NHL Rumors: 2 Teams Trying Hard to Sign Free-Agent Evan Rodrigues

The Evan Rodrigues sweepstakes continue as the free-agent forward is arguably the best player left unsigned this summer. Rodrigues switched agents right before the free-agent market opened and some feel it's certainly slowed down the process to this point.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, two teams who continue to negotiate with Rodrigues' camp include the Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames. The Ducks are a transition team who could end up selling off some assets at the trade deadline, including defenseman John Klingberg who was signed to a one-year deal. Meanwhile the Flames have re-tooled on the fly and are going for the Stanley Cup.

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Rodrigues is an intriguing forward who has speed and skill. His contract last season was only for $1 million and he outplayed it tremendously. Rodrigues appeared in 82 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021-22, scoring 19 goals and recording 43 points. Great value for someone only making $1 million.

The Penguins don't appear interested in Rodrigues returning as they've re-signed Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Kasperi Kapanen, who all play right-wing. Jeff Carter is there for the third-line center role so E-Rod's out of the picture.