NHL News: Flames, Maple Leafs, Bruins, Oilers, Sharks

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Toronto Maple Leafs and defenseman Rasmus Sandin are at a contract standstill. What will the crew do to get over the lack of growth in negotiations? Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins have been protecting alternate talks with groups about Craig Smith.

The Edmonton Oilers can also now not definitely be in the walking for Phil Kessel or P.K. Subban. Who are they possibly to add? Finally, ought to the San Jose Sharks have an activity in Subban?

Nazem Kadri becomes a Flame

*Update: According to a couple of reports, the Calgary Flames are signing Nazem Kadri and Chris Johnston reports, “Hearing that Sean Monahan is being dealt to the #habs to assist clear house for Nazem Kadri’s signing in Calgary.” Darren Dreger of TSN writes, “Kadri deal to the Flames is being finalized. 7-year deal is believed to be the term.” Elliotte Friedman used to be the first to file, the deal was once seven years instances $7 million per season.

 

Maple Leafs and Sandin Stuck in Negotiations

 

Luke Fox of Sportsnet is reporting that the Maple Leafs and defenseman Rasmus Sandin aren’t in addition alongside when it comes to negotiations over a new contract. Fox reviews that Lewis Gross, the agent for Toronto Maple Leafs RFA defenseman Rasmus Sandin said, “Negotiations are going nowhere.” When requested why, Gross wasn’t capable to supply a clear answer. All he would say is that he wouldn’t say much, even if he did know, and reiterated, “But they’re simply going nowhere proper now.”

Speculation is that Sandin used to be presented a deal comparable to Timothy Liljegren’s a two-year, $2.8-million bridge contract. The trust is that if the Maple Leafs are going to strive and discover cash to provide him greater than that, they’ll want to make some other cross on the roster first. There’s an actual debate in Toronto about what to do here. Some trust, Sandin hasn’t proven sufficient to be given extra than a bridge deal. Others propose he’s already proven he can play as a top-four defenseman and that he’ll solely get better.

 

Craig Smith Trade is Nearing Completion

 

Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now notes that groups are displaying activity in Boston Bruins ahead Craig Smith, and the enterprise has held alternate talks with at least one crew about shifting Smith recently. It sounds like matters received notably a ways in phrases of a workable deal, however are now on hold.

 

Murphy writes, “I can verify an true alternate provide used to be made however after making an attempt to discover frequent floor for a while, the talks have been put on hold. This group actually desired Smith and desired this to happen.”

Smith has a yr left at a $3.1 million profits cap hit, and the Bruins are making an attempt to go revenue seeing as they are $2.2 million over the earnings cap ceiling. Both Smith and fellow Bruins winger Nick Foligno have been referred to in exchange rumors all through the summer.

Realistic Oilers Signings

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic took a appear at the proper cap house, the Edmonton Oilers have to make any other move. He notes that the rumors of Phil Kessel and P.K. Subban being involved (or the Oilers being involved in them) are enjoyable however now not terribly sensible based totally on the truth that each gamers would have been signed already if they have been accessible for $750K.

As for what GM Ken Holland will clearly do earlier than the season starts, Mitchell writes:

Holland will signal McLeod, make a cross that lets in extra cap room, and then signal one or two of the free retailers inclined to spend a yr in Edmonton enjoying with the Oilers.

Kessel, Subban and Rodrigues would be a dream, however the fact of cap pressures suggests they are destined to play elsewhere. [Sam] Gagner, [Sam] Steel, [Daniel] Sprong and even [Ryan] Murray are extra practical bets.

Source: ‘Lowetide: Oilers have room for UFA contract or PTO. Is there a match?’ — Allan Mitchell – The Athletic – 08/17/2022

Sharks Might Target P.K. Subban

Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now writes that the San Jose Sharks would possibly be taking a seem at P.K. Subban as a practicable UFA signing. He notes that San Jose’s solely surefire top-four defenders proper now are Erik Karlsson and Mario Ferraro and wonders if Subban should be a fit.

The scout he spoke to didn’t assume so and referred to that Subban can’t be relied on to make the proper selections with the puck. He stated he additionally isn’t a very appropriate electricity play quarterback and that whilst his shot is heavy, he’s now not in manage of it, which scares his net-front forwards to death. All that said, Peng adds, “One fascinating wrinkle: San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier is aware of Subban well. Grier was once a Devils assistant instruct in the course of Subban’s first season in New Jersey in 2019-20.”