Flyers hand Hayes a big deal
Bob McKenzie: The Philadelphia Flyers have signed pending UFA center Kevin Hayes to a seven-year contract worth $50 million – a $7.14 AAV.
The Lightning lock up a defenseman
Joe Smith: The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Braydon Coburn to a two-year contract with a AAV of $1.7 million.
The Senators sign a defenseman to a two-way deal
Murray Pam: The Senators have signed defenseman Andreas Englund to a one-year, two-way deal. He’ll get $700,000 in the NHL and $80,000 in the minors.
The salary cap could be closer to $82 million
Darren Dreger: The NHL and NHLPA met yesterday. Cap ceiling could be around $82 million with a lower escrow. The Cap number should be finalized this week.
Bob McKenzie: Have talked to multiple teams who are concerned about the forecasted salary cap numbers. Some fear that it could be below $82 million for next season.
Allan Walsh: “Biggest issue with Gary’s salary cap system. It forces good teams with a loyal fan base to break apart. Easy solution has always been a luxury tax/revenue sharing system that allows teams to spend over a set threshold (soft cap) but forces them to pay a significant tax.”
Nonis gets a promotion in Anaheim
Frank Seravalli: The Anaheim Ducks have promoted Dave Nonis to assistant GM. Nonis was a Bob Murray‘s consultant before.
Johns progressing in Dallas … Hanzal unlikely to play
Sean Shapiro of The Athletic: Dallas Stars defenseman Stephen Johns missed the entire season with post-traumatic headaches that are likely connected to a concussion in 2017-18.
“Right now, he looks very good. I would say it’s very positive with where it’s trending,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “He’s been skating, and he looks like the old Stephen Johns. I think we are trending in a positive mode. For him, that’s a great sign. He feels much better, he looks like himself and sounds like himself, and right now we are pretty positive with where he is heading.”
His status for next season isn’t known, but if the Stars think he may be ready, they may not have to look for another defenseman.
Stars GM Jim Nill doesn’t think Martin Hanzal will play next season.
