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NHL rumors: Hellebuyck intrigued by Devils, Leafs still an option for O'Reilly, DeBrincat narrows it down

Connor Hellebuyck zeroes in on a suitor, the Maple Leafs get some clarity, the Flyers kickstart their rebuild and much more in this NHL rumor roundup.

Olivier Neven
Writer
·5 min read
14

The NHL offseason continues to move along as we inch closer to the free-agent window opening on July 1. There's still plenty to talk about while we wait for that day to arrive, though.

Here are the latest rumblings from around the league.

Hellebuyck intrigued by Devils

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday that star Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck would be interested in signing a contract extension with the New Jersey Devils if a sign-and-trade deal could be made. LeBrun said the Devils have made contact with the Jets about potentially acquiring the 2020 Vezina Trophy winner, but added that New Jersey is hesitant about the kind of money Hellebuyck is seeking on a new deal (around $9.5 million AAV, in the same range as Andrei Vasilevskiy).

Connor Hellebuyck wants to be paid like one of the NHL's top goalies. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
Connor Hellebuyck wants to be paid like one of the NHL's top goalies. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

Leafs not buying out Brodie, O'Reilly considering options

Despite rumors about the Toronto Maple Leafs considering a buyout of defenseman T.J. Brodie, the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan reported on Tuesday that there is "no chance" the 33-year-old is bought out this summer. Brodie has one more year left on his four-year, $20-million deal ($5 million AAV). Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli floated the idea of a buyout on Monday's episode of Daily Faceoff Live. In the case of a buyout, Toronto would not owe Brodie any money for the upcoming season, and only $2.5 million in 2024-25, when the NHL's salary cap is expected to shoot up.

LeBrun also reported that new Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has expressed his interest in bringing center Ryan O'Reilly back after Toronto acquired him at the trade deadline. While the Maple Leafs' cap crunch would make it difficult to match other offers the 32-year-old may receive around the league, LeBrun says O'Reilly has not closed the door on re-signing in Toronto.

Flyers cleaning house

Seravalli reported on Tuesday that Flyers GM Daniel Brière "is ready to deal," and will not hesitate to pull the trigger on virtually any move to kickstart a much-needed rebuild in Philadelphia. The only untouchable in the organization, Seravalli said, is 2022 fifth-overall pick Cutter Gauthier, who registered 37 points in 32 games in his freshman year at Boston College last season.

Brière reportedly intends to use Philly's cap space to take on other teams' undesirable contracts and replenish the club's assets, just as he did when the Flyers acquired Cal Petersen and Sean Walker from the Los Angeles Kings on June 6.

DeBrincat narrows it down

The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported on Tuesday that restricted free agent forward Alex DeBrincat has submitted a list of five teams he would like to be traded to. According to Garrioch, the list includes the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and the Detroit Red Wings.

Garrioch reported last week that the Senators have elected to take DeBrincat to arbitration with the hope of getting a 15% discount on his $9 million qualifying offer for next season. Any trade out of Ottawa would likely be a sign-and-trade, allowing a new club to ink the 25-year-old to a maximum eight-year contract.

DeBrincat scored 27 goals and accumulated 66 points in his first season in Ottawa, but registered a minus-31 rating.

Alex DeBrincat has submitted a list of five NHL teams he would be open to signing a long-term extension with. (Getty Images)
Alex DeBrincat has submitted a list of five NHL teams he would be open to signing a long-term extension with. (Getty Images)

Lucic, Flames parting ways

Rick Dhaliwal reported on Tuesday that the Calgary Flames have given Milan Lucic permission to talk to other teams ahead of July 1, when he'll be hitting the free-agent market. According to LeBrun, Lucic is thankful the Flames have allowed him to sort out his future prematurely, and the 35-year-old still feels he has a lot left in the tank after helping Canada clinch a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship in May. While he's not looking to break the bank like he did with the seven-year, $42 million contract he signed with the Edmonton Oilers in 2016, the most important thing to Lucic now is a comfortable situation.

“The main thing is fit,” Lucic told LeBrun. “What’s my role going to be on a team? How will the coach use me? Who will I play with? All that type of stuff."

Lyon wants to be back with Panthers

After almost singlehandedly saving the Panthers' season, journeyman goaltender Alex Lyon is looking to cash in on his breakout year as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

While he's due for a big bump in pay from the $750,000 he made with Florida last season, Lyon reportedly prefers to sign an extension with the Panthers, according to LeBrun.

“Alex loves it there. It’s a really good fit. But we’ll see what happens," Lyon's agent Pete Rutili told LeBrun. "If he does go to market, certainly I’m sure there will be options for him. But his preference would be to stay.”

The fit would be tricky, however, as the Panthers have Sergei Bobrovsky locked in for three more seasons at $10 million. They are also expecting Spencer Knight back for the start of the 2023-24 campaign after the 22-year-old entered the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program in February. Knight has a three-year, $13.5 million contract ($4.5 million AAV) kicking in next season.