NHL Rumors: Big Extensions for Sabers, Offer Sheet for Dorofeyev and Laviolette to Oilers? – Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today’s edition of NHL rumors, we start with the Buffalo Sabres, who have a busy offseason ahead of them with big contracts to dish out and some tough decisions to make. Next, we look at the Vegas Golden Knights and their complicated salary cap situation, which could leave Pavel Dorofeyev as a prime offer sheet candidate.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers are looking for their next head coach, and while they have yet to receive permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy, Peter Laviolette may be on the radar as their next bench boss.

Sabers Offer Benson, Touch Extensions For 2025-26 Offseason

After an impressive run in 2025-26, the Sabers ended their 14-year playoff drought and took the Montreal Canadiens to Game 7 in the second round. The Stanley Cup is always the benchmark for a successful season, but it would be a challenge to find many people disappointed in the Sabers’ season.

They will look to build on their momentum next season and look to continue deep into the postseason, but before they do that, they have some serious business to take care of.

One of the first moves made by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was to sign Josh Doan to a long-term contract. Looking at their current group of restricted and unrestricted free agents, it would make sense for Kekalainen to follow up by trying to go long with some of them.

Alex Tuch has been the basis of many discussions. If he were to go in free agency, he would be one of the most sought after players and would likely command close to $10 million per year on a long-term deal. The Sabers have been involved in extension talks all season, but they remain divided enough that neither side has settled.

After the 13-game finals, Tuch did not have the impact many had hoped based on the level he set for himself. There may be reason to question a big contract after that, but it will be a tough decision to let him go in free agency and get nothing.

For Zach Benson, he’s in the opposite situation. After the regular season, the season-long deal could reach around $5 million per year, but after dominating the playoffs, it’s clear he’s got another gear to hit, and he’s been one of the biggest impact players for the Sabres.

Compared to Brad Marchand, Benson could sign the same deal that Marchand had when he was out with the Boston Bruins. While Marchand is 28 years old compared to 21-year-old Benson, Marchand’s eight-year deal, worth $6.125 million a year, takes up 8.17 percent of the cap space, which would equate to $8.5 million a year for Benson.

Marchand signed his contract before the 2016-17 season and posted 85 consecutive points. Production is similar between the two prior to that contract, but Benson has the edge, being seven years younger than Marchand.

On top of those deals, the Sabers have deep decisions to make, including the trio of Luke Schenn, Logan Stanley, and Michael Kesselring on defense, all of whom are fighting the Sabers in their own ways, but do they bring Kesselring back, letting the other two go?

Dorofeyev is the Prime Candidate for the Offer Sheet

Looking at the Golden Knights’ salary cap situation, even if Alex Pietrangelo returns to the end zone from a long-term injury, the team will have $13.4 million in cap space.

Dorofeyev has scored 72 goals in two regular seasons and has been tearing through the 2025-26 playoffs thus far. Another contract awaits him, and with restricted free agent rights, he can sign an offer sheet for the right amount of money.

Dorofeyev will come in under that $13.4 million, but in addition to him, they have other players to do, too.

After paying the high price for Rasmus Andersson, it would be surprising to see him head to unrestricted free agency, but he could command north of $8 million if he wants to move on. Fortunately, those are the only two big contracts they need to give away, but even if they can find a way to get under the cap, that would leave them with just 10 players and six defensemen.

The offer sheet compensation has been revealed by the NHL, and if a team wants a good chance to land Dorofeyev, it would take at least the second-highest price to secure him, which falls in the $9,551,332 to $11,939,166 range, and would cost the team two first-round picks and a second draft pick.

If a team is going to offer a higher price within that range, it would be a higher price, but in a short-term deal, it might make sense.

While 29 teams have draft picks available to offer the maximum package for Doroveyev, which could be more than the $11.939 million mentioned above, giving up four draft picks of the first round may prevent teams from that deal.

There are 12 teams currently with options to make an offer sheet in the second tier. Of those 12, the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Seattle Kraken may not be willing to do this, as their picks may end up very high in the draft.

Eight teams are in the running to take advantage of the opportunity to play in the Golden Knights. Will one of them pull the trigger?

Laviolette as the next Oilers coach?

As the Oilers head into the offseason looking for a new coach, Cassidy is on everyone’s radar. Since it looks like they’re waiting for the Golden Knights’ playoff run to get permission to talk to him, they may have to start making legs elsewhere.

Elliotte Friedman reported that there has been an initial conversation with Craig Berube, a few other names have been linked, too, but Laviolette could be an interesting thing to follow.

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic suggested that Laviolette could be an option, writing that both the coach and the team have a “we’re here for a good time, not a long time” approach to the coaching position.

Mitchell continues, saying, “Both are interested in winning the Stanley Cup next spring. His teams play at a high pace, and he has a sense of urgency that makes him successful in the short term and exhausting in the long term for the players he coaches.”

Laviolette, aside from his time with the Nashville Predators, had short stints with his other teams, usually lasting around three seasons.

He won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, went to the Stanley Cup Finals with the Philadelphia Flyers and Predators, and had a successful run with the New York Rangers.

With a tough win situation now with looming concerns about Connor McDavid’s future, could Laviolette make sense? Definitely.