Matt and Blake talk about the capacity for blockbuster trades later this summer with so many frontline NHL players on the block, and a banner 2024 free-agent class that could well be traded too. They take a look at the Hurricances defence, where former Canuck Jalen Chatfield could rise into a top-4 role, particularly if Brett Pesce -- an ideal Quinn Hughes defence partner -- is moved. The guys also discuss a big weekend at BC Place with the Caps hosting a Leagues Cup match against Mexican powerhouse Club León on Friday, and the Lions welcoming in the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday. MLB Network's Adnan Virk stops by to preview the Jays-Mariners series in Seattle, and give us his movie recommendation at the box office this weekend: Barbie or Oppenheimer. Rob Williams of the Daily Hive says the Canucks need another goalie just to be safe, and tells us about the new addition at the concessions stands at BC Place this weekend. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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The Carolina Hurricanes appear to be on the verge of locking up their superstar center Sebastian Aho.

"We're working on it, getting close," Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said Thursday, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "Not there yet, but we are talking on a regular basis, almost daily, so I'm hoping that we can get this to the finish line here in the next week or so."

Aho is one of several notable players who have been eligible for extensions since July 1, including Auston Matthews, Steven Stamkos, Devon Toews, and Connor Hellebuyck. The Fin is entering the final season of a five-year, $42.3-million contract.

Aho has been an offensive catalyst for the Canes, leading the team in goals for six consecutive years. He also led the club in points for five straight years until Martin Necas surpassed him this season. Aho produced 36 goals and 67 points in 75 games in 2022-23. He's also added 23 goals and 58 points in 63 career playoff contests.

"Those players are hard to replace," Waddell said. "Let's just face it, they are."

Aho, who turns 26 on Wednesday, is already Carolina's highest-paid player, but he's due for a sizeable raise from his $8.46-million cap hit.

Evolving-Hockey projects Aho's next contract will be an eight-year deal worth $10.46 million annually. That would be the league's 11th-highest cap hit in 2024-25, although Matthews is sure to surpass that total. Aho's proven to be worthy - he's one of the game's best all-around players.

But while getting Aho locked up is the priority, Waddell is still looking for ways to improve his team for the upcoming campaign. That includes regular contact with Vladimir Tarasenko - arguably the top remaining unrestricted free agent. However, the salary cap presents an obstacle.

"Continue to talk to the player and his agent," Waddell said. "The cap is the issue for a lot of us. The cap went up $1 million (to $83.5 million). That's why there's been so little movement around the league this summer and there's still some pretty good players that are sitting out there because there's not enough money in the system right now to go around everybody."

The Hurricanes are also reportedly one of the two primary trade suitors for reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.

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New Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas seems to have his eye on one of this summer's biggest trade targets, and he has the backing of two of his most important players to get a deal done.

Franchise icons Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang have given their stamps of approval for the Penguins to acquire San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, reports The Athletic's Rob Rossi.

The Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes have emerged as the primary suitors for Karlsson, and both teams have been granted permission to speak directly to him, per Rossi. Karlsson has made it abundantly clear that he would like to be moved to a contender as he enters his 15th season in the NHL.

Dubas more or less confirmed his interest in the star blue-liner on July 1.

"When there's a player like that who becomes available, especially with a core group (like this), I think it's incumbent on me to reach out and see if there's a fit for us," he said, according to The Athletic's Josh Yohe. "That's the way I viewed that entire situation."

Yohe previously reported that the Penguins were "extremely close" to landing Karlsson during Canada Day's free-agent frenzy. Dubas had a busy day regardless, extending netminder Tristan Jarry and bringing in Ryan Graves, Lars Eller, Matt Nieto, Noel Acciari, and Alex Nedeljkovic.

The Penguins are currently a little under $2.3 million over the cap, according to CapFriendly. Karlsson comes with a hefty price tag, carrying a cap hit of $11.5 million for the next four seasons. Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in June the Sharks likely wouldn't be willing to retain 50% of his salary, according to team beat writer Curtis Pashelka.

If Pittsburgh brings the Swede into the fold, Letang would remain the Penguins' No. 1 defenseman and would be willing to change his role on the top power-play unit to allow Karlsson to quarterback it, per Rossi.

Karlsson has been firmly entrenched in the rumor mill since November when Grier revealed he'd be open to offers for the stud rearguard.

The 33-year-old is a hot commodity after he erupted for 101 points while skating in all 82 games for the first time since 2015-16 this past season. He won the Norris Trophy for the third time in his career as a result of his resurgent performance.

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The Vegas Golden Knights avoided arbitration with restricted free-agent forward Brett Howden by inking him to a two-year pact with an average annual value of $1.9 million, the team announced Wednesday.

Howden's hearing was set for July 24. He potted six goals and seven assists in 54 regular-season games this past season - his second with Vegas.

The 25-year-old added five tallies and 10 points in 22 playoff contests to help the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup.

Howden amassed 31 goals and 51 helpers in 279 NHL games spent with the New York Rangers and Golden Knights.

Vegas acquired him from the Rangers in July 2021 in exchange for defenseman Nick DeSimone and a 2022 fourth-round pick.

The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Howden 27th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft.

After signing Howden, the Golden Knights are approximately $3.3 million over the cap, but Vegas will be cap compliant if goaltender Robin Lehner and his $5-million cap hit are on long-term injured reserve to start the campaign.

Pavel Dorofeyev is Vegas' sole remaining restricted free agent.

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The Winnipeg Jets signed restricted free-agent forward Gabriel Vilardi to a two-year pact with an average annual value of $3.4375 million, the team announced Wednesday.

His arbitration hearing was set for July 28. The Jets acquired Vilardi from the Kings as part of the trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Los Angeles in late June.

Vilardi netted a career-high 23 goals and 41 points in 63 contests this past campaign while tying Adrian Kempe for the most game-winning goals on the Kings with six.

The 23-year-old chipped in with two tallies and two assists in five games during Los Angeles' first-round clash against the Edmonton Oilers.

Prior to getting traded up north, Vilardi had spent his entire four-year NHL career in Los Angeles, accumulating 41 goals and 37 helpers in 152 contests. The Kings selected him 11th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Vilardi will be a restricted free agent again when his new pact expires.

The Jets have just under $3.8 million in cap space after inking Vilardi, according to CapFriendly. Winnipeg still has restricted free agents Rasmus Kupari - who was also included in the Dubois swap - and Logan Stanley to deal with.

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Matt and Blake talk about Canucks ticket prices, the loss of Canucks AGM Derek Clancey to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Hockey Night in Canada panel staying in tact. Other topics include the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, and upcoming games for the B.C. Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Connor Bedard, the first pick of the 2023 NHL draft from North Vancouver, joins to show to talk about draft weekend, expectations for his rookie season, playing inline hockey in the summer, and the abundance of BC players who are making waves in the NHL. Alex Gangué-Ruzic joins the show to preview Canada's chances at the FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as well as talk about the politics swirling about the club and Canada Soccer. Plus we go To The People for your Tell Me I'm Wrong submissions and Hot Takes. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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