Eklund: RFA Today: Ristolainen HAS asked to be Moved. Luongo Number Retired

"Also...the Candiens games are already among the biggest draws of the year in Miami..."

Rfa's ars too busy boozing at teammates weddings

Season is a ways away, agents are probably vacationing too

You stole that rist bit from him saying hes not happy

Try again next time

"Along these lines, late last night I was informed by an unrelated GM that he had heard that at least one RFA was talking to an Eastern Team about a contract, but did not intend to put out an offer sheet..."

But what about a related GM informing you early this morning that at least one RFA was talking to a Western team about a contract but did fully intend to put out an offer sheet? Put out? Are they going steady or are they going all the way? What do the Candiens think about this?

If Rasmus Ristolainen has so much potential then why don't the Sabres just keep him? Or why wouldn't he be traded by now? Surely 30 other teams would overpay for a right shot D stud with so much potential. Is he comparable to Proorov? Why do these sources call you so late? To save you money on your cell phone bill? Lower rates? Maybe the Leafs can help you out? They're owned by Bell and Rogers.

Ek, what happened to the McAvoy bridge deal? Still getting closer and closer? Is he one of the RFAs growing impatient or is it Proorov? What's Yzerman's plan with Brayden Point? So many questions...

Ek, what happened to the McAvoy bridge deal? Still getting closer and closer? Is he one of the RFAs growing impatient or is it Proorov? What's Yzerman's plan with Brayden Point? So many questions...
- uofcguy

We can only assume there is more to come on these stories.

I think we need to be patient. Ek is constantly in touch with top league executives. Unfortunately, he is not often given permission to share the information publicly because it was cause bedlam. So he only shares with us what he can tell us on the record. Even GMs frequently contact him to ask what he is hearing about opposing GMs. He can't even say anything to hockey GMs(!!) with out risking his journalistic integrity.

If we only knew what Ek knows about how much else was going on, it would rock the hockey world.

He already saved the Nashville franchise. I think we have asked quite enough of him, thanks.

"Also...the Candiens games are already among the biggest draws of the year in Miami..."
- gergeswillems

They're way better than the Can'tdiens

They're way better than the Can'tdiens
- Pat1993

I'm curious to know the other biggest draws for Panthers games. Leafs maybe? The Panthers biggest draw may be comparable to the number of teams willing to give up a stud player for Rasmus Ristolainen. Maybe he gets traded to the Candiens? Brgy could finally make his BIG SPLASH!

EK...you answered your own question about 'why' the Canadiens when you pointed out that they are the biggest draw that visit the Panthers. They are retiring Luongo's number when the Habs are in town so they can do it in front of a big crowd that will give him a loud ovation. It would be kind of sad to do it in front of their typical home crowd, featuring half of the lower bowl seats being empty.

I'm curious to know the other biggest draws for Panthers games. Leafs maybe? The Panthers biggest draw may be comparable to the number of teams willing to give up a stud player for Rasmus Ristolainen. Maybe he gets traded to the Candiens? Brgy could finally make his BIG SPLASH!
- gergeswillems

With those big arms Bergevin is bound to make a splash sooner or later

I'm curious to know the other biggest draws for Panthers games. Leafs maybe? The Panthers biggest draw may be comparable to the number of teams willing to give up a stud player for Rasmus Ristolainen. Maybe he gets traded to the Candiens? Brgy could finally make his BIG SPLASH!
- gergeswillems

I think we already know what Bergy's big splashes are really all about, even if KomiSally won't admit it publicly.

You do know that Luongo was borned and raised in Montreal right? And that half the seats in Sunrise have Quebecers asses seated in them?

They do it against the Habs so

A. The arena can be full
B. People actually give a damn about it

Not complicated much

They just want to make sure that number retirement has a full house is my guess, so habs or leafs really. It’s also a hockey night in Canada game, I’m pretty sure, and he did put on the team Canada jersey many times, so it’s nice for us up here to watch it.

Luongo number being retired is ridiculous Ek, what did he do in Florida??? If anyone should do it it should be Vancouver and even then he doesn't deserve it.

Luongo number being retired is ridiculous Ek, what did he do in Florida??? If anyone should do it it should be Vancouver and even then he doesn't deserve it.
- BlackhawkMike

Eh, he was great for them and they have so little history. Guys' numbers have been retired for less.

lol!

Are you taking Buzzcast questions? If so, how does the upcoming end of July deadline effect Marner negotiations? 🙃

Are you taking Buzzcast questions? If so, how does the upcoming end of July deadline effect Marner negotiations? 🙃
- Deeps27

LOL!

They just want to make sure that number retirement has a full house is my guess, so habs or leafs really. It’s also a hockey night in Canada game, I’m pretty sure, and he did put on the team Canada jersey many times, so it’s nice for us up here to watch it.
- Hatt trick

why you try to give credit to your maple leafs ? the leafs have no fan base outside of Toronto like MTL ... you guys are not even close to us... funny how the leafs fan think they are equal to us in certain way.... maybe in a 100 years my friend..MAYBE !

why you try to give credit to your maple leafs ? the leafs have no fan base outside of Toronto like MTL ... you guys are not even close to us... funny how the leafs fan think they are equal to us in certain way.... maybe in a 100 years my friend..MAYBE !
- Zo0by

I'm sorry, but this is just delusional. There are "GO LEAFS GO" chants in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa. And I see plenty of snowbirds attending Florida games with Leaf Jerseys.

I'm sorry, but this is just delusional. There are "GO LEAFS GO" chants in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa. And I see plenty of snowbirds attending Florida games with Leaf Jerseys.
- RogerRoeper

It's Canada's team!!!

Are you taking Buzzcast questions? If so, how does the upcoming end of July deadline effect Marner negotiations? 🙃
- Deeps27

Big things happen on Friday's...be ready.

Eklund: RFA Today: Ristolainen HAS asked to be Moved. Luongo Number Retired
- Eklund

Luongo also had a very storied and wonderful career in Vancouver...wouldn't you have the Canucks be the game? Also...the Canadiens games are already among the biggest draws of the year in Miami... Just curious...

...........this is an instance of self-explanation

Ek, is it possible that the Bruins and McAvoy have already agreed to a bridge deal, before the bad blood gets any worse, but they are waiting to announce it until Friday, which serves two purposes:

1) Friday's are apparently when stuff goes down.
2) By delaying a few more days the bad blood between OTHER RFAs and their teams gets even worse, possibly leading to permanent league-altering consequences.