Latest news with #TheChrisJohnstonShow
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Update on Erik Karlsson's Mindset Will Catch Penguins Attention
New Update on Erik Karlsson's Mindset Will Catch Penguins Attention originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Erik Karlsson's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins might be approaching a conclusion, but that will only happen under the right circumstances. Advertisement According to Chris Johnston, speaking on Thursday's episode of "The Chris Johnston Show," the 35-year-old defenseman is open to being traded. That said, Karlsson holds a full no-movement clause as part of his eight-year, $92 million contract, so he will have the final say on any move. Johnston, however, reported that Karlsson is 'willing to be moved,' adding that Pittsburgh still considers him an asset that could fetch a solid return in the trade market. "(Karlsson) is willing to be moved," Johnston said. "And so I think that helps, because obviously there's a no-movement clause, but it's only to a few places. "And the flip side of this, I think, Pittsburgh rightly views him as an asset—more of an asset the closer (he gets to) the end of his deal, right? He's down to two years on that contract, and so the contract itself becomes less of a problem." Advertisement With just two years left on his $92 million deal, the Penguins believe the contract is becoming more tradeable, especially in a rising cap environment, as Johnston explained. 'Pittsburgh does have an ability to eat even more money on it than San Jose already (did),' Johnston said. 'It becomes a pretty movable object. It just might not be this summer." Karlsson played all 164 regular-season games over the last two years, producing 109 total points but missing the playoffs on back-to-back seasons in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates during Frid-USA TODAY Sports Johnston emphasized that Pittsburgh won't give Karlsson away for nothing but acknowledged that the blueliner still has enough offensive upside to drive value in the right system. The insider also believes Karlsson will grow tired of the Pittsburgh losing situation, thus facilitating a move. Advertisement 'He was in San Jose when that team went from contender to not,' Johnston said. 'He's arrived in Pittsburgh as they're headed in the wrong direction. "I have to think he's going to get antsy at a certain point here and want to (move). As much as I think Pittsburgh has been a great fit for his family, and he likes that aspect of living there, he's only got so much time in terms of trying to compete for a Stanley Cup." Related: Erik Karlsson-Maple Leafs Link 'More Than Just Hearsay,' Claims NHL Insider Related: Sidney Crosby-to-Canadiens Speculation Grows Because of ESPN Insider This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres Facing Pressure After Decision on Bowen Byram's Contract
Sabres Facing Pressure After Decision on Bowen Byram's Contract originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Sabres have entered a delicate phase with defenseman Bowen Byram following their decision to take him to arbitration. Advertisement As NHL insider Chris Johnston explained in Monday's episode of "The Chris Johnston Show," the Sabres' decision to file for arbitration has major implications on both the short- and long-term future of the player and the organization. 'Yeah, interesting spot now,' Johnston said. 'Because the Sabres have elected for a team-elected salary arbitration with Bowen Byram, which means a couple of things." 'First of all, he gets to choose whether it'd be a one- or two-year award from the arbitrator.' One of those things is a loss of control over the term, as Johnston explained. Since Byram didn't file for arbitration himself, Buffalo blocked offer sheet attempts from rival clubs but handed Byram the power to choose the length of his next contract. Advertisement He can choose a one- or two-year deal through arbitration, and if he opts for two, he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 once that contract is over. 'To my knowledge, he hasn't chosen what his award will be,' Johnston said. 'But he has the ability to say, 'Hey, I'll go through arbitration, and it's a two-year award, and then I'm a UFA at the end.' So it hands him some power …" '(And the second thing) what it does is it takes away his ability now to sign an offer sheet.' Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram and the Sabres are headed to salary T. Ludwig-Imagn Images The Sabres acquired Byram from Colorado in March 2024. Although it's fair to assume Buffalo would rather keep the player and lock him into a long-term deal, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has not ruled out a trade. Advertisement "I've maintained the same position that if there's a deal out there that makes sense for us that we think is going to improve our roster, we're open to it," Adams said. "If there's not, we're not in a situation where we're looking to move him out or looking to move him out for futures and stuff like that." "For me, we want to help our team win hockey games, and he does that." With the pressure related to the arbitration process mounting and the possibility of losing Byram for nothing in one or two seasons, there's a chance the Sabres will end up moving Byram. Related: Elliotte Friedman Explains Implications of Sabres' Move on Bowen Byram Related: Sabres Turned Down Multiple Blockbuster Trade Offers for JJ Peterka: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
"NHL Trade Rumors": Connor McDavid not expected to commit long term to Oilers after 2026
NHL Trade Rumors Connor McDavid not expected to commit long term to Oilers after 2026 (Image via Getty) One of the greatest hockey players right now, Connor McDavid already has fans speculating on the nature of his next contract. Though McDavid has two years left on his present contract with the Edmonton Oilers, NHL experts have begun to speculate on next steps. On The Chris Johnston Show, reporter Chris Johnston made a strong comment about what kind of deal McDavid could choose and it has people talking. Connor McDavid could sign a short-term contract after current Oilers deal ends in 2026 On Monday, June 24, 2025, hockey reporter Chris Johnston spoke about Connor McDavid's future on The Chris Johnston Show, a popular NHL podcast. Johnston gave a very clear opinion on what kind of contract the Edmonton Oilers captain might want once his current one ends in July 2026. 'I think it's certainly going to be on the shorter end than the longer end,' Johnston said. 'That, to me, is pretty much a certainty.' McDavid, now 28 years old, signed his current eight-year contract in 2017. That deal made him one of the highest-paid players in the league. But Johnston believes McDavid's next contract may not be as long as the first. Instead of signing for another long stretch, he might choose a shorter deal to keep his options open. Chris Johnston explains why Connor McDavid might avoid a long NHL contract Chris Johnston didn't just make a guess — he explained why a shorter deal makes sense for McDavid. Speaking on his show, Johnston said that the league is changing, and star players now like having more control over their futures. 'McDavid is smart,' Johnston said. 'He knows that if he stays healthy and keeps playing the way he is, he can write his own ticket.' McDavid might either re-sign for more money in a few years or pick a new team should he ever want a different challenge if he signs a short deal. McDavid's agreement expires following the 2025–26 NHL season; should Johnston be right, we may never see another long-term contract like the one he signed in 2017. Also Read: NHL Trade Rumors: Insider Drops Explosive Claim Dallas Stars May Dump Jason Robertson If Mitch Marner Agrees To Deal For the time being, followers in Edmonton and across the NHL will be watching very carefully. More details on this will probably come closer to July 1, 2026, when free agency formally starts. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maple Leafs Reportedly Exploring ‘Creative' Contract in John Tavares Talks
Maple Leafs Reportedly Exploring 'Creative' Contract in John Tavares Talks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Maple Leafs are actively working on a new contract for John Tavares but are facing resistance from the veteran forward's camp. Advertisement Despite what insiders are calling 'creative' proposals from Toronto, it looks like Tavares has not bought into those contract terms a week away from free agency. According to Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman, reporting during Monday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, both the Leafs and Tavares' agent are committed to securing the best possible deal, but the two sides remain apart. 'You've got a team trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get, and you've got an agent trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get,' Friedman said. 'Toronto is trying to be creative, and right now, Tavares isn't biting on what they're doing.' Friedman said that he 'a billion percent' believes Tavares wants to stay in Toronto, and noted the Leafs are exploring mechanisms like deferred money in the deal. Advertisement 'I think (a deferred-money-type contract) is possible,' Friedman said. 'This could be the last year you're allowed to defer money. There's a chance all of this could go away under the CBA.' Chris Johnston also referred to the team's approach as 'creative' on Monday's episode of "The Chris Johnston Show" podcast, aligning with Friedman's assessment about deferring money. Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) skates with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images "There are creative ways, and the Leafs are a creative team with their contracts," Johnston said. "I wouldn't be surprised. I've said all along that I think this is one of those times a deferred money deal might even make sense now (that) those are being wiped out, I believe, in the next CBA." Advertisement Tavares, coming off a 74-point season, has publicly expressed his desire to return to Toronto. 'Obviously, I've expressed my desire to stay and make it work,' Tavares said. 'Very optimistic that we can work something out where I'm back, but obviously haven't put a lot of thought into it, it's only been a couple of days.' Related: Maple Leafs Facing Major Decision on John Tavares Contract Related: Darren Dreger Predicts What John Tavares' Next Maple Leafs Contract Could Look Like This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Family Factor Could Shape Mitch Marner's Future, Claims NHL Insider
Family Factor Could Shape Mitch Marner's Future, Claims NHL Insider originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner approaches unrestricted free agency, questions about his future keep popping up daily. Advertisement According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, the Maple Leafs forward may be weighing aspects that go beyond salary numbers or team fit, focusing instead on finding a small and quieter market for him and his family. 'The reason Mitch Marner is contemplating leaving Toronto is, I think, at this point in time, he's just had enough of the noise,' Johnston said on 'The Chris Johnston Show' on Monday. 'He's been a player under a tremendous spotlight.' Johnston said Marner's perspective may have changed since becoming a father. His wife gave birth to their son, Miles, during the playoffs in early May. 'We know his wife had a baby during the playoffs, between rounds one and two, so he started a new family, it's like a new chapter in his life," Johnston said. "If you're of that frame of mind, you're looking for something a little quieter in terms of your profession. There are a number of places that would fit the bill.' Advertisement Marner has played his entire nine-year career in Toronto, racking up 741 points in 657 regular-season games. He led the Leafs with 102 points this past season through 81 games, and then added 13 points in 13 postseason outings. That said, the intense scrutiny around his playoff struggles and the Maple Leafs' repeated postseason exits have defined his time with the team under the bright lights of Toronto. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner scored a career-high 102 points in Carey Lauder-Imagn Images While a return to Toronto remains a possibility, depending on which contract the Leafs are willing to offer Marner and Marner's position toward a return, Johnston believes Marner may prefer a less pressured environment. Advertisement According to Johnston, the Vegas Golden Knights are considered frontrunners if Marner leaves Toronto, but he made clear it's not set in stone that he'd sign there. "If I just go straight on what I'm hearing, I'd have to say Vegas is the favorite," Johnston said. "But I'm not saying that with a ton of confidence. I don't know, it's not like someone with the Golden Knights is telling me that." Related: NHL Teams Rumored to be Aware of Mitch Marner's Free Agency 'Option' Related: NHL Insider Floats Panthers Move for Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
