Thursday Links: Elias Petersson Pausing Contract Talks, Nylander Looking Long-Term and More
Thursday's Edition of the Links, News and Notes, with some contract updates and some positive community actions from the Sens
- Elias Petersson is the Vancouver Canucks' best hope if they are ever to turn things around. They need him to move forward, but if they can't get him signed then he would be the biggest trade piece in starting another rebuild. Petersson himself does not want to discuss these scenarios as the season is about to start. According to Petersson, he would rather focus on the season than engage in contract talks which is why they are on pause at the moment. It's completely fair that Petersson would like to see how this season goes and get an idea of where this team is headed before committing long term – but that doesn't make things any more comfortable for Canucks fans.
- William Nylander has always been a hotly debated subject when it comes to his value to the Toronto Maple Leafs. On the outside, he seems to have the best contract in terms of his production; especially in recent playoff showings. However, that also makes him the most tradeable. With a new GM running the show, Nylander wants a long term contract but do the Leafs feel the same way? He has one year left on his current deal and it will be interesting to see how the Leafs manage their core going forward.
- I say manage their core because the Toronto Maple Leafs just made Auston Matthews the highest paid player in the league. The Leafs star player agreed to a 4-year extension a year before he was set to become a UFA. While this provides some stability for the Leafs for at least the next 5 years, many wondered why they could only get a 4 year commitment from him?
- Drafting Logan Mailloux was, at best, a controversial (and perhaps misguided) decision by the Montreal Canadiens. The NHL making him eligible to be drafted might have been a mistake. Both the league, and the Habs, are hoping that folks are ready to move on as the NHL and have made him eligible to play in the NHL if he makes it out of training camp. We'll see.
- Thomas Hickey from the NHL broadcast thinks Jake Sanderson was one of the most underrated players in the league last season. Don't worry, we appreciated him plenty here in Ottawa – and we are more than convinced he will become the elite player he is projected to become.
- A player named Bonk should have been destined to be an Ottawa Senator, but unfortunately the Philadelphia Flyers ruined these plans. After the sheer audacity of drafting Oliver Bonk (son of Radek), they continued their absolute disregard for Ottawa's right to the Bonks and signed the 18-year old to a 3-year entry level contract. Surrender the Bonk!
- Are we getting more international competition soon? It sounds like the NHL might be working on an International tournament slated to take place in February 2025. This could be some sort of rehearsal for the 2026 Winter Olympics in which Bill Daly mentions that they are planning to take part in. Personally speaking, I just want to see Crosby and McDavid on the same team, even if it's just for one short tournament.
- It's going to take some time to regain what was lost, but the Senators have done a great job of starting to rebuild their relationship with their fanbase and the community. As the Ottawa Food Bank announced it is suffering from a shortage in donations, the Senators announced that they are donating $75,000 to try and assist with the issue,s as well as continue to encourage fans to bring non perishable foods to the upcoming events.
- Austin Watson's time in Ottawa came to an end this off-season when it became apparent that he was no longer part of the team's plans. Watson's utility is somewhat limited, but that being said, I think he might have something to contribute in a specific role for the right team, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are trying to give him a chance with a PTO for the upcoming season.
