Duffer’s Dabbles: Grubauer To Test Open Market? Martinez Stays With Golden Knights; Complete List Of RFAs Who Weren’t Qualified

Set that clock to ticking on the future of a couple of NHL starting goaltenders. The Vegas Golden Knights agreed to a three-year deal with veteran defenseman and impending UFA Alec Martinez. That means the Golden Knights are over the cap. The most logical player to who could be moving to create cap space is Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche and goalie Philopp Grubauer have hit a wall. If Grubauer goes on the open market and leaves Colorado, who becomes the Avs’ goalie? Could it be Fleury, the guy who put them out of the 2021 playoffs?

Caps Creating Ovi Space?

Speaking of cap space, the Washington Capitals traded veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon to the Winnipeg Jets. Does that create enough of a chunk of cap space to get UFA Alex Ovechkin’s name on a new contract?

Boston: There’s still no word on whether NHL players are going to the Beijing Olympics in Beijing, If they do, expect that Pittsburgh Penguins head coach and Boston native Mike Sullivan will be the head coach for Team USA.

Florida: Sam Bennett signed a new deal in Florida, and he’s getting paid. Some would even say overapaid.

Florida: The Panthers also cleared some cap space by moving defeseman Anton Stralman to the Arizona Coyotes.

Philly: The Flyers qualified starting goalie Carter Hart and defenseman Travis Sanheim. But that doesn’t mean weither is going to sign their QO.

Detroit: Deciding to stay put with the Red Wings, coulda-been UFA D Marc Staal thinks Detroit is “an exciting place to be.”

Who’s Out There Now?

Boston: The Bruins did not tender QOs to forwards Nick Ritchie and Ondrje Kase.

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks did not qualify forward Ryan Donato, who is now a free agent. He could be of interest to a number of teams.

Detroit: Sidetrack by a series of injuries, forward Evgeny Svechnikov, the 15th player chosen in the 2015 NHL entry draft, was not presented a qualifying offer by the Red Wings. Might be join brother Andre with the Carolina Hurricanes?

PuckPedia: Here’s the full list of players who didn’t get their qualifying offers and are now free agents.