Connor Bedard on Contract Talks
Chicago Blackhawks pending RFA Connor Bedard has stated that he hasn’t given his upcoming contract talks much thought this year. He expressed his desire to remain with the team, believing an agreement will be reached soon without cause for concern if it takes a month to finalize.
Potential Wild Goaltender Move
The Minnesota Wild have permitted AHL goaltender Samuel Hlavaj to return to Slovakia to join their National Team. Hlavaj, who is a pending RFA, is expected by many to be playing for a different organization next year.
Auston Matthews’ Future in Toronto
Chris Johnston of TSN believes that Auston Matthews is likely to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews reportedly views the past season as an anomaly and expects the team to be competitive next season. While he hasn’t made a definitive statement about remaining with the Leafs indefinitely, he is expected to take his time to assess the organization’s front office, coaching decisions, and overall plan. There’s a sentiment that his intentions may have been misconstrued by some, especially as he returns to Arizona to rehab a knee injury following surgery.
Darren Dreger also noted that the core group of Maple Leafs players feels confident about a swift turnaround for the team. They believe that adding a few forwards with grit and determination, along with two puck-moving defensemen, could make them highly competitive next season. However, they also acknowledge the need for improved performance from key players like Matthews and William Nylander.
