The Vancouver Canucks re-signed defenseman Troy Stecher to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $2.325 million, the team announced on Friday.
"Troy Stecher is an important part of our team," said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. "He's a talented two-way defenseman who competes every shift. Troy has a willingness to always improve his game and is an example of a young player committed to being a professional."
The Richmond, B.C. native's point total fell from 24 as a rookie to 11 in his sophomore campaign. However, he nearly doubled his hit total with 111, and blocked 75 shots.
Stecher was originally signed as an undrafted college free agent after a stellar NCAA career, highlighted by winning a national championship with the University of North Dakota in 2015-16. He played alongside future NHLers Nick Schmaltz and Drake Caggiula, and current Canucks teammate Brock Boeser.
The initial rush of offseason player movement across the NHL is long gone, and we're now deep into the extended lull of summer activity.
Save for a few big names remaining on the trade block, the free-agency well has run dry after a bevy of transactions. Now, let's take an early look at what we may be in store for next year when an unprecedented crop of superstars potentially hit the open market.
Forwards
Tyler Seguin, C, Stars Age: 26 2018-19 Cap hit: $5.75M
Since arriving in Dallas, Seguin has produced 384 points in 387 games, yet the Stars have missed the playoffs in three of his five seasons with the club. With the hefty salaries of Jason Spezza and Marc Methot slated to come off the books after next year, the Stars will have plenty of cash to throw at Seguin in the form of an extension. But, another fruitless campaign in the Lonestar State could play a factor in Seguin's offseason decision.
Blake Wheeler, RW, Jets Age: 31 2018-19 Cap hit: $5.6M
Wheeler is the heart and soul of a deeply talented Jets roster and is coming off a 91-point regular season, adding 21 more in a playoff run that ended in a Western Conference Final appearance. He'll undoubtedly have a ton of suitors, and based on Winnipeg's impending cap crunch, he could be one of the more likely candidates to be playing elsewhere come 2019-20.
Artemi Panarin, LW, Blue Jackets Age: 26 2018-19 Cap hit: $6M
After a stellar debut season in Columbus, Panarin's name has been thrust into the trade spotlight. Following a report indicating he's not interested in signing a long-term extension with the Blue Jackets, the game-breaking sniper could potentially be on the move sooner than next summer. But, if he hits the open market next July, he'll become one of the richest wingers in the NHL.
Max Pacioretty, LW, Canadiens Age: 29 2018-19 Cap hit: $4.5M
Pacioretty's days in Montreal appear to be numbered, as GM Marc Bergevin intends on trading his captain and won't be negotiating an extension. Pacioretty's potential landing spot will, of course, play a big role in whether he tests free agency, but no matter what team he signs his next contract with, he'll fetch more than what he's made with Montreal over the past five seasons.
Matt Duchene, C, Senators Age: 27 2018-19 Cap hit: $6M
Could there be more Duchene drama? After working his way out of Colorado, Duchene has to decide if he wants to re-up in Ottawa for the remainder of his prime years. If he stays, kudos for sticking it out. If not, Ottawa's move to acquire him could go down as an all-time blunder, particularly if the Avs end up using the Sens' original pick to select presumed 2019 No. 1 choice Jack Hughes.
Jordan Eberle, RW, Islanders Age: 28 2018-19 Cap hit: $6M
Due to the departure of John Tavares, the outlook for the Islanders heading into 2018-19 remains in limbo. On top of the loss of their captain, New York made a series of questionable signings and trades to supplement the roster. Eberle has always been a polarizing talent, but, for the most part, has been stuck on lousy teams, and if that doesn't change next season, hitting free agency for the first time in his career seems like a reasonable idea.
Wayne Simmonds, RW, Flyers Age: 29 2018-19 Cap hit: $3.975M
Since 2011-12, Simmonds ranks 15th in the NHL with 187 goals, and, due to his consistent production, the Flyers intend to lock him in to an extension. That said, Philly's top six is crowded with the return of James van Riemsdyk, and a potentially diminished role may not entice Simmonds to stick around.
Defense
Erik Karlsson, Senators Age: 28 2018-19 Cap hit: $6.5M
Until he's traded, trying to map out Karlsson's future is a fool's errand. In the meantime, let's enjoy imagining the insanity of this generation's top defenseman going through a Tavares-esque free-agency process.
Tyler Myers, Jets Age: 28 2018-19 Cap hit: $5.5M
Like Wheeler, Myers might not fit in the Jets' future plans due to their financial squeeze. Winnipeg would be losing a solid piece, but Myers would be set for a nice payday. Several teams would certainly make a pitch for a 6-foot-8 right-handed shot capable of putting up 30 points.
Jake Gardiner, Maple Leafs Age: 28 2018-19 Cap hit: $4.05M
Speaking of cap crunches, the Maple Leafs face the distinct possibility of losing Gardiner next summer. Tavares, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner will all be making big money after next season, and Gardiner will likely have to take a discount to stick around. The swift blue-liner has his flaws, but he is an offensive catalyst who can run a power play, making him highly desirable as a UFA.
Ryan Ellis, Predators Age: 27 2018-19 Cap Hit: $2.5M
The Preds won't be able to get away with paying Ellis peanuts for much longer as he's proved to be more valuable than his current cap hit over recent years. Fortunately for Nashville, the team has $9 million in available cap space as it stands right now, and could get an additional $7 million off the books if Pekka Rinne departs after next year. With this in mind, Ellis re-signing in Nashville is more probable than the defenseman exploring his options in free agency.
Nate Schmidt, Golden Knights Age: 27 2018-19 Cap hit: $2.225M
If Vegas can come close to replicating what the club accomplished in their inaugural season, Schmidt is a virtual lock to re-up in Sin City. But, if the regression everyone predicted over the course of their fairytale season finally hits, he's in for a tricky decision.
Goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky, Blue Jackets Age: 29 2018-19 Cap hit: $7.425M
Conceivably, the Blue Jackets could lose both Panarin and Bobrovsky in the same offseason. Ouch. While he's already paid handsomely, Bob has authored a .922 save percentage over his current contract to go with a Vezina Trophy, so it's within the realm of possibility he demands a higher figure. It just depends how much Columbus is willing to pay.
Semyon Varlamov, Avalanche Age: 30 2018-19 Cap hit: $5.9M
A healthy contract year will go a long way for Varlamov, who's been shut down early in back-to-back seasons. When he's actually on the ice, he's been effective, stopping pucks at a .919 clip since his Vezina runner-up season in 2013-14. If he does hit the market next July, surely one of the many teams in need of a productive goalie will take a chance.
Mike Hoffman's fiancee wants to clear her name after being accused of cyberbullying Erik and Melinda Karlsson.
Monika Caryk filed an application called a Norwich Order with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Thursday, according to court documents obtained by ESPN's Emily Kaplan.
Caryk's application says she is seeking to "expose the real perpetrators responsible for harassment and cyberbullying Ms. Karlsson, and demonstrate to Ms. Karlsson and the public that I have been wrongly accused."
Melinda Karlsson applied for a peace bond against Caryk on May 4, the Ottawa Citizen's Shaamini Yogaretnam reported about five weeks later. Melinda Karlsson said Caryk waged an online harassment campaign against her and her husband, which included remarks about the death of their son, who was stillborn in March.
Caryk said in her application Thursday that she has never been served with the peace bond and hasn't been summoned for a hearing on whether one should be issued.
That peace bond is currently under seal with the court, according to ESPN.
Hoffman and Caryk have denied the allegations. The Senators said in a statement last month that they are investigating the matter along with the NHL, but Caryk claimed in her application Thursday that, to her knowledge, no such investigation has taken place.
Bowey, 23, was drafted 53rd overall by the Capitals in 2013. He made his NHL debut in 2017-18, collecting 12 assists in 51 games, and chipped in six points over nine AHL appearances.
Locking up Bowey means the only player on the Capitals' ledger without a contract for the 2018-19 season is winger Tom Wilson, a restricted free agent. The club has over $7 million in projected cap space to arrange a new deal for their enforcer, per CapFriendly.
Bill Foley, the club's chairman and CEO, announced Thursday that the Golden Knights and the U.S. Army have entered into a trademark coexistence agreement regarding usage of the NHL team's mark and name.
The U.S. Army's parachute exhibition team will continue to use the "Golden Knights" moniker, while the hockey club will keep using the names "Vegas Golden Knights" and "Golden Knights" in connection with that franchise.
Foley's team has been dealing with trademark issues since the revelation of the name and logo in 2016. The Army renewed its battle with the club by officially opposing Vegas' use of those identifiers in January of this year.
Lowry was a restricted free agent and was scheduled to have an arbitration meeting with the Jets on Sunday.
The 25-year-old is coming off his fourth season with the club since being drafted in the third round in 2011, in which he tallied eight goals and 21 points in just 45 games.
Lowry has put up 41 goals and 90 points in 281 career games.
The 23-year-old Edmonton, Alberta native was selected by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. Kulak spent parts of four seasons with the Vancouver Giants in the WHL before signing a three-year entry-level contract with Calgary in 2014.
Kulak became a regular third-pairing defender with the Flames last season, skating in 71 games and recording two goals and six assists.
The talented forward told general manager Jarmo Kekalainen on Thursday that as of Sept. 13 when training camp begins he won't discuss matters such as a potential contract extension or a trade, Panarin's agent, Daniel Milstein, confirmed to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.
"Artemi loves hockey," Milstein said. "He hates the business side of hockey.
"When the season starts, the focus can only be on playing. He's going to play his best and give his best to the hockey club."
The deadline relates largely to the trade front, as it was reported last month that Panarin is not willing to discuss an extension with Columbus, and that stance has apparently not changed.
Panarin will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, and after watching the New York Islanders lose star John Tavares in free agency, wisdom suggests the Blue Jackets would like to avoid losing Panarin for nothing as well.
Portzline added that according to sources, Columbus has received several "legitimate" trade offers for Panarin, but that the return is not expected to be more than prospects and draft picks unless Panarin agrees to an extension with the team that acquires him.
The 26-year-old is coming off his first season with the Blue Jackets, in which he set the franchise's single-season scoring record with 82 points in 81 games.
