If the Vancouver Canucks made plans to sign any more UFAs or RFAs, they'll probably have to shed some salary first. As of this post the Canucks find themselves with less than 3 million dollars in cap space. They would have interest in defenseman Cody Franson were they able to find the cap room required to sign him. Furthermore, the lack of cap space is preventing them from resigning young RFA forward Sven Baertschi. Names that have been in the rumour mill as trade candidates include Chris Higgins, Luca Sbisa, Dan Hamhuis, and Radim Vrbata. The latter two aren't likely to move until later this season though, if at all. Nonetheless, the Canucks are a team to watch in the coming weeks.
QUICK HITS
- I'd keep an eye on the situations in Boston, Columbus and Buffalo. All three wanted to add a blueliner in free agency but have yet to find their match. It's believed Boston would like to move Dennis Seidenberg before doing anything else, but finding a taker for the aging blueliner who's due 4 million a year for the next three seasons won't be easy.
- Boston and Buffalo certainly seem like the frontrunners for Cody Franson, but Arizona, Pittsburgh and Toronto have inquired recently as well.
- Flyers GM Ron Hextall told the media that he's content heading into the season with his roster as currently constructed. But it's no secret that the Flyers would love to shed some salary, be it Vincent Lecavalier's 4.5 million dollar cap hit, Andrew MacDonald's 5 million, or any number of other underperforming players (there have been Luke Schenn rumours as well). Aside from trading Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Mason and Streit, the Flyers are open to pretty much anything.
- The re-signing of Rangers restricted free agent JT Miller means one fewer offer sheet target. There were rumours out there that a team out there was preparing to make a move knowing full well the Rangers cap troubles. But as offer sheet rumours tend to go, nothing actually materialized.
- The Capitals are looking for another center via trade or free agency.
- Louis Leblanc's one year contract with the Islanders ends the months-long speculation that he was headed over to play in the Swiss league this season
Reports emerging that former #Habs 1st rounder and #NHLDucks prospect Louis Leblanc is leaving NA to play for HC Davos of the Swiss league.
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 15, 2015- On the other hand, two NHLers who are generating a lot of interest in Europe are goalie Jonas Gustavsson and defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. It's believed Gustavsson has several KHL offers on the table, while Visnovsky is being eyed by KHL and Austrian clubs.
- A few young players who were once seen as can't miss prospects remain out there on the UFA market. Goalie Mark Visentin, winger Scott Glennie and defenseman Taylor Doherty are just three of the many interesting young players available. You have to think there's teams out there that would roll the dice on them.
RUMOUR BOARD
Chris Higgins and Dennis Seidenberg added to the Rumour Board. As always, lots and lots of tweaks. Even on days where I don't post, I am updating the Board. All day, every day.