NHL Rumors: Latest Chatter Involving Ilya Bryzgalov, Vincent Lecavalier and More

Following a thrilling end to the 2013 NHL season, all eyes are fixed on the free agent market and potential trade scenarios that could shake up the landscape of next season.

Even when it’s not hockey season, well, it’s hockey season.

This year’s crop of potential movers isn’t short on talent. With some big names already being thrown into the mix, there’s plenty to discuss.

Let’s take a look at some of the latest rumors involving Ilya Bryzgalov, Vincent Lecavalier and others from around the league, breaking down the most likely possibilities for their NHL futures.

Bryzgalov to the Edmonton Oilers?

Bryzgalov is without a job after being bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers, as reported by Dave Isaac of USA Today. Despite signing a nine-year, $51 million deal with the team two years ago, he’s already looking for a new home.

But according to David Staples of the Edmonton Journal, the goalie has an option in mind:

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This just in, player agent Ritch Winter telling Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now that his client Ilya Bryzgalov might well consider signing with the Edmonton Oilers now that he’s been bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers, a team that Winter said doesn’t know how to support its goalies.

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Winter apparently has sent information about Bryzgalov to eight teams, per Staples.

Staples went on to assert his own opinion on the matter, suggesting Edmonton is in desperate need of a goalie, even if that means adding a veteran backup with a .913 career save percentage, as is the case with Bryzgalov.

The most likely scenario for signing the 33-year-old would involve a short-term contract, especially considering his poor performance with the Flyers last season (.900 save percentage). While he still has some gas left in the tank, Bryzgalov isn’t a long-term solution in net, nor should he be paid like one.

Darren Dreger of TSN summed it up with this succinct tweet:

There just isn’t a ton of value in signing Bryzgalov at this point unless a team is in desperate need. The Oilers certainly have a need, but the price has to be right. They can’t afford to eat additional salary after providing the goalie with another inflated contract.

What of Lecavalier?

According to Louis Jean of TVASports.ca, Lecavalier—another recipient of a buyout, per ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun—is also looking ahead to the future and is potentially interested in joining the Montreal Canadiens:

Like Bryzgalov, Lecavalier had plenty left on his contract. According to LeBrun, the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the final seven years of his contract, worth $45 million.

Along with the Canadiens, LeBrun suggests the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs could all have some interest, though he makes sure to note there have been no official ties to any of those teams.

Where the 33-year-old center will end up remains to be seen, but he certainly adds some intrigue to a deep free agent class. Several teams will be in the market for a veteran center this summer, and Lecavalier is near the top of the list.

Tampa Bay probably would have loved to hang onto Lecavalier going forward, but with a massive contract and a sizable cap hit, it just wasn’t in the cards. As a result, teams like the Canadiens are in terrific position to offer him a more favorable contract this summer.

What’s Next for Boston?

The Boston Bruins can’t dwell on their heartbreaking loss in the Stanley Cup Final, especially with an offseason ahead that promises some big changes.

Up against the cap, Boston will be forced to makes some financial decisions—including one that could involve the re-signing of forward Patrice Bergeron.

According to Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com, the Bruins are close to extending the 27-year-old with an eight-year contract worth between $48 million and $52 million:

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The first order of business will be signing playoff warrior and heart-and-soul leader Patrice Bergeron to an eight-year contract extension that will pay No. 37 $6 million-plus dollars per season, ensuring that the center retires in a Bruins uniform. Expect the Bergeron contract to be something in the eight-year range for $48-52 million.

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Re-signing Bergeron this summer would give the Bruins a little more flexibility to rework their roster and potentially extend the contract of star goalie Tuukka Rask, though they have more than a little work to do in wiggling around under the cap, as noted by Haggerty:

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The Bruins have $59 million in player salary committed to next season with the cap ceiling dropping to $63.4 million, but they do have the $4 million Marc Savard salary exception once he’s placed on long term injured reserve.

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Still, re-signing Bergeron would give Boston both financial flexibility this offseason while keeping one of its best players in town. Given the Bruins’ success this season—of which Bergeron was a massive part—there really isn’t a better option. There’s no reason for Boston to let him play out the last year of his current contract and risk losing him to free agency next offseason.