The ongoing speculation over whether Connor McDavid will sign an extension with the Edmonton Oilers before the start of training camp continues to dominate headlines [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/edmonton-on-edge-as-mcdavid-s-contract-talks-drag-on]. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights] and Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild] could be getting closer to signing their two pending UFA superstar forwards. We noted last week that there was little to report [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-updates-on-jack-eichel-kirill-kaprizov-and-rasmus-andersson] on the status of Jack Eichel's contract extension negotiations with the Golden Knights. However, Bleacher Report's Frank Seravalli believes [https://x.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1962936909207896359] the 28-year-old center will sign a new deal before the start of the regular season. Seravalli also thinks left winger Kirill Kaprizov will re-sign with the Wild before the regular season begins. However, he feels that Eichel will sign first, predicting the Golden Knights center will receive an average annual value in the $13 million to $13.5 million range. Kaprizov has more leverage with the Wild because they rely so heavily on his scoring. That has Seravalli forecasting an average annual value of $15 million for the 28-year-old. That's lower than what Wild beat writer Michael Russo of The Athletic recently predicted [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-no-deal-yet-for-wild-s-kaprizov-rangers-could-re-sign-panarin] for Kaprizov. He stated last week that he thinks they'll pay him an average annual value in the range of $16 million. That would give Kaprizov the league's highest annual cap hit for 2026-27, but McDavid's will likely be much higher than that, regardless of where and when he signs. Nevertheless, Wild owner Craig Leipold told [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6595567/2025/09/03/wild-kirill-kaprizov-extension-craig-leipold/] The Athletic's Joe Smith that Kaprizov's new contract will be “a huge deal, likely the biggest in the NHL ever.” Jack Roslovic (James Guillory-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0cd7471d-5f6b-4ffe-90b5-55ce123b6800.jpeg] Jack Roslovic (James Guillory-Imagn Images) Meanwhile, the top player remaining in this summer's depleted UFA market remains linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs]. We mentioned last month that there was conjecture [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-could-the-avalanche-trade-samuel-girard-will-the-maple-leafs-peddle-nick-robertson] indicating they were among several teams tied to former Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] center Jack Roslovic. The Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks] were also believed among Roslovic's suitors. However, we noted [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-vancouver-canucks-buzz] last week that this was no longer the case, possibly due to his inconsistent play. On Aug. 26, Seravalli said he'd heard the Leafs were still in contention [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzrB9nHlG28&ab_channel=BleacherReport] for Roslovic. He indicated that there isn't a deal in place between the two sides, but the Leafs are keeping tabs on the versatile 28-year-old forward. The Leafs have $1.919 million in cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/toronto-maple-leafs]. It was reported earlier this summer that they might have to clear some salary to sign Roslovic. Trade candidates could include David Kampf ($2.4 million) or Calle Jarnkrok ($2.1 million). For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
