NHL Free Agency: 10 Storylines Heading Into Friday
By Aly Dhanani
NHL Free Agency: 10 Storylines Heading Into Friday as Teams Begin Signing Players
We are now less than 12 hours from NHL Free Agency Frenzy!
On July 1st, UFA’s are eligible to sign with teams and RFA’s are eligible for offer sheets. With an absolutely crazy Wednesday that saw P.K. Subban being traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber (among other big headlines), the trade market is also expected to be busy. Here are 10 storylines heading into Friday:
Perrron Heading To Montreal?
It was reported when the UFA hosting period began last week that there was lots of teams interested in left winger David Perron.
Perron, 29, was one of the hottest players of the new year after an in season trade from Pittsburgh Penguins to the Anaheim Ducks rejuvenated him. The Ducks would like to have Perron back in September, but it is now reported that the Montreal Canadiens are expected to sign him fairly soon once the NHL free agency begins. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Related Story: Trade Scenarios for Kevin Shattenkirk
What Will The Canucks Do July 1st?
The Vancouver Canucks have been under heat for some tampering comments made about talks with P.K. Subban and Steven Stamkos, but Benning should be busy come July 1.
They have been rumoured to have reached out to Loui Eriksson and recently bought out UFA Tomas Vanek, and it was reported Thursday that they may have some smaller additions in NHL free agency:
Could those comments, which cost the Canucks a $50, 000 fine, drawn away bigger free agents like Kyle Okposo?
Andrew Ladd To The Islanders?
On Thursday morning reports surfaced that the New York Islanders hosted Left Winger Andrew Ladd and his wife that day and the pair will stay overnight in Long Island. This information has spewed rumours that the 30-year-old will sign with NYI when the sun rises. It’s anybody’s guess?
Related Story: Red Wings Show Interest in Cam Fowler
Where Will Bought Out Players Sign?
The deadline for NHL teams to buy out their players was 5PM ET on Thursday. Here is a list of bought out players will be UFA’s on Friday:
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D Fedor Tyutin
D James Wisnewski
F Lauri Korporski
F Tomas Vanek
F RJ Umberger
Where will they land?
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Evander Kane On The Move?
Will Evander Kane ever grow up? The 27-year-old is under investigation for harassment after he was kicked out of “Bottoms Up”, a nightclub in Buffalo.
Below is a report from the police:
"“While inside Bottoms Up nightclub, suspect threatened complainant and made derogatory comments to her. While outside … suspect grabbed complainant around the throat and tried pushing her into his car.”"
With the investigation still ongoing after a week, it is reported the Sabres may now try to trade the right winger.
Georges Laraque told WGR that he's been told the Sabres are considering trading Evander Kane
— WGR 550 (@WGR550) June 30, 2016
Will Kane be yet again on the move July 1st?
Related Story: Habs Trade P.K. Subban to Preds for Shea Weber
Ben Bishop To The Stars?
With Steven Stamkos signing an 8 year, $68 million dollar extension in Tampa and Nikita Kucherov still an RFA, it looks like goalie Ben Bishop is on his way out of Tampa.
**NHL RUMORS**
— IB THE GAMBLER 🔌 (@incarceratedbob) June 29, 2016
Ben Bishop to Stars has heated up again,Tampa has offer from Dallas on table and another mystery team today #Lightning #Stars
As I mentioned in my Weekly Roundup article, a deal would likely include the Lightning taking back a goalie, and Bishop reportedly wants a 7 year/$49 million dollar extension with his new team. The Bolts and Stars have been intensely talking for over a week now so you have to believe something is up.
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Backes A Name To Watch
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With Steven Stamkos now re-signed, St. Louis Blues veteran David Backes is now one of the top forwards available of the UFA class.
Because of family reasons the 32-year-old has not done any on-site interviews this week but numerous teams are reported to be interested, including the Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia Flyers.
Wherever he goes, Backes will certainly get a large deal.
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Avalanche Close To Making Blockbuster Deal?
News broke Thursday afternoon that the Colorado Avalanche are working on a potential blockbuster trade ahead of the July 1st NHL free agency frenzy.
Sounds like Colorado has something big brewing.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 30, 2016
Next: Weekly Roundup: Latest News and Rumors
Some players potentially on the move:
C Matt Duchene – has been under trade speculation for months now
D Tyson Barrie – pending RFA would get big return
RW Gabriel Landeskog– team captain, will get a solid defender in return