NHL insider Chris Johnston believes the league may quickly see extra celebrity motion than in current historical past, with huge names like Connor McDavid, Quinn Hughes, Kirill Kaprizov and Sidney Crosby all tied to hypothesis about their futures.
Throughout a fan Q&A for The Athletic, Johnston was requested whether or not any of the present rumors may result in a marquee participant switching groups subsequent yr.
“Let me put it this manner: I’d be shocked if the entire gamers you’ve talked about there began the 2026-27 season in the identical cities they presently name dwelling,” Johnston stated.
“The rumors and hypothesis you’re listening to are well-founded. Nonetheless, in full disclosure, it’s laborious to say definitively precisely how every of those conditions will play out”
He famous that McDavid and Kaprizov, each heading into the ultimate years of their contracts and nonetheless with out extensions, may check the market as pending UFAs subsequent summer season.
In the meantime, Hughes and Crosby every have two years left on their offers, and though they maintain no-movement clauses, their names have additionally surfaced in commerce chatter.
“These are attention-grabbing instances across the NHL. Prime-tier expertise is sure to start out shifting round greater than we’ve seen within the current previous,” he added.
For now, it stays to be seen whether or not these stars decide to extensions or discover new alternatives elsewhere.
Paul Bissonnette shuts media down over Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby commerce rumors
Paul Bissonnette has sharply criticized the continuing hypothesis about Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, urging the media to cease creating drama across the two stars’ futures.
On Tuesday’s episode of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Bissonnette stated that reporters ought to depart McDavid alone as he focuses on the upcoming Olympics fairly than continuously asking about contract extensions.
“Go away Connor McDavid alone. He’s obtained greater fish to fry. He’s gonna win our nation a gold medal,” Bissonnette stated.
Bissonnette prolonged the identical message to Crosby, dismissing rumors linking the Penguins captain with potential strikes to Montreal or Colorado.
“And the identical goes for all these Crosby rumors. I don’t wish to hear — I don’t wish to hear about it,” Bissonnette added.
He urged the media to cease dwelling on contract talks or commerce hypothesis for each gamers till after the Olympics, insisting their consideration ought to stay on hockey and worldwide success.
Edited by Bhargav
