How much has the NHL's goalie market changed this week? Linus Ullmark is among the netminders still featured in trade speculation.
How much has the NHL's goalie market changed this week? Linus Ullmark is among the netminders still featured in trade speculation.
This summer's NHL market for goaltenders shrank by two on Wednesday.
The Calgary Flames shipped Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils, while the Washington Capitals sent Darcy Kuemper to the Los Angeles Kings.
The Hockey News' Adam Proteau listed five noteworthy choices left for teams seeking an upgrade between the pipes after the moves. Trade options include Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators and Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins. Anthony Stolarz of the Florida Panthers, Laurent Brossoit of the Winnipeg Jets and the Kings' Cam Talbot are the notables heading to free agency.
Saros frequently surfaced in the rumor mill this season as a trade candidate. There was speculation linking the 29-year-old Predators starter to the Toronto Maple Leafs if Mitch Marner agreed to a trade to Nashville. The Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan swatted down that notion, indicating Marner intends to play out the final season of his contract with the Leafs.
The Hockey News' Emma Lingan considers it unlikely that Saros is available, citing the Predators' high asking price. Earlier this month, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported Predators GM Barry Trotz was discussing a contract extension with the goalie's agent.
With Markstrom off the market, the focus shifts to Ullmark. Boston Hockey Now's Anthony Fantucchio believes the Bruins have fewer possible destinations for the 30-year-old Bruins netminder. He has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million and a 16-team no-trade list.
Fantucchio listed the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators as potential suitors. The Hurricanes are entertaining trade offers for winger Martin Necas, while the Senators could part with their 2024 first-rounder or defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
Michael DeRosa cited a Postmedia report claiming the Senators are revisiting their interest in Ullmark after losing the Markstrom sweepstakes. They reportedly attempted to acquire him before the trade deadline, but both sides couldn't agree to a deal.
It's rumored the Senators offered goalie Joonas Korpisalo in return, but the Bruins refused. They couldn't afford to take on his $4-million annual average value for the next four seasons.
Steve Warne cited TSN's Travis Yost reporting the Senators could have the framework of a deal in place with the Philadelphia Flyers by the upcoming NHL draft. Yost was short on specifics regarding the type and size of the deal. Max Miller speculates it could be Chychrun heading to the Flyers.
Maybe the Senators include Korpisalo in the deal to free up cap room for Ullmark. The Flyers lack an experienced netminder with Carter Hart out of the lineup indefinitely and facing an uncertain future awaiting trial related to the 2018 world junior sexual assault case.
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