As the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach a thrilling conclusion, the NHL rumors are flying. Today, we're focusing on the Devils, Sabres and Jets.
The NHL offseason will officially begin after the Stanley Cup Final. The offseason is already underway for all NHL teams but the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights. Teams are talking with their pending restricted free agents and pending unrestricted free agents. Some teams are making trades and others are making changes to their staff.
Recent NHL rumors include extension talks between the New Jersey Devils and Timo Meier, the Buffalo Sabres hunting for a goalie, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Winnipeg Jets seeking a trade.
Let's get caught up on some of the latest NHL rumors.
NHL rumors: New Jersey Devils to enter extension talks with Timo Meier
The New Jersey Devils have a lot of decisions to make during this offseason. One of those decisions is what they're willing to offer to bring back winger Timo Meier. The 26-year-old was traded to the Devils by the San Jose Sharks ahead of the 2023 trade deadline. Meier scored 40 goals in the 2022-23 season between the Sharks and the Devils.
Meier is set to become a restricted-free agent. When the Devils obtained Meier, their hope was for him to stick around. He's entitled to a $10 million qualifying offer for the 2023-24 season, but he's likely to get a long-term offer.
NHL.com reported that general manager Tom Fitzgerald plans to speak with Meier's agent this week. Ideally, the Devils would like to lock down Meier in a long-term deal to avoid him becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024. If they can't reach a long-term deal, Meier would become a UFA next offseason.
The Devils are also trying to sign Jesper Bratt to a long-term contract. In order to keep both players, there will be some serious negotiating. Meier is going to come at a high cost, and he's worth it. With the Devils expected to make more playoff runs in the coming years, locking down a talent like Meier is important.
NHL rumors: Buffalo Sabres to pursue a number 1 goalie
The Buffalo Sabres are in the market for a goalie. They just narrowly missed out on the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and goaltending was one of the reasons why. They'll be looking for a goalie this offseason, whether through trades or free agency, to upgrade from the pairing of Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
There's been a ton of speculation surrounding the potential trade of Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. A risk in trading for Hellebuyck is the possibility of him not staying very long. He will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The Sabres are looking for a long-term fit, not a stop-gap. If they do trade for Hellebuyck, they'd likely want to have extension talks prior to the end of next season if it's a good fit.
The free agent market for goalies is a little slim this offseason. Some free-agent goalies the Sabres could consider are Tristan Jarry or Adin Hill if they are available on July 1. Jarry is looking for a five- or six-year contract, but inconsistency has been a problem. It's unclear if the Pittsburgh Penguins will re-sign him. Hill is currently playing in the Stanley Cup Final with the Vegas Golden Knights. He had a solid regular season and has been great during the playoffs. The Golden Knights have reportedly had some talks with Hill about remaining in Vegas, but those conversations won't take shape until after the finals.
Mackenzie Blackwood is perhaps another possible target. He's a pending RFA who could become a UFA since he is unlikely to receive a qualifying offer from the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid, who have both proven themselves to be more reliable. Blackwood is coming off of an injury-riddled season with an .893 SV%. A change of scenery might serve him well and give him the opportunity to turn things around.
NHL rumors: Pierre-Luc Dubois requests a trade from the Winnipeg Jets
Pending restricted free agent Pierre-Luc Dubois would like for his time in Winnipeg to come to an end. Last offseason, Dubois made it known he had no interest in staying with the Winnipeg Jets long-term. He did not want his agent to have conversations about an extension. Dubois still has one more year until he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but it seems that he doesn't want to wait a year to move on.
The Jets are now feeling pressure to trade Dubois. As reported by Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Dubois' agent will try to work with the Jets on a trade per Dubois' request. The Jets could decide to keep him for another season or wait until the 2024 trade deadline to make a trade, but his agent Pat Brisson will try to get something done during the offseason.
It would be in the Jets' best interest to make a trade so they get a return for Dubois. If they choose to keep Dubois for the upcoming season, they will lose him in free agency next offseason for nothing. Dubois is an asset as a skilled center who gets the puck to the net. He has the potential to become a 30-goal scorer. Dubois scored 28 goals in 2021-22 and 27 goals in 2022-23. He will be just 25 years old this summer.
There's long been talk that Dubois is interested in playing close to home for the Montreal Canadiens. If Dubois is set on playing near home and gets traded to a different team this offseason, there's a good chance he'd only be a rental. Depending on their situation, teams that might be interested in trading for him might prefer acquiring someone with interest in sticking around long-term. This will come up during trade talks between the Jets and other teams.
The offseason is sure to be filled with rumors, personnel changes, trades, and free-agent signings.
