As I write this, I’m currently DIA getting ready to head to Las Vegas for the NHL Awards and Draft. We’ll see if any moves happen while I’m in the air, but I somehow doubt that will happen, given the time change. When I land, I’ll be doing a podcast with the Guerilla Hockey crew to talk about player movement, the awards, and the draft from both an NHL perspective, as well as the Colorado Avalanche.
That player movement has already begun. As most teams arrived in Vegas on Wednesday, chatter really picked up, and we had one late night move with the Canucks dumping some players on the Chicago Blackhawks. Does that mean a Zadorov extension is near? The Board of Governors also met in Vegas on Wednesday, and we have four rule changes for the 2024-25 season. Do you love coaches challenges? Because you’re about to get more of them.
Colorado Hockey Now
The extension for Casey Mittelstadt is done, and now the Avalanche know what they’re working with the rest of the summer…kind of.
The NHL unveiled previews of all the uniform changes for next season, and we got a sneak peak at how the Avalanche uniform will look under Fanatics umbrella.
News And Rumors
The Score: We have rule changes. I’m not a fan of more challenges, but that’s what we’re going to get, as teams can now challenge if a puck over the glass. Take a peek at the other rule changes.
Chicago Hockey Now: He might have hands of stone, but he’s an NHL player, and the Blackhawks didn’t have a lot of those last season. Ilya Mikheyev is headed to Chicago in a cap dump, as the Canucks look to clear cap space for next season.
Nashville Hockey Now: Will Steven Stamkos actually leave Tampa? We’ve been through this before, and ultimately, the veteran center tested the market for a second and decided he’d rather go back. If he does go to the market, he’ll have options, and the Nashville Predators will be one team after him.
New Jersey Hockey Now: It appears the Devils are getting aggressive this summer. After acquiring their goaltender last week, they’re now dangling their first round pick to try and get Martin Necas.
The Athletic: Eric Tulsky has his hands full this summer with the Necas rumors, but he’s still trying to get a deal done with Jake Guentzel. One guy who he probably won’t re-sign is Tuevo Terevainen, who looks like he’s headed to the market.
Florida Hockey Now: Eating pasta out of the Stanley Cup? Times are good for Roberto Luongo.
Buffalo Hockey Now: It appears the rumors will end up being true. Despite scoring 92 goals over the last three seasons, the Sabres look like they’re going to buyout Jeff Skinner‘s contract. The Avalanche should certainly give him a call if/when he hits the open market.
Forever Blueshirts: It appears his time with the Red Wings will be short lived, as the rumors are that the Rangers will look to bring back Patrick Kane.
