BHN Puck Links: NHL Trade Rumors; Bruins Should Keep Wagner

The NHL Trade rumor mill is churning at full speed as the NHL Expansion Draft, Entry Draft, and free agency approach. The silly season has officially commenced!

While they’re not nearly as juicy a rumor as the Jack Eichel to Boston NHL trade rumors, there were two interesting tweets Saturday from the connected and underrated Dominic Tiano of OHLwriters.me. Tiano dropped two interesting tidbits that reaffirmed the notion that there are big changes coming to the bottom six forward group for the Boston Bruins this offseason.

Sean Kuraly's 3 year contract set to expire had salaries of $1.3 million in year 1, $1.475 million in year 2 and $1.05 million in year 3 (exactly what they gave Frederic). Word is, that if the #NHLBruins make him an offer, it will be less than $1.05 million.

— Dominic Tiano (@dominictiano) July 10, 2021

Yours truly had heard prior to the NHL Trade Deadline that Sean Kuraly, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 28 was being shopped and that the Dublin, Ohio native was getting some love from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Obviously, nothing happened but as Dom pointed out, the Bruins aren’t prepared to offer him that much and if the Blue Jackets are still interested, then they would definitely outbid $1.05 million. My partner-in-crime, Joe Haggerty, also thinks Kuraly won’t be in Black And Gold next season.

There are also whispers that they are trying to move hometown boy Chris Wagner. He has 2 years remaining n his deal with a cap hit of $1.350 million. Don't think this is a big deal. His contract can be buried with a cap hit of $275,000.

— Dominic Tiano (@dominictiano) July 10, 2021

The fact that Walpole, MA native Chris Wagner is on the NHL Trade market is a bit more surprising, at least to this puck scribe. Wagner had a down year for sure but as Tiano pointed out, he has a more than affordable cap hit and he openly admitted that he, like other NHLers, battled mental health issues in an unprecedented year plus of NHL hockey in a pandemic. Why not see how he comes back this fall? There shouldn’t be a rush to trade a bottom-six player that can still be valuable at a bargain price!

Now onto the rest of your BHN Puck Links

National Hockey Now

In 31 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman dropped a little bombshell that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in Tyler Bertuzzi. Our Kevin Allen did a little more digging–here’s the scenario under which Detroit will put Bertuzzi on the NHL trade market. (Detroit Hockey Now)

In last week’s ‘Off The Record’, we told you how the New York Islanders are a prime target for an offer sheet and listed RFA forward Anthony Beauvillier as one of the players that could be poached from the cap-strapped Isles. Beauvillier tortured Sidney Crosby and the Penguins’ top line in the playoffs but had a rather inconsistent season. So, what is he actually worth? Could he be on the NHL trade market? (NYI Hockey Now)

Buyouts! Which buyouts should or could GM Ron Hextall and the Pittsburgh Penguins be watching? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Back in April, just prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, we told you in OTR that Flyers forward Jakub Voracek could be available as Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher was trying to make a statement trade. According to Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman, Fletcher is trying again to shake up the dressing room and Voracek could be the odd man out. Our lads at Philly Hockey Now look deeper into that and other Flyers NHL trade rumors. (Philly Hockey Now)

Tom Callahan breaks the news. He opines that the Vegas Golden Knights have big opportunities but must make a salary dump, too. So wave goodbye to a star player. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Steve Goldstein is a hidden gem in Florida. The play-by-play is not only sticking around with the Panthers, but he’s adding some Dolphins duties, too. (Florida Hockey Now)

NHL

Could disgruntled St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko get traded to the New Jersey Devils? Larry Brooks on that, more NHL Trade rumors, and the Tampa Bay Lightning dynasty. (NY Post)

Hingham, MA native Matty Beniers is expected to be drafted second overall at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft on July 23. (Boston Globe)