Who had Travis Konecny as the NHL’s next $70 million man? Not me, but here we are. The Flyers inked their top forward to an 8-year, $8.75 million AAV deal on Thursday [Broad Street Hockey].In 76 games last year, the 27-year-old put up 68 points (33 goals, 35 assists) to lead the team in scoring. That’s something he’s done in each of the last three seasons and appears to be one of the key pieces Philadelphia will try an build around as they try to climb back into the playoffs in a tough Metro Division.
As is the case with most of these large dollar contracts, there are a few clauses attached to it. In addition to becoming the highest paid Flyer when the deal kicks in next season, Konecny has a full no-move clause for the first six seasons (which will take him to age 34, and then a limited no-trade clause for the final two seasons. The former first-round pick is finishing up a 6-year, $33 million contract that he signed back in 2019.
Have fun with all of that money, Travis!
Other Hockey News
As a Tampa Bay Lightning captain that left for another organization, Marty St. Louis has a unique perspective on what Steven Stamkos is going through this summer. Dan Rosen of NHL.com spoke with the hall of famer who was in Connecticut for the Shoulder Check Showcase, a charity event. St. Louis believes that Stamkos will enjoy the experience of playing hockey in a new environment once he gets over the strangeness of the situation.
Zach Bogosian, Alex Killorn, and Pat Maroon were back together on the microphone celebrating Killorn’s recent wedding. Yes, Maroon was once again shirtless.
As for their former team, their television situation for next season is still up in the air. As Eddie Encina reports, they are still under contract with Bally’s Sports Sun, but there is still some doubt as to the future of the broadcaster as their parent company, Diamond Sports Group, tries to regroup after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy [Tampa Bay Times].
There are nine NHL teams, including the Lightning, that remain with Bally as of right now. Some teams, like Florida, have left them for Scripps while other, like Dallas, have launched their own direct-to-consumer streaming service. One bright spot for most Lightning fans is that DSG isn’t in a carriage-fee dispute with Charter Communications like they are with Comcast. So, if they are able to get their act together most fans in the local area should be able to watch through their current cable plans.
It does sound like resolution is coming soon, so hopefully fans won’t be scrambling at the last minute to find out how to watch Lightning games.
Another top prospects signed an entry-level deal. Brayden Yager, the Pittsburgh Penguins top prospects, signed a three-year deal with the team on Thursday [Pensburgh]. The 14th overall pick in the 2023 draft put up 95 points for the Moose Jaw Warriors last season and has a shot at making the Penguins this fall. If he doesn’t, the Pens can send him back to the WHL for another season and slide the start of the contract to 2025-26.
Some of the best under-20 prospects in the world are getting together for the Summer Showcase in Michigan this week for a series of practices and scrimmages [NHL.com]. Prospects from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden will be on the ice from today until August 3rd as they showcase their skills in hopes of making it on the rosters for their countries IIHF World Junior Championship teams at the end of the year.
The Lightning have three prospects in camp as Jayson Shaugabay is skating for Team USA, Ethan Gauthier for Team Canada, and recent draft pick Joona Saarelainen will be on Team Finland. It’s nice to see the Bolts having some players in their system that are considered among their countries best.
