NHL News: Leafs, Rangers, Ducks and Flames
  • Chris Johnston: The Maple Leafs fire assistant GMs Claude Loiselle and Dave Poulin, and hire Kyle Dubas. James Mirtle: Brandan Shanahan’s biggest stamp, one of the sharpest, upcoming executives.  Steve Simmons: There will be one or two more front office hirings for the Leafs this offseason. Greg Brady: Told explicitly that the Leafs had planned to clean up their front office next summer and hire Dubas, but another Eastern team was ready to hire him this summer. Darren Dreger: Poulin and Loiselle reportedly had three years left on their deals.
  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers avoided salary arbitration with Mats Zuccarello, agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million salary. Zuccarello could become a UFA next summer, but both sides will continue to work on a long-term contract. He’s not eligible to sign a deal until after January 1st. A long-term deal could come in the $4.5 million range. The Rangers have about $9.5 million in salary cap space with RFAs Chris Kreider, Derick Brassard and John Moore. They also need to add a depth player or two.
  • Lisa Dillman: The Ducks and Sami Vatanen agree to a two-year deal: $1.25 million and $1.275 million.
  • Roger Millions: The Flames re-sign Joe Colborne to a two-year deal, $1.275 million per season.