On a Pietrangelo-Blues extension
Jeremy Rutherford: Thoughts on an Alex Pietrangelo and St. Louis Blues extension.
“with Armstrong trading a lot of term for lower AAV lately, do we see the Blues and Pietrangelo do the same thing? He turns 30 in January; does he get an eight-year deal at an AAV that helps keep him in STL and the band together?”
Leafs had addressed their own market concerns
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Had the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Mitch Marner to a three-year bridge instead of six-years (and yes they may have overpaid him a bit), speculation surrounding him would have been a year and a half away. The Leafs addressed their own market concerns.
Josh Ho-Sang’s reputation is so tainted that not one team would claim him off waivers.
Backup issues for the Leafs?
Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star: Though Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said the Leafs hung backup goaltender Michael Hutchinson out to dry on Saturday night, you have to wonder if the Maple Leafs are headed down the same road as last year with regards to the backup goaltending.
They’d like to lessen the workload for Frederik Andersen, but will they be able to trust their backup goalie and the sacrificing of points in the standings.
Blackhawks could have a clean slate for DeBrincat’s next long-term deal
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: Alex DeBrincat will be owned a $9 million qualifying offer when his three-year extension is over. The sides can talk a long-term deal, and Chicago Blackhawks should have the room for it.
Off of their current roster, only Brent Seabrook is on the books for the 2023-24 season.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Dylan Strome, DeBrincat and others could be part of their next generation. The new US TV will be worked into the salary by then, so the salary cap will be much higher. Toews and Kane will be in their mid-30’s by then.