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Lace ’em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
It has happened, folks. We have officially passed the one-month mark until the start of the 2017-18 NHL season. On Monday, we crested the 30-day barrier that separates us from hockey that officially counts on stat sheets.
Training camps and preseason games are still to come, but hockey season is in the air. It feels like ages since we've had meaningful NHL hockey played, and we've gone through a lot since. All in all, it's been a relatively quiet offseason minus a few big splashes.
In the next few weeks, however, we are likely going to see an uptick in activity as teams get ready to lock up their rosters. Unsure of what has to be resolved — and what might not be — within the next few weeks? We've got you covered:
- #JagrWatch will come to a close soon, for better or worse. Jaromir Jagr still remains unsigned, and the 45-year-old may play in the Czech Republic if no NHL teams come calling. Last anyone heard, the Calgary Flames may have been in on him.
- The Avalanche have a few things up in the air. Matt Duchene may or may not be moved. Young defenseman Nikita Zadorov has yet to be signed. Colorado also has just three defensemen under contract for next season, so movement will likely be made there.
- David Pastrnak is still without a contract in Boston, and the possibility of a holdout could become reality the further into September we get.
- The Red Wings are already over the salary cap by $3 million, and they've yet to sign Andreas Athanasiou. The 23-year-old forward reportedly has a KHL offer waiting in the wings.
- John Tavares and Jack Eichel are likely going to enter the new season without extensions to their deals, which will end next year, unless all sides come to agreements.
And that's not including the Golden Knights' glut of defensemen they likely have to move to get down to seven or eight for their game-time lineups. Lots of fun stuff ahead, hockey fans.
THE TOP NHL PROSPECTS FROM COLLEGE YOU SHOULD KEEP UP WITH
College hockey is also nearly among us. We've put together the top 25 college players you need to keep your eyes on who have already been drafted by NHL teams. We may see some of these guys sooner than you think.
WENNBERG, VANEK GET NEW CONTRACTS
In case you tuned out for Labor Day Weekend early on Friday, you missed a bit of news. The Blue Jackets re-signed a key piece of their offense, as they've locked up 22-year-old forward Alexander Wennberg to a six-year deal.
Also getting a new deal is Thomas Vanek, who is going to the Canucks on a one-year contract. We've also had some players sign PTOs over the last few days, so check them all out here.
ANTHONY DUCLAIR RE-SIGNS IN ARIZONA
- What can Blue Jackets fans expect from Artemi Panarin?
- A youth hockey player refused to play for a local team because of their “discriminatory” Native American logo.
- How will the departed Blackhawks players do with their new teams?
- It won't be a reach for a Golden Knights' prospect to make their roster.
- Here are 10 things the Oilers need to do next year to win the Pacific Division.