NHL Rumors: Rangers, Devils, Flames, Jets and UFAs
Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames and Michael Hutchinson of the Winnipeg Jets
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On the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, and Winnipeg Jets …

Dan Rosen of NHL.com: (mailbag) Even though the Rangers have many forwards, they are likely to stand pat for now. They could make a move before the start of the regular season. They have 17 forwards including injured Oscar Lindberg. Max Lapierre is on a PTO and Josh Jooris has a two-way deal.

Could see the Devils as a potential fit for free agent defenseman Kris Russell.

Russell, Kyle Quincey, David Jones, Lauri Korpikoski and Tomas Fleischmann should all be able to find a team soon. Fleischmann and Dennis Seidenberg‘s play at the World Cup could help improve their chances of finding a team.

The Flames and Johnny Gaudreau should be able to get a deal done before the start of the season. GM Brad Treliving and president Brian Burke are smart enough to know that they need to get a deal done before the situation becomes a problem for the organization. Rosen can see Gaudreau getting a seven-year, $49 million deal.

Rosen would try to trade Ondrej Pavelec and his $3.9 million cap hit if he were the Jets, and go with Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson. The Jets have Hutchinson at good value – $1.15 million – for the next two years, so they shouldn’t trade him.

On Remaining Free Agents …

Luke Fox of SportsNet: Looking at the top 10 remaining free agents.

  1. Kris Russell – The Bruins, Panthers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens and Canucks has shown interest at some point this offseason. Russell’s agent said he’s talked to eight teams about Russell. The Flames and Senators have recently been linked to Russell.
  2. James Wisniewski – on a PTO with the Lightning.
  3. Kyle Quincey – The Devils could be an option.
  4. Patrik Elias – Elias wants to play one more year according to his agent. They are only talking to the Devils. Devils GM Ray Shero is waiting to see how Elias’ health holds up.
  5. Dennis Seidenberg – Bruce Garrioch said the Senators have shown interest.
  6. Tomas Fleischmann – Eight teams are reportedly interested in bringing Fleischmann in on a PTO.
  7. Tuomo Ruutu – attending the Canucks training camp on a PTO.
  8. Alex Tanguay – Tanguay’s agent said two or three teams are interested in him.
  9. Kris Versteeg – a lot of teams were interested in bringing him in on a PTO. PTO with the Oilers.
  10. Christian Ehrhoff – a weak team may look at him for a veteran presence.