Each day through the NHL Draft on June 22 and up until free agency on July 1, TSN.ca breaks down the latest news and rumours around the NHL.

Hold On to the Max?

In a piece special to the Montreal Gazette, Marc Dumont writes he believes newly acquired winger Max Domi may be the best playmaker on the Montreal Canadiens, but argues that trading a goal scorer in Alex Galchenyuk means the team must hold on to captain Max Pacioretty this off-season and beyond.

Dumont notes the concern of trading away Galchenyuk from Domi when the Canadiens are in need of goal scoring is valid, though he points out that Domi ranked 16th in the NHL in primary assists last year and should be able to create offence in Montreal. In order to get the most out of Domi, though, Dumont writes the Canadiens must sign Pacioretty, who's entering the final year of his deal, to a long-term extension. 

Pacioretty posted four consecutive 30-goal seasons before netting just 17 this past year. Dumont points to Pacioretty's attempt to play a more physical game - his hits per game rose from 2.95 in 2016-17 to 7.6 this year - as one reason for his struggles. He believes Pacioretty will once again thrive this season if he throws more shots on goal. 

Dumont believes Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin will still have plenty of work to do even if the team keeps Pacioretty, including acquiring a top-line centre, but keeping the team's captain will ensure they don't drop to the very bottom of the league in goal scoring.
 


Hitting the Market?

Bill Hoppe of The Olean Times Herald believes the Buffalo Sabres may allow goaltender Robin Lehner to hit the open market on July 1, rather than give the restricted free agent a $4 million qualifying offer.

The Sabres have until Monday to make their decision, but Hoppe thinks the decision has been long in the making as the Sabres view Linus Ullmark as their future No. 1. He points to the team's decision to sign Lehner to only a one-year deal last summer after a career year and Ullmarks  as evidence.

Lehner, who joined the Sabres in the 2015 off-season, started 50 games for the Sabres this season, posting a 14-26-9 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. He took over the team's starting role in 2016-17 and recorded a career-high 23 wins in 58 starts with a .920 save percentage.

Hoppe wonders as to what kind market Lehner will have since his outspoken nature seems ill-suited for a backup role. Still, he believes with 205 career starts under his belt, Lehner should be able to find work.

What's next for the Sabres? Hoppe thinks the Lehner's backup Chad Johnson will also walk in free agency and expects the Sabres to sign a veteran backup to serve behind Ullmark next season. He lists Carter Hutton, Jonathan Bernier, Kari Lehtonen and Michael Hutchinson as possible options. 

Ullmark played in just five games for the Sabres this season, posting 1-2 record with a .935 save percentage and a 2.00 GAA.



Crossing Battle Lines?

Jack Johnson requested a trade this season from the Columbus Blue Jackets as he looked to move to a team to secure his financial future. The Blue Jackets wound up holding on to the defensive blueliner and there seems to be little doubt he will sign elsewhere on July 1.

According to Jason Mackey of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Penguins have discussed the possibility of signing Johnson, though he notes cap space could be an issue.

Mackey believes the Penguins will have to move a contract or two to clear space for Johnson, pointing to Carl Hagelin, Conor Sheary, and Matt Hunwick as options. He argues though, that the Penguins may be able to convince Johnson to take a short-term deal to rehab his image after sitting out all six of the team's playoff games. Mackey points to the success of Justin Schultz and Jamie Oleksiak with the team as two examples of players whose game has improved greatly with the team.

If Johnson is looking for his payday now, the Penguins could be out of luck though. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie said last week Johnson could receive up to a $6 million AAV on the open market, which would be too rich for the Penguins. 

The 31-year-old Johnson tied a career-low with 11 points this past season while average his time on ice sat below 20 minutes (19:33) for the first time in his career.

Pittsburgh is projected to have roughly $9 million in cap space this summer with five restricted agents to re-sign.