Flames ‘continuing to plug away' on contract negotiations with Dan Vladar, says Conroy
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Is Vladar, who really seemed to find his groove after the 4 Nations Face-Off and continued to roll with a sparkling .950 save percentage in his four appearances at the world championship tournament, now wondering if another organization might view him as a potential starter or a platoon possibility?
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Is he hoping for more playing time so he can showcase himself for a chance to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
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Is it simply a matter of finding some middle ground on term and dollar figure?
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If Vladar does opt to test the market when free agency opens on July 1, he will be one of the most appealing options available, a guy who can offer a blend of experience and upside.
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If the Flames need to go another route, the pickings are somewhat slim. Beyond Vladar, the list of soon-to-be UFAs in the crease is headlined by Jake Allen, Alexandar Georgiev, Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek, who just lifted the Stanley Cup as the No. 2 for the Florida Panthers.
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The Flames have also been mentioned as potential suitor for Ivan Prosvetov, who is looking to return from the KHL.
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Also factoring in this conversation is whether there is internal belief that Devin Cooley can be part of the big-league plan. Cooley's contract upgrades to a one-way for this coming season, but there may be some second-guessing after his rollercoaster campaign with the Wranglers — a superb start that netted an invite to the AHL All-Star Classic and then a miserable finishing stretch.
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Toronto Sun
34 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Free-agency 'fun' for Maple Leafs in swing with July 1 still over a week away
Get the latest from Terry Koshan straight to your inbox Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Fla. Photo by Mike Carlson / GETTY IMAGES Well, isn't that bleepin' great. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account With the Mitch Marner door expected to slam shut on the Maple Leafs once National Hockey League free agency begins on July 1, a few other doors are being closed. And that's still with more than a week to go before we get to the annual NHL festivities on Canada Day. For those who figured, or were hoping to any degree, that perhaps Leafs general manager Brad Treliving might entice Sam Bennett or Jonathan Toews to sign in Toronto once the market opened, you're going to have to look elsewhere for your free-agent fix. Hours after Bennett indicated that he's going to re-sign with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the Winnipeg Jets on Friday said announced that Toews will be signing with them on July 1, when he is eligible to do so. Toews hasn't played in an NHL game since April 13, 2023, for the Chicago Blackhawks, before stepping away for health reasons. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Leafs had some initial interest earlier this year when Toews' desire to return to the NHL went public. His hometown Jets were always thought to be heavily in the mix, however, and now the 37-year-old Toews will get a chance to wear Winnipeg's colours on a one-year contract. Bennett caught the hockey world's attention late on Thursday night — or early Friday morning — when he said, while on a nightclub stage during a Cup celebration party in Miami, that he 'ain't f–ing leaving,' indicating to a frenzied crowd that he's going to re-sign with the Panthers. Via text on Friday morning, Bennett's agent, Darren Ferris, told us a new contract with the Panthers was not done. 'It was an incredible and emotional night for the Panthers and well-deserved,' Ferris said. 'The celebrations have been amazing to see, and Sam's just taking it all in with his teammates right now. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'At this time, no contract has been signed — when there's something official, we'll share it accordingly.' Panthers general manager Bill Zito said on Tuesday night after Florida beat the Edmonton Oilers to repeat as Cup champions that he thinks he can bring back all three of the club's bold-face potential free agents — Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. At the very least, expect Bennett talks between Ferris and Zito to pick up. As of now, it would be rather surprising if Bennett signed anywhere but Florida. After winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP, Bennett is line for a major bump in pay. The centre, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday, is coming off a four-year contract that carried an average annual value of $4.425 million US. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Another substantial name came off the free-agent board on Thursday when Matt Duchene, who had 82 points in 82 games last season with the Dallas Stars, signed a four-year pact to remain in Dallas. Whether the Leafs would have any chance to sign Bennett, Toews or Duchene is just part of the point, With three fewer forwards available in free agency, the competition for those remaining will only increase. After he had 20 points in 23 playoff games for the Panthers, making a strong run at winning the Conn Smythe himself, Marchand certainly should be firmly in the Leafs' sights. Even at the age of 37, Marchand would be of great assistance to a Leafs team that needs a DNA change, as Treliving himself said. Though Marchand might love to re-sign with the Panthers, Zito probably doesn't have the money to keep all of his free agents. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Marchand has been having fun on Instagram since the Panthers' Cup title, trolling NHL teams that in one way or another had players wind up with the Panthers, and on Friday weighed in on the idea of signing with the Leafs. After Sportnet's Nick Kypreos said on the podcast Leafs Morning Take that he doesn't 'know how Marchand doesn't end up as a Maple Leaf,' Marchand replied on Instagram '(bleep) dawg … the people wanna see it???' Read More More trolling on the part of Marchand? We'll soon find out. What we're intrigued to see as well is whether any of the early free-agent movement involving Duchene, Toews and likely Bennett has any bearing on the future of John Tavares. Tavares' 38 goals last season are the most among free-agent forwards (Marner is second with 27) and there's no guarantee that Tavares and the Leafs will agree on a new contract, as much as both sides want to get something done. As names fall off the board, wouldn't Tavares have some curiosity as to what options there will be on the other side of July 1? You would think there would have to be even a little possibility of that. An easier question to answer: Canada Day can't come soon enough, can it? tkoshan@ X: @koshtorontosun RECOMMENDED VIDEO World Toronto & GTA News Hockey Columnists
Edmonton Journal
37 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
Free-agency 'fun' for Maple Leafs in swing with July 1 still over a week away
Article content Well, isn't that bleepin' great. With the Mitch Marner door expected to slam shut on the Maple Leafs once National Hockey League free agency begins on July 1, a few other doors are being closed. Article content And that's still with more than a week to go before we get to the annual NHL festivities on Canada Day. For those who figured, or were hoping to any degree, that perhaps Leafs general manager Brad Treliving might entice Sam Bennett or Jonathan Toews to sign in Toronto once the market opened, you're going to have to look elsewhere for your free-agent fix. Article content Hours after Bennett indicated that he's going to re-sign with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the Winnipeg Jets on Friday said announced that Toews will be signing with them on July 1, when he is eligible to do so. Toews hasn't played in an NHL game since April 13, 2023, for the Chicago Blackhawks, before stepping away for health reasons. The Leafs had some initial interest earlier this year when Toews' desire to return to the NHL went public. His hometown Jets were always thought to be heavily in the mix, however, and now the 37-year-old Toews will get a chance to wear Winnipeg's colours on a one-year contract. Bennett caught the hockey world's attention late on Thursday night — or early Friday morning — when he said, while on a nightclub stage during a Cup celebration party in Miami, that he 'ain't f–ing leaving,' indicating to a frenzied crowd that he's going to re-sign with the Panthers. Article content Via text on Friday morning, Bennett's agent, Darren Ferris, told us a new contract with the Panthers was not done. 'It was an incredible and emotional night for the Panthers and well-deserved,' Ferris said. 'The celebrations have been amazing to see, and Sam's just taking it all in with his teammates right now. 'At this time, no contract has been signed — when there's something official, we'll share it accordingly.' Panthers general manager Bill Zito said on Tuesday night after Florida beat the Edmonton Oilers to repeat as Cup champions that he thinks he can bring back all three of the club's bold-face potential free agents — Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. At the very least, expect Bennett talks between Ferris and Zito to pick up. As of now, it would be rather surprising if Bennett signed anywhere but Florida. After winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP, Bennett is line for a major bump in pay. The centre, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday, is coming off a four-year contract that carried an average annual value of $4.425 million US. Article content Another substantial name came off the free-agent board on Thursday when Matt Duchene, who had 82 points in 82 games last season with the Dallas Stars, signed a four-year pact to remain in Dallas. Whether the Leafs would have any chance to sign Bennett, Toews or Duchene is just part of the point, With three fewer forwards available in free agency, the competition for those remaining will only increase. After he had 20 points in 23 playoff games for the Panthers, making a strong run at winning the Conn Smythe himself, Marchand certainly should be firmly in the Leafs' sights. Even at the age of 37, Marchand would be of great assistance to a Leafs team that needs a DNA change, as Treliving himself said. Though Marchand might love to re-sign with the Panthers, Zito probably doesn't have the money to keep all of his free agents. Marchand has been having fun on Instagram since the Panthers' Cup title, trolling NHL teams that in one way or another had players wind up with the Panthers, and on Friday weighed in on the idea of signing with the Leafs. Article content Latest National Stories
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Oilers GM Bowman willing to work on McDavid's timeline for extension
EDMONTON – Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is ready to work on Connor McDavid's timeline for a contract extension. 'Connor is the most important player in the league,' Bowman said Friday. 'He's our captain, he's our leader. He's certainly our top priority and he's earned the right for us to be respectful of his timing. 'He's driving that process.' McDavid is heading into the final year of his contract and becomes eligible to sign an extension on July 1. The Oilers captain, however, said Thursday after the Oilers' exit meetings that he's in no rush to make a decision about his future. McDavid also explained that winning is his top priority, which doesn't surprise Bowman. 'He wants to win,' Bowman said. 'He just wants to win the cup, that's all he cares about. He's not driven by statistics or points or records or money.' Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch met reporters for an end-of-season news conference three days after Edmonton's loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final. The GM said the Oilers will look to make changes during the off-season, particularly on offence and in goal. 'We're not going to bring the same guys back,' he said. 'The area with the least amount of change is going to be our defence. Up front, we need some different players. I wouldn't expect wholesale changes; we're not going to have nine or 10 new players. 'Forwards and the goalies are the ones we're going to evaluate the most deeply.' Beyond McDavid, the Oilers' most pressing matter is signing star defenceman Evan Bouchard, who's set to become a restricted free agent July 1. Bouchard said Thursday he wants to stay in Edmonton. So did forwards Corey Perry and Trent Frederic. The Oilers, according to multiple reports, have a deal in place for Frederic. Bowman wouldn't confirm the contract, but he called Frederic 'a pretty unique player in the league.' 'There's not a lot of guys that have that combination of his age, his experience, his competitiveness, size, physicality,' Bowman said of the player he acquired from the Boston Bruins before the NHL trade deadline. 'And I think when you add it all up, he could bring a lot to the team.' The 27-year-old Frederic had one goal and three assists during the playoffs, albeit with 85 hits. Frederic produced 40 points during the 2023-24 season with the Bruins. Bowman previously said he feels Frederic could be a top-six winger or a third-line centre. 'Incredibly competitive, great teammate, great guy,' said Bowman. 'He brings an element that I think you need, which is very competitive, fearless. Nobody's going to push us around. 'He's really impressive to have someone with his skill set that can play three different positions. When we talked to him yesterday, he said he likes to play centre.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
