Courtesy: USA Today
Just because the playoffs have started, doesn’t mean the rumors stop. There’s a lot of buzz leading up to the NHL Draft on June 27-28 in Philadelphia and the first day of Free Agency on July 1st.
Here’s a quick run down on the biggest names so far:
Jason Spezza: Ottawa Senators: Spezza will be in the last year of his contract going into next season, and there’s talk that the Senators will want to go in a different direction and try to get top value from the aging center. Spezza carries a cap hit of $7M, although he’ll only command a $4M salary. The Toronto Maple Leafs are said to be the front runners in obtaining Spezza’s services, but we’ll see what happens with new President Brendan Shanahan.
Craig Anderson: Ottawa Senators: Anderson didn’t have a very good year, and it seems that the Senators are one of the teams that are thinking re-build. They have some good young players now and could use some better chemistry by trading away their veterans. Anderson could do well with a scenery change – would the Caps be interested? Who knows at this point.
Mike Green: Washington Capitals: Green’s days with the Caps could very well be over, and he knows that. It all really depends on the direction the front office goes and whether or not they bring back GM George McPhee and Head Coach Adam Oates. Green will be entering the last year of his deal in which he’ll make $6.25M, with a cap hit of $6.083M. WIth the ups and downs he’s had, he could use a change of scenery, but teams know about his oft-injured seasons and that will hurt his value.
Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals: There’s been a load of talk about Ovechkin being on the trade block or bolting to the KHL. I think that’s all rubbish. He’ll be back with the Caps no matter who is in charge. If the Caps continue to struggle in the next couple years, then yes, I can see him playing with the idea of a cool $10M a year, tax free from Russia – but not now.
Jaroslav Halak: Washington Capitals: It doesn’t seem as though Halak will return to Washington after his cup of coffee with the Caps. Unless new management comes in and wants him, Halak will hit the open market. Holtby and Grubrauer will the be the Caps goalies next year – so far.
Ryan Callahan: Tampa Bay Lightning: We’ll see how Tampa does first against Montreal, in which they are down 3-0 in the series, but Callahan might just stay in Tampa. Oh, why you ask? Because Florida is a ‘no tax state’, and the Lightning might be able to get Callahan to sign for a more affordable deal.
Marc-Andre Fleury: Pittsburgh Penguins: Depending on how Fleury does this post-season, the Penguins will have to decide if he is worth keeping around. He could very easily be moved at the Draft.
Kimmon Timonen: Phildelphia Flyers: Timonen has to decide whether or not he will return next season, but first the Flyers have to get through the post-season. While GM Paul Holmgren said he would ‘Absolutely’ re-sign the veteran, Timonen would most likely have to take a pay cut for the Flyers to remain competitive.
Jonas Hiller: Anaheim Ducks: Hiller will be hitting the UFA market this summer. With Frederik Andersen taking over for the struggling netminder, and John Gibson waiting in the wings, the Ducks will probably let Hiller walk come July 1.
Chad Johnson: Boston Bruins: Although he’s just a back up at this point, he’s been terrific for the Bruins and Johnson could land a decent payday with someone like the Winnipeg Jets. Boston could still re-sign him if they’re not ready yet for Malcom Subban to come up.
SUSPENSIONS
Matt Cooke: Minnesota Wild: Cooke is up to his old tricks again. On Monday night, Cooke placed a knee-on-knee check on Colorado’s Tyson Barrie, and knocked Barrie out for at least 4-6 weeks with a sprain of his MCL. Cooke, who has been quiet and good for the last few months, will now face an in-person hearing, which was offered to him by the league, and could face a suspension of 6 games or more.
Brent Seabrook: Chicago Blackhawks: Seabrooks hit on David Backes isn’t news now, but the fact that Backes missed last nights game and the Blackhawks went on to win is kind of a big deal. Seabrook received a 3 game suspension, which could leave him out for the remainder of the series if St. Louis wins the next two, but David Backes could have a serious concussion and could miss the rest of the playoffs.
Like Cooke’s hit on Barrie, this is another example of why the NHL could look into suspending a player for as long as the injured player is out.
More to come…
