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NHL Rumors: Hurricanes, Golden Knights, and Carey Price

Originally posted on The Daily Goal Horn
By Anthony Scultore | Last updated 6/2/22

The NHL Rumors Mill is buzzing with some free agent buzz coming out of Carolina after the Hurricanes were eliminated by the New York Rangers in the second round.

According to CapFriendly, they currently have 14 players signed with around $23.4M in cap space to round out the roster.

Here’s a list of the Hurricanes key free agents:

Vincent Trocheck (UFA)
Nino Niederreiter (UFA)
Max Domi (UFA)
Ian Cole (UFA)
Bernard Smith (UFA)
Tony DeAngelo (RFA)
Martin Necas (RFA)
Ethan Baer (RFA)
Steven Lorentz (RFA)

NHL Rumors: Hurricanes

At the top of Carolina’s list of signings is Trocheck, who upon his exit interview told reporters he’d like to remain because the team has “unfinished business.”

The soon to be 29 year-old forward posted 51 points in 81 games this season for the Canes. His last deal was signed in 2016-17 with the Florida Panthers for 6 years at $4.75M AAV. Of course, signing him at even a marginal increase between $5-6 million per season will make it hard to retain all the listed free agents.

That’s why I can see Max Domi hitting the open market on July 13.

On defense, Tony DeAngelo is their priority after scoring 51 points in 64 contests. The 26 year-old signed a 1-year show me deal for a $1M AAV and is due a nice increase. The Rangers bought him out after he signed a 2 year-deal worth $4.8M AAV due to off-ice issues, so he could see something similar.

DeAngelo also expressed interest in a return saying he was a “loyal guy” after the Canes took a chance on him.

Golden Knights coaching search

The Vegas Golden Knights dismissed Peter DeBoer at the end of the season after missing the playoffs.

According to Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period there are two candidates at the top of Vegas’ list to replace him.

According to TFP’s David Pagnotta, two former NHL head coaches that Vegas is believed to have interest in, at least internally, is former Winnipeg Jets bench boss Paul Maurice and former Arizona Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, who is currently an Analyst for TNT.
TFP

Pierre LeBrun also mentioned Tocchet as a top candidate for the Golden Knights.

If the Vegas can’t land Barry Trotz, I can totally see Tocchet behind the Vegas bench.

Carey Price’s future unclear

Before the start of the 2021-22 season, Price voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to address his mental health. He said in a statement in November that he’d let himself “get to a very dark place” and entered a residential treatment facility for substance use.

After a long absence that included rehabbing a surgically repaired knee, he finally played a few games at the end of the year before shutting it down again.

The 2014-15 Hart Memorial Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner has played his entire 15-year career with Montreal, compiling a 360-261-79 record with 49 shutouts, a .917 save percentage and a 2.51 GAA.

This season, Price was 0-4-0 with a 4.04 goals-against average and an .853 save percentage.

So what does the future hold for the 34 year-old Habs legend?

“We spoke with Carey (and) we also spoke with his agent, Gerry (Johannson), and with our doctors,” Hughes said on a video conference call from the NHL combine in Buffalo. “I think we’re going to have the information we need, but I can’t say it will be before July 13.”
Montreal Gazette

There’s been a lot of talk that Carey Price may be unable to go for next season, but until the Canadiens can get that clarification it will be hard to make any big moves.

Price has four years remaining at $10.5M AAV.

This article first appeared on The Daily Goal Horn and was syndicated with permission.

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