NHL Rumors: Predators after Alex Killorn, Anthony Cirelli offer sheet, and more
Anthony Scultore
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In one of our most recent NHL Rumors updates, it was noted that the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning were working on a possible deal. As expected, we are now learning another team may be entering the fray.
NHL Rumors: Nashville Predators and Alex Killorn
The Predators have cap space and a desire to use it. GM David Poile is likely, as most GMs, waiting for the announcement of a new NHL season before making any more moves.
There’s been some rumblings around hockey circles that the Preds would be wise to use that space with a team that doesn’t. Enter the ever popular Cup Champion Lightning.
The Predators are in need of a boost on the wing in their top-six, and have around $13 million of cap space to play with. And while we don’t know Killorn’s no-trade list, it’s hard to imagine many players keeping Nashville (and no state income tax situation) on there.
The Athletic
There was also talk about signing Mike Hoffman but beat writer Adam Vingan thinks otherwise. “Hoffman has been on the Predators’ radar. He is willing to sign a one-year deal, which is better than committing to Killorn for three. But I am unsure if Hoffman fits into the Predators’ plans,” he noted.
Here we go with more offer sheet noise
The RFA offer-sheet is almost like Big Foot. There’s evidence out there. You’ve heard the rumors, seen the blurry footage, but no one can seem to capture this cryptid out in the wild.
Adam Gretz over at NBC Sports tried to talk himself out of writing about it, but couldn’t resist. He feels that the Predators should use their 12 million in cap space to offer-sheet Anthony Cirelli.
Bottom line, Tampa is already on record that they are going to sign Cirelli and trade players like Killorn, Tyler Johnson, and possibly Ryan McDonagh to do so.
Golden Knights need to trade their way to cap compliance
The Vegas Golden Knights went out at landed the top UFA on the market in Alex Pietrangelo. They are also over the cap and need to get compliant. As many other writers are noting, the Knights will need to trade their way out of this one and it won’t be Marc Andre-Fleury to start.
One option pointed out by Tom Callahan at Vegas Hockey Now could be putting Robin Lehner on LTIR as his shoulder heals. The other option is a trade or several minor deals.
Vegas top trade candidates:
- Jonathan Marchessault ($5M)
- Ryan Reaves ($1.75M)
- Tomas Nosek ($1.25M)
- Alec Martinez ($4M)
- Nick Holden ($1.7M).