The NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Hockey Canada are among donors that have helped pay CWHL players their outstanding performance bonuses three months after the league folded, CWHL board chair Laurel Walzak announced, according to The Athletic's Hailey Salvian.
"We have received payments from organizations like the NHL, Hockey Canada, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Ontario Women's Hockey Association," Walzak said. "(Adrienne Clarkson) also brought forward a private donor who made a significant donation to make sure players got paid their bonuses."
Players were owed roughly $230,000 in bonuses, according to Walzak. The league previously operated under a $100,000 cap, and player salaries ranged from $2,000 to $10,000.
The CWHL was founded in 2007 and featured six teams. It announced it would cease all operations in March due to financial troubles.
Despite the flak he caught throughout his tenure in Toronto, Gardiner is an incredibly valuable piece, and it's somewhat surprising he wasn't plucked July 1 as arguably the best defender available.
Montreal's swing-and-miss on poaching Sebastian Aho via offer sheet leaves the club with ample cap space to try to ink Gardiner, who would be a big add on the Habs' left side. The opposite flank is in good hands with Shea Weber and Jeff Petry, but Gardiner's mobility and puck-moving skills would round out the Canadiens' defense corps nicely as the team seeks a return to the playoffs.
Other potential suitors: Sabres, Jets
Ryan Dzingel, 27, C/W
2018-19 cap hit: $1.8 million Top destination:Edmonton Oilers
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The Oilers had an underwhelming start to the offseason, but there's still time for new general manager Ken Holland to make something happen, and Dzingel would be a great fit for an Edmonton team desperate for scoring depth.
A versatile forward capable of producing points, Dzingel had a miserable playoff run with the Blue Jackets, which could help keep his asking price down. The Oilers are up against the cap with only $3.9 million available, but Holland needs to get used to working within the financial constraints he inherited, and Dzingel is a player worth exploring.
Other potential suitors: Avalanche, Sabres, Senators
Johansson boosted his stock with an impressive playoff showing for the Bruins, providing scoring punch on a dangerous third line and second power-play unit.
Several teams could use his skill set, but the Avalanche made it their summer mission to add offensive depth and still have the cap space toget more firepower. Throwing Johansson into the mix after already bringing in Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, Joonas Donskoi, and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare would be one hell of a summer haul for GM Joe Sakic.
Other potential suitors: Devils, Oilers, Blues, Sabres
Micheal Ferland, LW, 27
2018-19 cap hit: $1.75 million Top destination: St. Louis Blues
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Ferland was a hot commodity leading up to February's trade deadline, and teams are surely still interested in his blend of physicality, scoring ability, and puck retrieval skills.
Under head coach Craig Berube, the Blues adopted a crash-and-bang style that helped win them a Stanley Cup. Ferland fits that mold perfectly, and St. Louis has $13.9 million at its disposal.
Other potential suitors: Flames, Avalanche, Devils
Brian Boyle, 34, C
2018-19 cap hit: $2.55 million Top destination: Buffalo Sabres
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Boyle has bounced around quite a bit over the last couple seasons but is still lauded for his leadership abilities and veteran experience. On the ice, he remains a reliable faceoff man and penalty killer, and he should come cheap.
The Sabres could use reinforcements down the middle, and Boyle could help provide guidance to a youthful roster. If Buffalo doesn't make significant strides this upcoming season, the club could flip Boyle at the deadline for an asset.
Other potential suitors: Lightning, Rangers, Devils
"We've been in contact with Justin here recently," general manager Don Waddell told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "He hasn't given us 100 percent yet which way he's going to go. I think he potentially could be leaning toward playing, but I think in the next few weeks it will shake out."
Williams, who will turn 38 in October, had his two-year, $9-million contract with the Hurricanes expire on July 1. This is his second stint with the club, which believes Carolina is where he'll end his career - one way or another.
"If he's going to play, we feel he's going to play here in Carolina," Waddell said. "He built a house here, his family's here, and he said all along this is where he wants to play."
Williams put together another strong season in 2018-19, registering 53 points in 82 games before adding seven more during the club's run to the Eastern Conference Final.
"I know for a fact that didn't have anything to do with it," the Colorado Avalanche forward told reporters Tuesday, according to The Canadian Press. "They know I'm a heart-and-soul guy, and I'd do anything for my teammates. That was obviously shown - sometimes not necessarily in the best way - but my head and my heart were always in the right place."
On Monday evening, the Maple Leafs traded Kadri to the Avalanche along with defensive prospect Calle Rosen and a 2020 third-round pick for Barrie, forward Alex Kerfoot, and a 2020 sixth-rounder.
Kadri was banned from eight of Toronto's last 14 playoff contests, all against the Boston Bruins, including the final five this past spring. The Leafs ultimately lost both series.
The veteran center was suspended three games for boarding then-Bruins forward Tommy Wingels in Game 1 of the 2018 matchup and was forced to sit out the remainder of the 2019 series for his cross-check to Jake DeBrusk's head in Game 2.
Kadri, who had spent his entire 10-year career with the Maple Leafs, said it wasn't his preference to be dealt but he's looking forward to joining another competitive club.
"It wasn't really my first choice, but at the end of the day the Colorado Avalanche are going to be contenders for many, many years to come," he said. "That makes this a lot easier."
He also expressed his feelings about the Leafs organization in a heartfelt Instagram post:
The 28-year-old regressed offensively in 2018-19 but still contributed 16 goals and 44 points in 73 regular-season games while recording a goal and an assist in the two playoff contests.
He poured in 32 goals in each of the two prior campaigns, and has notched 161 markers and 357 points in 561 career games.
The Leafs selected him seventh overall in the 2009 draft.
The Montreal Canadiens shocked the hockey world on Monday when they signed Carolina Hurricanes restricted free-agent forward Sebastian Aho to a five-year, $42.27-million offer sheet. It was the first time since 2013 that an offer sheet had been signed.
For Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, who said Tuesday his club will match the offer sheet, it was apparently more of a nuisance than an actual obstacle.
"Everyone's trying to make their team better," Dundon told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "We've looked at all the ways to (do that), never came to the conclusion that the offer sheet was the best way. Your probability of succeeding is almost zero. It was proven that it was a waste of time."
Only one offer sheet - Dustin Penner in 2007 - hasn't been matched since 1997.
The $8.454-million cap hit on Aho's offer sheet was much lower than many expected for a player of his caliber. However, Montreal front-loaded the deal with $21.87 million to be paid out in bonuses over the first 12 months.
"This sounds terrible but writing that check is no big deal," Dundon said, according to The Athletic's Sara Civian. "The fact that you're (Canadian media) asking me if $20 million is a lot might be how we got in this situation."
Dundon became the majority owner of the Hurricanes on Jan. 11, 2018. Forbes estimated his net worth to be $1.1 billion in 2015.
Aho's agent, Gerry Johansson, added some drama to the situation by telling reporters that his client "100 percent" wants to play in Montreal.
"I couldn't care less about Sebastian's agent," Dundon told Civian. "It doesn't matter at all.
"There's no scenario where Sebastian Aho doesn't want to be on the Hurricanes. If he said that it would be different but he didn't. The fact that an agent said it means that there's no credibility to it, number one."
On Monday, Aho signed the five-year offer sheet, which carries an average annual value of $8.454 million. The deal is front-loaded with bonuses of $21.87 million - more than half of the total money in the contract - to be paid within the first calendar year.
"We're surprised," Dundon said of Montreal's offer. "We love the player and we're happy to have this done. And surprised someone would have thought this would work."
Dundon's comments echoed those of Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell, who said Monday that he was surprised the average annual value of Aho's offer sheet wasn't higher.
"This was an easy decision," Waddell added in a statement. "Sebastian is one of the best players in the league and the centerpiece of what we're building here. We've spoken to him throughout this process and he's made it clear that he wants to be in Raleigh and be a part of this organization.
"It's our job to manage our cap space as our players develop and hit free agency. There was no concern at any point that we would not be able to match this contract. Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes should not be underestimated. We have a plan and all the resources to win a Stanley Cup."
Before Carolina announced it would match the Canadiens' offer, Aho's agent, Gerry Johansson, said his client "100 percent" wanted to play in Montreal.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will be prohibited from trading Aho for 12 months after they officially match the offer sheet.
