The Edmonton Oilers may have a Darnell Nurse decision on the table, and the key detail, according to David Pagnotta, is how much money would be coming back if a deal actually gets done.
On Hello Hockey, Pagnotta said, “My understanding if this trade does happen with the Ducks, there would be no salary retention. I think there is retention in place if he goes to Philly…I don’t think it’s overly significant”
Out in Detroit, Patrick Kane’s future is still open, but the Red Wings have at least made their interest clear. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported that GM Steve Yzerman said over the weekend that Dylan Larkin requested a trade shortly after the season ended, though Yzerman also said he wouldn’t guarantee Larkin would be traded.
That matters for Kane, who is a pending UFA. Yzerman said the Red Wings would love to have him back next season. Kane produced 16 goals and 57 points last season after putting up 21 goals and 59 points in 72 games the year before.
Kane said after the season that he’d like to come back and be a part of the solution, but that was before Larkin’s trade request became public. He’s been on two straight one-year deals, both signed on June 30, the day before free agency.
In New York, the Rangers appear set to keep Alexis Lafreniere. Peter Baugh and Vincent Z.
Mercogliano of The Athletic reported that two league sources said Lafreniere is expected to remain with the Rangers heading into next season. The team is looking for more scoring forwards, not to subtract one in Lafreniere.
Braden Schneider’s situation has been quieter. Heading into draft weekend, sources said contract talks with his camp had been quiet. The Rangers did look into a trade, but they were not interested in draft picks.
Their shopping list also includes a young offensive forward. Potential free-agent targets could include Ville Heinola, described as a puck-moving defenseman, and Beck Malenstyn for the bottom six, though Malenstyn re-signed with the Sabres this morning.
The Rangers are also looking for a fourth-line center to replace Sam Carrick, who was traded to Buffalo at the deadline.
In Other News...
Michigan State Just Unveiled A New NIL Era Power Move
Michigan State is making a notable off-field push with Spartan Ventures, a new private organization created apart from the university to help expand resources for the athletic department. The setup is built around two arms, a nonprofit called Spartan Athletic Fund and a for-profit wing, Spartan Media Ventures, giving the Spartans a broader way to channel support into athletics at a time when programs are chasing every possible edge.
The early backing is significant, with the operation getting off the ground through money tied to Greg and Dawn Williams, and the structure also keeps donations outside the public eye while still putting them to athletic use. The part that will matter most to fans is what comes next: the for-profit side is designed to open new revenue streams, including NIL media endorsement opportunities for athletes, as Michigan State looks for a more modern way to compete in the marketplace. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State May Finally Have An Answer Up Front
Michigan States offensive line picture is starting to come into focus, and the biggest reason for optimism is the kind of veteran turnover the staff has been chasing all offseason. Three incoming transfers are expected to start up front, giving the Spartans a much different look as they try to steady a unit that needed help at the guard spots a year ago. Among the newcomers, sixth-year senior Nick Sharpe stands out as a plug-and-play addition with the experience and familiarity the coaches wanted.
Sharpe arrives after stops at Wake Forest and South Carolina, and his past overlap with offensive line coach Nick Tabacca gives Michigan State a built-in layer of trust. He is expected to settle in at left guard, where the Spartans are looking to replace Gavin Broscious after his move to Iowa State. If Sharpe can provide the kind of stability this group lacked, it would go a long way toward making the rest of the line work around him. [Read more 🡒]
Jasiah Jervis Is Already Pressuring Izzos Guard Rotation
Jasiah Jervis arrived in East Lansing with the kind of reputation that makes people look twice, and the early returns have only sharpened the curiosity around Michigan State's backcourt. The Spartans' top freshman recruit, ranked 31st overall in the class of 2026 and the highest-rated guard in the current class, has been putting that billing to work in the Moneyball Pro-Am, where he has quickly looked like a player who belongs in the conversation for real minutes.
That matters because Michigan State already has Jeremy Fears Jr. established in the backcourt, and Jervis is expected to compete for a significant role alongside him at the two-guard spot. For Tom Izzo, the question is less about whether Jervis can score and more about how soon that skill set forces its way into the rotation, especially if his summer form continues to translate against live competition. [Read more 🡒]