What could the offseason hold for the Stars? What’s the latest Rangers speculation? Could the Panthers move a key defenseman to free up cap room this summer? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE STARS?
ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what the offseason might hold for the Dallas Stars following their elimination from the Western Conference Final.
Matt Duchene and Joe Pavelski are unrestricted free agents on July 1. They were part of the Stars forward depth that enabled the club to challenge other top contenders. Clark believes they should be back if there’s cap space to make it work.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have a projected $15.9 million of cap space for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. While their core players are all under contract, squeezing Duchene and Pavelski within that limited space won’t be easy unless they accept pay cuts or management makes a cost-cutting trade.
Pavelski’s struggles during this postseason prompted retirement speculation. If he hangs up his skates, it could make it easier to retain Duchene.
THE LATEST ON THE RANGERS
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh wondered if New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury might consider any moves that shake up the core and free up some salary-cap space.
New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).
Baugh noted that Rangers captain Jacob Trouba’s performance this season did not play up to his $8 million cap hit. The 30-year-old defenseman’s no-movement clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1 for the final two years of his contract. There’s speculation that Trouba could draw some interest in the trade market, especially if the Rangers retain part of his cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Baugh believes that’s something Drury should consider but it’s probably not an option the Rangers GM will take seriously. They’re all-in for the Stanley Cup and Trouba is a key part. A more likely cost-cutting trade candidate is forward Barclay Goodrow. He’s under contract through 2026-27 with a $3.64 million annual average value and a 15-team no-trade clause.
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Rangers have big decisions to make regarding restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren, Braden Schneider, and Kaapo Kakko.
Lindgren is a linchpin player in line for a significant raise over his current $3 million AAV. Drury might have to shed some salary to free up room to keep him.
Schneider is coming off his entry-level contract with little leverage. He could get a three-year bridge deal for around $3 million annually.
Meanwhile, questions remain about Kakko’s future with the Rangers after struggling through this season and the playoffs. The 23-year-old still has the potential to become a top-six winger but whether he’ll do so on Broadway is another matter. Sears expects the Rangers will likely reshape their roster this summer while trying to save money. Shopping Kakko’s rights is an obvious move.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Peter Baugh believes there will be interest in Kakko if the Rangers decide to trade him this summer. He suggests it might be the best move for the player and the team, speculating he could fetch a second or third-round pick.
Mollie Walker believes Igor Shesterkin could aim for a historic contract after his dominant postseason performance. The 28-year-old goaltender will become a UFA next summer but the Rangers can sign him to an extension on July 1. Walker speculates his camp could aim for a long-term deal for as high as $12 million annually, which would be a salary-cap record for an NHL goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin is also a former Vezina Trophy winner (2022). The Rangers have no choice but to lock him up to a long-term deal that could reach $12 million per season.
COULD THE PANTHERS TRADE AARON EKBLAD THIS SUMMER?
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons noted that the Florida Panthers want to re-sign winger Sam Reinhart and defenseman Brandon Montour.
“The thinking is, the Panthers will look to trade Aaron Ekblad at the end of the season and use his money to keep Montour,” writes Simmons. He also believes Reinhart will sign a “tax-friendly deal brought to you by the state of Florida,” meaning he could accept less than market value because Florida doesn’t have a state tax.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers carry a projected $20.8 million of cap space next season with 13 active roster players under contract. New deals for Reinhart and Montour will take up most of it so a cost-cutting trade is necessary.
Moving Ekblad and his $7.75 million AAV for next season would be bold given his role as one of their top two defensemen and team leaders. He’s also a year away from UFA eligibility. However, that seems like a “last resort” option for Panthers GM Bill Zito.
Ekblad has a 12-team no-trade list which would complicate things. His cap hit won’t be easy for teams to absorb even with the salary cap rising by $4 million next season.
More likely cost-cutting candidates include Evan Rodrigues ($3 million annually through 2026-27), Niko Mikkola ($2.5 million through 2025-26), or even Sam Bennett ($4.425 million). All of them lack no-trade protection. Like Ekblad, Bennett is a year away from UFA eligibility.