NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Top 25 Trade Bait
The Pittsburgh Penguins have come to an agreement to sign defenseman Jack Johnson when free agency opens on July 1st.
On the Vancouver Canucks …

Jason Brough: According to Iain MacIntyre Tyler Bozak won’t be signing with the Canucks. Does this mean they will turn to Riley Nash? Would be worried about signing a 29-year old who has really only had one productive season.

On the Pittsburgh Penguins …

Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford “Our priority in this offseason is to add another defenseman.”

Jason Mackey: Mark Maddex reported the that the Penguins were going to sign UFA defenseman Jack Johnson to a five-year deal. A source said that the five-year deal is worth around $16 million – somewhere between a $3 and $3.5 million salary cap hit.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Source saying Johnson’s five-year deal will between $16.5 and $17.5 million

TSN Updated Top 25 trade bait …

Frank Seravalli of TSN: Do the Winnipeg Jets or Tampa Bay Lightning look to shed some salary like the Penguins did yesterday.

The Lightning only have $5 million in salary cap and they made a pitch to John Tavares. Ryan Callahan has two years left at $5.8 million per, and Tyler Johnson could become trade chips.

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would like to re-sign Paul Stastny and could move out Mathieu Perreault. Steve Mason is another trade candidate and could be a potential buyout. Defenseman Tyler Myers could become a trade candidate.

1. Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators
2. Ryan O’Reilly – Buffalo Sabres
3. Jeff Skinner – Carolina Hurricanes
4. Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens
5. Justin Faulk – Carolina Hurricanes
6. Zack Smith – Ottawa Senators
7. Jason Zucker – Minnesota Wild
8. Craig Anderson – Ottawa Senators
9. Artemi Panarin – Columbus Blue Jackets
10. Phil Kessel – Pittsburgh Penguins
11. Kevin Hayes – New York Rangers
12. Matt Dumba – Minnesota Wild
13. Brandon Montour – Anaheim Ducks
14. Colton Parayko – St. Louis Blues
15. Ryan Callahan – Tampa Bay Lightning
16. Milan Lucic – Edmonton Oilers
17. Alex Petrovic – Florida Panthers
18. Ryan Spooner – New York Rangers
19. Mathieu Perreault – Winnipeg Jets
20. P.K. Subban – Nashville Predators
21. Jacob Trouba – Winnipeg Jets
22. Bobby Ryan – Ottawa Senators
23. Rasmus Ristolainen – Buffalo Sabres
24. Chris Tanev – Vancouver Canucks
25. Corey Perry – Anaheim Ducks