A look at possible off-the-cuff moves by the Canucks and Sabers at today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
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the athleteRecently, Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance looked at who stays and who can go to Vancouver Canucks.
They don’t see the Canucks buying the remainder of Oliver Ekman-Larson’s contract but they don’t rule it out.
Spectator note: Cap Friendly indicates that an Ekman-Larsson purchase will count against a cap the next eight seasons. It will be especially expensive in years three and four when the cap is $4.76 million annually.
General Manager Patrick Alvin will listen if teams express interest in it JT Miller However, he was praised for his performance in the last 30 games of the season. Dial and Dance don’t see the Canucks moving him just to get rid of his necklace or to blow another big hole as deep in center after coming out. Bo Horvat this chapter.
Bystander note: We can’t rule out a Miller deal but it has to be one of a show to convince them to do so. If they were to pull the trigger, it would have to be before July 1st when the no-action clause kicks in.
Brook BowserAnd Connor GarlandAnd Anthony Beauvilliers And Tyler Myers Commercial candidates to cut costs could be the Canucks.
The amount of talent available between the two right-wingers in this summer’s commercial market could determine interest in Boeser, who holds a $6.65 million cap through 2024-25. He recently stated that he was glad he wasn’t moved at the trade deadline.
Bystander note: Dayal and Drance suggest it could be down to moving Boeser or Garland, who have an average annual value of $4.95 million through 2025-26. They believe the club needs to reallocate the dollar cap in order to add a third line position and improve the blueline.
The Canucks acquired Beauvillier Bo Horvat commerce. They’d probably prefer to keep him, but his speed, work ethic, ultimate game experience and expiring contract could give him more commercial value than Boeser or Garland.
Myers only has a year left on his contract, but moving him around won’t be easy. It carries a $6 million cap, of which $5 million is a signing bonus to be paid September 1. He also has a 10-team non-trade list.
Bystander note: I think moving Beauvilliers would be a desperate last step if they can’t move any of these other candidates. As for Myers, they’ll likely be stuck with him until the trade deadline.
What’s next for the saber?
Athlete: Matthew Fairburne looked at the many questions facing Buffalo Saber This is an offseason.
Addressing their target can be the priority. It would be risky to ride a goalkeeper in his first full season in the NHL as Devon Levy Unless they have another reliable option.
Swords are still Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen And Eric Comrie under contract for the next season. They’ll have to part with one or both of them if they’re seeking an upgrade between the pipes.
Buffalo News: Lance Lisowski reports that Sabers coach Don Granato said he would be very comfortable going into next season with Levi and Lokonen as equals. But he added that no one has yet won the net (the starter job), noting that this can be determined by internal competition between goalkeepers.
Bystander note: Inconsistency in scoring contributed to the Sabers’ inability to clinch a playoff berth this season. A small tandem can fly or become the anchor that pulls them down.
Levy played well in his late season start, but it’s hard to say if he’s ready yet for the rigors of a full-time NHL start. Lokonen has shown flashes of promise this season but he has also struggled.
Seeking a trusted veteran to guide Levy seems the wiser course of action, but that could mean breaking up with Lokonen, Comrie, or both. Adams may end up staying with his young Makers if he does not find a suitable veteran option across the commercial market or fails to attract any of the limited options in the free agent market.
Fairburn also wondered what the future held for the winger Victor Olofsson The younger Sabers also appear as scorers. He is a year away from UFA status and carries a $4.75 million cap for next season.
Spectator note: Olofsson will become the odd man out with the emergence of young strikers such as Casey Mittelstadtand JJ Peterka Jack Quinn. He could become a commercial candidate this summer, perhaps to add an experienced top-four goalkeeper or outfielder.