Matt and Rink Wide: Vancouver co-host Jeff Paterson talk about Sebastian Aho's rich contract extension and how it relates to the Canucks getting Elias Pettersson extended. They discuss the high and low ends of what Pettersson could make on his new deal, and compare him to Aho and other players in the same contract vicinity. They also discuss the Montreal Canadiens as a potential trade partner for the Canucks given the former's surplus of centremen. Rick Celebrini, the director of Performance and Sports Medicine for the Golden State Warriors, stops by to tell us how much he misses Vancouver and the tabs he keeps on his former employers (Canucks, Whitecaps). Rick shares stories about working at Rogers Arena with his two oldest sons (Aiden and Macklin) in tow. He talks about Aiden's journey to being a Canucks draft pick and what lays ahead for Macklin, the presumptive first overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft. He also tells us about the Warriors culture, which includes NBA stars keeping tabs on his sons' hockey careers. We go "To The People" and hear from Sekeres and Price listeners and followers, while the Welcome Matt tackles improvement-from-within and bounce-back candidates as we continue our theme on what it will take for the Canucks to be Cup contenders. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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Matt Murray's injury woes continue.

The beleaguered goaltender is out indefinitely and will be placed on long-term injured reserve prior to the start of the 2023-24 campaign, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Wednesday.

Murray was limited to 26 appearances this past season, posting a 14-8-2 record to go along with a .903 save percentage and 3.01 goals against average. The 29-year-old spent time on the shelf due to adductor, ankle, and head injuries.

Ailments similarly marred Murray's two-year stint with the Senators, and he struggled to make a positive impression when healthy. He registered a sub-.900 save percentage in 47 total outings in Ottawa.

Murray helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, going 22-9 with a .928 clip and 1.95 goals against average across both runs.

A report earlier in July indicated the Maple Leafs were looking to offload Murray, who's on their books for one more season on a $4.687-million price tag.

Outside of a trade, Toronto's backup plan was to reportedly buy Murray out after the club gained a second buyout window due to Ilya Samsonov going to salary arbitration. However, that option is no longer feasible because teams can't buy out an injured player, according to CapFriendly.

If Toronto could buy Murray out, he'd cost $687,500 against the cap in 2023-24 and $2 million in 2024-25.

The Maple Leafs will likely run a tandem of Samsonov and Joseph Woll in the new campaign. Samsonov was awarded a one-year, $3.55-million deal in arbitration Sunday.

Even with Murray on long-term injured reserve, Toronto is still approximately $2.1 million over the cap.

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The Carolina Hurricanes celebrated Sebastian Aho's 26th birthday Wednesday by signing the star center to an eight-year extension with a cap hit of $9.75 million.

Aho has one year remaining on his current deal with an average annual value of $8.46 million and was slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The talented Finn paced the Hurricanes with 36 goals this past season while ranking second on the team with 67 points in 75 contests. He has eclipsed the 30-goal mark four times in his career.

"Sebastian has developed into one of the best two-way centers in hockey," general manager Don Waddell wrote in a statement. "He's a tremendous leader on and off the ice who sets a great example for our younger players. We're grateful that he's decided to stay in Carolina for the foreseeable future."

The Hurricanes selected Aho in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft. Though he's only entering his eighth NHL season, Aho already ranks fifth in franchise history in both goals (218) and points (468) while skating in 520 career games.

Aho's latest extension comes with a lot less drama and excitement than his last contract. In July 2019, the Montreal Canadiens tendered a five-year, $42.27-million offer sheet to the then-restricted free agent. Aho signed it, and the Hurricanes matched it less than a week later to keep him in Raleigh.

A strong overall player, Aho added a team-leading three shorthanded tallies and nine game-winners in 2022-23.

Aho has also racked up 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists) in 63 playoff games.

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To be clear, there's no "replacing" Patrice Bergeron. What he brought to the Boston Bruins on and off the ice over the last 19 seasons simply cannot be replicated.

Bergeron, who retired on Tuesday, is arguably the best defensive forward of all time, owning an NHL-record six Selke Trophies. He was also stellar offensively right until the end of his illustrious career, producing 27 goals and 31 assists in 78 games last season.

The Bruins now have a gaping hole down the middle of their lineup. And with David Krejci - the longtime unsung No. 2 center - mulling his future as well, the Bruins could be without two lineup staples they've boasted for nearly two decades.

Boston's management certainly knew this day would come - and prepared accordingly. The current projected 1-2-3 punch down the middle of Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, and free-agent signing Morgan Geekie is nothing to scoff at, and it's a trio the team may be content with. But it leaves much to be desired for a team coming off a historic campaign that still has Stanley Cup aspirations - even if 2022-23 was likely their best shot.

But there are question marks with all three players. Zacha, the No. 6 pick in 2015 by the New Jersey Devils, is just 26 years old and clearly has the most upside of the bunch. His first season in Boston was a career year (21 goals, 57 points) after an underwhelming seven-year run in New Jersey. But it came while playing the wing, which may be the position he's best suited for. Going from second-line wing to first-line center is a huge ask.

Coyle is a stellar two-way player but, while Krejci spent the 2021-22 season in Czechia, he proved that he's ideally suited for a third-line center role. That's not to say he can't function as a 2C, but, at 31 years old, he's yet to prove he can do so effectively.

Geekie, meanwhile, has lots of room to grow. But his career high in points is 28 and the 25-year-old was non-tendered by the Seattle Kraken this offseason.

There are certainly obstacles to finding a center to fill the void left by Bergeron (and potentially, Krejci), but it's not impossible. For one, Boston only has about $6 million in cap space and two restricted free agents in Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic still without new contracts. Secondly, the Bruins don't own their first-, second-, and third-round picks in the upcoming draft, and their farm system is among the worst in the NHL.

But there are still ways to pull off a deal. The Bruins should be willing to dangle 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell, or even Frederic and Swayman, for the right return. Boston could also dip into its 2025 and 2026 draft picks. As far as clearing cap room, the club should consider defenseman Derek Forbort and his $3-million cap hit expendable if it means landing an impact center.

Without further ado, here are five centers the Bruins should be targeting via trade:

Elias Lindholm, Flames

Contract: 1 year, $4.85M
Trade fit: ★★★★★

Among the centers that could be available, Lindholm is the most seamless fit. He's no Bergeron, but he's similar in a lot of ways. They're both 6-foot-1, shoot right, and are strong in the faceoff circle. Lindholm is also solid defensively, garnering three top-10 Selke finishes, including the runner-up in 2021-22. He's not overly flashy offensively, but he's a clever distributor who's great at finding openings in the slot to set up for a shot. Lindholm kills penalties and can also effectively play the bumper position on the power play.

In his introductory press conference, new Flames general manager Craig Conroy stated that he doesn't want to let key players walk as free agents as Johnny Gaudreau did a year ago. Lindholm also reportedly turned down a big offer to stay in Calgary, suggesting he could be dealt before the 2024 deadline.

While Lindholm, 28, is due for a big raise and will be a coveted free agent if he hits the market in 2024, his modest cap hit for the upcoming campaign would be a boon for the Bruins. It may not be ideal for Boston to pay a steep price for a rental, but the club has a knack for re-signing players acquired via trade. So perhaps Lindholm could be convinced to stay long-term.

Mark Scheifele, Jets

Contract: 1 year, $6.125M
Trade fit: ★★★★☆

Scheifele's defensive game is declining as his career progresses, prompting a move to the wing down the stretch in 2022-23. But he's remained productive offensively, tallying a career-high 42 goals this past season. Perhaps landing in Boston's sound defensive structure, surrounded by star two-way forwards like Brad Marchand, could help elevate Scheifele's defensive game as a center.

The Jets already dealt fellow center Pierre-Luc Dubois this offseason and allowed longtime captain Blake Wheeler to depart as a free agent. But with Scheifele, goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and other key players entering contract years, it could be a good time for a reset.

Scheifele's contract contains a 10-team no-trade list, but an opportunity to join the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners would likely be too tempting for the 30-year-old to pass up.

Logan Couture, Sharks

Contract: 4 years, $8M AAV
Trade fit: ★★☆☆☆

There are more obstacles than solutions in a potential Couture trade. The 34-year-old's contract term would be a concern for the Bruins. The cap hit is also a bit rich, so San Jose would probably have to retain a portion. But with the Sharks already eating some of Brent Burns' contract - and likely to do the same in any Erik Karlsson deal - they may not wish to use their third and final retention slot on Couture.

Couture's deal also contains a list of three teams he can be traded to. But considering the Sharks are entering a rebuild, and Couture is still chasing a ring, going to Boston would be hard to turn down.

Couture still has game, though, producing 27 goals and 67 points - the latter of which tied the second-highest total of his career. He's also known as a big-game player, collecting 101 points in 116 career playoff games.

There are red flags, for sure, but with the Bruins in win-now mode, it's an option worth exploring.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, Capitals

Contract: 2 years, $7.8M AAV
Trade fit: ★★☆☆☆

The Capitals are not rebuilding just yet, but a Kuznetsov trade isn't beyond the realm of possibility - he did apparently request a move out of Washington. His contract includes a 10-team no-trade list, so going to Boston is an option if he truly wants out.

Kuznetsov is coming off a rough season in which he tallied just 12 goals and 55 points and was a defensive liability. The Capitals may not be eager to sell low - or retain salary, which would be problematic - but they do have Nicklas Backstrom and Dylan Strome to center their top two lines.

The Caps may also want instant help in return to remain competitive, so perhaps a deal involving Frederic - who's spent his NHL career at wing despite being a natural center - could make sense if the Caps believe Frederic can slot in as a third-line center.

The Bruins would be betting on Kuznetsov's offensive upside. The 31-year-old is, after all, just one year removed from a 78-point campaign.

Christian Dvorak, Canadiens

Contract: 2 years, $4.45M AAV
Trade fit: ★★★☆☆

Dvorak is easily the least appealing name on this list. In fact, he's the only player who wouldn't be an upgrade over either Coyle or Zacha.

But if the Bruins opt to replace Bergeron by committee, Dvorak is an interesting buy-low option. His two-year tenure with the Montreal Canadiens has been a disaster, but he produced stellar two-way results in his five seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. He isn't a dynamic offensive play driver, but he has a decent shot and is responsible defensively. He's still only 27, too.

Given his recent struggles, the cost for Dvorak would likely be quite low, and the Habs may even be willing to retain a portion of his already modest salary. He has an eight-team no-trade list but, given how poorly his time in Montreal has gone, Dvorak is likely eager for a fresh start - and could benefit from it.

(Cap source: CapFriendly)

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The Columbus Blue Jackets raised some eyebrows when they brought in Mike Babcock as their new head coach earlier this offseason, but defenseman Zach Werenski is confident the hard-nosed bench boss has left his controversial reputation behind him.

"I think that's out the window," Werenski said in a recent interview with NHL.com's Craig Merz. "I don't think guys have any second guesses on it. I think guys are really excited, actually, it seems from talking with the guys that have met with him already.

"Everyone kind of came away fired up and ready to go so that's important, right?"

Babcock hasn't coached in the NHL since he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in November 2019. The team was mired in a six-game winless streak at the time, but allegations of a toxic workplace also came to light.

Shortly after the veteran coach's departure, star forward Mitch Marner confirmed that, during his rookie season, Babcock made him rank his teammates according to their work ethic and proceeded to share that list with the players.

In December 2019, former Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen called Babcock a "bully" and "the worst person I have ever met." Franzen's former teammate, Chris Chelios, said Babcock "verbally assaulted" Franzen during the 2012 playoffs, causing him to have a "nervous breakdown."

Babcock also drew criticism for scratching Mike Modano in what would have been his 1,500th NHL game in 2011, and for sitting Jason Spezza during the Maple Leafs' season opener against the Ottawa Senators - Spezza's former team - in 2019.

Despite his checkered past, Babcock conceded that his time away from the NHL was beneficial to him and his tactics.

"Change in all of us takes time," Babcock said during his introductory presser in July, per The Associated Press. "I think what this has done is given me a chance to get outside my body and have a look and see what I'm doing and understand you needed to change, you needed to grow."

Werenski said he recently visited Babcock in Michigan, where they had a "good conversation."

"We talked about myself and what he expects out of me, the team," Werenski told Merz. "I got to know him a little bit, and you know, I left impressed. That kind of fired me up. I think from that point on I just want to get to training camp to get the season going."

Werenski hasn't played since Nov. 10, when he sustained a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. The Jackets' No. 1 blue-liner reported that his shoulder is "all good" now.

Babcock is the only head coach in the "Triple Gold Club" after winning the Stanley Cup (2008), the World Championship (2004), and a gold medal at the Olympics (2010, 2014).

He is replacing Brad Larsen, who was fired in April after the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

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Chicago Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz died suddenly at the age of 70 on Tuesday, the team announced.

He died at NorthShore Evanston Hospital near Chicago after a brief illness while surrounded by his wife and four children, according to a statement by the Wirtz Corporation, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun Times.

Wirtz inherited the team from his father, Bill, in 2007. He oversaw Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

"Our hearts are very heavy today," Danny Wirtz, Rocky's son and the team's CEO, said in a statement. "Our dad was a passionate businessman committed to making Chicago a great place to live, work, and visit, but his true love was for his family and his close friends."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman offered his condolences.

"Rocky's focus on connecting with the club's fans and improving the team's performance on the ice rekindled Chicago fans' love affair with their hockey team and built a modern dynasty," Bettman said.

"On a personal level, Rocky was a dear friend whose counsel I consistently sought. He was a highly respected member of the Executive Committee of the League's Board of Governors whose wisdom and camaraderie were valued by his fellow owners."

Despite the team's on-ice success under his watch, Wirtz has been heavily criticized over the last couple of years upon learning how the Blackhawks failed to act on the alleged sexual assault of prospect Kyle Beach by video coach Brad Aldrich during the team's Cup run in 2010. Wirtz notably berated reporters for asking about Beach during a town hall event in 2022.

The Blackhawks have been owned by a member of the Wirtz family since 1954.

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