NHL Rumors: Flyers chairman lays out offseason shopping list, Sharks need offense, and Blue Jackets trading a goalie
Anthony Scultore
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Three teams that are all officially out of the playoffs will be in the NHL Rumors mill. The Flyers are looking to make some key changes, and Sharks need scoring. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are looking to move one of their goalies this offseason.
NHL Rumors: Flyers offseason shopping list
Flyers chairman, Dave Scott voices his frustration to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’m angry. I’m frustrated,” he lamented. “Everyone keeps saying they’re disappointed, and it’s beyond disappointment where we’re sitting today.”
According to Sam Carchidi the Flyers chairman believes they need another scorer, top pairing defenseman, and a backup to Carter Hart. “All I can tell you is that we’re going to have a busy summer.” Scott continued. “I’m determined to get his thing back on track, and that ‘s everything from spending to the cap and giving the resources to Chuck and A.V. (Alain Vigneault).”
The Flyers have around $11 million in cap space and will need to shed salary to fulfill Scott’s wish list. They have been linked to Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau for the longest time and were interested in Ryan Ellis in Nashville as well.
Carchidi also relayed that Scott wasn’t happy with the job the coaching staff did this season. Scott did also say that Vigneault has his full support.
Sharks need offense
The San Jose Sharks are going to be in the market for offense this summer and will likely look for some on the UFA list. One name that I keep hearing when it comes to the Sharks plans for more scoring is Mike Hoffman who is unlikely to re-sign with the Blues.
Hoffman will be a UFA this summer after signing just a one year deal. The 31 year-old has 16 goals and 32 points in 46 contests this season.
Blue Jackets likely to trade one of their goalies
The Blue Jackets may look to trade one of their two goaltenders this offseason to help bolster other holes. This was also discussed before the start of this season as both Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins are considered #1 type goalies.
Moving one of the team’s two goaltenders could help strengthen the club up front, as teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins have poked around on both Korpisalo and Merzlikins.
The Fourth Period
It should be understood that the Jackets do not have to trade either goalie before the draft. Merzlikins is expansion exempt having played just two seasons in the NHL.