Storm Advisory for July 3: NHL News, Rumors, Links and Daily Roundup

Reading Assignments

• The Washington Capitals lost not only Justin Williams, but also Karl Alzner, whom the Montreal Canadiens were able to bring him in with a risky extra year on the deal than most teams were offering. [Sportsnet]
• A stagnant salary cap has made life for a UFA not quite as lucrative as perhaps they were expecting a few seasons ago. [AP]
• The Canadiens were busy again, today locking up their franchise netminder with an 8-year extension that will run until 2026 for Carey Price. [NHL]
• Players seem to be planning ahead for a possible lockout in 2020. [Twitter: Gord Miller]
• Many thought a Marcus Kruger trade from the Blackhawks to the Vegas Golden Knights might occur around the Expansion Draft. Well, it took a bit longer, but it still happened. [Second City Hockey]
• Some folks in Edmonton (and beyond) are concerned that Connor McDavid is not giving the Oilers a fair shot to compete with his salary demands. If they want to offload that salary, send him on to Raleigh, right? [Edmonton Journal]
• Sportsnet did an in depth look at the modern day defenseman and his role in driving play in the neutral zone. [Sportsnet]
• After a day of “will he, won’t he”, Patrick Marleau signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. [TSN]
• The Washington Capitals used some of the funds from the departure of Williams and Alzner, by signing Evgeny Kuznetsov to an 8-year extension. The Caps also were forced to deal away Marcus Johansson to the New Jersey Devils for two draft picks. [Washington Post]
• Many free agents signed on July 1 have specific qualities that they bring to their new team that were likely the driving force behind their pursuit from the team perspective. NHL.com explores some of those qualities. [NHL]
• Jumbo Joe Thornton was pursued by many teams, but he ultimately returned to the Sharks on a 1-year deal. [NHL]