James Nichols
As September gets underway, news is beginning to pick up as training camps creep closer and closer. Yesterday, we learned of a pretty interesting professional tryout up North, a veteran defenseman in St. Louis will miss the entire season… oh and a mega-deal that was inked in Edmonton. On the New Jersey Devils front, we did some way too early awards predictions.
Elsewhere, how does the mega-deal in Edmonton impact one of Colorado’s stars? Why hasn’t a young Buffalo forward inked a new deal yet? And one of Detroit’s top prospects preps for the NHL.
By the way, Cole Caufield did a really awesome thing.
The Montreal Canadiens forward has changed his number in honor of the late Johnny Gaudreau.
À compter de cette saison, Cole Caufield portera le numéro 13 en l'honneur de Johnny Gaudreau ❤️
Starting this season, Cole Caufield will wear No. 13 in honor of Johnny Gaudreau ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aZLOUSXxcV
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 4, 2024
In a post on his Instagram, Caufield states, “I wore 13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him. He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in the game at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.
Rest in Peace, Johnny hockey.”
Onto the news.
Let’s do that hockey.
Devils News
New Jersey Hockey Now: The season hasn’t even begun, but there’s an exciting buzz around the Devils. If New Jersey pans out this season the way they’re supposed to, a couple of players/personnel could have some pretty significant seasons. Here are the way too early 2024-25 season award predictions by our Nick Natale.
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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
NHL.com: Everyone speculated this might happen, and on Tuesday it came to fruition. The Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl agreed to terms on a long-term contract that gives the 28-year-old the highest average annual value in the NHL.
Over in St. Louis, veteran defenseman Torey Krug underwent season-ending ankle surgery.
Sportsnet: Defenseman Tyson Barrie is joining the Calgary Flames on a PTO this September.
Colorado Hockey Now: Now that Draisaitl’s extension is signed, sealed, and delivered, Mikko Rantanen could be the next big deal inked. Here’s how the Oilers forwards new mega-deal could impact Rantanen’s next contract.
Detroit Hockey Now: Fresh off his disappointing close call at earning an Olympic berth with Norway, Detroit Red Wings 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is back in Sweden with his SHL club Skelleftea. The Swedish forward is using this season to prepare for the NHL.
Buffalo Hockey Now: Three days into September the Buffalo Sabres and Peyton Krebs have yet to agree to a contract. What’s happening?
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