We are about to enter what may be the most rumor-filled and fluid 30 days we have seen in years...and all this launches with the raising of the Cup. The way this works this season is both bizarre and a little unique. Teams are permitted to begin buyouts 24 hours after the Cup is raised...
Originally the last day the Cup could be raised was listed as July 9th. In the year of Covid, it is pretty incredible the NHL managed to almost to that schedule. The last possible date now is July 11th. However, talking to teams around the league, there is a growing feeling that the Cup could be raised tonight and teams are prepared for that possibility...
In the background I have been hearing that teams are talking to Seattle about possible side-deals, but similar to when Vegas entered the NHL the league has slammed down the rumors as to not upstage the Cup Final. What could open up once the season is fully over is pretty overwhelming.
Then, over the next days we get this:
July 17: Deadline for teams to submit protected lists for 2021 NHL Expansion Draft (5 p.m. ET).
July 21: 2021 NHL Expansion Draft (8 p.m. ET).
July 23: First round of 2021 NHL Draft.
July 24: Rounds 2-7 of 2021 NHL Draft.
July 28: Restricted free agent/unrestricted free agent signing period begins (12 p.m. ET).
But let's start by talking buyout possibilities...
*Mikko Koskinen. The Oilers management has made signing a true #1 goalie the first, second and third priority. The Oilers buying out Koskinen and letting Smith go UFA opens up the net and I would not be shocked at all to see a bold move to bring in the new keeper.
*Anthony DeAngelo. The Ranger's future is highly uncertain but I have heard recently there are a few teams willing to at least sit down and talk to DeAngelo...The Panthers may be one. Columbus another...
*Zach Parise. The Wild and GM Guerin are all about turning this team over to the young core and would have loved to have moved Parise to the Islanders... The fact Parise didn't play in all of their playoff games says a lot. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Islanders or even a return to the Devils for Parise.
*Olli Maatta. The Kings need to find space for their young talent coming. Not sure Maatta lands in the NHL.. I would expect the KHL or Europe.
*Keith Yandle. The curious case of Keith Yandle was fascinating last year as he turned into one of the essentially key players on the team and every one who has ever played with Yandle just loves the guy. I am not convinced the Panthers don't keep Yandle and buyout Stralman though. If Yandle becomes available he has made no secret to wanting to play home in Boston and would likely be a very cheap option for the Bruins blueline. His good friend Shane Doan still works for the Coyotes and Yandle could return to Arizona if he desires...
More to come!
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) January 5, 2021