BHN Puck Links: NHL Trade Market Quiet, RFA Goalie Market Heats Up

The NHL trade and UFA markets have died down over the last two weeks but on Monday the goalie RFA market heated up. Three restricted free agent goalies signed their second NHL contracts with two of them receiving record-breaking deals.

The Boston Bruins signed their top 2021 NHL Draft pick, Fabian Lysell to his first NHL contract and his potential first NHL head coach found out he will be representing his native Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics in February.

Finally, in some sad and bittersweet news, Elvis really has left the building for good in Pittsburgh.

That and more in an evening edition of the BHN Links

Boston Bruins

Since Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney was named Assistant GM of Team Canada for the 2022 Winter Olympics, my partner-in-crime, Joe Haggerty, and I have made no qualms about our belief that Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy should represent the Maple Leaf in Beijing as well. On Monday, that’s exactly what happened as Hockey Canada announced its coaching staff. (BHN)

Late last week Cassidy was already throwing around ideas for his 2021-22 Bruins lineup and don’t be surprised to see newcomer Derek Forbort become part of the top blue line pairing with Charlie McAvoy. (BHN) 

As long as he comes to his senses and gets vaccinated, 2021 Bruins first round pick Fabian Lysell will get the chance to impress Cassidy and Sweeney at Bruins training camp next month. (BHN)

Per Haggs, who first broke the story that was later confirmed by the Providence Bruins, former UMaine defenseman JD Greenway has signed a two-year AHL deal with the P-Bruins. After spending his first two NCAA seasons with Wisconsin, the 6-foot-5, 216-pound rearguard played a season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL before spending the last two seasons playing for the Black Bears. 

Big defenseman JD Greenway signs a two-year AHL deal with the Providence Bruins after taking part in last week's Bruins development camp at Warrior Ice Arena

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) August 9, 2021

Greenway is the brother of Matt Grzelcyk’s and Charlie McAvoy’s former Boston University teammate and Minnesota Wild forward Jordan Greenway. More than once over the past few months, Jordan has been a name on the NHL trade rumor circuit. Could the Bruins end up reuniting him and JD in Boston?

RFA Goalie Market Explodes

The Philadelphia Flyers, who have been busy on the NHL Trade market, got the RFA goalie market going by signing Carter Hart to what at the time was a record-breaking deal (three years, $3.9 AAV) for an NHL goalie in his second contract. (Philly Hockey Now)

Just a few hours later, the Flyers’ Metro Division rival, the New York Rangers one-upped the Hart contract and signed Igor Shesterkin to a new record deal at four years with a $5.6 million AAV. (NY Post)

In between those signings, the Washington Capitals locked up their RFA goalie, Ilya Samsonov to a one-year contract that carries a $2 million cap hit. (Washington Hockey Now)

National Hockey Now

As mentioned above, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher has been busy on the NHL trade market, and considering how the market for defensemen exploded over the last few weeks, that trade for defenseman Ryan Ellis last month is looking like a steal! (Philly Hockey Now)

Mike Lange has retired from the Pittsburgh Penguins radio booth and play-by-play duties and Elvis has left the building. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Our man at Detroit Hockey Now, Kevin Allen takes a look at five players who have been mainstays on the NHL trade rumor circuit but yet to be dealt. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has been retooling his roster on the NHL trade and free agent markets as he takes the rebuild to the next step. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves clears the air on the Nathan MacKinnon diet. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Have the Seattle Kraken done enough on the NHL trade and free agent market to become an instant rival with the Vancouver Canucks? (Vancouver Hockey Now)