Devils Daily: Players are Eager to Seek New Beginnings

Newark, NJ – Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final brought plenty of excitement in Thursday’s overtime matchup. Off the ice, there’s been plenty happening around the NHL already that’s provided some off-season excitement already. We’ve heard plenty about contract negotiations, possible free agents, and who might be traded to a new team. Thursday revealed some NHL players are eager to seek new beginnings this summer.

New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has his priorities in a particular order. Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier are at the top of his list. Here’s what New Jersey Hockey Now is hearing about Erik Haula, Ryan Graves, and Damon Severson.

NJ Advance Media: Ryan Novozinsky checked in with Jesper Bratt’s agent. The 24-year-old is to be a restricted free agent on July 1st. Bratt’s agent says he and Fitzgerald have been “talking and in communication.” Here’s the latest on the contract negotiations.

Stanley Cup Final

Vegas Hockey Now: Game 3 was in the palms of their hand headed into the third period holding a lead on Thursday. Up until last night, the Vegas Golden Knights have had both hands on the steering wheel. However, that changed after Florida started to swing the momentum in their direction.

Florida Hockey Now: Trailing 2-1 heading into the third period, the Florida Panthers battled back to win Game 3 in overtime. Matthew Tkachuk, who left the game after taking a hit in the first period, returned and scored the tying goal in the third period. Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winner that sparked a celebration reminiscent of the ’96 Cats.

National Hockey Now

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now: Tyler Bertuzzi can become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career on July 1st. Despite reports that the Bruins want to re-sign Bertuzzi, an NHL source has indicated to Boston Hockey Now that the 28-year-old forward is pretty intent on entering free agency.

Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Hockey Now: Pierre-Luc Dubois has informed the Winnipeg Jets that he doesn’t intend to sign long-term there. The Avalanche are to be without captain Gabriel Landeskog for a full season. Should Colorado be in the bidding to acquire Dubois this summer?

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Hockey Now: The Avalanche wouldn’t be the only team interested in Dubois. Now that the word is out Dubois wants out of Winnipeg, the Montreal Canadiens seem like a logical destination for the Quebec native. However, reports suggest the Canadiens won’t be the only team in the mix with a chance to land the forward.

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Hockey Now: History shows that former Stanley Cup Champions usually have at least two elite-level defensemen on their roster when they hoist the cup. The Sabres have two elite-level defensemen on their blueline currently. Buffalo would be smart to get both Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power under contract long-term this summer.

Philadelphia Flyers

Philly Hockey Now: Daniel Briere wasn’t joking when he said the Flyers are open for business and listening on just about anybody. Ivan Provorov is already an example of that. Now, the rumor mill is churning viciously with chatter about 24-year-old netminder Carter Hart.

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