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

They want to make it look sold out....only Montreal or Toronto can do that in Miami

I hate when people talk about Risto's potential. He's played over 400 NHL games and he is what he is...a terrible defender who scores on the PP. I'd trade him for anything at this point and our d-core will be better without him.

Yzerman is with the Red Wings, he hasn't been the GM of Tampa Bay for quite some time. He stepped down as GM September 11th, 2018.
- dsavage30

Please see Ek's insightful breakdown of the vasilevskiy signing

I hate when people talk about Risto's potential. He's played over 400 NHL games and he is what he is...a terrible defender who scores on the PP. I'd trade him for anything at this point and our d-core will be better without him.
- Freyster98

Ceci for Risto, straight up (now tell me do you really want love to be forever?)

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

via GIPHY

Dominoes!

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

Youppi?

You can find idiot fans on both sides. Maybe a tad more on the leafs' side, but still...
- Pat1993

Nah, Hab fans feel upset they are not the centre of the hockey universe like the Leafs are.

I don't necessarily disagree, but do you think it is better to pay now for stuff that hasn't happened yet and may never happen? The Leafs will have 4 players in double digits, probably 5 when Rielly gets paid in a couple years. So far, they haven't shown they can win a series, nevermind a cup.
- Aetherial

Eh, 10+ million per will be very common on most NHL teams. Guys get paid on stats, not series wins. It's a team game.

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.

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...

I didnt know RFAs were able to put out offer sheets

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...

There are only 31 men in this world who are GM of an NHL franchise. It's pretty cool that one of them (possibly many others) take the time to inform Ek about what's going on out there. I mean they must spend a lot of time talking to their own staff, other GMs, agents, but its cool that they also make time for Ek.

I also noticed the phrase "LATE LAST NIGHT". So this isn't an afternoon media scrum but clearly a private 1-on-1 discussion. Must be cool.

Ceci for Risto, straight up (now tell me do you really want love to be forever?)
- gravyface

There are only 31 men in this world who are GM of an NHL franchise. It's pretty cool that one of them (possibly many others) take the time to inform Ek about what's going on out there. I mean they must spend a lot of time talking to their own staff, other GMs, agents, but its cool that they also make time for Ek.

I also noticed the phrase "LATE LAST NIGHT". So this isn't an afternoon media scrum but clearly a private 1-on-1 discussion. Must be cool.
- uofcguy

Ek talks to GMs and owners on skype and WhatsApp.

I didnt know RFAs were able to put out offer sheets
- Brukie

Steve Yzerman can do both for multiple teams. He's trading Point to the Red Wings and signing him to an offer sheet for Tampa. He'll then match the offer sheet as Red Wings GM. This will be the beginning of the RFA War. Rivalries will be born. Yzerman hates himself. Dr. STEVE is Tampa's GM and Mr. Yzerman is the Red Wings GM.

Steve Yzerman can do both for multiple teams. He's trading Point to the Red Wings and signing him to an offer sheet for Tampa. He'll then match the offer sheet as Red Wings GM. This will be the beginning of the RFA War. Rivalries will be born. Yzerman hates himself. Dr. STEVE is Tampa's GM and Mr. Yzerman is the Red Wings GM.
- gergeswillems

lol

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

He most certainly does deserve to have his number retired by Vancouver.

He most certainly does deserve to have his number retired by Vancouver.
- Hossa1881

Might as well. His contract is getting retired there.

Might as well. His contract is getting retired there.
- systemtool

Might as well. His contract is getting retired there.
- systemtool

Canucks can even put a special CR crest on the jersey for Cap Recapture.

Steve Yzerman can do both for multiple teams. He's trading Point to the Red Wings and signing him to an offer sheet for Tampa. He'll then match the offer sheet as Red Wings GM. This will be the beginning of the RFA War. Rivalries will be born. Yzerman hates himself. Dr. STEVE is Tampa's GM and Mr. Yzerman is the Red Wings GM.


- gergeswillems

Don't forget the Ottawa connection since Yzerman grew up there and still keeps a summer cottage in the area.

Step 1: As Wings GM he signs Point to an offer sheet.
Step 2: As Tampa GM he matches.
Step 3: As the de-facto Ottawa GM he acquires Luke Witkowski from Tampa for a draft pick which helps Tampa get under the cap. Also Witkowski said he would rent Yzerman's cottage outside Ottawa during the hockey season but then move out so the Yzerman clan can enjoy it during the summer. Win-win.
Step 4: Give Ek a late night call to spill the beans on private contract negotiations and RFA wars.

Don't forget the Ottawa connection since Yzerman grew up there and still keeps a summer cottage in the area.

Step 1: As Wings GM he signs Point to an offer sheet.
Step 2: As Tampa GM he matches.
Step 3: As the de-facto Ottawa GM he acquires Luke Witkowski from Tampa for a draft pick which helps Tampa get under the cap. Also Witkowski said he would rent Yzerman's cottage outside Ottawa during the hockey season but then move out so the Yzerman clan can enjoy it during the summer. Win-win.
Step 4: Give Ek a late night call to spill the beans on private contract negotiations and RFA wars.
- uofcguy

Funk ottawa. Go to bed.

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

Most Hab fans I know don’t even watch hockey, just talk about the years they bought a million farm teams so they could own every players rights, and then brag like winning cups was tough back then. 🥳

Might as well. His contract is getting retired there.
- systemtool

Zing

Most Hab fans I know don’t even watch hockey, just talk about the years they bought a million farm teams so they could own every players rights, and then brag like winning cups was tough back then. 🥳
- Garnie

That was the Canadiens. The Candiens is what Ek's talking about. Might Bergy be trading for Proorov?