Dan’s Daily: Tarasenko Wants New York, Vegas Pursuing Jack Eichel

The jubilation and joy of winning the Stanley Cup will be short-lived for one or more Tampa Bay Lightning players who will find themselves in the NHL trade rumors or the subject of a buyout in the coming hours. The buyout window opened on Thursday night, and a couple of Bolts could be pink-slipped. Vladimir Tarasenko and his trade demands caused a stir and debate, the Vegas Golden Knights are eyeing a white whale, and we cast a bright spotlight on the Penguins offseason chatter.

That last part was a little bit sarcastic.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: This week, I sent out the S.O.S to sources and a few colleagues. Has anyone heard anything about the Penguins? The responses came back… Are the Pittsburgh Penguins “in” on anybody?

NHL Trade Talk, National Hockey Now network…

Vegas: Jack Eichel. Possibly-probably?-The biggest get on the NHL trade market. He has to undergo neck surgery or rehab to be ready for next season, but according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Vegas Golden Knights have emerged as suitors. 

Boston: Hello, Vladimir Tarasenko? The Boston Bruins have been big-game hunting for a year, but they’re going to re-sign Taylor Hall, right? …right? Would the rebuilt Tarasenko work in Beantown? 

The Athletic ($): Jeremy Rutherford reported Tarasenko wants a trade. He also reports Tarasenko wants a contender but is eying New York–BOTH the New York Rangers and Islanders. 

ESPN+ ($): The juggernaut Tampa Bay Lightning have to make moves quickly to get under the NHL salary cap–that pesky thing they didn’t have to worry about in the playoffs. They’re about $5 million over the cap with new contracts due. Buyouts and trades could soon follow.

NYI: Christian Arnold pulls no punches–Tarasenko wants New York? He says, “no thanks,” the cost isn’t worth it for the Islanders. 

Washington: Florida. New York. There’s another NHL place with heavy Russian influence–Washington. So how about a Kuznetsov for Tarasenko deal?

I didn’t mean that to be a political joke, but I’ll take it.

Detroit: The Red Wings have $27 million in salary-cap space to spend — they could have MORE, too. It’s buyout season, and Steve Yzerman could buy out one defenseman and one forward soon. 

Colorado: That buyout calculator on Puckpedia.com GM Feature may get a workout. The flat cap is causing hard choices–Will the Colorado Avalanche buy out defenseman Erik Johnson?  

San Jose: Sheng Peng continued his conversation with hockey data scientist Patrick Bacon. An interesting story, especially for analytics-curious folks–The Sharks are headed in the wrong direction–how would he turn them around?

And–Happy Birthday, Florida Hockey Now! Congrats, George Richards. FHN turned one year old, and here’s the plan for year 2.