It feels like there’s not a lot going on, but so much at the same time in the National Hockey League. In Saturday’s edition of Bargain Bin, I focused on a lot of rumour-based stuff and some news. Today, I’m going to focus on some more news and less of the rumour-based stuff without straying too far away from the rumours. After all, the purpose of Bargain Bin is to give you the rumours. Let’s get into the news and rumours for Sunday, June 18th.
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Edmonton Oilers
There has been some chatter for some time now that the Edmonton Oilers are looking to overhaul a bit of their roster. This starts with underperforming player Kailer Yamamoto and likely followed up with Cody Ceci and possibly Jack Campbell. If the Oilers made these moves, they would free up $11.35 million of cap space without removing any significant assets. Yamamoto is due $3.1 million for the 2023-24 season and will be a restricted free agent next season. Ceci is owed $3.25 million for the next two seasons and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025-26. Campbell is due $5 million for the next four seasons and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026-27.
If the Oilers are truly looking to improve, they would certainly consider moving these three pieces, especially with the goaltenders on the market right now. Edmonton only has roughly $5 million in cap space right now; additional cap space is crucial if they want to be competitive when McDavid and Draisaitl are still around.
Winnipeg Jets
The Los Angeles Kings have taken an even more aggressive approach to try and acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois, but the Kings might also be looking at receiving Hellebuyck in the deal too.
In the most recent Insider Trading on TSN, there is speculation that the LA Kings are willing to give a king’s ransom to the Winnipeg Jets to receive Dubois and Hellebuyck. While not explicitly said, the deal would likely include multiple first-round picks, multiple picks in various other rounds, and two-to-three prospects.
Related Article: Rumor Mill spikes as LA Kings linked to Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are all ears when it comes to their players and their intention to retool rather than rebuild. It is also to be believed that the Winnipeg Jets are all ears when it comes to their entire roster, which certainly is a twist in what has been previously said. With that being said, the Jets will certainly move Hellebuyck and Dubois, it’s just a matter of when and where, and will they move in the same trade package?
Philadelphia Flyers
It has recently been brought to light that the Philadelphia Flyers aren’t imminently moving Carter Hart. While they are listening to offers, Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers GM, isn’t in a hurry to move the young goaltender.
The same day that Ivan Provorov was traded, there were rumblings that Carter Hart may be shipped out of Philly the same day. However, in this instance, there isn’t much to go off of here, and a Carter Hart trade will likely take a bit longer to fully develop.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins and GM Don Sweeney will have a busy offseason, that’s for sure. Sweeney will have to see where his talent heading into the 2023-24 season fits, especially with impending unrestricted free agents like Tyler Bertuzzi, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Garnet Hathaway, and Connor Clifton. Sweeney has less than $5 million to work with this offseason, and the likelihood means that a Gryzelyck, Reilly, and Ullmark trade are definitely being discussed.
Boston’s top priority is to re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi; the player is likely going to get between $6.5-$7.5 million on an eight-year deal. This is just simply if and when Boston can meet Bertuzzi’s asks, and Bertuzzi wants to be a Bruin long-term. However, we’ve seen in free agency that money talks and the money will be talking for Tyler Bertuzzi on July 1st.
Related Article: Opinion: Signing Tyler Bertuzzi Means Moving Brad Marchand
If the Bruins can’t make a deal work out with Bertuzzi and they still move Ullmark, Reilly, and Gryzelyck, you can expect Sweeney to make a phone call north of the border to the Winnipeg Jets. Boston will certainly be kicking tires on players like Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele, both of who carry decent playoff experience. However, if neither player wants to commit long-term in Boston, Sweeney will certainly hang up the phone.
NHL Draft
Matvei Michkov
There has been some chatter as of late that Matvei Michkov is trying to maneuver his way to a team that he wants to play for. Michkov, who is projected to go fifth overall, most likely wants to play for the Washington Capitals. Michkov’s talent is nearly unmatched in the top 10, and the buzz surrounding Michkov is reasonable.
Many teams have been attempting to contract Michkov to get to know him before the draft, per Elliotte Friedman. There are character issues, and the fact that Michkov’s KHL contract doesn’t expire until 2026 could make his draft stock fall. With this all in mind, this might just be what Michkov wants to happen in order to get to play with the great eight and fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin.
Related Page: 2023 NHL Draft Ranking
Montreal Trying To Move Up?
On the Canadiens Connection podcast, there was discussion surrounding the report that Kent Hughes is aggressive in his approach surrounding the draft. With Dubois likely to become a Los Angeles King, Hughes has turned his attention to the NHL draft by reaching out to San Jose and Anaheim to inquire about the fourth-overall and second-overall picks, respectively. It is uncertain what it would take for Montreal to move up in the draft as of right now, and neither is it known if Montreal could potentially make that jump upwards in the draft.
