jonathan Willis of The Athletic: Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse is entering the final year of his deal and he’s going to get paid.
Comparables for Nurse include Matt Dumba’s five-year, $6 million per deal and Esa Lindell for six years at $5.8 million per. Five years at $6 million makes sense for Nurse.
If looking to maximize his career earnings, Nurse could look at a three or four-year and then look for a bigger deal after. There is more risk for Nurse going this route though.
There is also option that the Oilers look to trade Nurse instead of re-signing him. They could use him as a trade chip to address other areas in need of help.