Weekend FTB: Hitting the ground running already this offseason

The NHL playoffs are now over, and the initial high we all got from Brad Marchand crying is starting to wear off.  The Raptors winning the NBA championship gave us a new high, but that too will slowly fade. What’s a person to do until the next NHL season comes?

Thankfully, the whole league seems to have been close to bursting with moves they had ready to make while waiting for the finals to end.

First, the Flyers and Capitals started the day swapping a right-handed defenseman each: Matt Niskanen going to the Flyers and Radko Gudas with salary retained(?!?!) going to the Capitals.

Gudas and Wilson together aren't a team, they're a war crimes trial https://t.co/xQTly1XdaE

— Acting the Fulemin (@ATFulemin) June 14, 2019

Next, Jordan Eberle was taken off of the pending UFA market by signing an extension with the Islanders at a pretty great deal for the team.

Jordan Eberle #Islanders
Contract Extension
5 years / $5.5M AAV ($27.5M total value)

2019-20: $5.25M Base + $2M SB
2020-21: $4.75M Base
2021-22: $7M Base
2022-23: $4.75M
2023-24: $3.75M

* Full NTC years 1 & 2, Mod NTC in years 3 to 5 (16 team no trade)https://t.co/t6CHThGcd3 pic.twitter.com/mECZ23rCCY

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 14, 2019

Not as significant as either of those two bits of news, the Tampa Bay Lightning traded their allegedly angry goalie prospect to the Nashville Predators for a draft pick. This is after they lost another goalie prospect to the KHL. They could use some goalie depth eh? I hear there’s another team shopping their backup...

I for one am excited for what is still to come ahead of and then at the draft.

LEAFS NEWS, RUMOURS & STORIES

Sparks on the block? | by Katya

Nikita Zaitsev trade rumour roundup | by Katya

Why don’t the Maple Leafs promote from within? | by Hardev

How the Newfoundland Growlers did things differently and made history | by Scort Whaler

AROUND THE NHL

Canucks expected to be in mix for Gardiner, Myers in free agency | by Mike Johnston

High-priced stars who could hit the buyout market (video) | by TSN

Sharks and Erik Karlsson continue to work at a potential contract extension | by Kevin Kurz at The Athletic

Sabres finalize coaching staff with hires of Granato and Bales | Die by the Blade

Canadiens sign Gustav Olofsson to one-year extension | Habs Eye on the Prize

The Florida Panthers are reportedly looking to either trade or buy out James Reimer, #1 goalie in all our hearts.

I expect the Panthers will either trade (with retained salary) or buy out James Reimer in the coming weeks. Hasn't worked out in Florida and Panthers are pursuing Bobrovsky. Reimer would be good fit as a second goalie to complement a newer starter, perhaps somewhere like Calgary.

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 14, 2019

Have a great weekend everyone!

What part of the off-season are you most looking forward to?