32 Thoughts: Post-draft buzz with free agency up next

• What's next for Steven Stamkos?
• What the Leafs may offer Tanev
• Why St. Louis is a team to watch

Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois electrified the draft Saturday morning by trading Mikhail Sergachev to Utah and Tanner Jeannot to Los Angeles — with the Lightning poised to do big business as free-agency approaches.

BriseBois indicated Friday that franchise cornerstones Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman were trending in different directions — Stamkos to free agency and Hedman to a contract extension on the first day he is eligible, July 1.

Tampa’s believed priority target is Jake Guentzel, coming off a 30-goal season in Pittsburgh and Carolina. And they acquired the player Sunday, giving them exclusive negotiating rights for the final day before the market opens.

What happened between the Hurricanes and Guentzel is still being determined. According to multiple sources, Guentzel’s ask was eight years with an $8M AAV. It was made some time ago, with the two sides grinding away in negotiations since that time — perfectly normal.

On Thursday, the Hurricanes agreed to meet those terms and were prepared to discuss structure. Several teams said they heard the winger was staying in Carolina. But, with July 1 approaching, those same sources indicated Guentzel decided that, the longer it took, the more he thought about testing free-agency, as is his right. 

“It looks like the market changed from when they started negotiating and now,” another GM said. 

THOUGHTS

1. As the Stamkos news spread over the past few days, several salivated at the thought of talking to him. We’ll see how he handles this. Stamkos did not enjoy the 2016 dog-and-pony show, ending it prematurely. It’s absolutely weird to process him anywhere but Tampa. Never thought I’d see the day. My money’s on Nashville (no wagering on anything I say, please), but a lot of suitors are putting on their cufflinks in this dating game. 

2. It’s believed the Lightning proposed a couple of different concepts: the long-term low-AAV idea and a shorter structure that would eventually lead to bonus-laden one-year contracts. Stamkos would be eligible for such as soon as next summer, after he turns 35. Those would be more advantageous to Tampa for salary-cap reasons. The fact he had to wait so close to free-agency twice while so many teammates were taken care of in advance ultimately ruptured the relationship. BriseBois made it very clear during his post-draft availability that he sees things as “always about trying to build the strongest group possible.”

3. Matt Duchene is staying in Dallas, barring a major collapse in negotiations. 

4. My guess on Chris Tanev and Toronto is six years at around $4M per season. 

5. As a public service, I am providing my official Mitch Marner position (clip-and-save). Thesis: in about a decade, he should retire as the greatest Toronto-born Maple Leaf ever. He’s that good. If it doesn’t happen, everyone involved is going to regret it.

6. Columbus offered Martin Necas an extension in a potential trade for the fourth overall pick, but things didn’t work out. I’m wondering if there’s any chance Guentzel’s impending departure changes the Hurricanes’ mind on moving Necas. Maybe they go to arbitration and live with the number or negotiate a one-year deal. 

7. Things I did not leave Vegas with a great read on: Where things stand with Jonathan Marchessault and Vegas or Jacob Trouba and the Rangers. The Marchessault negotiation’s been a real grind. Trouba/Rangers could be a battle as he switches from a no-move to a partial no-trade. We saw what happened with Barclay Goodrow, and Trouba’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, is no shrinking violet. One of the challenges is that Trouba was shocked by the possibility he could be traded, and is still coming to grips with it. 

8. Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon said post-draft that Logan Thompson asked for a trade (more opportunity) and Akira Schmid will start as their No. 3 goalie, getting time at AHL Henderson. So they are looking for an NHL backup to Adin Hill.

9. A few teams say St. Louis is sending signals they are going to try some free-agent swings.

10. Edmonton temporary GM Jeff Jackson said Friday they are trying to sign all of their unrestricted free agents. 

11. On Leon Draisaitl: the thing to recognize here is that this is not just a Draisaitl negotiation. This is also a Connor McDavid conversation. They are very, very close but this is going to be a deep dive into what both are thinking in the short and long-term. These are not discussions to have in the immediate aftermath of an emotional defeat. Jackson seems prepared to slow-play this, waiting until after a new GM is hired, letting everyone breathe. The Oilers won’t be concerned if no concrete answers exist for a few weeks. They didn’t have to know by the draft or July 1. We’ll see.

12. Sam Gagner wants to keep playing. Most importantly, wife Rachel gave him the okay. 

13. Nashville’s told teams — and there are a lot of interested parties — that the price for Yaroslav Askarov is either a current NHLer or a similarly highly-rated prospect who is not a goalie. 

14. Philadelphia is quite good at dealing with the ups-and-downs of getting players from the KHL to North America, but there is now some uncertainty around talented young goalie Alexei Kolosov. They are hopeful things will work out.

15. To tighten the draft, the NHL leans on teams to cut down the pre-selection welcomes — shouting out the hometown party, congratulating the Stanley Cup champ, etc. In the first round, no one mentioned Florida. I’ve never seen that before. And one Panther reached out to say he thought it was an absolute joke. 

16. Steven Lorentz was Sergei Bobrovsky’s “designated shooter” in practice this season, going out early to help the goaltender work through drills. Watching some video we showed in the final, the great Zac Dalpe reached out to say that he will always be grateful to Bobrovsky. The reason? Because then-Columbus coach John Tortorella abhors morning skates, Dalpe was one of the only available players to shoot with Bobrovsky on game-days. So, he fought for the forward to stay on the NHL roster for this purpose. Dalpe said it was worth a lot of salary to him. Markus Hannikainen similarly benefitted. 

17. There was a lot of debate about Connor McDavid not coming on-ice for the Conn Smythe Trophy presentation. Apparently, he did agree to do it, but before it was presented, he went into the Oilers room to address his teammates. That was so emotional he either didn’t want to leave or was in no headspace to leave. 

18. One coach to watch for potential AHL openings is Ottawa’s Brad Ralph, who has won three straight ECHL championships with the Florida Everblades.