![What occurs in Las Vegas sometimes can’t remain a secret – The Fourth Period What occurs in Las Vegas sometimes can’t remain a secret – The Fourth Period](https://i1.wp.com/static1.squarespace.com/static/59ee4da97131a5b48cf2c51b/t/66576cce0c4cd547d8fc9927/1717005523627/header_marchessault.jpg?format=1500w&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Here’s what we know so far: Forwards Michael Amadio, William Carrier and Anthony Mantha won’t be returning. All three are aware and plan to test the free agent market on July 1. Defenseman Alec Martínez no longer appears to have a place on the blue line; He will turn 37 at the end of July and is said to be evaluating his options.
Additionally, versatile forward Chandler Stephenson will be a hot commodity this summer if he doesn’t sign. As I reported in Saturday’s column, Stephenson’s team and the Golden Knights will talk in the next week or two and go from there. If he leaves Las Vegas, as many expect, he will attract a lot of interest and I suspect teams like Boston, Vancouver, Toronto, Washington, Carolina, Nashville and several others will pick up the phone.
This brings us to the original misfit Jonathan Marchessault.
Speaking to The KeynoteUSA on Tuesday before playing in the World Series of Poker, Marchessault revealed that he has not yet had formal talks with the Knights.
“We haven’t had a call yet or anything,” he told the KeynoteUSA. “They said they were interested in signing me. They have until approximately June 30.”
Marchessault, 33, is coming off a six-year, $30 million contract. He wanted to agree to an extension before the season started, but Vegas wasn’t ready and the two sides had no “during the season.”
“Technically, as an organization, you’ve signed a player for six years, right? So you have the full six years and then you can deal with it, we’ll see,” he said.
And he is right. McCrimmon still has a month left before he expires on all of his outstanding UFA contracts. The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner undoubtedly wants to do something as soon as possible, but good things come to those who wait. Or so they say.
The Golden Knights want to retain him, that is the clear message they have publicly conveyed. And while the conversation hasn’t begun yet, I understand they plan to begin those conversations within the next week or two, as they did with Stephenson.
Marchessault’s agent, Pat Brisson, declined to go into details but reiterated his client’s desire to remain in Las Vegas. He also used to represent Mantha, who changed representation during the season.
Locking up Marchessault will eat up all of the team’s available cap space, and potentially more, even if the player needs a little less to stay; Playing in a state with no income taxes helps create that ‘discount’ illusion. The Knights are willing to roll the dice (remember, teams can exceed the limit by 10 percent until the new season begins), but keeping it will require additional roster creativity on McCrimmon’s part.
Marchessault’s future will become clearer when the Stanley Cup Final ends and the teams head to Sin City for the NHL Draft. I think both sides are willing to bet: how much, we’ll wait and see.
HERE AND THERE
Talks are quiet so far, but the Calgary Flames are preparing an offer for pending UFA defenseman Oliver Kylington. We’ll see where that goes.
Matt Dumba’s journey in Tampa Bay was short-lived. As I reported on Tuesday, he will not re-sign with the Lightning and will hit the UFA market.
Another player preparing to hit the market is veteran winger Tanner Pearson. The Montreal Canadiens will not re-sign him and he will begin weighing his options heading into July. The former Cup champion will be a quality addition to a contender.
San Jose Sharks assistant coach Brian Wiseman has drawn interest from other clubs. I’m told he has permission to talk to other teams (he has one more year left on his contract) and some have interest in exploring the possibility of him overseeing their power play. There are no guarantees that he will leave, but his name is there.
In the case of the Sharks, it appears that a decision on the club’s next head coach is on the horizon. Sharks general manager Mike Grier prefers to make a decision this week. Dennis Bernstein reported that Marco Sturm met with the club over the weekend and it appears that Sturm, Sharks assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky and former Detroit Red Wings bench boss Jeff Blashill (currently assistant coach at Tampa), are the main contenders. Of course, others, such as Todd McLellan and Dean Evason, also interviewed for the position. There are many in the NHL who expect Warsofsky to become an NHL head coach in the next year or two if he is not promoted now.
Some teams are keeping an eye on Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves, who can become a restricted free agent on July 1. He has been a stud in net for Cleveland as they begin their battle in the AHL Eastern Conference finals. With Don Waddell steering the ship, we’ll see what Colon decides to do in net, but teams will ask about Greaves at some point.
Good point from Anthony Di Marco last night about what Travis Konecny is looking for in Philadelphia with a long-term eight-year extension. As he reported, contract negotiations have yet to formally resume, but Konecny’s camp is starting at north of $10 million per season. The Flyers are looking at around $8 million of his AAV. Talks will begin in June.
Anthony Beauvillier enjoyed his time in Nashville and his agent Phil Lecavalier has already spoken to the Predators about extending that relationship. It sounds like their initial conversation went well, but for now both sides are keeping their options open.
It’s sounding more and more like this will be Ken Holland’s last career with the Edmonton Oilers. Will he retire or look to join another club? I imagine the Oilers have a few GM candidates in mind, but that process will happen when the time is right.
Whoever takes over as general manager in Edmonton this summer will have to weigh the pros and cons of buying goalie Jack Campbell.
I’ve mentioned Cole Perfetti a couple of times lately and his name continues to come up in discussions with various people in the NHL. Teams are curious about Winnipeg’s plans for him and will inquire about his availability after his minimal usage in the playoffs. He may become an RFA in July.
Teuvo Teravainen has not yet decided to test the free agent market. His agent and the Carolina Hurricanes will have at least one discussion in the near future about what a new contract will look like, and then the 29-year-old will take it from there.
As I reported on Tuesday, Jean-François Houle signed a multi-year extension (I think it’s 3 years) to remain the head coach of the Laval Rocket, who made the official announcement today. Another Eastern Conference AHL team also hired their head coach to an extension and are expected to make a formal announcement soon.
Di Marco and I talked about this during this week’s episode of our new Monday Mix podcast, but there was growing speculation that if Rod Brind’Amour hadn’t stayed in Carolina, he might have joined Ron Francis in Seattle. As I mentioned in the group, word throughout the NHL is that the two men don’t exactly see eye to eye and that was never a consideration for Brind’Amour. You can listen to the full song here.
The Los Angeles Kings will look to trade Arty Kaliyev again this summer. The pending RFA has requested a trade and general manager Rob Blake will try to move him, perhaps including him in a deal for an upgrade elsewhere on the roster.
GIVEAWAY ALERT
We’ll be improving our YouTube content starting next week, and since we’ll be rolling out regular daily and weekly segments as we envision, now is a great time to give away some great prizes.
Here’s a sneak peek at a contest we’ll be promoting once the Stanley Cup Final begins: Anyone who subscribes to our YouTube channel will automatically be entered to win a pair of CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro skates courtesy of CCM Hockey worth approx. $1,000.
One lucky winner will be selected at random at the conclusion of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. You can subscribe now and be eligible to win.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow @Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.