Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Flyers and RFA defenseman Philippe Myers are close on a new contract that could be agreed to this week.
Myers, 23, is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. He is four seasons away from unrestricted free agency.
In 71 NHL games, Myers has 5 goals and 13 assists for the Flyers in his career.
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk spoke to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun about the present and future state of his hockey team.
Said Melnyk: “We have turned the corner. We just now need to execute on what we have. This is the team, with what we have right now, I believe can win a Stanley Cup already, and that’s without adding some veterans, which we plan to do.”
“We’ll be a team that’s active at the trade deadline and not as sellers, but as buyers, just like we used to be.”
After missing out on the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, the Senators have loaded up on prospects, making three first round picks in the 2020 draft, including three of the top five picks.
Corey Masisak of the Athletic speculates what the Devils might do with their cap space, which he figures to be a minimum of $10 million once the Devils have signed their RFAs.
He calls Alex Killorn the obvious candidate for a trade, potentially bringing both leadership and scoring ability. Elliotte Friedman mentioned last week that he expects the Lightning to move Killorn in order to get under the salary cap.
He also mentions the possibility of signing a UFA forward like Mike Hoffman, Mikael Granlund, or Anthony Duclair if any of the group would be willing to sign a short-term deal with the Devils.
Andy Strickland reports that the Nashville Predators are interested in UFA wingers Mike Hoffman and Mikael Granlund, with a much better chance of landing Hoffman of the two.
Strickland notes that the Hurricanes and the Blue Jackets are two additional teams interested in Granlund.
Tom Gulitti of NHL.com wonders if the Columbus Blue Jackets will target a forward to bring into their lineup with winger Gustav Nyquist out long-term with a shoulder injury.
Gulitti mentions that for budget reasons, it might need to wait until Pierre-Luc Dubois is re-signed. He mentions Mike Hoffman and Mikael Granlund as potential targets.
On the 31 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman suggested that he thinks Alex Killorn is the likely cap casualty for the Lightning as they need to manage their cap charges in advance of the upcoming season.
Killorn is signed through the next three seasons at a cap hit of $4.5 million. He can list 16 teams he will not accept a trade to.
Friedman notes that the Lightning asked most of their players with no-trade clauses for flexibility, and most have said no.