Rumor Roundup: Thomas Greiss' success means Jaroslav Halak could hit the trade market
Goaltender Thomas Greiss' solid performance filling in for sidelined starter Jaroslav Halak could spell the end of the latter's tenure with the New York Islanders. Newsday's Arthur Staple reports Isles GM Garth Snow sang Greiss' praises, suggesting he's ready to be a full-time starter.
Staple notes the Islanders currently carry three netminders with Halak, Greiss and promising J-F Berube. He points out the oft-injured Halak voiced his displeasure over the setup and suggests there's a rift between the veteran and management.
The 31-year-old Halak has two years remaining on his contract. He could hit the trade block this summer. Staple doubts he'll fetch much of a return and would be more of a cost-cutting deal for other roster moves.
Halak also lacks a no-trade clause and there are clubs (Calgary, Carolina, Toronto) in need of goaltending depth. However, his injury history and $4.5-million annual cap hit could adversely affect his trade value.
WHAT IS PANTHERS LONG-TERM PLAN WITH GUDBRANSON?
The Florida Panthers recent re-signing of defenseman Erik Gudbranson to a one-year, $3.5-million contract extension raised some eyebrows. The Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa notes the 24-year-old Gudbranson is of the age where high-end blueliners like himself get multiyear deals. Shinzawa speculates Panthers management might not be enamoured with him.
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel claims the move was made to provide the Panthers with salary-cap flexibility for next season to re-sign rising center Vincent Trocheck. He also reports they're among the clubs interested in former NHL winger Alexander Radulov, who spent the last four seasons in the KHL.
Gudbranson already has five seasons under his belt with the Panthers. Despite missing time this season to a concussion, he was among their leaders in hits (150), blocked shots (73) and ice time (20:06). He also averaged over 26 minutes of ice time per game in the post-season.
Gudbranson's ongoing improvement as a shutdown defenseman should keep him part of the Panthers' long-term plans. If not, he'll attract considerable interest via free agency next summer.
EXPECT ONLY MINOR CHANGES TO CAPITALS IN OFF-SEASON
Don't expect the Washington Capitals' early playoff exit to result in a significant roster overhaul.
Earlier this week, Capitals GM Brian MacLellan addressed the media for the first time since his club's elimination by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshuyan reports MacLellan is “pretty content” with his core. He'll look at bolstering the third line, specifically his ninth or tenth forwards.
MacLellan also intends to get restricted free agents Marcus Johansson, Dmitry Orlov, Tom Wilson and Michael Latta re-signed. His plans to tweak his third line could mean cutting loose unrestricted free agents Mike Richards and Jason Chimera. The 37-year-old Chimera, however, tells Khurshudyan he hopes to return with the Capitals next season.
Adding speed and scoring to the third line is crucial. The Penguins third line of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel did the most damage to the Capitals in their second-round series. MacLellan will likely attempt to emulate that model.
Rumor Roundup appears regularly only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Eishockey News and The Guardian (P.E.I.).
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
