\rCheers,\rEk

","highlights","status","PUBLISHED","featuredImage","/img/legacy/ana_icegirl-544x306.jpg","imageCaption","seo",{"_403":918,"_919":920,"_921":914},"Watch The Hockeybuzzcast with Kevin Allen, Mike Augello, and Josh Rimer.","excerpt","Cheers, Ek","defaultImage","pageViews","1","commentCount","0","categoryFilter",{"_928":929,"_930":931},"property","specs.tag","values",[932],"the-hockeybuzz-cast","slugUrl","lock","categoryId","userReactions",[],"reactionSummary",[],"feedPageFilterOptionsNew","feedPageFilterOptions","feedPageHeading","feedPageHeadingLineTwo","feedPageTitle","feedPageDescription","prohibitComments","prohibitReactions","hideFeaturedImage","advancedOptions","feedBorderOverrideColor","pinnedOn","feedBlurb","tag","The Hockeybuzz Cast","specs",[957],{"_7":953,"_777":932},"isPremium","isWarning","isTertiary","hasEmbed","bangHead","types","imageCredit","videoInfo",{},"podcastInfo",{},"relatedArticles",{"_25":971,"_972":973},[],"filters",[974],{"_928":929,"_930":975},[932],"thumbnail","/img/legacy/ana_icegirl-thumbnail.jpg","publishedOn","2014-04-11T01:43:56.000Z","category","featuredImageUrl","cacheKey","hockeybuzz_Watch-The-Hockeybuzzcast-with-Kevin-Allen-Mike-Augello-and-Josh-Rimer","cachedOn","2026-05-30T17:10:03.797Z","contentBlocks",[988,994,997,1002,1004,1006,1011],{"_58":989,"_25":990,"_993":28},"ad",{"_58":98,"_60":125,"_62":125,"_63":28,"_64":28,"_65":48,"_66":126,"_67":28,"_68":28,"_69":28,"_70":28,"_72":991,"_74":20,"_75":20,"_76":20,"_77":20,"_78":992},[],{"_80":28,"_81":28,"_82":28,"_83":28,"_84":28,"_85":28,"_86":28,"_87":28,"_89":28,"_90":28},"html",{"_58":995,"_993":996},"text","

",{"_58":989,"_25":998,"_993":28},{"_58":98,"_60":112,"_62":112,"_63":112,"_64":28,"_65":11,"_66":100,"_67":113,"_68":28,"_69":28,"_70":28,"_72":999,"_74":20,"_75":20,"_76":20,"_77":20,"_78":1000},[],{"_80":28,"_81":28,"_82":28,"_83":28,"_84":28,"_85":28,"_86":28,"_87":1001,"_89":28,"_90":117},[],{"_58":995,"_993":1003},"

",{"_58":995,"_993":1005},"

",{"_58":989,"_25":1007,"_993":28},{"_58":98,"_60":99,"_62":99,"_63":99,"_64":28,"_65":11,"_66":100,"_67":101,"_68":28,"_69":28,"_70":28,"_72":1008,"_74":20,"_75":20,"_76":20,"_77":20,"_78":1009},[],{"_80":28,"_81":28,"_82":28,"_83":28,"_84":28,"_85":28,"_86":28,"_87":1010,"_89":28,"_90":28,"_99":14},[],{"_58":995,"_993":996},"metaSettings",{"_403":404,"_405":406,"_407":408,"_409":410,"_411":412,"_413":414,"_415":412,"_416":414,"_417":1014,"_425":426,"_427":428,"_429":414,"_430":414,"_431":414,"_432":32},{"_419":420,"_421":422,"_423":28,"_424":28},"sidebarSections",[1017],{"_1018":1019,"_1022":1023,"_1024":1025,"_1026":1025,"_972":1027},"header",{"_403":1020,"_405":28,"_1021":28},"NHL Rumors","image","articles",[],"desktopLayoutStyle","default","mobileLayoutStyle",[1028],{"_58":953,"_60":1029,"_1030":923,"_1031":1032,"_25":1033,"_1052":1053,"_930":1054},"nhl-rumors","skip","count","8",{"_58":953,"_60":1029,"_62":1020,"_1034":1035},"__i",{"_1036":1037,"_1038":1039,"_407":-5,"_955":1041,"_980":-5,"_1042":-5,"_1043":1044},"guid","2b5ca27c-39c9-43e8-a6f8-9b9ceb5ae97e","model",{"_60":-5,"_7":1040,"_703":-5},"Specification",[],"subCategory","auditing",{"_1045":1046,"_1047":1048,"_1049":1048,"_1050":1051},"createdOn","2025-07-18T13:29:11.083Z","createdBy","system","lastUpdatedBy","lastUpdatedOn","2025-07-18T13:29:11.084Z","load","preload",[1055,1080,1097,1114,1132,1148,1164,1181],{"_1021":1056,"_892":1057,"_933":1058,"_953":1020,"_1059":1060,"_978":1061,"_1062":32,"_901":1063,"_907":1065,"_962":1066,"_403":1067,"_427":1068,"_919":1068,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":923,"_60":1070,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1072,"_938":1073,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1075,"_894":1070,"_965":1076,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/screenshot-2026-05-29-at-1.13.25â¯pm-544x306.jpg","montreal-canadiens-road-chance-game-5-carolina","/2026/05/29/montreal-canadiens-road-chance-game-5-carolina","date","2026-05-29T16:54:53.230Z","2026-05-29T17:15:09.286Z","photoCredit",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},"Eklund",[],"Ek's Optimism for Montreal.","Montreal Canadiens are \"Not done yet.\"","Down 3–1 against the Hurricanes, the Canadiens still have reason to believe. Montreal’s road resilience, leadership, and playoff grit could make Game 5 far more dangerous than expected.","viewCount","38e03946-ccb0-427c-b59d-927204e23916","isLiveFile",[],[],"prohibitReactionsInComments",{},{"_1077":-5},"url","externalUrl","subHeadings",{"_1021":1081,"_892":1082,"_933":1083,"_953":1064,"_1059":1084,"_978":1085,"_1062":32,"_901":1086,"_907":1087,"_962":1088,"_403":1089,"_427":1090,"_919":1090,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":1091,"_60":1092,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1093,"_938":1094,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1095,"_894":1092,"_965":1096,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/mcdavid-puts-on-show-back-home-in-toronto-despite-oilers-falling-in-ot--nhl.com-544x306.jpg","maple-leafs-connor-mcdavid-trade-first-overall-pick-matthew-knies","/2026/05/28/maple-leafs-connor-mcdavid-trade-first-overall-pick-matthew-knies","2026-05-28T16:37:36.912Z","2026-05-28T17:13:41.255Z",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},[],"Eklund's Latest...","Should the Maple Leafs Trade the First Overall Pick and Matthew Knies for Connor McDavid? Excerpt:","If Connor McDavid is truly available, the Maple Leafs have to make the call. Toronto’s first overall pick would be the centerpiece, but would Edmonton demand Matthew Knies too?","7","cec68cb1-2de0-4516-a0af-80f4d70938bd",[],[],{},{"_1077":-5},{"_1021":1098,"_892":1099,"_933":1100,"_953":1101,"_1059":1102,"_978":1103,"_1062":32,"_901":1104,"_907":1105,"_962":1106,"_403":1107,"_427":1108,"_919":1108,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":923,"_60":1109,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1110,"_938":1111,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1112,"_894":1109,"_965":1113,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/claude-giroux-says-philadelphia-flyers-need-to-figure-things-out-quickly--on-the-fly-544x306.jpg","letsgoflyers-flyers-claudegiroux-nhlfreeagency-nhl-philadelphi","/2026/05/27/letsgoflyers-flyers-claudegiroux-nhlfreeagency-nhl-philadelphi","featured","2026-05-27T16:36:39.971Z","2026-05-27T17:10:15.407Z",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},[],"Ek on the Flyers","Should the Flyers Make a Play for Claude Giroux?","Claude Giroux remains one of the most beloved Flyers of all time, but would a reunion actually make sense? A look at his current value, center/wing versatility, salary fit, leadership impact, and whether nostalgia should factor into Philadelphia’s plans.","a8fc9876-8a5f-4e06-b955-7b211c51e2e7",[],[],{},{"_1077":-5},{"_1021":1115,"_892":1116,"_933":1117,"_953":1064,"_1059":1118,"_978":1119,"_1062":1120,"_901":1121,"_907":1122,"_962":1123,"_403":1124,"_427":1125,"_919":1125,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":1126,"_60":1127,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1128,"_938":1129,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1130,"_894":1127,"_965":1131,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/img_7530-544x306.jpg","leo-carlsson-offer-sheet-ducks-rfa-contract","/2026/05/26/leo-carlsson-offer-sheet-ducks-rfa-contract","2026-05-26T16:48:34.378Z","2026-05-26T17:06:22.523Z","Hockeyuzz.com",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},[],"5 Teams Who Want The Next Peter Forsberg...","Leo Carlsson Offer Sheet Watch: Why the Ducks Star Could Spark NHL RFA Chaos","Anaheim Ducks restricted free agent Leo Carlsson is due for a massive raise, and his rare blend of size, skill, hockey IQ, and two-way upside makes him one of the NHL’s most valuable young centers. With offer-sheet compensation tiers creating several dangerous salary ranges, teams like Montreal, Chicago, Utah, Philadelphia, and Seattle could at least dream of forcing Anaheim into a franchise-defining decision.","3","e00acba1-6ebd-4d38-a98f-ea7a31103077",[],[],{},{"_1077":-5},{"_1021":1133,"_892":1134,"_933":1135,"_953":1064,"_1059":1136,"_978":1137,"_1062":32,"_901":1138,"_907":1139,"_962":1140,"_403":1141,"_427":1142,"_919":1142,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":925,"_60":1143,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1144,"_938":1145,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1146,"_894":1143,"_965":1147,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/img_7527-544x306.jpg","ufa2b-alex-tuch-contract-comparables-free-agent-2026","/2026/05/24/ufa2b-alex-tuch-contract-comparables-free-agent-2026","2026-05-24T14:48:59.230Z","2026-05-24T15:14:49.461Z",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},[]," DEEP DIVE ON ALEX TUCH's VALUE. WHO WANTS HIM?","UFA2B: Alex Tuch — What's He Worth and Will Buffalo Pay? ","Alex Tuch is the top UFA on the 2026 market, coming off 66 points and a +24 season in Buffalo. We break down his comparables, project his next contract at $10.5M–$11M AAV, and identify the teams that could steal him away if the Sabres can't get the number done.","f4d5399e-c51b-45c1-93b4-f4f23c7cc46b",[],[],{},{"_1077":-5},{"_1021":1149,"_892":1150,"_933":1151,"_953":1064,"_1059":1152,"_978":1153,"_1062":32,"_901":1154,"_907":1155,"_962":1156,"_403":1157,"_427":1158,"_919":1158,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":923,"_60":1159,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1160,"_938":1161,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1162,"_894":1159,"_965":1163,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/activitymore-cf9b49db-857f-43c1-aeba-4b82605c4fb2-544x306.jpg","flyers-dan-vladar-contract-extension-yegor-zavragin-","/2026/05/23/flyers-dan-vladar-contract-extension-yegor-zavragin-","2026-05-23T16:38:15.990Z","2026-05-23T16:51:21.140Z",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},[],"Future in Goal> Vladař and Zavragin","Flyers Must Extend Dan Vladař: The Contract Numbers, Comps, and How Zavragin Changes Everything","Dan Vladař won the Bobby Clarke Trophy, posted a 2.42 GAA, and took the Flyers to the second round — all for $3.55 million. On July 1, Philadelphia can begin extension talks. Here's why a 3-year, $7M deal makes sense, what the market says, and how prospect Yegor Zavragin makes the whole picture even brighter.","72422640-0925-4a78-8482-7e25e8751903",[],[],{},{"_1077":-5},{"_1021":1165,"_892":1166,"_933":1167,"_953":1064,"_1059":1168,"_978":1169,"_1062":32,"_901":1170,"_907":1171,"_962":1172,"_403":1173,"_427":1174,"_919":1174,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":1175,"_60":1176,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1177,"_938":1178,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1179,"_894":1176,"_965":1180,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/crosby-mcdavid---google-search-544x306.jpg","connor-mcdavid-trade-rumors-pittsburgh-penguins","/2026/05/22/connor-mcdavid-trade-rumors-pittsburgh-penguins","2026-05-22T15:54:58.980Z","2026-05-22T16:28:22.061Z",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},[],"Eklund's Latest MAJOR RUMOR","Trade Rumor: The Penguins in Pursuit of Connor McDavid. Who Would Head to Edmonton?","Exclusive: A source at the World Championship says the Pittsburgh Penguins are making a full push for Connor McDavid, with a June 15 deadline looming.","16","68e7fa3c-ad37-4f21-9fc3-4666e4936628",[],[],{},{"_1077":-5},{"_1021":1182,"_892":1183,"_933":1184,"_953":1101,"_1059":1185,"_978":1186,"_1062":32,"_901":1187,"_907":1188,"_962":1189,"_403":1190,"_427":1190,"_919":1190,"_958":20,"_959":20,"_960":20,"_1069":923,"_924":925,"_60":1191,"_464":890,"_1071":20,"_936":1192,"_938":1193,"_946":20,"_947":20,"_1074":20,"_949":1194,"_894":1191,"_965":1195,"_1078":28,"_1079":-5,"_952":-5},"/img/random/moncar-titke-544x306.jpg","montreal-canadiens-carolina-hurricanes-eastern-conference-final-preview-2026","/2026/05/21/montreal-canadiens-carolina-hurricanes-eastern-conference-final-preview-2026","2026-05-21T13:32:38.636Z","2026-05-21T14:02:06.569Z",{"_62":1064,"_60":904,"_905":906},[],"Eklund: Exactly What Will Happen in the East...","Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final Preview: Ek’s Factors, Storylines & Prediction","0b04be1c-b4f1-4277-b357-71dbe1c267ee",[],[],{},{"_1077":-5},"playerData","actionData","errors"]

Watch The Hockeybuzzcast with Kevin Allen, Mike Augello, and Josh Rimer.

Montreal Canadiens are "Not done yet."

By Eklund

May 29, 2026

Should the Maple Leafs Trade the First Overall Pick and Matthew Knies for Connor McDavid? Excerpt:

By Eklund

May 28, 2026

Should the Flyers Make a Play for Claude Giroux?

By Eklund

May 27, 2026

Leo Carlsson Offer Sheet Watch: Why the Ducks Star Could Spark NHL RFA Chaos

By Eklund

May 26, 2026

UFA2B: Alex Tuch — What's He Worth and Will Buffalo Pay?

By Eklund

May 24, 2026

Flyers Must Extend Dan Vladař: The Contract Numbers, Comps, and How Zavragin Changes Everything

By Eklund

May 23, 2026

Trade Rumor: The Penguins in Pursuit of Connor McDavid. Who Would Head to Edmonton?

By Eklund

May 22, 2026

Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final Preview: Ek’s Factors, Storylines & Prediction

By Eklund

May 21, 2026

Montreal Canadiens are "Not done yet."

By Eklund

May 29, 2026

Should the Maple Leafs Trade the First Overall Pick and Matthew Knies for Connor McDavid? Excerpt:

By Eklund

May 28, 2026

Should the Flyers Make a Play for Claude Giroux?

By Eklund

May 27, 2026

Leo Carlsson Offer Sheet Watch: Why the Ducks Star Could Spark NHL RFA Chaos

By Eklund

May 26, 2026

UFA2B: Alex Tuch — What's He Worth and Will Buffalo Pay?

By Eklund

May 24, 2026

Flyers Must Extend Dan Vladař: The Contract Numbers, Comps, and How Zavragin Changes Everything

By Eklund

May 23, 2026

Trade Rumor: The Penguins in Pursuit of Connor McDavid. Who Would Head to Edmonton?

By Eklund

May 22, 2026

Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final Preview: Ek’s Factors, Storylines & Prediction

By Eklund

May 21, 2026