NHL Rumors: The Latest From the Stanley Cup Final
Welcome to another edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors! As the Stanley Cup Final keeps rolling on, the silly season is here with the 2025 NHL Draft and Free Agency right around the corner. There is considerable speculation surrounding many top players, but the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, and Florida Panthers take center stage.
Welcome to a quick edition of NHL Rumors here at Full Press Hockey. We will look at the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, and Florida Panthers. Additionally, we will share some interesting insights about other teams with significant plans for the offseason.
Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars Talk of the Town
Let us begin in Big D with the Dallas Stars. There is considerable speculation surrounding the Dallas Stars plans for this offseason. In addition to finding a new head coach after firing Pete DeBoer, Stars GM Jim Nill must clear cap space. The Stars have around $5 million in cap space as they look to re-sign Jamie Benn, Mikael Granlund, and possibly Matt Duchene.
But before we get to Duchene and Benn, reports are circling that the Stars are listening to Jason Robertson. The pending RFA, who has arbitration rights next off-season, has one year left on his deal at $7.5 million. As Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reports, the Stars are listening, but there is reluctance and hesitation to move him. It would take a blow-away package to move him.
Full Press Hockey can confirm that while the Stars have taken calls on Robertson, they are not looking to trade him to relieve cap space. Talking to some people, he isn't available as the Stars see him as a part of their core moving forward.
Instead, the Stars will look to move out Mason Marchment, who makes $4.5 million along with Matt Dumba at $3.5 million, and Ilya Lyubushkin at $3.25 million for the next two seasons. Dumba could be a buyout candidate for the Stars.
Back to Duchene, who stated during a media availability that he is seeking more stability in his next contract. He is tired of taking one-year deals after being bought out by the Nashville Predators a couple of offseasons ago. However, there may be a reluctance for teams to sign a player of Duchene's age (34 years old) for longer than three seasons, especially those approaching 35 years old, as they may prefer a more favourable structure for deals at 35 and beyond.
The Stars want to re-sign Benn, and it should be an issue. His structure, including salary and bonuses, will help them when it comes to the cap. However, nobody discusses the no-state income tax when it comes to their cap situation. It will be interesting to see how the Stars proceed as they head into free agency and the NHL Draft.
Around Full Press Hockey
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New York Rangers Roster Overhaul Begins with Chris Kreider
The New York Rangers are looking to overhaul their roster this offseason. Chris Kreider is the first domino to fall, as GM Chris Drury wants to shake up the core of their roster. This dates back to the last off-season, when Drury tried to trade Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow. Though he was unsuccessful at the time, those players are no longer on the roster.
However, it was in November when Drury sent the text to the other 31 general managers, making it known that not only was Trouba available, along with Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, K'Andre Miller and others. The players were not thrilled about that. Well, Drury, little by little, is shaping the Rangers into his team. Kreider is the next piece to fall, and it appears he is on his way to Anaheim.
As first reported by Frank Seravalli, the Rangers and Ducks were in discussions to send Kreider to Anaheim for a prospect and a pick. However, the holdup is Kreider's 15-team no-trade clause. As Full Press Hockey has reported, the Ducks are one of the teams on that list. For him to go there, he has to waive it and agree. He did on Thursday morning as he will join Trouba, Frank Vatrano, and Ryan Strome in Anaheim.
The Rangers are looking to shake things up this season. Kreider has been available from the start. But as Full Press Hockey has reported, he isn't the only player who could be on the move. Zibanejad and Miller are names that frequently appear in trade discussions. Not to mention Alexis Lafreniere, who does not have any trade protection. And how will Drury use the new money he found in free agency to keep reshaping the roster?
Florida Panthers Have Tough Decisions To Make
As the Florida Panthers continue their journey in the Stanley Cup Final, names like Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad continue to be brought up as players who could hit the market on July 1. All three men are pending unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. So that means Bill Zito has tough decisions to make.
There is a belief that Bennett and Marchand will both stay with the Panthers. As Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reports and confirmed by Full Press Hockey, the Bennett deal could be finalized once the Stanley Cup Final is over, just before free agency. This was similar to Sam Reinhart's situation a year ago, when he signed right before July 1 to stay with the Panthers.
Bennett won't get the $8.625 million Reinhart is getting on his deal. But he could get $7 million or a little more over eight years to stay. Marchand will secure a lucrative contract with the Panthers to stay, which is structured for an over-35-year-old player. With his standout performance in the playoffs, which continued into the final, and his resurgence with the Panthers, Marchand is proving that he is worth the $3-$6 million the Boston Bruins were offering him.
As far as Ekblad goes, he wants to stay with the Panthers. During media day ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, he said, "I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers." However, speaking with sources close to Full Press Hockey, Ekblad has a desire to stay, but he will have to accept a discount to remain with the team.
Again, GM Bill Zito would have to replace another right-handed shot defenseman if he left, as he did when Brandon Montour left this past offseason. Thus, the move to acquire Seth Jones ahead of the deadline. Again, the belief is that Marchand and Bennett stay while Ekblad tests the waters, but he could end up staying as well.
Other Nuggets
The Montreal Canadiens will look to stick to their plan under Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes. Montreal will look to explore the defensive market, especially on the right side. They have been linked to Nicolas Hague of the Vegas Golden Knights.
In addition, Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, who won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year, told the media, including Marco D'Amico of RG Media on Tuesday, that he wants to remain with Montreal long-term.
As Murray Pam of Full Press Hockey reported, Senators GM Steve Staios and owner Michael Andlauer addressed the Drake Batherson NHL trade rumors and said there was nothing to them. Similar to the Brady Tkachuk NHL trade rumors. Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Dave Poulin stated that the Senators and Claude Giroux are continuing their work on a new contract.
The Utah Mammoth expect to be aggressive again this offseason. They made moves last year at the draft, acquiring Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino. Their owner, Ryan Smith, wants to win, so he is willing to spend money to obtain the right players to make the playoffs. As Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reports, there is talk that Utah could move the 4th overall pick to upgrade its team.
Where do the Anaheim Ducks fit into all of this as they continue to take on new contracts under head coach Joel Quenneville, who is taking the reins? GM Pat Verbeek is still looking to be aggressive this off-season, as there is a belief they can make the playoffs. Could it be Mitch Marner? What are Trevor Zegras and John Gibson’s futures there?
That does it for this edition of NHL Rumors. Stay tuned for another edition as the Stanley Cup Final rolls on, as we inch closer to the NHL Draft and Free Agency.
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