Kevin’s Morning Hash: Five Events That Could Alter the NHL’s Competitive Balance

Here are five  possible future transactions that could alter the competitive balance in the NHL this season

1.  Jack Eichel ends up in Las Vegas or with the New York Rangers. The Golden Knights are already a quality team, and they don’t have a true No. 1 center. The Rangers are a team on an upward trajectory. They have young assets to move.

1. Henrik Lundqvist makes a comeback and  joins a contending team with goaltending issues. Or, he could replace a goalie who has a significant injury. Lundqvist recently teased a comeback on social media.

2. Kirill Kaprizov takes a one-year deal to play next season in the Kontinental. Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin says he isn’t worried about this possibility. But it would disrupt Guerin’s remodeling of the Wild team.

3. Defenseman Zdeno Chara makes a decision to play this season, and provides steady defensive play with a contending team like the Islanders

4. Vladimir Tarasenko gets dealt and scores 30-plus goals this season for his new team.

Around the NHL

Nashville: The  Predators agreed to a four-year, $20 million contract with Juuse Saros. Did they overpay?

Detroit: Why the Detroit Red Wings gave Adam Erne $2.1 million per season on a two-year deal

Boston:  Remember when Washington’s Alex Ovechkin speared Trent Frederic in the groin? Frederic said it didn’t hurt?!

Philadelphia: The Flyers announced their rookie development camp, with some pretty high-end prospects, will begin Aug. 28.

New York Islanders: Keeping with the Penguins rivals, NYI Hockey Now isn’t sold on Ilya Sorokin as the No. 1 goalie just yet, or rather, they’re onboard keeping the goalie tandem with Semyon Varlamov. 

Washington: The Capitals also have blue line questions. Sammi Silber says Dmitri Orlov will be the key this season.