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It’s been a busy few days around the league. I won’t hit everything here, but we’ll run through a few highlights. Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Larry Brooks reports here that the Devils do seem to have interest in soon-to-be big fish free agent Dougie Hamilton: [New York Post]
Elliotte Friedman with a couple Devils tidbits in this episode of the 31 Thoughts Podcast, including a reference to a Robin Lehner deal with the Golden Knights that may have fallen apart (around 20:00) and further commentary connecting the Devils with Hamilton (around 48:00): [Sportsnet]
Friedman also makes some free agency and trade predictions in this blog, including Hamilton signing with the Devils and Vladimir Tarasenko being traded to the Islanders or Devils. On Kyle Palmieri, Friedman says this: “haven’t heard a thing, which means the Islanders probably have him locked up.” [Sportsnet]
Sounds like there’s interest in bringing back Ryan Murray:
Tom Fitzgerald said he's had preliminary talks with Ryan Murray's agent and plans to follow up again in the coming days to see if there's a path to a new contract. Murray is an unrestricted free agent on July 28.
— Chris Ryan (@ChrisRyan_NJ) July 24, 2021
By this point you’ve probably had your fill of Devils draft coverage, but let’s just revisit this beautiful family moment again:
Jack Hughes was FIRED UP to learn that his brother Luke will be joining him in New Jersey! #NHLDraft | #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/4wjUGroWuE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 24, 2021
Some grading out of the 2021 Devils draft class: [The Athletic ($)] [Infernal Access ($)]
Hockey Links
The first round of the draft ended with a thud on Friday night as the Habs picked Logan Mailloux, the player who had asked that he not be drafted after he was fined for sharing sexually explicit photos of a woman. [CBC]
Sabres move Sam Reinhart:
We have acquired forward Sam Reinhart from the @buffalosabres in exchange for our first-round selection in the 2022 #NHLDraft and goaltender Devon Levi.
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 24, 2021
» https://t.co/7wE6ylvt6s pic.twitter.com/ACm8br5Cle
Seth Jones has a new team and a ... hefty new contract:
Welcome to Chicago, Seth Jones! pic.twitter.com/m4RZ6tQaCl
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 23, 2021
Jones deal features him, final pick of first round tonight and a 6th to CHI for Boqvist, the 11th pick, a second-rounder and a 2022 first.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 23, 2021
Jones will sign 8x9.5 on Wednesday
And the Coyotes move Oliver Ekman-Larsson:
TRADE ALERT #Canucks acquire defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and forward Conor Garland from the Arizona Coyotes.
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) July 23, 2021
DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/VwgUTFVRAO#CanucksDraft | @ToyotaPacific pic.twitter.com/58I41nbENo
The Avs get the Cale Makar deal done:
Cale Makar re-signs with the Avs, six years at a $9 M AAV@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 24, 2021
Two retirements:
Per source, Coyotes UFA D Niklas Hjalmarsson is retiring. I don't expect a formal announcement or statement from Nik. Those who have covered him or known him know that is not his style.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) July 25, 2021
He was an integral part of 3 Stanley Cups in Chicago and the consummate pro on/off the ice. pic.twitter.com/b3GUVwGWa9
Catching up on some other Caps stuff from earlier with GM Brian MacLellan.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 24, 2021
D John Carlson had minor surgery on his knee after the season and will be ready for the start of camp.
MacLellan said G Craig Anderson is expected to retire.
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.