from Luke Fox of Sportsnet,

A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Maybe Vasi's better after all.

We’re only a month out from the frenzy of free agency.

And while the immediate concerns of this summer’s UFAs and RFAs will take precedence in most markets, some back-burner contractual situations are worth keeping an eye on.

Particularly up front, with some (super)star forwards that can change a game and, possibly, a franchise.

Remember: these guys will all be eligible to sign extensions (max term: eight years) with their current clubs as early as July 13. And the longer they do not, the more questions will mount....

Nathan MacKinnon leads the group after playing for a $6.3-million AAV for seven seasons. Thievery. In 2019, the Avalanche force suggested he’d "take less again." Maybe that’s the Sidney Crosby influence talking. But if MacKinnon wishes to eclipse Connor McDavid’s league-high $12.5-million cap hit, he could give it a run.

Beloved in Sunrise, will anyone be shocked if Jonathan Huberdeau follows Aleksander Barkov’s lead last summer and signs up to be a lifelong Panther? His bargaining power is at its peak.

After that, things get interesting fast. Trade possibilities get real.

more plus other hockey topics...