NHL rumors: Filip Hronek, Nikita Zadorov, and Jake Guentzel
The Vancouver Canucks may be afraid to go to a salary settlement with Filip Hronek
Taj: Rick Dhaliwal on Vancouver Canucks pending RFA defenseman Filip Hronek: “They want to sign him but they’re too far apart…the safety valve is the solution. The Canucks won’t like it because the arbitration case is strong for Hronek.”
Nikita Zadorov may not have returned to the Canucks
Taj: Elliotte Friedman said on Oilers Now 630 CHED that the Vancouver Canucks are unlikely to re-sign defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
Friedman heard they weren’t that far off Zadorov’s lower market value but it’s at a point where neither side is willing to go.
NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins
Jake Guentzel will hit free agency on July 1st
The NHL Network: Elliotte Friedman on NHL Tonight when asked about free agency and Jake Guentzel and who might be interested in him.
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Jamison Coyle: “Jake Guentzel had a lot of energy and the last time we saw him was in a Carolina jersey. What is the latest sign likely to be in free agency? He is one of the big fish, if not the biggest fish in that market. How does the free agency market hold up this July 1st?
Friedman: “Yes, obviously I am very interested. You know, Carolina’s kind of fun team. I actually like how they do this. They’re not afraid to say okay, this is what we consider our limit and you can see what else is out there.
I don’t know if they made it official here but it doesn’t scare Carolina. You can see what’s available, and you can always come back if you don’t like what you find.
And I don’t think, I don’t think Guentzel has given up on the idea of Carolina. But I think he knows, like honestly, I think he wants to know what the market is at some point before he commits.
NHL Rumors: Two Surprising Teams Could Be Interested In Jake Guentzel
And like, there have been many reports in Vancouver. I think it’s not easy for Vancouver to do it, but I think they’ll look at it. I think Chicago was a team that considered it. I think they would like to move things along and find guys who can play next to Conor Bedard. But I think at this point in time, I wouldn’t say right now that he’s a guarantee to go back to Carolina.