We’re coming to the end of the slow period of the off-season. Teams are starting to announce their rookie tournament rosters, training camps won’t be far behind, and that’s going to start putting pressure on multiple teams who have yet to sign their RFAs or fill holes with UFAs or trades.

Montreal started it early in the morning yesterday, signing Kirby Dach to a four year deal:

Tim Stützle wasn’t officially an RFA until next summer, but the Sens evidently wanted to lock him down long term before he had a bigger offensive breakout on a much improved offensive team this season. I know we like to make fun of the Sens, but this seems like a good deal — especially if the cap starts going up more aggressively after the next couple of seasons.

Related to these two signings, Chris Johnston looked at the remaining RFAs that had yet to sign new deals. Shockingly, it’s not just Toronto with Rasmus Sandin!

But of course Sandin is the headlining picture, even though he isn’t the most important player on the list. Gotta get those Toronto clickzzzzzzzzz! Anyways here’s what he says about the Sandin situation that’s new:

Back to Montreal, who despite being more than $10 million over the cap also received some news — well, more confirmation of what most people already expected — on at least one of the ways they’re going to make it work. Sounds like Carey Price’s career is over at this point.

Back to the pending moves that have yet to be made, Kevin Weekes decided to put out a little tease.

He could be referring to a trade, because there aren’t really many noteworthy goalies to sign. Braden Holtby is the bigger name, Cayden Primeau is an RFA that Montreal has to sign, and that’s about it.

Signing deadlines for Rasmus Sandin | a breakdown by Katya if you want to know the important dates for the contract negotiations.

2022 Top 25 Under 25: Topi Niemelä is #6 | by brigstew

The pros and cons of separating William Nylander and John Tavares in the Maple Leafs lineup | by TLN

Book excerpt: Inside the 2016 draft lottery with Brendan Shanahan | by Scott Wheeler

I’ll end with a topical link given the discussions in the FTBs this week:

EXCLUSIVE: ‘If it wasn’t for me, there wouldn’t have been a Canada-Russia series,’ says hockey pariah Alan Eagleson | by Toronto Sun. WARNING! ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY STEVE SIMMONS! But it is actually on an interesting topic instead of his more typical ragebait.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

From The Branches