1. CBA talks: The NHL and NHLPA will be expected to begin negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. The current deal, made back in 2005, is expiring September 15. Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, has not made clear yet the league's objective to get a new CBA in place. However, they will most likely want to reduce the players' share of revenue down from 57%, which might not sit well with players and the PA. Because of the CBA, the NHL lost a season in the 2004 lockout. Since the NBA lost about 16+ games this season, it could be no surprise that the NHL suffers a similar fate.
2. Ryan Suter/Zach Parise
Based on what Kevin Allen of USA Today said, these two players are the most desirable free agents on the market. The Predators are still trying to persuade Suter to stay in Nashvile, and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello will do all he can to make sure Parise stays in Jersey. However, as with other players at this point, those who are unsigned this close to July 1 usually tend to explore free agency and other teams that might want them. The Red Wings and the Wild could go after both, while the New York Rangers and those Stanley Cup champion LA Kings might inquire about Parise. So don't expect that Parise and Suter could stay with their respective teams.
3. Rick Nash: Stay or Go?
This has been a hot topic since the trading deadline and it still hasn't died yet. The Blue Jackets will entertain offers for their star forward, who has the right to provide a list of teams that he deemed will suit him better than the Jackets. However, the Jackets will be seeking multiple players in return for Nash and maybe even a few draft picks. They can do with a top goalie prospect or maybe even a proven goalie. Because one way of another, the Jackets have no help in goalie and they need all the players they can get, because they struggled the last few years just trying to win games.
4. Roberto Luongo at the End?
With the up-and-coming of Cory Schneider in the Canucks goal, maybe the best situation for the Canucks is to give up Luongo. However, this won't be an easy trade to make. His market is a small one, and his contract runs some 10 more years. His .919 save percentage might be a good fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but as you might be aware, Leafs GM Brian Burke is never a fan of long-term contracts, so we'll see what happens with Luongo.
5. Ovechkin Needs a New Boss
Dale Hunter is out as the Washington Capitals head coach, deciding to return to hockey. So that means Alex Ovechkin will be searching for a new head coach. Hunter seemed to be the tough-love coach that Ovechkin needed. So can GM George McPhee find another candidate that has what Hunter had when he was hired? Maybe.
6. The Red Wings Revamping
Nicklas Lidstrom is finally retired from the NHL and Brad Stuart's rights have been traded to the San Jose Sharks. So this means that the Red Wings are embarking on a renovation project. GM Ken Holland will have to be aggressive this summer, addressing some defensive losses as well as address his team's scoring slumps. The reason they are going after Ryan Suter is that he plays a poised, smooth style that could help take over what Lidstrom left behind.
So here are your six biggest offseason stories to follow. Will we see Rick Nash get traded? Will the Red Wings get what they want to revamp their somewhat struggling team? And will Roberto Luongo get traded away from the Canucks? We'll have to see what happens as the NHL offseason officially begins on Reid's NHL and MLS Insight.
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