Here’s a closer look at the original content here at PHR over the past week.
Our free agent profile series continued as we assessed the situation of several veterans that have yet to find a new home for next season. I took a look at defenseman Ben Hutton who seems to be held up by the fact that Jake Gardiner has yet to sign anywhere as well as reviewing winger Patrick Marleau and winger Jason Pominville. Meanwhile, Zach profiled goaltender Cam Ward’s situation as well as what the goalie market is like in general with a little more than a month to go until training camp.
Our redraft series is back for another run as we ask you to reselect the 2007 draft class. Not surprisingly, Patrick Kane retained his number one draft slot while Jamie Benn (who originally went 129th) landed the second-overall selection. Who should go third? Cast your ballot here.
The Anaheim Ducks have typically been a team that has been in cap trouble over the past few years. That isn’t the case now. I examined their cap situation and while they won’t be entering into any big bidding wars on the open market anytime soon, they’re no longer in a spot where they need to clear out important players in order to stay in cap compliance. They’re well under the Upper Limit for next season with a fair bit of payroll that can be shifted to LTIR if they need to make more room.
The arbitration hearings have come to an end after three were held today. Quite a few players wound up settling over the past week but before they did, Zach broke down Buffalo goalie Linus Ullmark’s case as well as defensemen Jake McCabe (Buffalo) and Joel Edmundson (St. Louis). While both Sabres players ultimately settled ($1.33MM for Ullmark on a one-year deal, $2.85MM per season for two years for McCabe), Edmundson’s case went to a hearing with a decision expected to come sometime on Tuesday.