Tuesday Morning Skate: Expansion options, RFAs re-signed, Knights stay Golden

Welcome to the Morning Skate, our roundup of links on Philly Hockey Now as well as other sites around the National Hockey Now network and hockey world!

Flyers News

• The Flyers are bound to lose a valuable asset in the expansion draft. Who might they protect and who might they lose? (Philly Hockey Now)

• The Flyers signed a pair of pending restricted free agents on Monday. (Philly Hockey Now)

• Ian Laperriere will be authentically himself, make sure players are in shape, instill structure, and use positivity to help Flyers prospects develop as the Phantoms head coach. (Philly Hockey Now)

• The Flyers own the 13th overall pick in the NHL Draft after this week’s draft lottery, but should they use it? Probably not. Chuck Fletcher should use that pick as a trade chip to acquire an impact player that can help the team immediately. (Philly Hockey Now)

• Seth Jones may want out of Columbus. Should the Flyers be interested in the right-handed defenseman to fill their biggest need? (Philly Hockey Now)

• The Flyers are entering an offseason of change with the expansion draft looming. On top of that, a core shakeup could be in the cards after a disappointing season. We look at five Flyers that may have played their last game in orange and black. (Philly Hockey Now)

• Alain Vigneault was talkin’ ’bout ‘practice in his end-of-season press conference. He also touched on a variety of other topics including Canadian restrictions, wanting a “normal season,” and feeling like he let “everyone down” this season. (Philly Hockey Now)

• Chuck Fletcher will be at the helm in this crucial offseason. He talked about the Flyers’ need to improve. He said that he’ll need to “be creative” as the Flyers can “upgrade everywhere” this offseason. (Philly Hockey Now)

Around the NHL

OTR: Kraken Lurking for Trade Splash, Avs Headed for Big Shakeup? | PHN+ –  (National Hockey Now)

The Stanley Cup playoffs are still going, but the Seattle Kraken are lurking on the NHL trade market. We’re watching the Kraken, and GM Ron Francis put the new team in a position to land a superstar in exchange for a top-prospect selected with the second overall pick.

Speaking of the NHL trade winds and the NHL Draft, as reported on Off The Record before, the Los Angeles Kings and the Ottawa Senators are primed to be major players this offseason. One source went off the record to gush about the opportunity both rebuilding franchises have before them.

And there are consequences to failure. For some teams, failure is not making the playoffs. For others, it’s potentially being a great team but continued exits far too early in the NHL playoffs. See also the Colorado Avalanche. Could Colorado cut ties with captain Gabriel Landeskog? OTR is hearing big rumblings out of Colorado that could shake up that franchise in several ways.

Again Vegas Golden Knights Scoring Depth Shines in Game One Win – (Vegas Hockey Now)

Three goals from defensemen. One from the third line. A 4-1 win in Game One. Just another night at the office for the Vegas Golden Knights.

During the course of any series a successful team – as part of a long run – will need depth scoring. Fortunately, the Vegas Golden Knights are one of the deepest teams in the NHL. It showed against the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. And in Game One against the Montreal Canadiens, it was on full display once again.

Islanders Send Message with Relentless Game 1 Effort vs Defending Champs – (NYI Hockey Now)

The New York Islanders talked about unfinished business in the lead-up to Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and while they tried to assert that the comments weren’t aimed at their Stanley Cup Semifinals opponent, they certainly looked like they were playing to prove a point on Sunday.

The Islanders put on a clinical performance against the defending Stanley Cup Champions in their 2-1 series-opening win. New York was the better team on Sunday, to the surprise of just about anyone not located on Long Island.

David Krejci On Future With Bruins: ‘I Just Don’t Know Right Now.’ –  (Boston Hockey Now)

Give longtime Boston Bruins center David Krejci credit; while his media scrums can be vague at times, they’re always honest.

Speaking in his end of the season media Zoom session recently, a clearly pensive and yet conflicted David Krejci laid it on the line when it comes to his future with the only NHL team he’s known since being drafted by the Boston Bruins 33rd overall at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft in Raleigh, North Carolina.

If Seth Jones wants to come to the Avs, they should try to get him – (Colorado Hockey Now)

When it comes to anything reported by Elliotte Friedman, take it to the bank. Elliotte said on “Hockey Night in Canada” Hot Stove last night that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones would “love” to be traded to either Colorado or Dallas. Jones has already informed the Blue Jackets that he is not interested in signing a long-term extension with Columbus. He has one year left on his contract.

Penguins Changes: How NHL Semi-Finals Should Affect Pens Thinking – (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The phrase “copycat league” is used, abused, and has reached cliche status. It’s akin to saying, “it’s tough to win in this league.” As if there’s a league where wins come easy. But the roster construction of the final four teams in the NHL playoffs can and should send a clear message to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Rangers Get Gallant, The Man Some Wings Fans Wanted – (Detroit Hockey Now)

It’s fair to say that a certain constituency of Detroit Red Wings fans will take added interest in the fortunes of the New York Rangers next season. That’s because the Rangers are hiring former Red Wings forward Gerard Gallant to a four-year deal to coach the team.

BREAKING: Dahlen, Viel, Meloche Re-Sign with Sharks, What’s Cap Hit? – (San Jose Hockey Now)

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed Jonathan Dahlen, Jeffrey Viel, and Nicolas Meloche.

Per The Athletic, Dahlen has been re-signed to a one-year, one-way contract. Multiple sources tell San Jose Hockey Now that his cap hit is the veteran’s minimum of $750,000.

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Photo: Heather Barry Images