Welcome back to another edition of around the NHL, the last one in the month of July. August is just around the corner, as things have slowed down considerably across the league, however, there’s still plenty of business to finish up heading into the third month of the offseason.
From avoiding arbitrations, to leaving the NHL and heading ‘home’, to some significant trade rumors circulating the waters, here’s all the very latest from around the NHL:
Buffalo Sabres sign Conor Timmins to two-year deal
After acquiring the right-handed defenceman in a draft-day deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Buffalo Sabres have locked in Conor Timmins on a two-year deal, worth $2.2 million AAV.
Timmins was dealt to the Sabres for a second-round pick and Connor Clifton, which by some, was considered to be quite the asking price for the journeyman defenceman. Timmins spent the first half of last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, before being shipped the Kyle Dubas and the Penguins at the trade deadline.
The 26-year-old mobile blueliner recorded a combined three goals and 15 points in 68 games split between the two teams. In Buffalo, he’ll have a chance to play top-four minutes on the back end, as the Sabres are trying to reshape their defensive corps.
In 159 career NHL games, Timmins has scored six goals, and chipped in with 40 assists. He’s at his best when he’s joining the rush and making things happen moving the puck, so we’ll see if he can find a long-term home in Buffalo next season, and beyond.
Penguins continue to discuss Erik Karlsson trade with Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have had a big offseason, and there’s a very good chance their moves continue into August as the team continues to discuss acquiring defenceman Erik Karlsson from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hockey insider Frank Seravalli reports that if the Penguins are willing to retain a decent chunk of Karlsson’s remaining AAV, the Hurricanes will bite, and finalize a deal to add the veteran blueliner. “If they could get him down to that $7-7.5 range for two more seasons, I think there’s a team that would certainly take a flyer; I think Carolina was one of those teams that spent time investigating.”
Karlsson, 35, is signed for two more seasons at $10 million AAV, and is coming off a season in which he scored 53 points in 82 games. Karlsson is durable, as he’s played all 82 games each of the last three seasons, however, during his exit meetings last season with the Penguins, Dubas mentioned how he’d like to see more intensity, and a consistent approach from the former Norris trophy winner.
Karlsson was second on the Penguins last season averaging 23:14 of ice-time per game, and while he may be slowing down just a touch as the seasons continue, hovering around the 60-point mark, at around $7.5 million AAV would be a wise move for the Hurricanes, who are trying to replace some of Brent Burns’ production on their blueline.
Niklas Backstrom signs with SHL’s Brynas
Reports on Monday out of Sweden indicate former NHLer Niklas Backstrom has signed on with his hometown team of Brynas in the SHL for next season.
Backstrom, 37, has struggled with injury troubles the last few seasons of his NHL career, and now will try to carry on his playing days in front of family and friends back home. The former 2006 first-round pick of the Washington Capitals last played more than 50 games in an NHL season back in 2020-21, when he posted 53 points in 55 games.
“I have always felt that I would like to play for Brynas again someday if the opportunity arose,” Backstrom stated on Monday. “After undergoing rehab and being away from the game for almost two seasons, I feel very charged and full of energy to contribute to the club’s future success.”
Backstrom has appeared in 1105 career NHL games, all with the Capitals, tallying an impressive 1033 points, as well as another 114 points in 139 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Caps have $4.1 million in cap space left to work with, but there were no signs they had interest in bringing back Backstrom next season.
Quick hits from around the NHL:
- The Penguins are also still discussing trades around Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, with Rust being heavily linked to the Detroit Red Wings, meanwhile Rakell’s former team in Anaheim could be a fit for the veteran sniper.
- The Chicago Blackhawks re-signed goaltender Arvid Soderblom to two-year contract. He’ll battle it out with Spencer Knight for the starter’s crease next season.
- Jack Roslovic continues to be the best available free-agent forward, with the Winnipeg Jets, Maple Leafs, Ducks, and Calgary Flames as possibilities.
- Include Ryan Graves and Tristan Jarry as Penguins’ trade candidates this offseason, with Jarry being recently linked to the Oilers.
- The Hurricanes re-signed Jackson Blake to an eight-year deal for $5.6 million AAV. Blake is the son of former Maple Leaf Jason Blake, and essentially topped his Dad’s career NHL earnings with one contract.
- Seattle Kraken re-signed Kaapo Kakko to a three-year contract worth $13.6 million total.
- Ramus Andersson and Jason Robertson continue to be linked together to a blockbuster trade between the Flames and Stars. As we stand now, no indications the deal is remotely close to completion.
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