Check out the latest on the Sabres, Flyers, and Golden Knights in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST SABRES SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn believes the Buffalo Sabres have a big summer ahead if they want to build on this season’s success.
Re-signing Alex Tuch will be the biggest roster issue facing the Sabres. Meeting his asking price could require making some moves to free up some salary-cap space.
Forward Beck Malenstyn is also an unrestricted free agent, while Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs are restricted free agents.
Defenseman Bowen Byram is a year away from UFA status and eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1.
Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)
Fairburn noted that Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen showed his willingness to attempt to make big moves with his pursuit of St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko and center Robert Thomas.
Kekalainen could pursue a goaltending upgrade if an opportunity arises this summer. He could also try to bring in another center.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I noted yesterday, it’s rumored that Tuch’s camp seeks a deal comparable to the eight-year, $85 million contract ($10.625 million annual average value) that Adrian Kempe signed with the Los Angeles Kings last fall.
Fairburn noted that the Sabres enter the offseason with $12.9 million in salary cap space for 2026-27. A new contract for Tuch will eat up most of that and would result in a couple of cost-cutting moves.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Bailey noted that Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek recently claimed that the Sabres could part ways with young goaltender Devon Levi. Bailey suggested the Philadelphia Flyers should look into acquiring the 24-year-old netminder.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Levi was a college star who made a promising debut with the Sabres in 2022-23, but struggled to crack their roster full-time. Maybe Kekalainen would include him in a trade package for a center.
UPDATE ON THE FLYERS
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz looked at who could stay or go for the Philadelphia Flyers during the offseason.
Sophomore winger Matvei Michkov and winger Owen Tippett are among the players Kurz believes won’t be moved unless it’s in a blockbuster trade. Others in the category include Jamie Drysdale, Noah Cates, and Tyson Foerster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov and Tippett surfaced in trade rumors this season. I expect they (and the others on that list) will be back in the Flyers’ lineup this fall.
Defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and forward Garnet Hathaway are among those who could be pushed out if the Flyers make additions via trades or free agency this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen was a fixture in the rumor mill for the past three seasons, but the Flyers held onto him. Barring a significant addition that would an upgrade on the blueline, it’s doubtful he’ll be moved this summer.
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco looked at what it could cost the Flyers to sign goaltender Dan Vladar to a contract extension.
Team sources claim the club is comfortable with a five-year deal worth slightly south of $6 million annually. If Vladar seeks closer to $7 million annually, a three-year deal might make sense for both sides.
Di Marco also claimed that the Flyers remain uncertain about what direction they’ll go with backup Samuel Ersson. If they decide to move on, Joseph Woll of the Toronto Maple Leafs is a goalie they like.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vladar finally got the chance to be a full-time starting goalie when the Flyers signed him to his current two-year contract. He played a major role in the club exceeding expectations and reaching the playoffs. Both sides will get something done to their mutual satisfaction that ensures he sticks around for at least another three years after next season.
COULD GOLDEN KNIGHTS WINGER PAVEL DOROFEYEV RECEIVE AN OFFER SHEET?
THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman and Jesse Granger suggested that Pavel Dorofeyev’s scoring exploits in this postseason could make him the target for an offer sheet this summer.
The 25-year-old winger is completing a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.835 million. He has arbitration rights this summer. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights’ limited salary cap space could make Dorofeyev an enticing offer-sheet target for clubs seeking scoring depth.
A two-time 35-plus goal scorer, Dorofeyev could get a two-year deal with an AAV of $6.75 million. A six-year extension could reach $8.99 million annually, and an eight-year deal around $9.14.
The Golden Knights have about $11.7 million in projected salary-cap space. They must also re-sign pending UFA defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who was acquired from the Calgary Flames in January. It could cost a combined $16 million to retain Dorofeyev and Andersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goldman and Granger are taking into account the $8.8 million that will be available with Alex Pietrangelo on LTIR. The Golden Knights could find themselves having to shed salary to re-sign Dorofeyev and Andersson or risk losing the former to an offer sheet and the latter to free agency.