The Calgary Flames seem to be taking a conservative approach in this year's free agency. With key players like Ryan Lomberg, Jake Bean, Victor Olofsson, and Justin Kirkland heading towards unrestricted free agency, the Flames aren't expected to make significant moves to retain them. Instead, fans might see a few depth signings, but overall, it looks like Calgary is planning to keep things quiet.
Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks found themselves in an intriguing position during the draft. General Manager Mike Grier revealed that the team received a compelling trade offer for the No. 2 pick.
This offer included an established player who would fit well within their current timeline. However, as the draft progressed and it became apparent that defenseman Keaton Verhoeff would likely be available at No. 9, they decided to hold onto their pick until the No. 7 slot was reached.
Switching gears to the Columbus Blue Jackets, GM Don Waddell had a clear strategy for the No. 14 pick. Despite receiving multiple trade offers, Waddell was firm in his decision to keep the pick if Oscar Hemming was still on the board. True to his word, the Blue Jackets selected Hemming, sticking to their plan.
In Edmonton, the situation with defenseman Darnell Nurse is becoming increasingly complex. With four years remaining on a hefty contract, Nurse has expressed a desire to leave the Oilers.
However, the limited three-team list he submitted is proving to be a hurdle in facilitating a trade. GM Stan Bowman has reportedly exhausted negotiations with Nurse's camp, and expanding the list might be necessary to find a suitable deal.
The process is fraught with complications, especially considering other teams' interests in players like Zach Werensky or John Carlson, which could further muddy the waters for the Oilers and Nurse. The situation remains delicate, with both sides navigating a challenging landscape.
In Other News...
Sharks Fans Are About To Have Feelings Over Brent Burns New Deal
Brent Burns is heading into another season with a familiar kind of spotlight, the sort that follows a player whose next move still resonates in San Jose. The long-time Sharks defenseman has carved out a career that made him one of the most recognizable figures of his era, and any time he lands a fresh contract, it tends to hit a nerve with fans who watched him become a franchise centerpiece.
His latest deal is built around a modest base salary with performance bonuses tied to games played and average ice time, a structure that suggests both flexibility and one more chance to stay in the lineup and contribute. Burns also enters the year chasing the one prize that has eluded him, and for Sharks fans, that familiar pursuit is exactly why this update is going to stir up a few feelings. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Just Made A Telling Decision About Their Blue Line
San Joses blue line is already starting to take shape, and Michael Kesselring is now part of the long-term plan. The Sharks locked up the restricted free agent defenseman on a three-year contract after acquiring him from Buffalo on June 17, a move that brought another young, NHL-tested piece into a defense group that has been in flux all offseason.
The timing matters because the Sharks do not have much certainty behind him. Kesselring, Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson are the only defensemen with notable NHL experience currently signed for next season, while Shakir Mukhamadullin remains unsigned and several others are headed toward free agency or still in contract discussions. For a team still sorting out what its back end should look like, this was a pretty clear signal about which players it wants to build around. [Read more 🡒]
Former Shark Alexander Barabanov Reportedly Has A New Overseas Landing Spot
Alexander Barabanovs next stop overseas appears to be taking shape after his return to the Kontinental Hockey League following his time with the Sharks. After leaving San Jose, the winger signed a two-year deal with Ak Bars Kazan and settled back into familiar KHL territory, giving that club a veteran scorer who could still tilt a lineup with his pace and finishing touch.
Now, after 131 games in Kazan and another productive run in Russia, Barabanov is reportedly on track for a new chapter with a club trying to climb a little higher in the standings. The deal is said to carry a hefty salary and is tied to a future season, a sign that his market remains strong even as Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg continues adding pieces in hopes of finally making a deeper playoff push. [Read more 🡒]