Free Agent Frenzy on July 1 continues to draw closer and TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest news and rumours as the NHL off-season heats up.
Robertson not replacing Tkachuk
The Ottawa Senators are not looking to take a step backwards after trading captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, but filling the hole in the lineup could prove difficult.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports that despite speculation to the contrary, Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson is unlikely to be heading to the Senators. LeBrun said on OverDrive on Monday that the expectation is Robertson would not sign long-term in Ottawa, though he cautioned that could always change.
Robertson is a pending restricted free agent and LeBrun adds that his camp and the Stars worked hard to reach a new contract last week but could not agree on numbers. While he did not have specifics, LeBrun said he’s been told Robertson’s contract ask was “eye-opening.” He adds the only reason Robertson may be traded this summer is because Dallas felt they could not fit his demands within their payroll.
Robertson, 26, led the Dallas Stars in scoring last season, recording 45 goals and 96 points in 82 games. He added five goals and eight points in six playoff games before the Stars were eliminated in the first round.
The 6-foot-3 winger is coming off a four-year, $31 million contract that carried a cap hit of $7.75 million.
Drafted 39th overall by the Stars in 2017, Robertson has 213 goals and 490 points in 456 career games.
Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports the Senators are looking to use the two 2026 first rounders acquired in the Tkachuk deal as fodder to add a top-six winger to play alongside centre Tim Stutzle.
“My intention is to be active in the market, continue to add to already a very strong group, committed group that continues to move in the right direction,” Senators general manager Steve Staios said. “We’ve made the playoffs in back-to-back years, haven’t had the result in the playoffs as of yet, but I think if you, if you look at it honestly, teams like ours and the way they’re constructed and the way they’re built, we’re giving ourselves a chance,”
“You look at Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, and sort of their growth as a team, and their identity, and what they’ve done. I continue to believe in this group, in this core group of forwards, or of players moving forward.”
Garrioch reiterates that Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks remains a target for the Senators and adds the team has also kicked tires on New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafrenière as Staios continues to work the trade market.
Bobrovsky a fit for Maple Leafs?
With some online rumours suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs could sign Sergei Bobrovsky should he reach unrestricted free agency, OverDrive host Bryan Hayes opened the debate of whether such a move makes sense.
Hayes argues that term and salary could be of concern with the netminder set to turn 38 in September, but believes he could backstop the Maple Leafs back into the playoffs next season.
Bobrovsky is coming off a down year with the Panthers, who missed the postseason after three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final. He had a 27-23-1 record with the Florida Panthers last season with an .877 save percentage and 3.07 goals-against average.
The 6-foot-2 netminder is coming off a seven-year, $70 million contract that carried a cap hit of $10 million.
LeBrun reports the Panthers have not closed the door on bringing back Bobrovsky, though his contract ask has been too high for Florida at this point. He adds that general manager Bill Zito is keeping his options open, remaining in touch with the Winnipeg Jets regarding Connor Hellebuyck, but the best-case scenario for Florida is to bring back Bobrovsky.
The Panthers currently have no NHL goaltenders under contract for next season.
As for the Maple Leafs, the team moved out Joseph Woll in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers last week, but still have Anthony Stolarz, Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov set to battle for likely two roster spots in camp.
Hayes pointed to Stolarz’s injury history (the goaltender has never played more than 34 games in a season), and the untested nature of starting Hildeby or Akhtyamov as arguments for considering Bobrovsky in Toronto.
Haula looking to stay put
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports veteran Erik Haula would prefer to stay put with the Nashville Predators as he moves closer to unrestricted free agency on July 1.
Haula returned for a second stint with the Predators via a trade from the New Jersey Devils last season, playing out the final year of his contract at a cap hit of $3.15 million.
Weekes reports the 35-year-old forward is seeking an average annual value of $3.5 million or higher on his next deal.
Haula had 14 goals and 38 points in 81 games with the Predators this past season. He also represented Finland at the Winter Olympics in February, recording three goals and six points to win a bronze medal.
Drafted 182nd overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2009, Haula has 167 goals and 375 points in 840 career games split between the Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Predators, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils.
