The New York Islanders are drawing interest, but the latest chatter suggests they may not be eager to make a move that creates another problem elsewhere.
Elliotte Friedman said the Islanders have been getting calls on both Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal, but their contracts have changed the conversation. As Friedman put it: “I think they did get calls on Horvat and Barzal, but now Horvat is at 8.5, Barzal is 9.15, all the sudden those are great contracts… I think they look at it like, if we lose these guys, those are going to open up huge holes to fill.”
On the Rangers’ side, the door still appears open for another forward addition. Vincent Z.
Mercogliano of The Athletic reported that based on what GM Chris Drury has hinted at, and what he’s heard, New York shouldn’t be ruled out as a team looking to upgrade its top six. He noted the Rangers may need to find an upgrade to Oliver Bjorkstrand in that group.
That could have ripple effects for defenseman Braden Schneider, who has been in the rumor mill and looks set for the third pairing. Mercogliano said the increased trading on Will Borgen has improved Schneider’s chances of staying put, though he could still be moved for a top-nine forward.
Out in Vancouver, Elias Pettersson’s contract is being viewed a little differently than it was before. On Sekeres and Price, David Pagnotta said the Canucks might need to retain some salary and possibly add a sweetener, but the deal is starting to look more manageable.
Blake Price said, “He’s a perennial 60 point guy. He’s signing for 10 million bucks, isn’t he?
Pagnotta replied, “Effectively, you’re describing a second line center. So second line centers are either are, or are going to be in that eight to 10 (million) range, and 11.6 isn’t that far off.
Price added, “That’s what I’m saying.”
Pagnotta then said, “You know, if, if they’re, and we’ve talked about this too, like there’s been a moderate appetite. An inkling that maybe they’ll retain a little bit on that deal, and you started to hear two, 3 million bucks. I don’t even know if they wanted to go that far, but 1.6, get him at 10.
Again, you’re going to have to incentivize the team to do it. It’s the trade, and then it’s the dollars on top of it. But it seems like it’s a lot more palatable now than it’s ever been based on recent production.”
In Other News...
Canucks May Be Near The Pettersson Decision Fans Dread
Claude Girouxs expected return to Ottawa, with a deal that reportedly brings more guaranteed money than his previous contract, is the latest reminder of how carefully NHL players and teams are weighing their next moves. Around the league, theres been plenty of talk about younger players second-guessing recent contracts, and that conversation naturally circles back to Vancouver, where Elias Pettersson remains one of the most closely watched names on the board.
For the Canucks, the question is not just whether Pettersson is available, but whether the timing and market line up in a way that makes sense. There are teams taking a fresh look at the situation, even if the picture is still murky, and Vancouver has to balance the appeal of a major reset against the possibility of moving a player whose value could look very different in a new setting. With the trade route increasingly part of the conversation, the pressure is on to avoid making a decision that looks reasonable now but leaves the club wishing it had waited. [Read more 🡒]
Have The Flames Finally Built A Prospect Pool That Matters
The Flames have spent the better part of Craig Conroys tenure trying to repair a prospect pipeline that had run thin, and the early returns are starting to look more substantial. After 33 draft picks, Calgarys system now has enough depth to sort players into clear tiers, with the most promising names beginning to separate from the rest and giving the organization something it has lacked for a while: real options.
At the top of that list are the blue-chip talents, but the more interesting part of the conversation may be the group just behind them, where several young players are pushing toward meaningful roles. Matvei Gridin, Cole Reschny, Simon Nemec, Henry Mews, Hunter Brzustewicz and Ethan Wyttenbach all sit in that next wave, while others such as Sam Honzek and Aydar Suniev are still trying to turn flashes into something more permanent. For a team that has been rebuilding its prospect base from the ground up, the question now is less whether the pool exists and more how much impact it can ultimately produce. [Read more 🡒]
Calgary Flames Fans Just Took A Brutal Hit To Daily Coverage
A major shakeup in Calgarys sports media scene is leaving Flames fans with a lot less to listen to on the daily commute. Rogers Communications is shutting down Sportsnet 960 and 660 NewsRadio after a review of its radio stations, ending a long-running local hub for Flames coverage that included reporting, analysis, debate and live game talk throughout the day.
The move also puts the team in a tough spot on the broadcast side, since the Flames will need to sort out alternative radio plans moving forward. For a fan base used to hearing familiar voices break down signings, trades and draft picks, the loss is more than just a station change, it strips away a significant part of the teams everyday coverage. [Read more 🡒]