Carolina Hurricanes secure Stanley Cup; NHL trade and free agency discussions emerge
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NHL rumblings: Final thoughts on the Cup, plus the latest on Carlson, Rielly, Hischier and more - The Athletic - The New York Times
Hurricanes claim Stanley Cup
The Carolina Hurricanes secured the Stanley Cup, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday night. This victory marks the second time in franchise history that the Hurricanes have hoisted the trophy. The team’s performance in the final game was characterized by a strong defensive effort, shutting down the Golden Knights’ scoring opportunities and maintaining control in the neutral zone. The Hurricanes achieved the only shutout of the series in their decisive win.
Frederik Andersen, the Hurricanes’ goalie, expressed the significance of the win, particularly after a knee injury sidelined him during the Cup Final. He also acknowledged the recent passing of his long-time agent, Claude Lemieux, on May 28, stating that Lemieux was in his thoughts throughout the series. Andersen noted the support from the fans, who chanted his name during the post-game celebrations in Las Vegas.
The team’s general manager, Eric Tulsky, made a notable decision by not upgrading the goaltending before the March 6 trade deadline. This choice was ultimately validated by the performance of waiver pickup Brandon Bussi, who played a crucial role in the team’s success. Bussi’s three-year extension, signed in February with a $1.9 million cap hit starting next season, provides the Hurricanes with financial flexibility.
One former goalie coach, who had previously expressed doubts about Carolina’s goaltending depth, praised the team’s relentless play and strong support for their goalies. He highlighted that the Hurricanes’ overall team play allowed their goaltenders to perform effectively without needing to consistently make game-saving plays. Bussi’s performance was noted as outplaying Carter Hart of the Golden Knights.
Player movements and contract talks
In other league news, defenseman John Carlson is set to enter the free agency market. His agent, Rick Curran, confirmed that Carlson will not be extending his contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Carlson, 36, prefers to play in the Eastern Conference to be closer to his family. There is anticipated strong interest from at least four or five Eastern Conference teams. Carlson had previously discussed a potential two-year extension with the Washington Capitals before the trade deadline, reportedly valued at $9 million per season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning could be a potential destination for Carlson, especially if they lose pending unrestricted free agent Darren Raddysh. Carlson’s agent expects a two-year deal worth around $10 million per year on the July 1 open market.
The departure of Carlson from Anaheim may lead the Ducks to re-engage with pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Jacob Trouba. Both sides have reportedly held discussions over the past two months, indicating mutual interest. However, with July 1 approaching, Trouba, 32, might explore the free agency market for the first time in his career.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers completed a goalie trade on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs acquired Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a third-round pick, while the Flyers received Joseph Woll and veteran defenseman Simon Benoit. This move provides Toronto with roster flexibility and cap space, while Philadelphia aims to upgrade its goaltending with a potential Dan Vladar-Woll tandem.
Discussions are also underway regarding Morgan Rielly of the Maple Leafs, with indications pointing towards a potential trade this offseason. Rielly, 32, possesses a full no-move clause, and his agent, J.P. Barry, has provided Leafs management with a list of preferred teams, mostly in the Western Conference. The San Jose Sharks are considered a possibility, though the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly not on the list. Rielly has four years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million, though the actual cash payout is $6 million annually due to its front-loaded nature.
Upcoming contract decisions
Nico Hischier, captain of the New Jersey Devils, is expected to sign an extension. Players with one year left on their contracts become eligible to sign extensions two weeks from July 1. While an agreement is not yet finalized, there is motivation from both sides to complete the extension, which would disappoint other teams that have been monitoring Hischier’s situation.
The future of Blake Coleman with the Calgary Flames is also under consideration. Coleman has one year remaining on his contract, valued at $4.9 million in average annual value. The Flames face a decision regarding an extension or exploring the trade market for Coleman this offseason.
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Source: nytimes.com
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