NHL Notebook: The Winnipeg Ice of the WHL are being relocated, Toronto Maple Leafs looking to sign Auston Matthews to max-term deal, and more

In four seasons in Winnipeg, the Ice compiled a 166-49-8 record, including a 57-10-1 record last season and an appearance in the WHL Final. They have been loaded with talent in recent years that, include first-round picks Matthew Savoie (Buffalo Sabres), Conor Geekie (Arizona Coyotes) and 2023 top prospect Zach Benson.

It is assumed the Wenatchee team will play in the U.S. Division of the WHL alongside the Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans. There is no word of whether or not a name change will be applied or if the new ownership group stays with the “Ice” name.

“I think Matthews, especially with the people around him, think there’s two more big contracts in his future. I think the Maple Leafs are going to try to get a max-term deal out of this,” Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Friday. ” don’t know what the likelihood is, but I think they’re going to try.”

Friedman reported that new Leafs general manager Brad Treliving flew to Arizona to have dinner with Matthews to discuss his potential future in Toronto. Who was the last player Treliving met with for dinner, and then just a few days later, that said player signed a massive contract? Jonathan Huberdeau of the Calgary Flames.

Friedman seems convinced that this is going to work out. Both sides have made it clear that they want the deal done sooner rather than later. Matthews can officially put pen to paper on July 1.”

Mike McKenna: We’ve got the unusual Group 6 free agents out there. I’ve got my eye on Joey Daccord, goaltender for the Seattle Kraken franchise, but you’ve got somebody else who may have some teams interested.

Frank Seravalli: By the way, side note, you mentioned the Kraken, they’re also looking to move Chris Driedger. Probably not a surprise, also coming off of significant injury. But on the Group 6 free agent front, we already saw Mikey Eyssimont re-sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a two-year deal, he was a pending Group 6 free agent. And Matthew Phillips of the Calgary Flames is another one who has, I believe, generated some interest on the market. Look, you take a look at his AHL numbers, 36 goals, 76 points, back-to-back years inside the top 10 in AHL scoring, someone who hasn’t gotten a crack at the NHL level under Darryl Sutter, and really wants and is ready for an NHL opportunity.

The Flames wanna keep him. Craig Conroy and Ryan Huska have a youth movement afoot and they’re trying right now to convince Phillips to stay, but because he hasn’t gotten that shot and he’s 25 years old, he is in line to become a total UFA on July 1. It’s the undersized, five-foot-seven frame that’s held him back to this point, at least in terms of a lot of teams believing he can be an impact NHL guy, but we’ve already seen small, undersized guys come through the Calgary Flames organization, go elsewhere, and blossom. Marty St. Louis, that would be one. If I were Matthew Phillips, I’d say it’s hard now, given your run in the organization, to convince me, even with new guys, that I’m going to get an authentic shot. I’d like to see someone, somewhere else, step up and put some money on the line in a one-way, guaranteed deal, to take a chance on me, knowing that I’m going to get a real authentic opportunity.