It’s draft day in the NHL. You know that. I think you do, at least.
However, because we’re only *checks notes * three days away from free agents, we also need to talk about some of the rumors surrounding July 1 as well.
What does it all sound like?
Julien BriseBois is a busy guy
With three days to go before Steven Stamkos is free as a bird, Julien BriseBois spoke to the media. And the way things are shaping up right now, a contract isn’t imminent.
The GM says that both club and player want to sign, and that a meeting took place yesterday. That said, at the moment, no deal is imminent.
the #Bolts GM, Julien BriseBois, spoke to the media over Zoom this morning and the first question he was asked focused on the future of the #Bolts captain, Steven Stamkos:
“As we stand here right now, we haven’t been able to reach an agreement yet. I don’t know if we will be…
– Gabby Shirley (@Gabby_Shirley_) June 28, 2024
Without taking anything away from Stamkos, Tampa won without him (or almost) on the bubble in 2020 and the team also needs to free up some money. Not re-signing Stamkos would hurt the locker room, but on the ice, it’s possibly the right thing to do.
Is that what will happen? If so, he could be replaced by Jake Guentzel, a name Elliotte Friedman linked to the Lightning in his 32 Thoughts Podcast.
But in any case, we can see that BriseBois doesn’t treat his defense the same way. Ryan McDonagh is back in town, and the GM clearly wants nothing to do with letting Victor Hedman go.
The Swede is eligible for autonomy in a year’s time (not three days) and BriseBois could still announce a contract extension as early as July 1, when he’s eligible to sign. An announcement would be imminent, in any case.
Lightning expect to announce extension for D Hedman in coming days.
MORE: https://t.co/Hc2ZBrAK5f pic.twitter.com/IT6mzdVGdn
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 28, 2024
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Jonathan Drouin on track to stay in Denver?
According to Colorado insider Adrian Dater, discussions between Jonathan Drouin and the Avalanche are going well toward a new contract down the road.
The journalist is even optimistic that he’ll sign.
#Avs and Jonathan Drouin still in contract talks. I’m optimistic on a deal, but not done yet #nhlfreeagency
– Adrian Dater (@adater) June 27, 2024
I wonder what the structure of the deal would be. It can’t be too expensive since Colorado doesn’t have too much room for it, but he deserves a nice contract regardless.
If he does stay in Denver, it will be the right thing to do for him.
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Tyler Toffoli and the Kings
We know that Tyler Toffoli’s name has been bandied about in New York and Vancouver, but Elliotte Friedman also talked, in his podcast, about the possibility of Toffoli returning to L.A. for the future.
How serious is it? In my opinion, with the money recently freed up (Pierre-Luc Dubois) and the history between Toffoli and the Kings, I see it as relatively likely.
Listen before everything is more irrelevant than usual
Pre-draft 32 Thoughts news pod
Links to your preferred platform, here:https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm
– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 28, 2024
I don’t see Toffoli saying no to this, if it’s ever on the table.
Often, when a club trades a player these days, it’s to make room. Look at the Flames with Andrew Mangiapane, for example. Does that scream Jake DeBrusk?
Still speaking of Friedman, he mentioned that Max Domi and the Maple Leafs are working on a deal, that Chris Tanev may be a player in Toronto’s sights and that the Canucks will be active.
Stay tuned.
Overtime
– Canada and the United States unveil six players for the Four Nations Tournament.
Canada unveils its first 6 players for the 4 Nations Tournament!
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/EfyglYKLu– RDS (@RDSca) June 28, 2024
We’re just getting started. Introducing the first six members of Team USA for the 2025 #4Nations Face-Off!
Details → https://t.co/77KUH9PZJK pic.twitter.com/utXUzz3KU1
– USA Hockey (@usahockey) June 28, 2024
– How much will that change by tomorrow? I don’t see Kent Hughes drafting 12 times.
Our 12 picks heading into the #NHLDraft
Our 12 picks heading into the #NHLDraft#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/M639rSKaXk
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) June 28, 2024
– Interesting.
‘
✍️ The first 3 picks will be Celebrini, Levshunov and Silayev. At that point, Montreal will take the player Columbus passes up and I think it will be Demidov.
️ @ChristPerreaultChronicle⤵️https://t.co/AK8weRJVlY pic.twitter.com/mHSLwRbqZ1
– Mise-o-jeu (@Miseojeu) June 28, 2024
– News from the former Habs.
We have signed defenseman Kale Clague to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
Welcome back, Claguer!
Details: https://t.co/NIPjNKkYMX pic.twitter.com/nOKByNIYnN
– Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 28, 2024
– Cam Atkinson bought out.
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
The @NHLFlyers are buying out F Cam Atkinson. #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/vZra68oI8q– Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 28, 2024
– Tough break.
If their absence were to drag on, it could hurt a lot. https://t.co/bUBa0KoNDg
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) June 28, 2024