Read appeared in 12 games with the Minnesota Wild this past season, notching a single goal.
The 33-year-old spent the majority of the campaign with Minnesota's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, producing 16 goals and 37 points in 61 contests before adding eight points in 10 playoff games.
Read spent parts of seven seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2011-18, scoring a career-best 24 goals in his rookie year.
Two years after choosing his hometown New York Rangers as his free-agency destination, Kevin Shattenkirk's tenure on Broadway ended with a whimper.
On Thursday, the Rangers bought out the final two years of Shattenkirk's contract that carried a $6.65-million cap hit. What initially seemed to be a perfect match never materialized as such and a New York squad that spent lavishly this summer had to cut costs somewhere.
The 30-year-old appeared in only 119 games across two seasons with the Rangers, during which he registered 51 points. But Shattenkirk now has a chance to start fresh and should have a fair number of suitors, as right-handed defensemen are a highly valued commodity across the league.
It's unlikely he'll return to the 50-point production of years past, but he can still have a positive impact with reduced minutes and some sheltering from the toughest matchups. Shattenkirk ranked near the top in Corsi, expected goals, and scoring chances at five-on-five among Rangers defensemen during his two seasons in New York, according to Natural Stat Trick, and could provide additional value quarterbacking a team's power-play unit.
However, there are red flags when it comes to Shattenkirk's health. He tore his meniscus and separated his shoulder with the Rangers, which could have played a significant role in his decline. Those injuries have led many to question what the 30-year-old has left to give.
With Shattenkirk's value at its lowest and the likeliest outcome being a one-year deal to prove he still belongs in the league, we took a look at which teams should give him another shot.
Winnipeg Jets
Cap space: $17.5 million
Right-handed defensemen depth chart
Player (Age)
Cap hit
2018-19 Pts
Dustin Byfuglien (34)
$7.6M
31
Neal Pionk (24)
$3M
26
Sami Niku (22)
$775K
4
The Jets aren't exactly in a position to spend until they sign restricted free agents Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, but if there's some wiggle room once the two youngsters are secured, Shattenkirk could be a nice fit. Winnipeg lost both Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers this summer from its right side, and Shattenkirk could provide some insurance for the oft-injured Byfuglien or any growing pains for Niku, who has just 31 games under his belt. If Shattenkirk wants to join a playoff team rather than maximize his earnings, Winnipeg could be the spot.
Edmonton Oilers
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Cap space: $2.43 million
RHD depth chart
Player (Age)
Cap hit
2018-19 Pts
Adam Larsson (26)
$4.16M
20
Kris Russell (32)
$4M
16
Matthew Benning (25)
$1.9M
17
Joel Persson (25)
$1M
N/A
Evan Bouchard (19)
$894K
1
The Oilers are desperate for defenders who are capable of moving the puck, and Shattenkirk fits that profile. Persson signed earlier in the offseason after a two-year stint in Sweden, and it remains to be seen what he'll bring to the table. Also, it's unclear whether Bouchard is ready to make the jump to the pros full time, so Shattenkirk's experience would give Edmonton a reliable option. If the Oilers would rather give minutes to the 19-year-old to allow him to grow, that's fine. But if they want to bolster their blue line with experience, there's a good option available.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Cap space: $15.765 million
RHD depth chart
Player (Age)
Cap hit
2018-19 Pts
Seth Jones (24)
$5.4M
46
David Savard (28)
$4.25M
24
Markus Nutivaara (25)
$2.75M
21
Adam Clendening (26)
$700K
0
Beyond Jones, the Blue Jackets' right side isn't exactly eye-popping, and Columbus has the cap space to pay Shattenkirk more than other suitors can. After losing three stars this summer, the Blue Jackets need more than just Shattenkirk if they hope to compete, but the veteran would help infuse some offense into a team that's likely going to struggle to score goals consistently.
Buffalo Sabres
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Cap space: $3.115 million
RHD depth chart
Player (Age)
Cap hit
2018-19 Pts
Rasmus Ristolainen (24)
$5.4M
43
Zach Bogosian (29)
$5.142M
19
Colin MIller (26)
$3.875M
29
Brandon Montour (25)
$3.387M
35
Casey Nelson (27)
$812K
6
The Sabres' blue line is crowded, and adding Shattenkirk would likely be contingent on if they move Ristolainen, who has been discussed in trade rumors this summer. If Buffalo does deal the 24-year-old, Shattenkirk could slide in behind MIller and Montour to give the club an incredibly mobile and adept puck-moving group that also features phenom Rasmus Dahlin patrolling the left side of the ice. Additionally, Shattenkirk would still be close to home.
Colorado Avalanche
Cap space: $16.4 million
RHD depth chart
Player (Age)
Cap hit
2018-19 Pts
Erik Johnson (31)
$6M
25
Cake Makar (20)
$880K
N/A
Mark Alt (27)
$725K
0
Conor Timmins (20)
$925K
N/A
Perhaps a reunion is in order for Shattenkirk and the team that drafted him 14th overall in 2007. After dealing Tyson Barrie to the Maple Leafs in July, the Avalanche lack right-handed options. All signs point to Makar blossoming into a full-time top-four player this year, but after him and Johnson, Colorado doesn't have an experienced NHLer to take the right flank. The Avs have a few lefties who could fill in, but Shattenkirk would be a good fit for the club's high-tempo offense and could serve as a solid stop-gap while Colorado waits for the next wave (Timmins, Bowen Byram) to arrive and fill out what projects to be a dominant defensive corps for years to come.
The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the best stories in the NHL this past season, and their "Storm Surge" celebrations were one of the biggest reasons why.
From pretending to play other sports to channeling a superhero, the on-ice routines that so angered certain pundits ultimately cemented the Hurricanes as the undisputed kings of fun in 2018-19.
Here's a truly scientific evaluation of 10 of the team's best victory celebrations:
10. Whale of a time
It was only fitting that on Whalers Night in late December, the Hurricanes paid further tribute to their previous incarnation by flopping to the ice in whale-like fashion. Even Hartford mascot Pucky the Whale took part.
9. Bunch of Jerks
This one was more about the statement it made than the complexity of the routine.
On Feb. 26, a mere 10 days after Hockey Night in Canada's Don Cherry called the team a "bunch of jerks" over their celebrations, and shortly after the club had already revealed T-shirts bearing that phrase, the Hurricanes took their new rallying cry to the next level.
Tossing the shirts to the fans further underscored the point that the team wasn't trying to show anyone up, but rather that the surges were all for the club's supporters.
8. Thor's hammer
With Brock McGinn playing the role of Thor, the Hurricanes executed a solid homage to the Asgardian character of the comics and the silver screen.
McGinn nailed the follow-through as well as the pose, and his teammates falling down in unison made this one truly memorable.
7. Gone fishin'
This one worked really well, from tossing out the "line" to catching the "fish".
We couldn't help but crack up watching Jordan Martinook's teammates try to pull him out of the "water," and it wouldn't be the only time in these routines that the Hurricanes would team up to move the nearly 200-pound winger around (more on that later).
6. Limbo
This surge exemplified what the exercise was all about. It was an original idea that involved the entire team, and it showcased the squad's collective fun-loving spirit like few other victory celebrations.
5. Bowling
The Hurricanes performed a different bowling-inspired surge 11 days before this one, with Andrei Svechnikov sliding down the ice and his teammates forming the imaginary lane.
This version was much better, though, for a couple of reasons.
For one, having the players line up as pins made for a much funnier finish. Also, credit captain Justin Williams for actually managing to hit the No. 1 "pin" when he rolled his helmet along the ice.
4. The walk-off
Much like another surge below, this one gets major points for timeliness.
On Feb. 15, with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training facilities across Major League Baseball, the Hurricanes pulled off one of their best efforts.
From "pitcher" Dougie Hamilton's disappointed reaction to "hitter" Warren Foegele's bat flip and the team's celebration at "home plate," they all hit this one out of the park.
3. Duck Hunt
Setting aside the fact that only two members of the 2018-19 Hurricanes were born when this classic NES game was released in 1984, this particular surge was one of the team's most creative.
From the video board projection, to the sticks as guns, to the players tossing their gloves in the air to serve as the "ducks" being hunted, this live video-game re-enactment was chock full of nostalgia for '80s kids.
2. Holyfield 'KOs' Martinook
This one had something none of the other surges could boast: heavyweight star power. Getting Evander Holyfield to take part in the first place was a coup, but the routine itself was brilliant.
The champ's early "knockout" of Martinook was great, but the visual of the forward getting pulled off the ice by his teammates afterward was just as good.
All the Hurricanes were missing here was Michael Buffer.
1. March Madness
This basketball-themed surge was terrific for several reasons. Firstly, it was timely, as it came in the midst of the NCAA basketball tournament and in the hoops-obsessed state of North Carolina, no less.
Secondly, there was the degree of difficulty. We've never tried playing pick-up ball on skates - let alone throwing down a dunk - but that doesn't look easy.
Thirdly, they used real equipment instead of just miming the sport. Props for authenticity.
Lastly, playing "One Shining Moment" over the PA system was the icing on the cake. Well done, 'Canes.
The veteran forward, who the Oilers traded - along with a conditional third-round pick - to the Calgary Flames for James Neal last month, explained that he has different expectations for himself joining his new club than he did when he signed with Edmonton in 2016.
"I think the main thing for me was just getting a fresh start," Lucic told Sportsnet 960 on Thursday. "Coming to a good team, a veteran team, a team that took a big step in the right direction last year ... for myself, it's just coming in and just helping. I'm not coming in looking to be some sort of savior or anything like that.
"I don't think it was like that going into Edmonton as well. But in Edmonton, I think I put a little bit too much pressure on myself to be this leader, power forward, goalscorer, all this type of stuff. I think I put too much on my plate, (it was) too much for me to handle.”
Lucic signed a seven-year, $42-million contract with the Oilers on July 1, 2016.
The 31-year-old played well in his first season with his old club. He notched 23 goals and 50 points while playing all 82 regular-season games, and then added six points in 13 playoff contests as the Oilers came within one win of the 2017 Western Conference Final.
However, his final two campaigns in Edmonton were far less memorable: He managed only 16 goals and 54 points across 161 combined regular-season games while the Oilers failed to reach the playoffs in both seasons.
The Minnesota Wild aren't wasting any time trying to fill their now-vacant general manager position.
After the team fired Paul Fenton on Tuesday after only one season as GM, Wild owner Craig Leipold and team president Matt Majka have already interviewed Ron Hextall and Peter Chiarelli for the job, sources told The Athletic's Michael Russo.
The process is in its early stages and the interviews do not mean either candidate is a front-runner, the sources added.
Hextall served as GM of the Philadelphia Flyers from May 2014 until his firing in November 2018. Chiarelli spent nearly four years as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers before he was axed in January. He won the Stanley Cup in the same role with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
The Arizona Coyotes' new owner made it clear Thursday he'll do his best to ensure the club doesn't relocate.
"I am committed to stay(ing) here," Alex Meruelo told reporters at his introductory press conference. "I will do everything I can in my heart, and in my hard work, to make sure that we can make it viable."
Meruelo, who assumed majority ownership of the team Monday, also expressed his desire to build a championship winner.
"I will not stop, I will not stop until we bring a Stanley Cup to the Valley," the billionaire businessman said.
As if that wasn't enough, Meruelo had an emphatic message for Coyotes fans.
"I believe that I have to earn their trust and loyalty. That's on me," he said, according to The Athletic's Craig Morgan. "If I do that I know they’ll respond by coming out and watching us and supporting us. At the end of the day, we're Coyote nation and we all want to win, and I sure as shit want to win."
Meruelo, who became the first Hispanic majority owner in the NHL with Monday's transaction, explained Thursday that it was a dream come true.
"It's been a dream of mine since I was six (or) eight years old," he said. "I'm just a Hispanic kid from Brooklyn, New York, so if I can do it, anybody can do it."
Meruelo reportedly bought a 95 percent stake in the club from the previous owner, Andrew Barroway, who retained the remaining five.
