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Just talked to Kyle Davidson at the NHL Combine in Buffalo.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) June 7, 2024
Notably, he shot down any possibility of a Patrick Kane reunion:
"He did have a really good year. I think we’re all really happy to see that... [But] we made some really tough decisions on some longstanding players. I…
So, it looks like Chicago doesn’t want Patrick Kane back. Just over a month ago the story was very much different. Maybe preliminary talks went south, but this was a bit of a surprise to see. Then rumors of Kakko being on the trade block after being scratched for New York. Now Cam Atkinson is potentially being bought out in Philadelphia.
Head over to Vancouver and Lindholm now looks to be a tougher keep. Early in the year a figure around 9M was tossed around but VAN is looking at offering 7. The same number Hronek is allegedly being offered. It looked like Hronek may be hitting the market, but now It is rumored that Zadorov doesn’t want to sign an extension with the team.
After a change in management for Carolina, it now looks like Pesce is being offered an extension but is now well aware that Toronto amongst others want to bid for his services. Necas is a player that Vancouver is said to have looked toward if Lindholm departs. Carolina and Vancouver seem to have a moving status on players as free agency approaches. So, what is happening?
For Detroit, the deals for Raymond and Seider have to be solved before other moves can be made. The status of Husso, though he felt sure in his post season interview that he’d avoid surgery and be ready, doesn’t look to be certain. First round picks are being bandied about with Buffalo now willing to part with theirs.
Once Detroit has their spending number available, it may be easier to guess what they want to do. I wouldn’t mind Pesce at all but he may be in a bidding war with multiple teams. Zadorov as a left shot could still command a decent price if Vancouver decides to part ways.
I think the moving target of contract offers coincided with cap announcements. As the year started, I was getting inbox notes about a 7-10 m boost. We’re all used to that being revised and it ended up at around a 4-5 m boost (waiting for official numbers). It seems like GMs are adjusting their spending philosophy and that could make for some interesting deals.
Once the big spends are off the market, let me know if you have your eyes on anyone that could help the lineup. Fun times ahead.