The Nashville Predators have re-signed Michael McCarron to a 2-year deal.
McCarron, 28, has 7 goals and 6 assists in 42 games this season. The forward signed a 1-year contract last summer and that was the first 1-way deal of his career.
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Blue Jackets fire Kekalainen as GM
The Columbus Blue Jackets have fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
Team president John Davidson will take over general manager duties until a replacement is found.
The Blue Jackets named Kekalainen general manager in 2013, making him the first European born GM in the NHL.
The Blue Jackets figure to be moderately active before the upcoming trade deadline. Defensemen Ivan Provorov and Andrew Peeke as well as goaltender Elvis Merzlikins have been in trade rumors. Pending UFA Jack Roslovic is also likely to be moved.
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Phil Kessel to workout with Canucks’ AHL affiliate
Phil Kessel is going to be working out with the Canucks’ AHL team in Abbotsford, Canucks’ GM Patrik Allvin reports.
Kessel played last season in Vegas, putting up 14 goals and 22 assists in 82 regular season games. He also played 4 playoff games for the Cup champions.
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Friedman: Devils have discussed Markstrom
Elliotte Friedman reports that the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames had “legit discussions” last week surrounding goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
He notes he’s not sure if the discussion was taken to Markstrom, who has a full no-trade clause and can thus block a trade to any destination he’s not happy with.
Friedman says it seems unlikely at this point, as the two teams couldn’t gain traction on what would be an appropriate package for the goaltender, and how much of his $6 million cap-hit should be retained by the Flames. Sounds like there’s some posturing happening in these early trade negotiations.
Markstrom, 34, is signed for two seasons beyond 2023-24. The Flames also have Dan Vladar signed through next season at a $2.2 million cap hit, and promising 22-year old Dustin Wolf in goal as well.
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Nick Bonino to have contract terminated
Nick Bonino is on unconditional waivers today with the intent of having his contract with the New York Rangers terminated.
Bonino was given some time to consider his options after clearing waivers and being demoted to the AHL last week. Darren Dreger reports that teams have been kicking the tires on Bonino. It’s curious why any team with interest in Bonino wouldn’t have claimed him off waivers at his current contract of $800,000.
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Report: Jets trading for Sean Monahan
It appears that the Winnipeg Jets are acquiring Sean Monahan.
Darren Dreger reports that the Jets are giving up a first-round pick and another conditional pick.
With Elias Lindholm moving to Vancouver earlier this week, and Monahan seemingly going to Winnipeg, the center market is moving quickly. There’s still Adam Henrique and potentially Scott Laughton out there, with several teams still after a center including the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. -
Canucks trade for Elias Lindholm
The Vancouver Canucks are acquiring Elias Lindholm from the Flames for a package involving Andrei Kuzmenko.
This is the second trade these two divisional rivals have made this season, with the Canucks trading for Nikita Zadorov earlier in the year.
Lindholm was likely the highest profile player on the trade market, and will likely slot in as the Canucks 2nd line center between Elias Pettersson and Teddy Blueger.
Kuzmenko had 39 goals and 35 assists in his NHL debut last season, but the strained relationship with he and Rick Tocchet has intensified, leading to his ice time being very scarce this season. He is signed through 2024-25 at a cap hit of $5.5 million.
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Flyers re-sign Owen Tippett
The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed Owen Tippett to an 8-year deal worth $6.2 million per season.
Tippett, 24, has 18 goals and 12 assists in 46 games with the Flyers this season. He was acquired by the Flyers in a 2022 trade which sent Claude Giroux to the Panthers.
This deal covers two RFA seasons and six UFA seasons for Tippett.