Rumor mill: Carter Hart’s name (again) linked to the Leafs

In Toronto, we’re keeping an eye on what’s going to happen with Ilya Samsonov.

After all, the team is over the $8.8 million salary cap, the goalie is asking for $4.9 million and the Leafs are offering $2.4 million. The two sides are therefore appealing to arbitration to come to an agreement…

But negotiations seem to be a bit complicated because the Leafs don’t want to offer him a long-term contract.

All this to say that, as of today, we seem to be a long way from a common agreement between the Toronto organization and the goaltender. This prompts Dylan Robillard, who is on the beat in Philly, to think that the Leafs could turn to Carter Hart to move things forward.

In recent weeks, Elliotte Friedman had also linked the Canadian goaltender’s name to that of the Leafs:

To do this, the Leafs could do a three-team deal to send Matt Murray’s salary elsewhere to make room for Carter Hart.

We know that Toronto has been looking for a top-notch goaltender since Frederik Andersen left for Carolina in July 2021, and we know that the team has big ambitions for next season.

Could a guy like Carter Hart come in and solve the team’s problems in front of the net, even with all the pressure surrounding the Toronto market?

I’m skeptical.

Sebastian Aho in Carolina to stay?

Sebastian Aho will be playing the final year of his five-year contract next season.

Yes, already. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we saw Marc Bergevin’s hostile offer… But hey.

The Hurricanes, though, have learned from their mistakes. Aho will be a restricted free agent next summer, and Don Waddell doesn’t seem interested in going through the hostile bidding process again.

That’s why the Canes’ GM is aggressively pursuing a long-term contract extension with his star player.

The Finn, who currently earns $8.46 per season, should be eligible for a salary increase…

And I don’t think we should be surprised to see him sign a new contract worth around $10 million a year.

Because, in reality… Sebastian Aho is a wicked good field hockey player, and he’s proven in recent years that he deserves to earn that kind of money.

Discussions between Vince Dunn and the Kraken are going well

I love it when Kevin Weekes reports breaking news.

He’s in a different place all the time, and that’s the beauty of it.

His latest announcement was made earlier today. What’s it about?

Vince Dunn, who is currently a restricted free agent, appears to be close to reaching an agreement with the Kraken on the terms of a contract extension.

We don’t talk about him much in Montreal, mainly because he plays in Seattle and because we don’t follow the Kraken’s activities as much…

But Dunn claimed 64 points in 81 games last year with the NHL’s newest expansion team.

It’s a particularly interesting production, and one that could allow him to break the bank in Seattle.

His last contract (2 years) paid him $4 million per season. Like Sebastian Aho…

Dunn should also receive a nice salary increase.

**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m Baaaaaaaaaaaack!!! Thanks to all that helped me regain my account 🙏🏾.
I’m told @SeattleKraken are closing on a Contract Extension with D Vince Dunn.@espn @NHL @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/TJVByzwCL9

– Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) July 21, 2023

In bursts

– Will he bounce back next season?

HUBY-DUBY-DOOOO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Qgt3BaI3jW

– NHL (@NHL) July 21, 2023

– The observation is clear.

– Part of the game, unfortunately.

– They didn’t really have a choice.

– No worse, right?