Goalies rarely at top of draft
it’s no longer a rarity to see goalies selected in Round 1 of the draft, mainly because first rounds have expanded in lockstep as the league has doubled in franchise size from its original 16 days of the mid-1970s.
But it has become increasingly rare since 2006 — Yaroslav Askarov being among the notable exceptions — for nhl clubs to select a stopper in the top 16. in fact, in the 18 drafts since ’06, askarov stands as one of only four goalies to fit into that group.
The three others: 2010 — Jack Campbell (no. 11, Dallas); 2019 — Spencer Knight (no. 13, florida); 2021 — Sebastian Cossa (no. 15, Detroit).
from 2000-06, seven drafts, 10 netminders were picked in the top 16: 2000 — Rick DiPietro (no. 1, nY islanders); Brent Krahn (no. 9, calgary); 2001 — Pascal Leclaire (no. 8, columbus); Dan Blackburn (no. 10, nY Rangers); 2002 — Kari Lehtonen (no. 2, atlanta); 2003 — Marc-Andre Fleury (no. 1, Pittsburgh); 2004 — Devan Dubnyk (no. 14, Edmonton); 2005 — Carey Price (no. 5, Montreal); 2006 — Jonathan Bernier (no. 11, los angeles); Riku Helenius (no. 15, Tampa Bay).
The only clear-cut hall of famer in the bunch: fleury, about to enter the season with the Wild, in what he says will be his final nhl twirl. now 39, he ranks second all-time for wins (561), behind only Martin Brodeur (691).
canadiens fans might make a case for Price, who ranks 23rd in wins (361) and is up for hall of fame consideration next summer.
The Devils, by the way, used pick no. 20 in the 1990 draft to select Brodeur.
Still waiting on Swayman deal
as labor Day approached, all remained quiet regarding the Bruins’ efforts to sign Jeremy Swayman to a contract extension.
Reminder: The cBa-mandated deadline is Dec. 1, at which point, if still unsigned, Swayman would surrender his right to play in the nhl this season. chance of that: the same as a Manitoba snowball on a South Miami beach.
nashville was motivated to deal askarov to the Sharks because the Predators tied up Juuse Saros with an eightyear deal that kicks in october 2025. a proven no. 1, Saros is 29, four years older than Swayman, and has played upward of triple the games (350 to Swayman’s 132).
The pact Saros signed, keeping him in nashville’s control for nine years, next season will begin paying out at $7.74 million per. The bridge deal that got him there (four years, $20 million) expires next spring.
With neither side talking for the record, or at all, it’s only guesswork if Saros’s salary history offers any guidance as to where Swayman and the Bruins could find a landing spot.
Given that the Bruins have yet to use Swayman as a full-time no. 1, they are looking to ink him to a bridge deal, one of maybe 3-4 years, scaled up from his $3.475 million of last season. The number could be, say, $22 million-$24 million if stretched to four years, at which point he then would eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at age 29.
Per the cBa, the sides could extend to the maximum eight years, which would scale up the aaV, possibly reaching toward Charlie McAvoy’s neighborhood of $9.5 million per year. But if the Saros deal signed this offseason is used as a comp, the Bruins’ max offer could be more in the range of $8 million-$8.5 million aaV.
Bruins veterans are scheduled to report to camp on Sept. 15.
Loose pucks
like Logan Couture, injury cut short
Matt Benning’s 2023-24 season with the Sharks. he underwent hip surgery after playing in only 14 games. now 30, he has logged 457 games and is expected to rejoin a backline unit that GM
Mike Grier upgraded with a draft-week swap that brought in ex-Providence friar Jake Walman from the Red Wings
. . . 98.5 The Sports hub, yet to name
Judd Sirott’s replacement on Bruins play-by-play after his shift to TV, would do well to give alum Rob Simpson a twirl. Simpson worked the sidelines for nESn and hosted its clever and fun “Rubber Biscuit” segment. he’s sharp. he’s fun. he’d be a seamless fit with analyst Bob Beers, who has proven to be an all-star with whomever fills the playby-play role. Biscuit ’n’ Beers. almost too easy . . . The Predators are deep at forward, especially with Steven Stamkos aboard for his rejuvenation tour, which leaves David Edstrom destined to return to Shl frolunda. The 6-3 center, age 19, put up only 19 points in 44 games there last season. The Golden knights drafted him in 2023 and signed him a month later to his entry-level deal (3 years, $2.85 million). he was flipped to the Sharks in March in the
Tomas Hertl deal. only 14 months removed from his draft day, he was dealt again in the askarov trade. nothing unfair or unseemly about any of it, but it’s another prime example of hockey Business 101. also a reminder for college kids, the vast majority of whom, no matter where they are chosen in the draft, have the right to play four years at their school of choice, collect their degree, and declare free agency the august following their senior year. Just a business.