Rumours continue to emerge as the offseason begins for the non-playoff half of the NHL. Where might Noah Hanifin, Matt Duchene, Steve Mason and Ryan Miller end up?
- We knew heading into the offseason that the Carolina Hurricanes were likely to shop some of their defensive surplus in order to improve up front. Throughout the season, rumours surfaced suggesting Ryan Murphy and Justin Faulk being potentially available. Now you can add another name to that list: the Hurricanes are apparently willing to listen on Noah Hanifin. Rumours had surfaced before; this simply confirms his name is out there. The 5th overall pick in 2015 still holds plenty of promise, but the emergence of Jacob Slavin and Brett Pesce has eaten away at his opportunity in Carolina. Blueline prospects Jake Bean and Haydn Fleury are on the way as well.
- Speculating here: would a Hanifin for Matt Duchene swap interest either team? The Hurricanes were rumoured to be heavily in the mix for Duchene before the trade deadline. Hanifin is exactly the kind of young defenseman the Avalanche need.
- The Kings have begun their organizational shakeup from the top down, letting go of both coach Darryl Sutter and GM Dean Lombardi. Rob Blake inherits a cap mess, and will look to shed salary throughout the offseason. The Kings reportedly tried to move the Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik contracts at the trade deadline, to no avail. Names such as Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis and Jordan Nolan have surfaced as well.
- Many wonder what the Canucks might do in net with Ryan Miller potentially heading to free agency. Some rumours suggested Vancouver might be interested in bringing him back, but recent rumblings suggest he would look favourably on a move closer to home in the LA region. The Canucks aren't likely to start the season with just Jakob Markstrom and Richard Bachman (or Thatcher Demko?), especially considering the goalies available this summer.
- Many questions surround the future of goaltender Steve Mason. The pending UFA is interested in returning to the Flyers, but the interest doesn't appear to be entirely mutual. If the Flyers let him walk, expect them to go big game hunting. As far as where Mason might land, the LA Kings might be an option.
- Jonas Gustavsson is rumoured to be heading home to Sweden. The "Monster" is likely just the first of several veteran goalies headed to Europe amidst a very crowded goalie market this summer.
