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Puck Management
Daily Briefing
Monday, May 18, 2026
Anaheim’s Pat Verbeek has flagged a September CBA deadline on Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson extension talks, with both RFA cornerstones targeted for pre-camp deals. Chicago is making Ilya Mikheyev’s UFA negotiating rights available for trade, and Philadelphia is working to extend Dan Vladar while monitoring Toronto’s three-goalie logjam for a potential Woll acquisition. Here’s what you need to know for Monday, May 18, 2026.
Headlines
Verbeek flags September CBA deadline on Cutter Gauthier RFA extension
Transaction
Gauthier is not arbitration-eligible and talks have not yet begun. A new CBA provision reduces the maximum contract length for own RFAs from 8 years to 7, effective September 16. Verbeek cited Ryan McTavish’s pre-camp deal as the model and flagged Anaheim’s history of protracted RFA talks as something to avoid. Gauthier combined with Carlsson for eight goals and 23 points in 12 playoff games.
Pat Verbeek, The Athletic
Leo Carlsson extension also a priority; LaCombe calls it “the biggest goal”
Transaction
Carlsson is not arbitration-eligible. Ducks defenceman Drew LaCombe, who holds the franchise AAV record at $72M over 8 years, called getting both Carlsson and Gauthier signed long-term “the biggest goal.” The September CBA change reduces the maximum own-RFA term from 8 years to 7, tightening the window for both contracts.
Pat Verbeek & Drew LaCombe, The Athletic
Chicago shopping Ilya Mikheyev’s UFA negotiating rights for draft capital
Transaction
Mikheyev, 31, is finishing a four-year, $4.75M AAV deal originally signed with Vancouver. He posted a career-high 36 points in 2025-26. GM Kyle Davidson is seeking draft capital rather than allow him to walk to free agency for nothing.
Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
Philadelphia ready to extend Dan Vladar; five years near $5.75M AAV per sources
Transaction
Per Seravalli’s team sources, PHI is prepared to move if “it makes sense.” Filip Gustavsson (five years, $6.8M) is the closest comp by age and save percentage, but sources cite Vladar’s fewer career games as a negotiating point for a slightly lower AAV. Vladar posted a .906 save percentage in 2025-26 and was Philadelphia’s most valuable player through the regular season and playoffs.
Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
Philadelphia monitoring Joseph Woll trade; Toronto’s three-goalie logjam creates summer pressure
Transaction
Seravalli sources say PHI likes Woll if they move on from Samuel Ersson, who posted a career-worst .870 save percentage. Woll finished 2025-26 at .899 in 39 games at $3.66M AAV with two years remaining. With all three Toronto goalies needing to clear waivers, one departure is expected this summer.
Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
All Signals
Anaheim Ducks
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| Transaction | Cutter Gauthier | RFA priority; not arb-eligible, talks not yet started. Sept. 16 CBA change reduces max own-RFA term to 7yr. Verbeek cited McTavish as the model; wants deal done pre-camp. | Pat Verbeek, The Athletic |
| Transaction | Leo Carlsson | RFA priority alongside Gauthier; not arb-eligible. LaCombe (teammate, franchise AAV record): getting both signed is “the biggest goal.” Sept. 16 CBA deadline also applies. | Pat Verbeek & Drew LaCombe, The Athletic |
| Transaction | Jacob Trouba | Interest in returning; deadline contract talks “didn’t get very far.” Praised LaCombe pairing. Finishing 7yr/$56M deal. UFA this summer. | Jacob Trouba, The Athletic |
| Transaction | John Carlson | Called ANA experience a “thrill” but family and “a lot of moving parts” will shape UFA decision. 36, $8M cap hit. Could not commit to returning. | John Carlson, The Athletic |
Chicago Blackhawks
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| Transaction | Ilya Mikheyev | UFA negotiating rights available for trade. Career-high 36 pts in 2025-26. Davidson seeking draft capital before free agency. | Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff |
Edmonton Oilers
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| Management | Craig Berube | TOR granted EDM permission to interview. Berube fired May 13 after 30-point standings decline. Knoblauch fired same day. Friedman first; Johnston & LeBrun confirmed. | Johnston & LeBrun, The Athletic |
| Management | Bruce Cassidy | EDM made formal request to VGK for permission to speak; no response as of Monday morning. VGK is a Pacific Division rival. | Johnston & LeBrun, The Athletic |
Minnesota Wild
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| Transaction | Michael McCarron | UFA priority is financial security: “I haven’t really taken that next step financially, or had security.” Guerin hasn’t spoken with UFA agents yet. | Michael McCarron, The Athletic |
| Transaction | Vladimir Tarasenko | Praised MIN organization after 23-goal season; both sides see money as the variable. Matching prior $4.75M AAV would strain MIN’s UFA budget. Age 34. | Vladimir Tarasenko, The Athletic |
| Transaction | Mats Zuccarello | Cannot envision leaving MIN but says decision not entirely his. Kaprizov: “doesn’t look close to 40.” Guerin hasn’t spoken with UFA agents. Age 38. | Mats Zuccarello, The Athletic |
Philadelphia Flyers
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| Transaction | Dan Vladar | PHI ready to extend ~5yr/$5.75M per team sources; Gustavsson (5yr/$6.8M) is comp, fewer games = slight AAV discount. .906 SV% in 2025-26. | Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff |
| Transaction | Joseph Woll | PHI monitoring as trade candidate if moving on from Ersson (.870 SV%). Woll: .899 SV%, $3.66M AAV, 2 years remaining. TOR’s 3-goalie structure drives availability. | Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff |
Toronto Maple Leafs
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| Management | Brandon Pridham | 12-year cap manager departs as part of Chayka-Sundin restructure; had term remaining. Co-interim GM after Treliving firing. Shane Doan also exits this week. | Johnston & Mirtle, The Athletic |
| Management | Derek Clancey | Departs alongside Pridham, completing exit of Treliving’s full inner circle. Joined 2023; previously scouting director (PIT) and AGM (VAN). | Johnston & Mirtle, The Athletic |
| Management | David Carle | TOR made initial contact; Friedman cautions not a frontrunner. Denver coach, 36, has won 3 NCAA titles (2022, 2024, 2026). Woodcroft and Malhotra also in consideration. | Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet |
Source Coverage Log
| The Athletic | 10 articles |
| Sportsnet | 5 articles |
| Daily Faceoff | 4 articles |