Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
51m
Other key contract changes in addition to the lower term limit:

There will be a new 60 per cent ceiling on signing bonus money; variance year-to-year lowered to 20 per cent.

If I'm understanding this correctly, that sounds like no more contracts like Tavares' where you can pay them almost entirely in bonus money and almost no salary. Sounds like bonuses can only be 60% of the total value of the contract
- Gabe Athaus

I think that bonus laden deal is what leveled the playing field for non tax friendly teams. For a Canadian team with a higher tax bracket and a weaker dollar, being able to offer a contract that’s bonus heavy was their only real way of parity with the no tax friendly teams. Not sure that’s a good thing

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva
3m
Utah is getting lots of calls regarding pick #4. Looks like they want an active player in return.
- Gabe Athaus

Active player like JG Pageau? I really don’t wanna lose Dobson (11 million is too much though)

Active player like JG Pageau? I really don’t wanna lose Dobson (11 million is too much though)
- kindlyrick

Lol I wish. I can't imagine they'd move the 4th overall for a 32yo 3rd liner on an expiring deal. If they did I'd be over the moon

I'd say maybe Simon Holmstrom and another asset could do it, but they're already a pretty wing-heavy team so I don't think that gets it done.

Sadly, and I don't like the idea, Romanov might be the only other roster player we have that could/would get it done.

It won't be $11M for Dobson. But it might be $10M. If they're far apart in negotiations (and I have no idea if they are or aren't) then effectively trading Dobson for Hagens and maybe another asset would be the best move for the Isles to make.

Starting 2026-2027 no more player dress code before and after games. Gen Z ladies and gentlemen….Austin Matthew’s is high fiving Nylander

Starting 2026-2027 no more player dress code before and after games. Gen Z ladies and gentlemen….Austin Matthew’s is high fiving Nylander
- kindlyrick

I think it's dumb but I'm not going to pretend that I care what a player shows up wearing either

And right on cue after my edit:

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva
29s
Noah Dobson is looking for a new deal and talks are ongoing. That being said, I feel that Dobson could be traded in the next few days if the gap is too big between the two sides.

Utah just traded a RHD in Kesselring by the way

MIN interested in Pageau (from MIN beat writer with The Athletic)

Two players the Wild have inquired about are the New York Islanders’ Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has one year left on his contract at $5 million, and Colorado’s Charlie Coyle, the former Wild forward who has one year left on his contract at $5.25 million. Pageau is especially intriguing. He’s a perennial 40-point guy who is excellent in the faceoff circle (59.6 percent last season and over 50 percent every year of his career) and on the penalty kill.

MIN interested in Pageau (from MIN beat writer with The Athletic)

Two players the Wild have inquired about are the New York Islanders’ Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has one year left on his contract at $5 million, and Colorado’s Charlie Coyle, the former Wild forward who has one year left on his contract at $5.25 million. Pageau is especially intriguing. He’s a perennial 40-point guy who is excellent in the faceoff circle (59.6 percent last season and over 50 percent every year of his career) and on the penalty kill.
- Gabe Athaus

Who’s the return Jared Spurgeon lol

Who’s the return Jared Spurgeon lol
- kindlyrick

Lol I have no idea what their ask would be from MIN. Rosner seems to think the Isles would prefer to trade Pageau at the trade deadline

https://www.thefourthperi...ing-all-options-on-dobson

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/jun-2025/islanders-weighing-all-options-on-dobson
- Gabe Athaus

I'd certainly think about moving Barzal back to center and trading Pageau, only because so many teams are desperate for centers this offseason and there doesn't appear to be too many to go around. Sell high, and all that.

Goaltending also seems to be in high demand with not many options this offseason, but the Isles probably can't be sellers there. I doubt they'd move Sorokin and who knows what the status of Varlamov is.

edit -- I just finished an insanely long drive home from Florida and was listening to the NHL channel on Sirius for a lot of it, so I'm now an expert on what teams are looking for

I'd certainly think about moving Barzal back to center and trading Pageau, only because so many teams are desperate for centers this offseason and there doesn't appear to be too many to go around. Sell high, and all that.

Goaltending also seems to be in high demand with not many options this offseason, but the Isles probably can't be sellers there. I doubt they'd move Sorokin and who knows what the status of Varlamov is.

edit -- I just finished an insanely long drive home from Florida and was listening to the NHL channel on Sirius for a lot of it, so I'm now an expert on what teams are looking for
- UIF

I do think they have some flexibility at center. Barzal can move back. If Ritchie excels he can always slide up to 2C, Barzal back to wing, Casey to 3C and MacLean to 4C. Not a perfect solution, but it wouldn't be so terrible to get a high pick next year either

Sounds like Friedman did a radio hit and said the Isles were actively looking to get back up into the early part of the 1st round.

Sounds like Friedman did a radio hit and said the Isles were actively looking to get back up into the early part of the 1st round.
- Gabe Athaus

Sounds like Friedman did a radio hit and said the Isles were actively looking to get back up into the early part of the 1st round.
- Gabe Athaus

I just can't see us doing this and have no expectation that we will.

Sounds like Friedman did a radio hit and said the Isles were actively looking to get back up into the early part of the 1st round.
- Gabe Athaus

It’s a marketing wet dream….local kid comes home. He knows Long Island well, which is of benefit to the young kids coming up never having been on Long Island. I see it happening, I just would prefer parting with Pageau, or Holmstrom, or Pulock (if he’d accept) and the Brock Nelson first vs Dobson or Romanov.

I just can't see us doing this and have no expectation that we will.
- keaner17

I can see them doing it, but I also have no expectation of it happening. If they can't get close on a deal with Dobson then they probably won't get better value than being able to select Hagens and maybe get another asset or two.

Sounds like Friedman did a radio hit and said the Isles were actively looking to get back up into the early part of the 1st round.
- Gabe Athaus

The Rangers better keep their dirty paws off Hagens. They have to have any Ex-Islander or anyone the Islanders are looking to get.

The Rangers better keep their dirty paws off Hagens. They have to have any Ex-Island or anyone the Islanders are looking to get.
- ses111

The Rangers gave their 1st round pick to PIT this year instead of risking it being unprotected in next year's draft. They'd have to trade into the top 6-7 having no first round pick this year, which would be real tough

The Rangers gave their 1st round pick to PIT this year instead of risking it being unprotected in next year's draft. They'd have to trade into the top 6-7 having no first round pick this year, which would be real tough
- Gabe Athaus

The Rangers better not find a way like trading Laffy.

The Rangers gave their 1st round pick to PIT this year instead of risking it being unprotected in next year's draft. They'd have to trade into the top 6-7 having no first round pick this year, which would be real tough
- Gabe Athaus

When does Anaheim pick? I'm sure they'll trade it to the Rangers for some minor leaguer

The Rangers better not find a way like trading Laffy.
- ses111

Don't think that even gets them near the top-10. He hasn't been great, save for a single season where he was pretty good, and he has a massive deal that'd have to go along with him.

When does Anaheim pick? I'm sure they'll trade it to the Rangers for some minor leaguer
- UIF

I do not mind the Islanders not getting Hagens. Just do not let the Rangers get him.

Don't think that even gets them near the top-10. He hasn't been great, save for a single season where he was pretty good, and he has a massive deal that'd have to go along with him.
- Gabe Athaus

Rangers have a way for teams to take less.

I can see them doing it, but I also have no expectation of it happening. If they can't get close on a deal with Dobson then they probably won't get better value than being able to select Hagens and maybe get another asset or two.
- Gabe Athaus

If you are trading into #4 with Dobson, Hagens is likely all you're getting.