Over the past week, we focused mostly on what it might take to sign stars such as Sidney Crosby, Leon Draisaitl, Mitch Marner and John Tavares to new contracts. Today, we’re circling back to highlight some recent noteworthy rumors involving clubs eliminated from playoff contention or those on the brink.
A Big Payday For Brock Faber?
On March 24, The Hockey News Minnesota’s Dylan Loucks noted that Brock Faber took over second place among the Minnesota Wild’s all-time rookie scorers. The 22-year-old defenseman has 43 points in 77 games and could be in line for a big raise on his next contract.
The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Shayna Goldman speculated that Faber could get a long-term deal with an average annual value exceeding $9 million. If he wins the Calder Trophy this season, it will provide his agent additional negotiating leverage.
Related: Brock Faber Faces an Uphill Battle to Catch Connor Bedard for the NHL’s 2024 Calder Trophy
Who Could the Montreal Canadiens Target This Summer?
Landing a scoring forward is expected to be an off-season priority for the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal Hockey Now’s Marco D’Amico suggested Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras, Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson as trade targets.
Related: Montreal Canadiens Could Make Another Big Move at the NHL Draft
No Big Off-Season Moves For the Sharks?
The Hockey News San Jose’s Max Miller cited ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski suggesting Mike Grier deserves GM of the year recognition for pruning several big contracts from the San Jose Sharks roster. However, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli doesn’t anticipate the Sharks GM will try to move out other high-salaried players like Logan Couture or Marc-Edouard Vlasic this summer.
Grier used his club’s three salary retention slots to move Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson and Tomas Hertl over the last two years. The earliest he can go that route again is July 2025 when Burns’ contract expires.
Is Dave Hakstol On the Hot Seat?
The Seattle Times‘ Geoff Baker believes Kraken coach Dave Hakstol’s performance will be evaluated after the club failed to build on last season’s surprising playoff appearance. In an interview, Kraken GM Ron Francis told Baker he evaluates the club at the end of the season as always but wouldn’t want to get into speculation about Hakstol.
Speaking of the Kraken, The Hockey News Seattle’s Glenn Dreyfuss dismissed the notion of the goal-starved Kraken parting ways this summer with RFA winger Eeli Tolvanen for someone with “more potential.” The 24-year-old has 16 goals and a career-high 41 points in 76 games, and the Kraken have a projected $19.585 million in cap space to get Tolvanen and fellow RFAs Matty Beniers and Kailer Yamamoto some new deals.
Related: Which NHL Coaches May Not Return Next Season?
Related: Could Leafs’ Mitch Marner Get As Much As Auston Matthews On His Next Contract?
Related: The High Cost of Contract Extensions for Sidney Crosby and Leon Draisaitl
News Summary:
- NHL Rumor Roundup: Big Payday for Wild's Faber? Plus Canadiens, Kraken and Sharks
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.