It seems former New York Rangers were the newsmakers Tuesday as Chris Kreider broke his silence on learning to deal with life after New York and Kaapo Kakko got a healthy little new paycheck from the Seattle Kraken. Elsewhere in the Slice, could the Pittsburgh Penguins be holding up the NHL trade market and free agent signings? The debate has begun on changes to Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics, and the 2026 free agent class might be a world-changing bevy of heavyweights.
Who says all hockey news is done by mid-July? Although I’m sure the Rangers folks are happy to be out of the headlines after spending the last six months squarely in the eye of the storm.
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Call this the Mike Sullivan effect. Having covered him for the last decade, I will attest that the Rangers’ bench boss detests outside noise and has borrowed a few pages from Bill Belichick (minus a controlling 20-something girlfriend) on running a tight ship.
And, enjoy a smoother crazy train, Ozzy. It was only fitting to go out with a bang.
New York Rangers
Forever Blueshirts: It was a brutal 2024-25 season for Chris Kreider. The Rangers stalwart sank amidst the internal strife. Teammates also admitted he was playing through significant injuries and personal disappointments. It’s a good read as Kreider is dealing with his new reality in Anaheim and no longer being part of the Rangers roster.
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The annual Shoulder Check Showcase is this week, and we will be all over it. Ahead of the event, youth mental health has been a big focus, and former Blueshirts defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk spoke up as he wore a hat for former teammate Jimmy Hayes.
NHL Trade Talk & News
You may have noticed we’re spending a little more time with our new colleagues at the Hockey Now network. We haven’t made any public announcements yet, but it will be a fruitful partnership.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: There’s no direct evidence or report, but the circumstantial evidence surely looks like the holdup in the rest of the NHL off-season, and the team gumming up the works is the Rangers’ rival, GM Kyle Dubas, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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ESPN: How much would you have paid Kaapo Kakko? Count us as a little surprised that the Seattle Kraken ponied up a three-year extension worth just under $15 million.
Kakko had 30 points (10-20-30) in 49 games after the Rangers traded him on Dec. 18 to Seattle.
TSN Video: Changes to Team Canada despite winning the Four Nations? Frankie Corrado said there could be some real changes to the Team Canada roster for the Olympics.
Sportsnet: Speaking of those Penguins, they’re holding on to a unique trade chip. How often is it hard to trade a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman? Yet the Penguins are finding it tough. The Canadian giant put pen to paper for five potential landing spots.
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DFO podcast: The Athletic’s Minnesota Wild beat writer Michael Russo dropped some big contract updates. First on Kirill Kaprizov wanting a mega payday, but also the increasingly icy lack of negotiations between team and Marco Rossi. It’s a drama summer in Minnesota.
Philly Hockey Now: I’ll admit, I love this kid, Matvei Michkov. He’s got the right outlook. Since the 2023 Draft in Nashville and the brash Russian winger has set high expectations for himself, and he also has some strong views on how hockey should be played. He absolutely shredded boring dump-and-chase hockey yesterday. The Philadelphia Flyers have a gem.
New Jersey Hockey Now: It seems the Columbus Blue Jackets are less than eager to trade Yegor Chinakhov, despite his agent’s very public trade request. It’s been a week, and colleague James Nichols tees up Chinakhov as a perfect fit for a New Jersey Devils trade.
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