Monday’s Dump & Chase: July

Nashville Predators News

Analyzing the first day of 2023’s free agency period

The Trotz/Brunette era in #Smashville started off with a splash, and Preds fans may have to adjust their expectations as the rebuild begins. See analysis and grades from Troy Grosenick to Ryan O’Reilly in this breakdown of every move on Day 1 of free agency.

On the ForecheckBryan Bastin

We’ll have a more in-depth look at the Preds’ draft choices as the week continues, but for now, here’s some free agency analysis.

O’Reilly ‘critical piece’ to retooled Predators with Trotz as GM

Ryan O’Reilly seems like a perfect fit for the Nashville Predators — and not because he writes songs and plays the guitar, as big of a bonus as that might be in Music City.

NHL.com

I think the Preds should sign at least one player who, when asked, says “I can’t sing, I can’t play any instruments, and I don’t like country music or Taylor Swift.” Just for a change. I have nothing against country music or Swift, I’d just really like some variety.

Predators Hire Mark Borowiecki as Pro Development Coach

Nashville, Tenn. (July 2, 2023) – Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced today that the team has hired Mark Borowiecki as a Pro Development Coach.

NHL.com

Mark Borowiecki is back in a non-playing capacity!

Women’s Hockey News

It was a busy weekend in women’s hockey, as the two North American leagues–the PHF and the PWHPA–underwent a surprise merger. The PHF was bought out by the PWHPA, and the combined league will experience a contraction before it (hopefully) expands again.

Per Marek, the PHF has been bought by PWHPA ownership

There is now one league. That league is the PWHPA.

The Ice GardenMike Murphy

The Ice Garden rounds up some initial reactions, including a note that there were rumors of financial trouble in the PHF…

Mark Walter Group Acquires PHF, Making Way For #OneLeague In Women’s Hockey

It doesn’t have a name yet, but the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) will be the official union for the forthcoming league.

ForbesErica L. Ayala

…the PHF says this was a long-term plan and hope of theirs…

Reports: Women’s hockey players vote for league

It’s game on for a new, yet-to-be named women’s pro hockey league to launch in January after union members cleared the final major hurdle Sunday by unanimously ratifying a collective bargaining agreement and a constitution, according to multiple reports.

ESPNAaditya Narayan

…the PWHPA members have agreed on a new CBA for the united league…

PHF Players Have Formed a Player Leadership Committee

11 members come together to represent the interests of the former PHF player pool

The Ice GardenAlyssa Turner

…and the former league’s players, who were surprised with the news, are getting together to try to represent their interests.

NHL news

Duchene signs 1-year, $3 million contract with Stars

Matt Duchene signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

NHL.com

I really feel like this is going to come back and bite the Preds in more than one way–first, by letting Duchene go cheaply to a divisional rival, and second, I can’t imagine that other free agents are enthused about seeing a player the team courted first in trade and then in free agency describe a buyout process as “heartbreaking” and add that he was given almost no warning.

Then again, the Preds were able to add some people just fine this weekend, so who knows.

Lightning deal 3-time Cup winner Maroon to Wild

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded three-time Cup winner Pat Maroon to the Wild on Sunday night in a move that cleared salary cap space, while also shipping forward Max Cajkovic to Minnesota in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick.

ESPNRyan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton

Something tells me that Patrick Maroon isn’t the sole reason those teams won Cups.

Wiebe’s World: Early impressions from NHL free agency and draft

In the season finale of Wiebe’s World, an examination of the Golden Knights’, Predators’ and Avalanche’s free-agent deals so far, and a look at the NHL Draft and awards.

Sportsnet| July 2, 2023, 12:28 PM

Oh, good, the Avalanche getting better, that’s what we all need.

Zito’s short-handed Panthers add 3 defensemen

General manager Bill Zito and the Florida Panthers, anticipating being without some key defensive players to start next season, retooled his blue line on the fly Saturday, agreeing to deals with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dmitry Kulikov and Niko Mikkola.

ESPNRyan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton

The Florida Panthers have been busy.

Maple Leafs’ Treliving swings, connects big with Tyler Bertuzzi signing

The emotional roller coaster that is life outside the Toronto Maple Leafs dipped sharply Saturday, when some of free agency’s most intriguing players walked out the door for free and concern over a step back in talent grew. Well, new GM Brad Treliving saved his biggest UFA swing for Day 2.

Sportsnet| July 2, 2023, 6:05 PM

He did something with the Tyler Bertuzzi signing ($5.5 million, with an M), all right.