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The Daily: Kessel, Subban Headed For Hefty Pay Cuts; Vegas Needs a Goalie and a Wing

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NHL Trade

The NHL free agent dealing is almost done. Phil Kessel and PK Subban are among players whose chip stack won’t be as large as it was last season.



Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski pegs Kessel and Subban as the UFAs who will suffer the largest salary reduction. It’s not even clear if they will secure a new deal. Also on Kingerski’s list: former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny Dekeyser whose career has been derailed by injury.

Subban is coming off a contract paying him $9 million per season while Kessel’s contract paid him an average of $8 million. Now both players are in take-what-you-can get mode. Kessel’s predicament seems surprising considering he’s still a productive offensive player. The Arizona Coyotes were not a quality hockey team last and Kessel managed 52 points. The NHL usually finds room for 50-point scorers.

The Kingerski story also points out that Evan Rodrigues, Brian Boyle and Sonny Milano, still in the free agent pool, are players who still might get a pay bump.

The big question for the Vegas Golden Knights is whether they need to acquire a goalie. Robin Lehner won’t play this season because of hip surgery. However, Owen Krepps of Vegas Hockey Now says they also need help on the wing. Phil Kessel, Milano and Rodrigues are possibilities.

In Case You Missed It

Nate Brown of Detroit Hockey Now Presents Part 4 of Anatomy of the Yzerplan with a comparison of the Detroit Red Wings‘ drafts vs Tampa Bay’s drafts.

Behind the paywall, Detroit Hockey Now offers that coach Derek Lalonde is one of five reasons why the Red Wings’ power play will be improved in 2022-23. (DHN+)

Bob Duff of Hockey Now writes: Don’t be shocked if Elmer Soderblom needs some adjustment time in North America.

Hockey Now Network

Calgary: Steve Macfarlane of Calgary Hockey Now writes this is not the best time for the Calgary Flames  to re-sign defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.

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Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon is planning a parade in Halifax when he gets his day with the Stanley Cup. Adrian Dater of Hockey Now believes MacKinnon’s buddy Sidney Crosby will be at the party at his home.

Montreal:  Hall of Famer Mark Recchi believes the Montreal Canadiens are heading in the right direction.  Also, Habs general manager Kent Hughes is in position to take advantage of a strong goalie market.

New York:  New York Islanders Prospect Aatu Raty has been an impressive performer for Finland at the World Junior Championships.