The AFL industry is brutally cutthroat.

David Noble is no longer North Melbourne’s man, meaning the club will now begin its search for a fourth full-time senior coach in five seasons.

That’s despite the Kangaroos on Saturday producing their best performance in three months, almost knocking off a finals-bound – but ultimately fast-finishing – Collingwood.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Despite Noble being just one-and-a-half seasons – or 38 games – into his tenure.

Despite inheriting a young and inexperienced list that’d been gutted severely as the club embarked on a heavy, intentional rebuild.

Despite chief executive Ben Amarfio declaring in late May “he‘s our man”.

Despite Geoff Walsh’s much-publicised four-week review only entering its third week.

REACTION: The ‘nail in the coffin’ that sealed Noble’s fate — and why Roos ‘mess’ could get worse

Yet even before Walsh was brought back to the club temporarily, you sensed the club’s hierarchy had already made its mind up, for the numbers were ugly and too hard to ignore.

Noble departs the Kangaroos after a tumultuous tenure and with the equal-second-worst winning percentage of all VFL/AFL coaches to coach at least 30 games: Five wins from 38 games. His 5-1-32 record was the same as Allan Hird’s during his St Kilda stint in the mid-1940s. Only Fitzroy’s Kevin Murray (0-34 between 1963 and 1964) holds a worse ratio.

Noble’s tenure started horribly in 2021 with eight straight losses by an average margin of 51 points, including a bad Good Friday loss to the Bulldogs by 128 points. There were signs the tide had turned between Rounds 9 and 19, winning four games and drawing one against the Giants.

But those 10 weeks were the only light for Noble in ultimately a dark and forgettable stint.

NEW FIRST CRACK PODCAST — R17 wrap: More ‘Tiger trauma’, leave Ginnivan alone!

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

North finished the 2021 season with four straight losses. And after a gutsy Round 1 performance against Hawthorn and a scratchy win over West Coast the next week, the 2022 season would prove to be an unmitigated on-field disaster, losing 14 consecutive games. The first 13 of those losses was by an average margin of 63 points.

Dual All-Australian Kane Cornes last month labelled the current Kangaroos side “one of the worst teams in the AFL era”.

The first loss of the losing streak was a 108-point thumping to Brisbane. Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reported weeks later on Fox Footy’s On The Couch that Noble had delivered a fierce spray to his playing that was “personal enough in nature” that some players were left “shell-shocked” and “even a bit emotional”. And after receiving feedback from the players that he may have gone too hard, Noble reportedly apologised for his actions days later and vowed to change his approach to providing feedback to his players.

While Noble’s job wasn’t necessarily in jeopardy at that stage, it was perhaps the first indicator that all was not right at North.

The 13th loss, though, may have been the final straw for the Kangaroos’ hierarchy, going down to Geelong by 112 points at GMHBA Stadium. The stats were horrible that night. After booting three goals apiece in the first term, the Cats kicked 18 goals from 58 inside 50s across the final three quarters – compared to North’s two goals from 13 entries.

Post-match, Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna said “don’t blame the players”, pointing to Noble’s “mixed messaging” at half-time then full-time about the Kangaroos’ ability to make in-game adjustments.

Just before the start of the third term, Noble told Fox Footy: “We felt that we didn’t own the ball enough in that (second) quarter. When we had possession, we probably went for too much on our kicks … Our uncontested marks and control in the first quarter were really good, so we‘ll try and go back to that this quarter.”

But asked in his post-game press conference about where the game changed after quarter-time and where it fell down for the Kangaroos, Noble told reporters: “It’s funny, we were just talking to the players about how to adjust the game. As the game moves, we‘ve got to be able to adjust to that.

Montagna said Noble’s half-time comments left him perplexed, telling First Crack: “It‘s really surprising. That’s on the coach. He has to understand the game situation and pass that message on, particularly to a young playing group.”

In the midst of the losing streak, North lost the majority of its list management team, with Mark Finnigan, Glenn Luff and Ben Birthisel all resigning within weeks of each other. The club stressed all three resignations were three separate scenarios, but Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy labelled it a “a worrying turn of events” for the Kangaroos, telling 3AW’s Sportsday: “Mid-season walkouts point to a much, much bigger issue than wins and losses.”

Noble also urged North fans to look for small year-on-year gains in key defensive indicators, such as points against, losing margin and percentage. But as the 2022 season played out, the gains turned into greater losses.

AFL 360 compared North Melbourne’s performances under Noble after Round 14 last year and Round 14 this year. The Roos had lost more games and by bigger margins, lost more quarters, conceded more points and recorded a worse percentage.

All the indicators that Noble had asked Roos fans to judge the team on were worse.

And with The Age reporting “several players” were considering their futures at the Kangaroos “if changes weren’t made” as part of the review process, it’s little wonder the club acted.

Ultimately, Noble was always up against it.

Dual premiership Kangaroo David King said coaches that are at the helm for the start of rebuilds rarely experience long tenures. And most rebuilds usually start at a higher base than the one Noble was given.

He inherited a list that’d been intentionally cleaned out. The Kangaroos delisted 17 players across the past two off-seasons as part of a significant rebuild, while experienced players such as Ben Brown (Melbourne), Shaun Higgins (Geelong) and Robbie Tarrant (Richmond) had all been traded across the past four years.

The Roos, subsequently, had several early draft picks. But the recruitment of Will Phillips over Logan McDonald in 2020 and the conjecture over Jason Horne-Francis’ future after the club took him with Pick 1 last year has dominated headlines.

Noble has always been a well-respected figure throughout the footy industry. After stints as an assistant coach, he was headhunted to be Brisbane’s football boss when Chris Fagan was appointed coach in 2017, with the duo spearheading the club‘s surge back up the ladder. Previously, Noble spent a decade at the Crows where he contributed to eight finals campaigns, beginning as a senior assistant coach and finishing as football operations general manager.

AFL legend Leigh Matthews last week said Noble was “an outstanding football manager”, even suggesting the Roos could ask Noble to move from senior coach to football boss.

“I don’t know whether David would want to do it, I don’t know if North would want to do it. But either way if David Noble goes, they’ll appoint another coach,” Matthews told 3AW’s Sportsday.

“This is a really poor team at the moment, so you need some people with credibility in the organisation in my view.”

Noble was appointed by North Melbourne in November 2020, with the club opting for the experienced campaigner over assistant coaches.

He remained staunch until the end, telling reporters after the loss to Collingwood: “I believe in what I’m doing. I believe in the group that we’ve got … having been around the block; I think I’ve got a clear idea as to what needs to happen.”

The hope was Noble would bring much-needed stability to the club after a tumultuous 2020 season that ended with Rhyce Shaw stepping away as senior coach for personal reasons.

Ultimately, Noble leaves with the Kangaroos arguably at their lowest ebb.

Team MVPs and top scorers.

Stanley Cup champions and No. 1 goaltenders.

All-stars and bargain breakouts.

Yes, even with a few coveted names re-signing with their current teams in the week leading up to free agency — Kris Letang, Filip Forsberg, Marc-Andre Fleury, Valeri Nichushkin, Ville Husso — and avoiding the stress of the unknown, the NHL’s 2022 UFA class is still percolating with plenty of compelling players.

And with the salary cap set to rise by $1 million, those spendy general managers will have a little more incentive to splash the pot on this summer’s Dougie Hamilton or John Tavares.

Here’s a rundown and ranking of hockey’s best impending unrestricted free agents, plus the latest buzz circulating their future as most of the league has already shifted to off-season mode.

Free agency opens Wednesday, and rumours are a-flying.

1. Johnny Gaudreau

Age: 28
Position: Left wing
2021-22 salary cap hit: $6.75 million

The latest: Gaudreau’s future has been a constant source of consternation in Calgary.

A fabulous regular-season scorer who crushed the 115 points and played his way deep into the Hart Trophy conversation, Johnny Hockey has taken flak for not carrying the Flames deep in the post-season. That and his close ties to Boston and New Jersey have occasionally fueled spurts of trade speculation.

And yet, instead of exploring a swap, Calgary GM Brad Treliving held conversations about a Gaudreau extension last summer and is trying hard to get him locked up again now.

Where Gaudreau’s price has gone so far is through the roof. Check the comparables.

The all-star winger has earned praise from coach Darryl Sutter for improved defensive responsibility and posted an NHL-best plus-64 rating.

Assistant GM Craig Conroy told Sportsnet 960 on Feb. 23, “That’s a done deal. We’re gonna get that done… You know what they call me. They call me Santa Claus giving contracts.”

Gaudreau followed up his superb regular season with the most productive playoffs of his career. He sounded torn at his season-ending availability.

“Obviously, Calgary has a special place in my heart,” Gaudreau told reporters.

“I’ve been part of this organization for 11 years now. Ever since Day 1 I got here, the fans, the organization, my teammates, even (the media). Sometimes, when I’m playing bad, you guys give me a hard time. But that’s alright. But everything about this city I love. My wife loves it here. 

“You guys can tell on Twitter, my uncle, my dad, my mom, my sisters, my brother, everyone loves Calgary. It’s a special place in our heart, and we love it here, so we’ll see what happens.”

Fellow 100-point man RFA Matthew Tkachuk also needs a new deal. This won’t be easy, but Treliving is doing his best to make it work.

“I think both sides are focused on trying to get a deal,” Treliving said at the draft. “I think it’s real genuine on both sides that we’re working to try to get a deal done.”

Calgary’s rumoured offer is around $9.5 million on an eight-year term. Once midnight strikes Tuesday, however, Gaudreau can only sign anywhere for seven years max.

This is going down to the wire.

2. Nazem Kadri

Age: 31
Position: Centre
2021-22 salary cap hit: $4.5 million

The latest: One of 2021-22’s greatest bargains, Kadri over-delivered big-time on his $4-million salary.

Before temporarily going down to injury, Kadri was top-five leaguewide in scoring. The Cup champ enjoyed a phenomenal post-season, avoiding suspension, ripping hat tricks, scoring a big goal with a busted thumb, and proving the haters wrong.

Unless Kadri takes another discount, the cold math says there won’t be room for him in Denver next fall.

Sakic has already promised $16.25 million annually to younger core forwards Mikko Rantanen and Landeskog, and he must begin carving out serious cap space ($12 million?… more?) for Nathan MacKinnon in the summer of 2023.

Further, the Avs don’t have a single NHL goalie under contract beyond this season and will have other holes to patch.

Paying Kadri — what, $7 million? More? — into his mid-30s feels like a luxury they won’t be able to afford.

Kadri switched agents, from Brian MacDonald to Darren Ferris, in anticipation of finding the best possible deal this summer.

Why?

“I just felt like it was time, you know. Through my career, I feel like I’ve given myself an opportunity to explore, and I’ve had the same agent for a long, long time now. And I just wanted to see what else was out there for me,” Kadri explained.

“It was just difficult to do, in general. [MacDonald] was a great friend of mine. And we formed a great relationship. So, it’s always tough to have those conversations, but at the end of the day, I think I owe it to myself, and it’s something that I’ve definitely earned.”

Ferris negotiated Mitch Marner’s lucrative 2019 deal and got creative with Taylor Hall’s one-year bid in Buffalo as a UFA in 2020.

Philadelphia is ready to spend to regain relevance. Penguins president Brian Burke, who drafted Kadri to the Maple Leafs, surely would take a run if Malkin walks. The New York Rangers and Islanders have interest, according to Elliotte Friedman.

How about Seattle? Or Detroit? Or Boston, if a David Krejci return doesn’t materialize?

Still, Colorado is Kadri’s first choice.

“How could it not be? The Kroenkes have been great supporters of mine and made it clear to me that they’d like me to stay also, but we understand that there’s a business aspect involved. We’re going to try to work together,” Kadri told Real Kyper & Bourne on June 29.

“I think I’ve shown what my worth is and just looking forward to things playing out.”

3. John Klingberg

Age: 29
Position: Defence
2021-22 salary cap hit: $4.25 million

The latest: Much like Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm, a younger Klingberg signed a sweetheart team-friendly deal and is finally due a meaningful raise.

While Klingberg’s production has dipped from his 67-point performance in 2017-18, top-four right-shot blueliners who can play in all situations never fail to command bidding wars.

The Stars have already committed significant money to Miro Heiskanen ($8.45 million) for eight years, Esa Lindell ($5.8 million) for four, and Ryan Suter ($3.65 million) for four. Giving Klingberg his due will make for a pricy D corps in 2022-23.

In October, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reported that Klingberg was looking for a deal worth between $62 to $66 million on an eight-year term.

The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported in January that Klingberg had requested a trade in the fall, after extension talks hit a wall.

“I don’t think it’s entirely true. It’s not like I’ve been going out there and asking, ‘I want to get traded now,’ or something like that,” Klingberg responded. “It’s something that’s been going on with the negotiations and stuff like that. I’m not going to lie — it’s been a few frustrating years individually.

“Other guys have signed right before the season before. I wanted to do that as well. Lately, it has been going more quietly and quietly. For me, as a player, I don’t feel that I’ve been appreciated in that way when we don’t even negotiate. It’s quiet. For me, as a player, my agent, we talked to Jim a couple months back. He agreed that we could start talking with other GMs and see where we were at. Negotiation-wise, the Stars have been very quiet.”

Klingberg is coveted, but with the Stars in playoff contention, they held firm at the deadline.

Friedman suggested that Klingberg — a classic “own rental” — could ultimately sign with the Seattle Kraken.

“John has an opportunity to be a free agent, and I don’t blame him,” GM Jim Nill said. “He’s got to look after his family. He’ll see what the market is, and we’ll see what the market is, and get a feel for that and see if it’s a fit for both parties. It all depends on term and money. He knows where we’re at; I know where he’s at. He’s earned this right, and I give him full credit for that.”

With righty Tony DeAngelo leaving Carolina for Philadelphia, the Hurricanes are a favourite here.

Marek also floated the Senators as a dark horse, as Ottawa attempts to turn the corner.

4. Patrice Bergeron

Age: 36
Position: Centre
2021-22 salary cap hit: $6.875 million

The latest: Despite his age and potential retirement, Bergeron is still an all-world player. It would be disrespectful not to keep the Bruins captain and five-time Selke champ high on our list.

Bergeron announced in the fall that he’d skate out the final year of the eight-year, $55 million contract he inked with Boston back in 2013 before making a call on the next stage of his career.

His body has been through the spin cycle. There is a chance he simply retires elite.

Upon a Round 1 elimination by the Carolina Hurricanes, Bergeron said that were he to continue skating, he only has interest in Boston. But he wants time to rest and ponder signing a one-year deal with the B’s.

Club president Cam Neely wants to give the captain his space but would prefer an answer soonish.

“He understands that we have decisions to make coming up here,” Neely said. “I hope he feels good about his game still, because he had a pretty damn good year. So, hopefully he’s mentally prepared to have another one. You’ve got to give him some time to digest all that and talk with his family about it. But we have decisions to make coming up as well.

“It’s tough to find a Bergeron. Hopefully, he does come back. But if he doesn’t, we’ve got to go to work.” 

Speaking again in early June, Bergeron said he is in no rush to make a retirement call. 

“I still think I have a lot of time ahead of me to make that decision,” Bergeron said. “I’m going to make sure that I take all the time I need to make the right one.”

Then came this eyebrow-raising report from plugged-in Boston reporter Joe McDonald:

Sweeney won’t rush his first-ballot Hall of Famer into a choice. Still, what a pressure point for the organization.

“You could look at plans B and C and such, but let’s be honest: You don’t replace that type of player and what he means to our organization. That might take years to replace that player in that sense,” Sweeney said. “He’s given us indications that he’s not going to hold us up in terms of what we may have to do subsequent to making a decision. But to be perfectly honest, I don’t think there’s a timetable on it.”

5. Evander Kane

Age: 30
Position: Left wing / Right wing
2021-22 salary cap hit: $2.1 million

The latest: The Edmonton Oilers’ heavily debated signing of Kane was proven to be the most impactful midseason acquisition in hockey.

Not only did the top-six winger immediately contribute during the regular season — 22 goals and 39 points in 43 games — but through two rounds of the post-season, he led all goal-scorers and was averaging one even-strength point per game.

In recruiting Kane, GM Ken Holland asserted, “I believe in second chances.” That belief paid off in a bargain.

There is mutual interest in making Kane something more than a half-year rental, but the player has not been bowled over by Holland’s initial offer. (Hot tip: The Oilers may be eyeing winger Connor Brown out of Ottawa as a more affordable option.)

When Kane hired new agent Dan Milstein to negotiate his Oilers deal, roughly half the league expressed some level of interest in the sudden UFA. Interest will only spike after this playoff performance.

With Holland’s only other pending UFAs being depth skaters, Kane should join goaltending as a top priority this off-season.

“I’ve been very happy with my time here,” Kane told reporters upon elimination. “The fans have been phenomenal. The people in the city have been phenomenal. This has got to be the best organization I’ve played for. So, I have no complaints and, just like everybody else, I’m curious looking forward to see what happens.”

Holland’s take: “I can sign anybody. But someone’s gotta go,” the GM reasoned. “If you love everybody, somebody’s not staying.

“Can you keep him? I can keep anybody. But I can’t keep ’em all.”

Holland has permitted Kane to test the waters early.

In a text to The Associated Press, Kane’s agent, Daniel Milstein, wrote he’s opening talks with other teams while also continuing discussions with the Oilers.

Kane is reportedly seeking between $40 and $50 million on a long-term commitment. Holland is hesitant to go that deep.

6. Andrew Copp

Age: 27
Position: Centre / Wing
2021-22 salary cap hit: $3.64 million

The latest: Controlling his fate in Winnipeg and opting not to sign long-term, the steadily improving Copp was a sensible trade target for the New York Rangers.

Their hand forced, the Jets moved Copp plus a sixth-rounder to the Big Apple in return for Morgan Barron, two conditional second-round picks and a fifth-round pick in 2023.

One of those seconds improved to a first-rounder once Copp and the Blueshirts reached the Eastern Conference Final.

Bruising and productive, Copp only elevated his game since the deal. The versatile two-way forward cracked the 20-goal and 30-assist marks for the first time in his career. He proved even more valuable in the playoffs, skating more than 20 minutes a night, scoring big goals, and contributing to special teams.

The Rangers have decisions on a number of free agents — Justin Braun, Kaapo Kakko, Tyler Motte, Ryan Strome, Frank Vatrano — but with how seamlessly he’s fit in, Copp is worth keeping as more than a rental.

His new AAV should come in around $4.5 million.

Both Strome and Copp will hit the market, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post. Copp could circle back to the Blueshirts, but GM Chris Drury will explore other 2C options in the meantime.

7. Darcy Kuemper

Age: 32
Position: Goaltender
2021-22 salary cap hit: $4.5 million

The latest: Of brand-new GM Chris MacFarland’s 10 impending free agents — a list that includes Kadri, Nichushkin, Andre Burakovsky, and Josh Manson — Kuemper is now the most certain to leave. (No small wrinkle: MacKinnon will also become eligible to sign an extension this summer.)

By extending backup Pavel Francouz midseason (two years at $2 million a pop) and executing a trade-and-sign for projected starter Alexandar Georgiev (three years at $3.4 million), the Avalanche ensured two NHL goalies for a combined price that should come under Kuemper’s next deal.

Yes, Kuemper once again battled injuries, but his sparkling 37-12-3 record and .921 save percentage through 57 appearances gave the Avs stability. And 2022’s UFA market is incredibly thin on starters at the game’s most important position. He’ll reap plenty of interest.

The Cup champ’s reported ask — six years in the ballpark of Philipp Grubauer’s $5.9-million AAV — simply priced himself out of town.

The Washington Capitals are the believed frontrunner, with Edmonton and Toronto expressing interest as well.

8. Evgeni Malkin

Age: 35
Position: Centre
2021-22 salary cap hit: $9.5 million

The latest: Like Bergeron in Boston, there is a sense time is running out to win (again) with the aging core in Pittsburgh, and Malkin finds himself as the final UFA standing.

This excellent, in-depth dive by Rob Rossi into a testy situation gives great insight into the toll these sluggish talks have taken on the future Hall of Famer.

Even as Malkin slows down and his injury history piles up, his production has rebounded back to a point per game: 20 goals and 42 points over 41 games played in 2021-22.

A fitting comparable might be the deal veteran centre Joe Pavelski signed as a UFA in Dallas a few years back: three years, $21 million.

But with veteran teammate Kris Letang getting taken care of on a six-year term, Malkin wants something a bit longer.

Having raked more than $116 million in career earnings, Malkin said in December that his next deal wasn’t weighing on his mind.

“No, no, I’m not thinking about my contract. I’m not thinking about money. I’m, like, a pretty rich guy,” Malkin said with a smile.

“I know it’s a little bit not easy, but I want three, four more years. And I feel like I can.”

It’s weighing on his mind now.

Hextall reiterated at the draft that he intends to re-sign Malkin, and the GM spoke to the centre’s agent, J.P. Barry, again Sunday.

A gap remains, however, and competitors are sharpening their offers.

“I believe I am still a good player, and I believe good players sign good contracts. I hope we sign a good deal,” Malkin said at locker cleanout.

“I only can say right now I want to play, like, three or four years. Money is not a big deal, but I have family. I have parents. I want a good future for them.”

9. Jack Campbell  

Age: 30
Position: Goaltender
2021-22 salary cap hit: $1.65 million

The latest: Until it’s signed, the topic of Campbell’s next contract won’t go away.

There were reports that Leafs GM Kyle Dubas tiptoed into extension talks early in the season before Campbell’s stellar first-half performance vaulted him to his first all-star game nod.

A concerning post-Christmas dip in performance may have reduced his bargaining power and shaken his confidence, but Campbell rebounded nicely down the stretch and was the Leafs’ undisputed No. 1 in the post-season.

There has been mutual interest between player and club in extending the relationship. But at what cost?

“Winning here means everything to me,” Campbell said after the Round 1 defeat. “I love the city of Toronto, I love the fans, the support. My teammates are absolutely incredible, the coaching staff, really everything.

“I absolutely love being a Leaf.”

Would he take a little less than market value to remain one?

“As far as me loving the city and doing everything I can to stay here,” Campbell replied, “that’s up to Kurt and Kyle to discuss.”

Campbell’s career earnings fall under $4.2 million. This summer is his chance to hit it big.

With Campbell apparently pricing himself out of Toronto, the Edmonton Oilers are said to be willing to float an offer of five years and $25 million if he goes to market.

10. Claude Giroux

Age: 34
Position: Centre / Right wing
2021-22 salary cap hit: $8.275 million

The latest: When the all-in Florida Panthers adopted the former face of the Philadelphia Flyers, Giroux looked like he’d been playing in Sunrise his whole life.

Better than a point per game, the veteran added more firepower and another power-play weapon to a roster that has already established itself as the league’s most dangerous.

Then the Lightning came to town and unravelled the Presidents’ Trophy winners, their power play, and their pricy rentals.

Considering the price GM Bill Zito paid to bring Giroux into the fold, and considering the player handpicked his landing spot, one must imagine re-signing the accomplished playmaker will be a priority — even with the Panthers’ tricky cap situation.

“Florida was at the top of my list,” Giroux said. “If there was a team I wanted to go to, it was here. I had a chance to play against them three times this year, watched a few of their games. Asked around about the guys on the team, the coach, management, and I didn’t hear a lot of bad things. I’m just happy the deal got done.”

An opportunity to re-up will be there, as Zito is interested in extending the relationship.

But it’s complicated.

Zito must find out what star Jonathan Huberdeau (UFA 2023) is going to cost. The GM also would like to extend top-four defender Mackenzie Weegar (UFA 2023) sooner rather than later.

Giroux holds the leverage here, and more money and term is likely to be found elsewhere.

“As crazy as it might sound, I haven’t really talked about it or thought about it yet. I think it’s very important to have a few weeks to turn off the brain before you go back to thinking business, before you go back to training. A little time off is very important so you don’t go crazy,” Giroux told The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun on June 8.

“Me and my family, we’ll obviously talk about it, do a little bit of homework, and see how things are going. But I’ve definitely enjoyed my time in Florida.”

Two Canadian teams — Ottawa and Edmonton — keep popping up as likely pursuers of the Hearst, Ont., native’s services.

11. Ondrej Palat

Age: 31
Position: Left wing / Right wing
2021-22 salary cap hit: $5.3 million

The latest: Tampa Bay’s frontline winger flies under the radar through most of the winter but never fails to elevate his game (and his game-winners) when it matters most.

Who wouldn’t want a versatile, responsible game-breaker with two Cup rings and 94 points through his first 138 playoff games?

The Lightning are trying to keep Palat in the fold — hence the Ryan McDonagh trade to Nashville — and the organization loves its homegrown talent.

“It’s not July 13 yet,” BriseBois said at the draft. “Those guys may all be signed by then.”

But every decision GM Julien BriseBois makes this summer will be with an eye to accommodate his arbitration-elligible 2023 class of RFAs. Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak will all be in line for raises.

Does the underpaid Palat go the way Does the underpaid Palat go the way of Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow? (Nichushkin’s eight-year, $49-million windfall set quite a bar.) Or does he accept a shade less to remain with a contender in a tax-free state?

Flip a coin.

At this point, it appears Palat will at least sneak a peek at the other side. But so did Steven Stamkos.

12. Vincent Trocheck

Age: 29
Position: Centre
2021-22 salary cap hit: $4.75 million

The latest: The Carolina Hurricanes have already moved on from Tony DeAngelo but have decisions to make on UFAs Trocheck, Nino Niederreiter, Ian Cole and Max Domi.

Trocheck is a solid second-line pivot good for an easy 20 goals if healthy.

GM Don Waddell has expressed interest in re-signing his 2C, but there is risk committing major term for what could be his declining seasons, and Waddell has been loath to dish out term to his pending UFAs (see: Hamilton, Dougie).

Teams that miss out on Kadri and Malkin should look to Trocheck as a secondary option.

Naturally, the Pittsburgh native has already been linked to the Penguins.

More notable UFAs in 2022: David Krejci, Ben Chiarot, Brett Kulak, Reilly Smith, Phil Kessel, Mason Marchment, Alexander Radulov, David Perron, Rickard Rakell, Max Domi, Joe Thornton, P.K. Subban, Evan Rodrigues, Nick Leddy, Andre Burakovsky, Josh Manson, Nino Niederreiter, Ryan Strome, Paul Stastny, Ian Cole, Ilya Mikheyev, Justin Schultz, Alexander Edler, Martin Jones, Braden Holtby, Andreas Athanasiou, Michael Stone, Calle Jarnkrok, Marcus Johansson, Zdeno Chara, Colin White, Dylan Strome, Dominik Kubalik, Frank Vatrano, Jan Rutta, Ondrej Kase, Ilya Samsonov

All contract info via the indispensable CapFriendly.com.

Novak Djokovic and his spouse and children designed the most of their final times at Wimbledon this yr as his children ran all around an vacant Centre Court ahead of the Serbian paid tribute to the All England Club. 

Djokovic gained a fourth consecutive Wimbledon title against Australian poor boy Nick Kyrgios on Sunday afternoon, which introduced him to within just 1 of Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slams.

Djokovic’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 triumph also prolonged his impressive unbeaten run on Centre Courtroom – with his past loss at the 15,000-seater location back again in 2013 to Andy Murray.

But the Serbian had no intention of hurrying off right after winning the title and posed for photos on Monday early morning in advance of getting provided special accessibility to Centre Court docket.

With the trophy in hand, the 35-12 months-outdated viewed on as small children Stefan, 7, and Tara, 4, sprinted all-around Centre Court docket – which showed really small indication that the final experienced taken place significantly less than 24 several hours before.

Just after a few laps of the courtroom, Tara climbed onto Djokovic’s again and he gave her a piggyback on one ultimate trip around the famous venue.

Djokovic then built his way up to the iconic Centre Court docket balcony and posted a message to his Instagram followers.

Novak Djokovic and his loved ones had private entry to Centre Court on Monday morning

His children Stefan, 7, and Tara, 4, ran all-around the iconic venue much less than 24 hrs following his get

Djokovic gave his daughter a piggyback for one ultimate lap just after putting the trophy on the grass

He said: ‘Hello every person. Great Monday early morning. I am very blessed to keep this trophy when all over again.

‘I’m standing on likely the most popular balcony in the tennis entire world. A balcony on which I nonetheless haven’t had lunch or had a cup of tea. I hope that I am going to be ready to do that as a member in the potential.

The Serbian went up to the iconic balcony at Wimbledon to ship a information to his fans

‘It’s truly a exclusive area, particular club. I was just admiring and observing how, without the need of people, the club looks a lot more personal and scaled-down. But it’s undoubtedly the most special place in the tennis earth.

‘I am just honoured to be standing here when once more as a winner on Monday early morning. Hope to see you all all over again upcoming year and love your day.’

In spite of proving himself to be the most effective men’s player in the earth appropriate now, Djokovic finds himself relying on political intervention to carry on his period.

Really in which he will engage in up coming continues to be to be witnessed. Just after a few of low-vital months where most gamers get the chance for a split, the tour picks up all over again in North The us at the end of July with the tough-court docket swing forward of August’s US Open.

But the United States and Canada each however call for travellers to be entirely vaccinated from Covid-19 to enter, this means Djokovic, who has created it regularly distinct that he will not acquire the vaccine, faces an additional important gap in his program.

‘Whether or not I’m actively playing any match soon, I’ll surely be resting for the up coming couple of weeks due to the fact it has been pretty an exhausting and demanding period of time for me the last couple of months,’ he stated.

‘A great deal of tennis, which I was really delighted about. I acquired what I needed below. Then I will wait hopefully for some fantastic news from United states due to the fact I would really enjoy to go there. If that isn’t going to take place, then I have to see what the plan will seem like.’

Djokovic’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 acquire around Nick Kyrgios handed the him a fourth consecutive title

The elimination of position points from Wimbledon more than the barring of Russian and Belarusian players usually means Djokovic has dropped from three to 7 in the standings, while Kyrgios has slipped from 40 to 45.

Djokovic will not be overly involved about his put in the rankings and may well not engage in considerably yet again right until the tour returns to Europe in the autumn, with his spot at the ATP Tour Finals almost guaranteed by virtue of his Wimbledon victory.

Before on Monday, American tennis legend and BBC commentator John McEnroe insisted it would be ‘ridiculous’ for Djokovic to be denied entry into The usa.

‘These politicians are obtaining in the way as well significantly – they did it in Australia,’ the 63-12 months-old stated. Let the person appear in and engage in in the US. I necessarily mean arrive on. This is ridiculous. You can agree to be examined. There is obtained to be a way close to this.’ 

The Duchess of Cambridge presents the trophy to Djokovic in entrance of a packed Centre Courtroom

Djokovic spoke immediately after his victory on Sunday about the psychological toll his deportation from Australia in January took, and the three-year ban on returning to the state that is instantly imposed in these types of eventualities means he may well not be equipped to engage in an additional Grand Slam right until the French Open following spring.

The Serbian’s group have lived by it all with him, and mentor Goran Ivanisevic said: ‘It’s extremely emotional. If I can say it was a s**t year, a hard calendar year, specially for him, but also for us that had been near to him.

‘This was a large matter what transpired to him. We all envisioned from him immediately after a pair of months, ‘OK, fail to remember about Australia, let us go again and practice’. It is really not occurring like this. It took a lengthy time.

‘For some persons, they will not recuperate. They will hardly ever engage in tennis. This was a significant shock. It was a shock for me, and I was there. I was totally free. Picture for him.

‘Unbelievable how he recovered and how he got by way of that. It is actually for me heroic for the reason that it was not quick to digest all the things and come again to enjoy tennis.’