Did the Pittsburgh Penguins shop Phil Kessel?
TSN 1050: TSN hockey insider Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1050 radio and mentioned that in the off-season the Pittsburgh Penguins let teams know that Phil Kessel was available for trade. McKenzie said the Penguins had no interest from other teams likely because of Kessels contract and age.
Golden Knights looking to trading a defenceman
Sportsnet: George McPhee says Golden Knights open to trading one defenceman. Of the 11 blue liners on the roster, five of them are set for UFA status next summer and another three will become RFAs. If they aren’t traded away, Jason Garrison, Brayden McNabb, Nate Schmidt and Shea Theodore look like good bets for lineup spots, with the others still to be fought over. That said, Garrison also seems like a decent trade candidate at this stage in his career.
Will there be a salary cap increase next year?
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman reports that word from the NHL Board of Governors’ meeting is the possibility the salary cap could reach $80 million for 2018-19. Friedman points out this season’s cap would’ve reached $79 million had the league and the NHL Players Association implemented the full salary-cap inflator. He also notes other factors, such as the Canadian dollar, revenue projections, the inflator and escrow, will affect the final figure of next season’s cap ceiling.
