In today’s NHL rumors, there’s a post-Game 4 controversy between Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche. Meanwhile, there are updates on Nashville’s Filip Forsberg, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to make an offer to Jack Campbell to stay with the team.
Finally, the Winnipeg Jets are looking to trade Blake Wheeler, and has Pierre-Luc Dubois told the team he’s leaving in 2024?
Avalanche had too many men on the ice
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper was visibly upset in the post-game media after Game 4 and only answered one question. He spoke for more than two minutes about how much he loves the NHL but was troubled by what happened Wednesday night. He said his “heart breaks for the players” and everyone would know why by watching the footage. He didn’t elaborate on why he shouldn’t, but upon review, the Avs found they had too many men on the ice when Nazem Kadri scored the overtime winner.
The NHL has responded to the controversial call, noting that the four officials met after the game as per their normal protocol with Hockey Operations and each of the officials said they didn’t see too many men on the ice. The call is not subject to video verification.
There is Photos go around on social media that the match report actually lists six players on the ice for the Avalanche at the time of the winning goal.
The latest on Forsberg and the Predators
acc David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, the Predators and Forsberg are still trying to iron out details about an extension. He notes, “Yeah, I mean, they’re negotiating and trying to work something out with the Nashville Predators. He’s a star player, no question about it.” He adds that this is one of the team’s most consistent goalscorers in recent seasons and unless they tie him to a deal, other teams will be ready to make offers on July 13.
Pagnotta adds:
“He wants to stay. They said all the right things, but it’s basically about money. So if they can figure out the dollars and the structure of this contract, Filip Forsberg will stay. If they don’t, it will be open to the highest bidder.”
No offer for Campbell yet
TSN’s Chris Johnston reports on Insider Trading that the Toronto Maple Leafs have not yet approached upcoming UFA goaltender Jack Campbell with a contract offer. The two sides have spoken but no numbers have been exchanged, which is quite interesting as this situation is beginning to feel the same as the departures of Zach Hyman and Frederik Andersen. There is speculation that Campbell could be trying to get more than $5 million if he goes to the open market and the Leafs just won’t go there.
Also see: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Matthews, Marner, Bunting & Campbell
Johnston also reports that Maple Leafs RFA forward Ilya Mikheyev could be trying to get $4-5 million on the open market. The NHL insider also noted, “No meaningful discussions with yet [Rasmus] Sandin, but no rush. Toronto is still deciding if they keep him. He wants to be a leaf.”
Jets open for trading with Wheeler, Dubois for the test market
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli explains that the Winnipeg Jets have opened talks with other teams about trade team captain Blake Wheeler. The hope is the Jets can defer his salary and send him to another team before his full no-trade clause goes into effect on July 1. Wheeler has two more seasons left on his contract at an annual average of $8.25 million, but Seravalli doesn’t necessarily think the salary will be non-tradable.
There is also bad news for the organization from Pierre-Luc Dubois. The Score quoted Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman as reporting Dubois has informed Jets management of his intention to test the open market if he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
He is currently an RFA and while the thought of Dubois leaving as soon as he is able is a scary situation for the Jets, Friedman reports that they still believe they will have complete control of the process by then and intend to keep the 23-year-old middle “and have him as a jet for a long time.”
Jim Parsons is a senior freelance THW writer, part-time journalist, and audio/video host who lives, eats, sleeps, and breathes NHL news and rumor while also writing features about the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been a trusted source at The Hockey Writers for more than five years, but beyond that, his mission is to keep readers up to date with the latest NHL gossip and tech talk. Jim is a daily must-read for readers who want to be “in the loop.”
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