NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets, Flames, Oilers – Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today's round of NHL rumors, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to one-year contracts. What does this mean for their salary cap situation? Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets continue to receive bad news. In this case, injuries to two key players. In Calgary, it looks like Samuel Honzek made the opening night show. Finally, an Edmonton Oilers executive told TSN's Pierre LeBrun that he doesn't expect Connor McDavid to sign on his July 1st eligibility date.

Maple Leafs Will Need to Be Cap-Compliant

The Toronto Maple Leafs have finalized the one-year contracts of Max Pacioretty ($873,770) and Steven Lorentz ($775,000), but the deals mean an organizational salary cap conflict. They now have $4.34 million over the cap ceiling and should find cap compliance almost immediately.

According to Kyle Cushman of The Score, the Leafs can get $1 under the cap if they send Easton Cowan to the AHL, place Fraser Minten on Season-Opening Injured Reserve (SOIR), and move Calle Jarnkrok, Jani Hakanpaa, and Dakota Mermis. to the Long-term Injured Reserve (LTIR). For Toronto to work at LTIR isn't ideal, but it's one way they can get in without a big trade to shed salary.

Green Jackets Lose Jenner, Voronkov Months

The Columbus Blue Jackets are facing a tough start to the season as captain Boone Jenner and power forward Dmitri Voronkov will both miss significant time due to injuries. Elliotte Friedman reported that Jenner's injuries, which occurred while performing a stunt when he crashed into a wall, are severe enough to warrant placement in the injured reserve (IR).

Friedman expressed concern, saying, “I don't like what I'm hearing,” and indicated that second opinions are expected. He added, “It feels like a huge injury,” and expressed sympathy for Jenner and the struggling franchise.

Meanwhile, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic confirmed that both players will open the season on IR, with sources suggesting that their absences could be measured in months rather than weeks. He said the Blue Jackets could be busy before the NHL roster deadline on Monday afternoon.

There may be more moves to come in the next two days, but by 2 p.m. Sunday, Waddell will know if the waiver call will bear fruit. This is the last day for clubs around the league to put players on waivers and have them waived (or sued) before Monday's deadline.

source – 'Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering: Injuries to Jenner, Voronkov cause flurry of results' – Aaron Portzline – The Athletic – 10/06/2024

Does Samuel Honzek Make The Flames Roster?

And during Friedman's 32 Thoughts podcast, an NHL insider revealed that Samuel Honzek appeared to have earned a spot on the Calgary Flames' opening night roster. The Flames placed Jakob Pelletier, Cole Schwindt, and Devin Cooley on waivers, with Honzek making the final round of cuts.

Related: Red Wings: 5 Takeaways From 2024-25 Preseason

Before the team's final preseason game, Honzek commented, “I came here to make the team, that's the goal. He continued, “I can say that I am happy with the way I played.” It is unclear how long he will stay at the club and whether they are willing to commit him to just nine games before the year expires on his contract.

The fact that Yegor Sharangovich went on IR this week may have helped Honzek find a spot. Sharangovich will be out week to week with a lower body injury.

The Oilers will take their time with McDavid Extension

In a recent interview, TSN's Pierre LeBrun highlighted Connor McDavid's previous willingness to accept a reduced contract to help the Edmonton Oilers manage their salary cap. As McDavid nears the chance to sign an extension on July 1, he could negotiate another team-friendly deal, but he likely won't be signed on the first day of eligibility.

Jeff Jackson, McDavid's agent, expressed confidence in extending the contract but warned that fans should not panic if a deal is not reached quickly. He compared the situation to Leon Draisaitl's recent extension, which was finalized later in the summer. Jackson emphasized that he is confident that negotiations will not be a problem and assured Oilers fans that if a deal can be done on July 1, they should remain calm and trust the process.