NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks

Welcome to the Sunday edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors! The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here and the action is hot and heavy. As the playoffs have narrowed down to a field of four, teams are always working to improve their rosters for next season. In this edition of NHL Rumors, we will take a look at the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, and the Vancouver Canucks.

Toronto Maple Leafs – Jack Campbell

Rumor: Per – Shane Seney – nhltraderumors.me. According to multiple reports, Toronto Maple Leafs pending free-agent netminder Jack Campbell is looking for $5 million annually on his next contract.

With free agency starting on July 13th, Jack Campbell’s name will be on many teams’ lists. His previous contract of just $1.6 million will need a huge upgrade, and it’s not certain that Leafs’ general manager Kyle Dubas can afford that. Campbell’s accomplishments are revealing. He collected a great 31-9-6 record and compiled a 2.64 goals-against-average to go with a .914 save percentage. His demand of $5 million is not excessive.

Dubas is more in the $3.5 million range and that may mean Campbell seeks another home address.

Friedman writes in 32T on Jack Campbell that there hasn't been any contract discussions for months and anything that was discussed, the two sides were far apart and "no longer relevant" according to one source.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 2, 2022

Chris Johnston on TSN1050 says he's still not sure if Jack Campbell will be back. Says Campbell/his camp wants $5M AAV and doesn't think the Leafs can pay that. Thinks it's possible the Leafs could be in the market for two goaltenders.

— Willyston Riellander (@nylanderthews) May 31, 2022

The remark about the Leafs perhaps being in the market for ‘two’ goalies comes from the fact that they fully intend to relieve themselves of the Petr Mrazek‘s $3.8 million deal through 2023-24. A trade seems unlikely, so a buyout may be more sensible. It would cost $1.43 million over the next four years to rid themselves of the contract. It would save them $2.87 million overall. Tough decision. Dubas did sign Erik Kallgren to a two-year $750,000 AAV just for a backup option. If he wanted to keep Campbell and meet his money demands, he will need to shed cap space… something he has to be accustomed to by now.

Carolina Hurricanes – Anthony DeAngelo

Rumor: Per – Chip Alexander – newsobserver.com. Will the controversial defenseman get a new contract in Carolina? He’d love to stay. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, so we’ll see.

Tony DeAngelo had 10 goals, 41 assists in 64 games this season and led the power play like he’s been doing it forever. Canes president and general manager Don Waddell said Thursday there is interest in working out a new multi-year extension with DeAngelo, who is a year removed from being a UFA.

“He was a really good factor for us back there on the blue line,” Waddell said. “Do we want to sign him? Yes.”

DeAngleo signed a very reasonable $1 million deal after coming off of a $4.8 million AAV two-year deal with the New York Rangers. While he deserves an increase, the Canes have six UFA’s and four RFA’s including DeAngelo to try to satisfy financially. It seems with the way Tony D played for Carolina this past season Waddell will work something out.

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Vancouver Canucks – Possible Offseason Moves

Rumor: Per – Shane Seney – nhltraderumors.me. The Vancouver Canucks are trying to prioritize their core and it appears Conor Garland could be the odd man out.

The popular forward who had 52 points in 77 games this past season could be on his way out to leave cap space for Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller this summer. Garland’s cap hit is $4.95 million through the 2025-26 season. That may mean other teams like the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators may seek his services. GM Patrik Allvin has some severe decisions to make.

Another rumor circulating is that according to David Quadrelli of canucksarmy.com, on Friday morning’s 32 Thoughts Podcast, Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman spoke about a conversation they had with Juraj Slafkovsky, who is projected to be selected second overall at this year’s NHL draft. He told Friedman and Marek in a past conversation that a few teams he spoke with asked if the left winger had the ability to play centre. The two teams he remembered? The New Jersey Devils who select second, and the Vancouver Canucks who select 15th.

This smells as if the Canucks could be interested in moving up in the draft… way up. WIth trade bait like Garland or Miller to work with, could the Canucks be that interested in Juraj Slafkovsky? Why not? The guy has an NHL sized body at 6′-4″, 218 pounds. Some project him as the first overall pick instead of favorite Shane Wright. This is a very juicy NHL rumor, and check right here at Full Press Hockey to get all the latest updates.

That completes another edition of NHL rumors, be sure to catch our next article on Wednesday!