Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Sheldon Keefe on Luke Hughes’ absence:
“Gritsyuk continues to pass every test he faces. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing on the 4th line or the top line. It doesn’t matter if it’s 5v5 or special teams. It doesn’t matter if it’s a breakaway during regulation or in the shootout. He is consistently finding ways to get the job done.” [Infernal Access ($)]
“I do think Markstrom is worth extending past 2025-26, but I don’t think it should be for a multi-year extension. To me, it’s far too important for the Devils’ future to ensure that both Mikhail Yegorov and Jakub Málek are developed properly so that they can both contribute meaningfully during the most important years of the team’s Cup contention window. With that in mind, though, no one should blink an eye at the proposed value of $5 million — that’s a bargain through and through.” [Devils’ Advocates]
The Steve Dangle Podcast previews the Devils of 2025-2026:
First round of camp cuts:
With a trimmed camp roster, who is still contending for a roster spot or contract? [New Jersey Hockey Now]
Hockey Links
The Wild get a very, very big deal done with Kirill Kaprizov:
“(Kirill Kaprizov’s deal) is the highest in NHL history in terms of total money and average annual value ($17 million), breaking the marks previously held by Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin ($124 million) and Edmonton Oilers standout Leon Draisaitl ($14 million AAV).” [ESPN]
“With such an important decision looming not only for just McDavid but also for the Oilers, the league and his peers, The Athletic canvassed 10 player agents to get their thoughts. Receiving anonymity to speak freely about someone who isn’t their client, the agents were posed a simple question: ‘What would you advise Connor McDavid to do?’” [The Athletic ($)]
“Even with revenue sharing what it is, we have to wonder how high the salary cap needs to go before we start creeping back towards an era where certain teams can always spend to the cap, and others either have to pick their spots, or work within their own internal caps. It wasn’t unusual in recent years to see nearly half the league utilizing LTIR to stay under the cap, where today roughly half the league is beginning the season with at least $4.5 million in cap space. Teams already have more breathing room — what will that look like when the upper limit gets to $113.5 million? $120 million? Or more?” [Sportsnet]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.