Rumours abound ahead of the opening of Free Agency

Bob McKenzie is on the job with TSN today, and they go to air at 11 am, but there’s a lot of rumours and speculation this morning already.

Not reporting any of these as “done deals” yet because they’re not but here’s a somewhat haphazard summary of — what should we call them? Guesses, predictions, good fits? — whatever you want them to be. Just don’t take em to the bank but don’t be surprised either if they go down.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 28, 2021

Ryan Suter and DAL; Zach Parise and NYI; Michael Bunting and TOR; David Savard and MTL; Jaden Schwartz and SEA; Tony DeAngelo and CAR; Jaro Halak, Luke Schenn and VAN; Jake McCabe and CHI; Andrew Cogliano and SJ; Zach Hyman and EDM; David Rittich and NSH. Many more to come.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 28, 2021

The Michael Bunting to Toronto rumour is so ubiquitous, it has to be a done deal, and we’ll have a post up shortly on this player.

Big Save Dave is going to Nashville, and Hyman to Edmonton is the stalest news of the day.

There’s going to be a lot short term (one or two year) deals today at around $1M, give or take a few hundred K but there’ll be some biggies, too. Lots of speculation on Dougie Hamilton in NJ etc. Tyson Barrie is re-signing in EDM for three years somewhere between $4M and $5M AAV.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 28, 2021

Who's ready for tomorrow? https://t.co/dNm88iqObM

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) July 27, 2021

Landeskog re-signing in Colorado means Brandon Saad is headed to market today. He might have been the fallback had the Avs captain not signed. Will be serious interest in Saad out there.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

As far as the game of goalie musical chairs the Maple Leafs are playing:

No offer from the Leafs as of this morning to UFA goalie Frederik Andersen so likely headed to market. I think Carolina and Colorado (if Grubauer doesn't re-sign) make sense as potential options for Andersen but we'll see. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Grubauer seems to be the first player who has to make a move, and then it’s a free for all with many teams looking to add someone in net. Colorado is the serious competition for the Leafs over Darcy Kuemper.

From the what might have been files:

Hearing that Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe, such a great story this past season, is signing a three-year extension later today worth just north of $4M AAV per season. Has another year next season at $1M. So signing one year out. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Meanwhile speaking of Lou Lamoriello, the silence around what Toronto is actually up to is almost Islanders’ level, with the exception of Bunting. Kyle Dubas has clearly decided to keep it inhouse this year.

And another fantasy is about to bite the dust:

LA Kings and Andreas Athanasiou are cleaning up the final details on a 1 year agreement.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 28, 2021

Sometimes no Qualifying Offer doesn’t mean the player leaves the team.

And there will be no reunion:

All signs point to UFA G Jonathan Bernier signing with New Jersey today.
As we reported before, UFA G Jaroslav Halak should be signing with Vancouver.
I wonder if UFA G James Reimer ends up in SJ or Vegas?
Still lots to play out with goalies.@TSNHockey @TheAthletic

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

That’s it for now. Remember to ignore the trolls, the fakes and the “parody” accounts today.

One more:

Agent Pat Brisson says client Alex Galchenyuk has decided to go to market.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021