The Pittsburgh Penguins will have some free agent decisions to make and maybe a couple of extensions
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby has a year left on his contract, and internally it’s believed that he might be interested in sticking around a little longer. Nobody who has spoken to thinks it will be his last.
Although his play this season will only increase the Erik Karlsson trade speculation, doesn’t believe a trade will happen and could see them looking to extend him for a couple more seasons. Even if they don’t extend him this offseason, don’t see him being traded.
Can see the Penguins at least making pending UFA forward Anthony Mantha contract offer.
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Goaltender Stuart Skinner is another pending UFA the Penguins will need to make a decision on. Can see them having an interest in bringing him back, but given their goaltending prospects, he may not want to re-sign. Skinner would likely be looking for more term than the Penguins would be interested in.
If you’re going to move Matthew Knies, take the best offer, no matter who it’s from
Nick Kypreos of The Toronto Star: The 23-year-old Matthew Knies has five more years at $7.75 million. Why is his name out there? One league executive said, “Why not?”
A bidding war for Knies could get more teams involved than if they were shopping Auston Matthews or William Nylander. Knies doesn’t have trade protection until 2030-31, while Matthews and Nylander have no-movement clauses and would basically pick where they want to go. The Leafs could get multiple assets for Knies.
The Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Utah Mammoth have lots of assets. If division rivals, the Canadiens, make the best offer, then so be it. If you’re going to move him, take the best offer. Among the interesting names the Canadiens have are forwards Michael Hage and Owen Beck, and defenseman David Reinbacher and Kaiden Guhle.
Back when Kyle Dubas was the GM, he and the Blackhawks talked about a Knies, Petr Mrazek, and a first-round pick for Brandon Hagel and Marc-Andre Fleury. Hagel was then traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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The Mammoth have prospects Caleb Desnoyers, Tij Iginla, Maveric Lamoureux and Daniil But.
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