Five NHL story lines that need resolutions as offseason winds down
With the opening of NHL training camps only 17 days away, here are five story lines worth following:
Hampus Lindholm negotiations: The Anaheim Ducks still haven’t been able to re-sign the two-way restricted free agent defenseman, and what happens with the situation could affect another team.
While Lindholm is essential to the Ducks, they have eight NHL defensemen on their roster, plus prospects Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour who are close. When Lindholm is re-signed, the Ducks are expected to trade a veteran defenseman.
Top-pairing defenseman Cam Fowler’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors all summer. The Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, among others, have been looking for defensive help.
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Other bigger name restricted free agents – such as Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames) and Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) – are also still unsigned. But their respective teams will get these deals done before the season starts.
Jacob Trouba’s future: Contract talks between Trouba, a restricted free agent, and the Jets aren’t solely about money. What’s Trouba’s role moving forward? That question is entangled in the discussions.
There are multiple teams interested in acquiring Trouba if this deal can’t be reached. From the Jets’ perspective, they need to get it completed because Trouba, 22, is a young top four defenseman who fits well with their young collection of skilled forwards.
U.S. training camp starts Labor Day: Is Jonathan Quick the clear-cut No. 1 goalie for USA's World Cup team or will coach John Tortorella be open to using Ben Bishop or Cory Schneider? Those kind of questions will begin to be sorted out a week from Monday when USA gathers in Columbus for the starting World Cup training camp.
Four players — USA's Ryan Callahan, Canada's Duncan Keith and Jamie Benn, plus Sweden's Niklas Kronwall — have all pulled out because of injury. With the NHL season launching not long after the World Cup finishes, players have to be overly cautious about recovering from injuries.
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Veterans available: The Dallas Stars’ signing of Jiri Hudler and the New York Rangers' addition of Brandon Pirri are reminders that there are still intriguing names in the marketplace.
Defenseman Kris Russell seems to be this year’s version of Cody Franson. With several teams looking for defensive help, shot blocker Russell could turn out to be a bargain addition.
Russell, Patrick Elias, Brandon Pirri, Kyle Quincey, Dominic Moore and Dennis Seidenberg are among players still out of work.
Place your bets on a Las Vegas name: Within a few weeks, the new Las Vegas franchise is expected to announce what the team will be called.
And no, it’s not going to be the Las Vegas Gamblers because the organization doesn’t want a gambling theme.
Also expect general manager George McPhee to name the team’s first coach in short order.
