NHL Rumors: From pending UFAs to RFAs, to past offer sheet thoughts, to market observations
Elliot Friedman of Sportsnet: As the market changes, we’ll see more $10 million-plus deals with Kyle Connor (just signed), Adrian Kempe, Martin Necas, Alex Tuch. Karl Makar and Quinn Hughes are eligible for huge contract extensions next summer. How far can young RFAs like Connor Bedard, Logan Cooley and Macklin Celebrini go?
As a result, early projections for the salary cap cap for the 2026-27 season are $104 million, but it could end up being $107 million.
Heading the list of unrestricted free agents in 2028 are Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Zach Wilensky.
The Montreal Canadiens are offering Ryan Hutson just under $9 million in an eight-year contract, with some of that money being deferred, multiple sources said. Hutson’s camp is looking for more than $9 million, but it’s not a ridiculous amount.
The Carolina Hurricanes are believed to be preparing an offer sheet for Evan Bouchard as early as July 1, before he signs a contract extension. They expect the cost to be more than $12.5 million a year. After Bouchard signed a four-year, $42 million contract extension, the Hurricanes turned to Kandre Miller.
The Philadelphia Flyers are exploring the defensive trade market. The Vancouver Canucks are looking for a center. The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for a top-six forward. Something is lurking in the Carolina Hurricanes.
NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens
If Andrei Vasilevskiy returns to health, Phoenix Copley could be cleared off waivers or sent straight back to the Los Angeles Kings.
Some sources say one team is considering reacquiring their first-round pick so they can offer Anaheim Ducks Mason McTavish. This is not a hurricane.
Some sources believed Kirill Kaprizov was investing $20 million per season before he re-signed with the Minnesota Wild. The Wild warned the team that if they had evidence of tampering, they would submit it to the NHL.
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