We’ve got another edition of NHL rumours ready for you as we start the weekend. The time to start training camp is almost upon us, but there are still plenty of questions to be asked. There are still a number of restricted free agents yet to sign new deals. We also have players coming up to the end of their respective contracts at the end of the season. General managers still have plenty of work to do before the 2023-24 campaign kicks off. This Atlantic Division edition of NHL rumours features the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: A number of insiders have had their say on what will happen with still unsigned RFA Shane Pinto.
Analysis: The big Jake Sanderson contract extension has one major question in the Senators lineup. Pinto doesn’t have a new deal as we start training camp very soon. However, most hockey experts don’t think that’s too big of a worry at this time.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that Ottawa wants to create some salary cap space to accommodate the former University of North Dakota product. The Senators only have $895,000 in cap space to work with at this time. General manager Pierre Dorion will have to move out some money in order to make a deal for Pinto happen. Friedman said that Pinto will likely get a bridge deal with a $2.5 million cap hit.
The Athletic’s Ian Mendes appeared on TSN 1200 in Ottawa to answer questions about a possible holdout. However, Mendes said the talks could go into the middle of September before a deal gets done.
However, there are only 10 rostered forwards at this time for the Senators. Dorion will have to get creative to make the numbers work if he wants to two more forwards and Pinto to be on the team. Could there be a deal where the Senators give up a pick to stash salary somewhere or another bit of cap magic?
Boston Bruins
Rumour: NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest gave an update on the Jake DeBrusk contract situation.
Edmonton product Jake DeBrusk wants to stay with @NHLBruins beyond the last year of his current contract. #NHL https://t.co/LMqsvTPrhd
— Derek Van Diest (@DerekVanDiest) August 29, 2023
Analysis: DeBrusk said that he would like to stay in Boston, but he isn’t going to get involved in talks. He said that’s what his agent, Rick Valette, is for. DeBrusk is in the final year of a contract that sees him get $4 million per season. The Edmonton native had a bounce-back campaign in 2022-23 with 27 goals.
DeBrusk becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He’s confident that he can get his first 30-goal season of his career. The son of former NHLer Louie DeBrusk also reached 50 points for the first time last season.
Another big season will give DeBrusk and his agent plenty of leverage going into negotiations. He’ll have plenty of suitors wanting him if the Bruins don’t lock up the 26-year-old forward during the season. This contract year is going to be a huge one for DeBrusk’s bank account.
Main photo by: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The post NHL Rumours: Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.