On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Scott Powers of The Athletic: The Blackhawks were unable to sign Jimmy Vesey. They put a lot of time and effort in their attempt to sign him.
They now could be done for the offseason. They do potentially have have around $2.6 million in cap space.
Free agent Jiri Hudler could be one option for the Blackhawks if they want to add some more offense. He’s been linked to a few teams, but it’s been quiet from his reps.
The only other remaining free agents who scored 10 goals or more are Brandon Pirri, Tomas Fleischmann, David Jones and Lauri Korpikoski. Fleischmann and Pirri likely don’t want to return to Chicago.
On the St. Louis Blues …
James O’Brien of Pro Hockey Talk: O’Brien doesn’t think the Blues should be considering trading defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. Shattenkirk is entering the final year of his deal and has a cap friendly hit of $4.25 million.
The Blues didn’t re-sign David Backes or Troy Brouwer, and traded goalie Brian Elliott this offseason.
The Blues will also have the 32-year old Alex Steen looking for a contract after this upcoming season, but isn’t the 27-year old Shattenkirk more valuable to them?
Colton Parayko will be a RFA after next season.
O’Brien wonders if the Blues would be better served to try and trade Jay Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester has a no-trade clause and carries a $5.4 million cap hit. The Blues might have retain some salary.
It would be hard to see the Blues getting equal value if traded Shattenkirk.
On the Calgary Flames …
Cap Friendly: After signing Sean Monahan to a seven-year deal with a $6.375 million salary cap hit, the Flames have about $8.6 million in projected salary cap space. The Flames still have RFAs Johnny Gaudreau and Freddie Hamilton to sign.
Cap Friendly: Monahan’s deal includes a partial no-trade clause in the final three years on his contract.
Renaud Lavoie: Salary breakdown for Monahan – 16-17 $6.5M, 17-18 $6.5M, 18-19 $6.75M, 19-20 $6.75M, 20-21 $6M, 21-22 $6.125M, 22-23 $6M
Craig Custance: Would expect that Johnny Gaudreau’s next contract will end up being similar to Monahan’s. The Flames see Gaudreau-Monahan deals as similar to the Patrick Kane-Jonathan Toews situation.
