The Carolina Hurricanes won't go into next season with Brett Pesce on an expiring contract.
The Hurricanes want to re-sign Pesce, and talks continue between the two sides, but if a contract can't be agreed upon, Carolina will trade the blue-liner this summer, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Thursday's "Insider Trading."
The Buffalo Sabres are among the clubs to have already reached out regarding Pesce's availability, LeBrun added.
Pesce's entering the final season of a six-year contract signed in 2017. He has a $4.025-million cap hit in 2022-23 and no trade protection.
The 28-year-old is one of the league's best right-shot defensive defensemen. Though he only has a career high of 30 points - set last season - Pesce has averaged over 20 minutes for seven consecutive seasons on a contending team in Carolina.
Since 2018-19, Pesce ranks 26th among defensemen in goals above replacement, per Evolving-Hockey.
Pesce's now represented by Judd Moldaver, a change that was announced on June 9. Moldaver's client list includes the likes of Auston Matthews, Roman Josi, and Zach Werenski.
Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns are the only NHL blue-liners the Hurricanes have under contract for the 2023-24 season.
Carolina enters the offseason with just over $24 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly.
The Erik Karlsson trade talks appear primed to rev up once again.
The San Jose Sharks and their star defenseman are on the same page about working out a swap after his representatives met with management last week, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday on "Insider Trading."
Karlsson wants to play for a contender, while the Sharks are looking to rebuild, added LeBrun.
There's no guarantee a trade materializes given the Swedish veteran's hefty contract and full no-movement clause, but a few teams have reportedly inquired about his availability in recent days.
Karlsson is the favorite to win what will be his third Norris Trophy for his sublime efforts on the lackluster Sharks this season. After enduring several injury-plagued campaigns, the 33-year-old racked up 25 goals and 76 assists for San Jose while suiting up for all 82 games in 2022-23.
He became the oldest blue-liner ever to notch at least 100 points in a season, only the sixth rearguard to ever accomplish the feat, and the first since Brian Leetch in 1991-92.
San Jose explored dealing Karlsson before the trade deadline, reportedly engaging in talks with the Edmonton Oilers at multiple junctures.
The former Ottawa Senators captain is under contract for another four seasons with an $11.5-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. The no-move clause extends for its duration.
Karlsson inked his eight-year pact with the Sharks almost four years ago to the day on June 17, 2019.
Sat and Bik discuss whether qualifying Ethan Bear is a good idea for the Canucks and speculate on what possible routes there are for Vancouver to improve its defensive corps. Shane Malloy then joins the show to talk all things prospects and break down who may be available for the Canucks at the eleventh pick as we move within two weeks of the NHL Draft.
This podcast was produced by Eddie Gregory and Ben Basran.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The Devils had until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday to elect arbitration.
Meier was due a $10-million qualifying offer to retain his RFA rights by June 30. The minimum award he can receive in team-elected arbitration is 85% of his previous season's pay, which would be $8.5 million.
The two sides can still negotiate a long-term extension prior to the hearing. The arbitration period typically begins in late July. Meier remains eligible to sign an offer sheet prior to July 5 at 5 p.m.
A one-year contract would take him to unrestricted free agency in 2024.
New Jersey acquired Meier from the San Jose Sharks prior to the trade deadline in a blockbuster deal that involved eight players and four draft picks. The Swiss international tallied 40 goals and 66 points in 78 total games last season, though his scoring rate dipped upon joining the Devils.
Meier only recorded two goals and four points in 11 playoff contests. He went without a point in New Jersey's first-round series against the New York Rangers. Despite the lack of production, Meier led the team in high-danger chances in the postseason and was second to Jack Hughes in shots on goal, per Natural Stat Trick.
The Devils signed fellow restricted free agent Jesper Bratt to an eight-year, $63-million contract extension earlier Thursday.
Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla is joining the club's front office as a special adviser to new general manager Craig Conroy, the team announced Thursday.
"Dating as far back as our playing days with the Flames, Jarome and I have always talked about one day working together in the NHL," Conroy said. "That day has finally come and I'm happy to welcome him back to Calgary. Jarome provides a creative approach and smart hockey mind to our team blended with a passion for the game, and a desire to win the Stanley Cup."
Iginla and Conroy were Flames teammates from 2001-04, then again from 2007-11 after the latter's brief stint with the Los Angeles Kings. The pair played key roles in helping Calgary reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2004, where they fell short against the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games.
"I am grateful to the Flames ownership and (Conroy) for this opportunity to transition my career back to the NHL," Iginla said. "It's a very well-earned acknowledgment for Conny as general manager and I am looking forward to supporting him and the team in a more engaged capacity."
The Hockey Hall of Famer will advise Conroy in all aspects of hockey operations, but will keep his coaching responsibilities with RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia, next season. Iginla's son Tij, a 2024 NHL draft prospect, was traded to the WHL's Kelowna Rockets earlier in June.
Iginla is the Flames' all-time leader in games played (1,209), goals (525), and points (1,095). Calgary retired his No. 12 in 2019, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the class of 2020.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear is expected to miss six months after undergoing shoulder surgery, the team announced Thursday.
Bear suffered the injury while representing Canada at the IIHF World Championship this spring.
The Canucks acquired Bear from the Carolina Hurricanes in October. He notched 16 points in 61 appearances this season and averaged more than 18 minutes per contest.
The 25-year-old is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent this summer.
The New Jersey Devils signed restricted free-agent forward Jesper Bratt to an eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of $7.875 million, the team announced Thursday.
He signed a pair of bridge deals after his entry-level contract before landing a long-term pact. His previous contract was a one-year agreement worth $5.45 million, and he's now the Devils' third-highest-paid player behind Dougie Hamilton ($9 million AAV) and Jack Hughes ($8 million).
Bratt has produced back-to-back 73-point campaigns and recorded a career-high 32 goals in 2022-23. He was a central figure as New Jersey made the playoffs for the first time since 2018 this past season.
"It was always a priority to keep Jesper Bratt here long term and both parties are thrilled that a deal was completed," general manager Tom Fitzgerald said in a statement. "I value and commend the commitment Jesper made to this organization. We believe that he is a special player and a key member of our core group of talent who will contribute towards the team's long-term success and organizational goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to New Jersey."
The Devils drafted the Sweden native 162nd overall in 2016.
BUFFALO – Oliver Bonk finished his NHL Scouting Combine fitness testing at the LECOM Harborcenter and walked up to a group of assembled media sporting a hairstyle that's all too familiar in his family: the mullet.
Bonk is a chip off the old block. His father, Radek, a 14-year NHL veteran and the third overall pick in 1994, was a fan favorite in his playing days during the 1990s and 2000s thanks to his infamous mullet. There's still a popular parody Twitter account in honor of Radek's luscious locks.
Oliver, pictured above (No. 42), says his mullet was an "emergency haircut" right before he left for the combine.
"It was either shave it all off and go to a fresh cut like you have right now," Bonk said, gesturing to my fade. "Or go back to the mullet like my dad had, so I definitely wanted to pay homage to him."
Radek wasn't exactly pleased with his son's tribute, though.
"I came home and he was like, "Oh my god, what did you do?' My mom wasn't very happy about it, either," Oliver said, laughing.
Oliver was born in 2005, so he's too young to remember the last few years of Radek's NHL life, which wrapped in 2009. But Oliver does have fond memories of watching Radek's career end in the Czech league from 2009-14.
"He's been a big mentor for me," Oliver said. "A lot of emotional support this year. He was my coach growing up but he's not my coach anymore, so a lot of emotional support, a lot of good pointers."
Bonk, born in Ottawa, spent this past season with the OHL's London Knights. A 6-2 right-handed defenseman, he has a strong chance of being selected in the first round of the NHL draft on June 28.
And he's one of a number of players in the 2023 class with rich NHL bloodlines.
Ethan Gauthier skating during a practice for the CHL Top Prospects Game / Dennis Pajot / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Ethan Gauthier, like Bonk, is another projected first-round pick. He's the son of Denis Gauthier - a hard-nosed defenseman who played 10 seasons in the NHL from 1997-2009 - and the cousin of Ottawa Senators winger Julien Gauthier.
Ethan, a winger listed at 5-11, 183 pounds, lacks the size of his 6-2, 225-pound father and his 6-4, 224-pound cousin. But that doesn't stop him from playing the game with his old man's bulldog mentality.
"Obviously, my dad was a defenseman, but maybe I took that physicality from him. I grew up watching his tribute videos of him just hitting people," Ethan said, getting a laugh from the assembled media. "Obviously I always wanted to be like that as well.
"I kind of realized in my first game with contact that maybe I had that aspect in me, that advantage on other guys. I just want to keep that advantage for myself and just keep working around that game. Obviously my cousin (Julien) is more like a power forward. My cousin is a big guy. Obviously, I'm not 6-4 like him, but just that power-forward game, driving the net, all that stuff is definitely what I look up to."
Gauthier brings more than scrappiness to the table. He has plenty of offensive ability, too, putting him in the mold of players like Brad Marchand, Brendan Gallagher, and Brandon Tanev. Gauthier finished third on the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Phoenix with 30 goals and 69 points in 66 games this past season.
Aaron Pionk performing pull-ups at the NHL scouting combine / Joe Hrycych / National Hockey League / Getty
Aaron Pionk doesn't have the same hype as Bonk or Gauthier, but that's business as usual in his family. Aaron's the younger brother of Winnipeg Jets blue-liner Neal Pionk, who despite being undrafted has developed into a legitimate top-four NHL defenseman.
Being drafted isn't a sure thing for Aaron, either, who's ranked 117th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and who's one of the oldest in the class at 20.
"I know (going undrafted) definitely put a chip on (Neal's) shoulder, so I think it would put a chip on my shoulder, as well," Aaron said. "I've battled my whole life to get where I am. Obviously being one of the oldest guys here, I battled that way just to get here. It was a hard fight. If I go undrafted, I think it'll just be more of a fight."
Aaron and Neal are eight years apart, so they never played on the same team growing up, but the chance of doing so in the NHL would be special.
"That would be crazy," Aaron said. "I've never, ever had the chance because the age difference is so big, so I think the only way that would happen is professional hockey. So, if that ever did happen, it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It would be so crazy, it would be awesome."
Gabriel Perreault in action during the U18 World Championship / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The 2023 draft class also features Gabriel Perreault, the son of 14-year NHL veteran Yanic Perreault and brother of 2020 Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Jacob Perreault.
Yanic was best known as a faceoff maestro during his 1993-2008 NHL career. He owns a career 62.86% faceoff winning percentage - the best in NHL history since it's been tracked in 2005-06 (minimum 500 attempts). Even though Gabriel's a winger, his prowess in the faceoff dot was passed down to him from his father.
"We worked on that quite a bit," Gabriel said. "Obviously I'm not a center but I take faceoffs on the power play in the (offensive) zone sometimes, so he's helped with that."
Perreault was part of dominant top line with the U.S. National Team Development Program alongside projected top-five pick Will Smith and potential top-10 selection Ryan Leonard. Perreault's a near lock to go in the first round after racking up a team-leading 132 points in 63 games - the most in a single season in program history.
Meanwhile, Ottawa 67's forward Luca Pinelli isn't expecting to hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft like Perreault, but he believes he had an advantage at the combine and through the draft process thanks to his older brother. Francesco Pinelli went through it all before him, albeit under different circumstances, ahead of being selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings in 2021.
"He did Zoom calls with teams because it was the COVID year, so I sort of just listened in to his interviews," Luca said. "My main thing is just be yourself and enjoy the moment because it's only a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Bloodlines run deep in 2023; several other players with NHL family ties are eligible to be drafted in late June. Among them are: Cole Knuble (Mike's son), Luke Mittelstadt (Casey's brother), David Klee (Ken's son), Riley Mercer (Dawson's brother), Beckett Hendrickson (Darby's son), and Florian Xhekaj (Arber's brother).
The NHL is always changing, but familiar names from the past remain a constant.
