The Montreal Canadiens want Patrik Laine’s cap space
Arpon Basu of The Athletic: The Montreal Canadiens and Patrik Laine‘s agent, Andy Scott, are trying to find a new home. Retaining salary would still benefit the Canadiens with some extra cap space to find a right-handed defenseman or physical forward.
Believe the Canadiens are trying to include Laine in a deal that would land them a useful player. They may have to attach a sweetener to convince someone to take him.
The Canadiens have no intentions of overpaying for anything, unless it’s a big deal that would help them now and in the future.
The Utah Mammoth are looking for a top-six forward
The Fourth Period: The Utah Mammoth are trying to land a top-six star player. They’ve been linked to the Vincent Trocheck, Nazem Kadri, Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas and others. They have over $26 million in cap space and sources say he’s dangling some of their top prospects. GM Bill Armstrong has previously said he won’t mortgage their future for a short-term player, but may consider it if a player is under control and in their mid-20s.
Forward Nick Schmaltz is a pending UFA and contract talks are on hold until after the season.
NHL Rumour Report: Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet on Monday on the Mammoth and Schmaltz: “For now, I hear his ongoing contract negotiations are trending positively.”
All quiet on the Owen Tippett front, but what might it cost?
Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff: Sources say there isn’t much going on with Philadelphia Flyers forward Owen Tippett. If there is a deal at all, it may be more of an offseason thing.
The Boston Bruins have checked in several times this season, including last week. When teams call the Flyers, they usually do ask about Tippett, but sources say they’re open to offers, but not shopping him.
Team sources say that a first-round pick, a decent prospect, and a mid-tier roster player might be the Flyers thinking. If looking at the Bruins, that might be a first, defenseman Mason Lohrei and prospect Dean Letourneau. A Boston source isn’t sure the Bruins would be interested in that.
Tippett gets a 10-team no-trade list in July. He carries a $6.2 million cap hit through 2031-32.
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