NHL Rumor Mill – June 6, 2020

by | Jun 6, 2020 | Rumors | 21 comments

Recent updates on the Red Wings and the latest on Chris Tanev in today’s NHL rumor mill.

RECENT RED WINGS SPECULATION

DETROIT FREE PRESS: In a recent evaluation of the Red Wings’ roster, Helene St. James doesn’t expect Jimmy Howard, Trevor Daley, Jonathan Ericsson will be back. They’re unrestricted free agents at the end of this season.

St. James believes restricted free agents Tyler Bertuzzi, Anthony Mantha, Robby Fabbri, and Adam Erne will be re-signed. Defenseman Madison Bowey was placed on waivers during the regular season, but there’s little risk in re-signing him for another year. RFA winger Brendan Perlini isn’t expected back.

Could the Detroit Red Wings pursue Torey Krug in this year’s UFA market? (Photo via NHL Images)

Winger Justin Abdelkader could face waivers next season if his performance doesn’t improve.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Matt Larkin observed the Wings will have about $35 million in salary-cap space for 2020-21. With only 11 players under contract, general manager Steve Yzerman will still have to spend even after re-signing key players like Bertuzzi and Fabbri.

Larkin wondered if the stage was set for Michigan native Torey Krug to join his boyhood club. The 29-year-old Boston Bruins defenseman is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin joins several pundits wondering if Yzerman might woo Krug home to the Wings. If the blueliner tests the UFA market and is keen to join the Wings, Yzerman could make a pitch.

Nevertheless, Yzerman recently said he’s looking at making sensible signings to provide his young core with some short-term experienced depth. If that’s the plan, he won’t be pursuing big-ticket UFA talent like Krug.

Even if Yzerman was willing to go that route, there’s no guarantee Krug or the other top UFA players will want to sign long-term deals with the rebuilding Wings.

LATEST ON CHRIS TANEV

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Chris Tanev feels at home with the Vancouver Canucks and hopes to stay. The 30-year-old defenseman has spent his entire NHL career with the Canucks, but he’s an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

Before the pandemic struck and cast everything in doubt, including next season’s salary cap, Tanev was considered a second priority for the Canucks to re-sign following goalie Jacob Markstrom and winger Tyler Toffoli. The blueliner said he can see players sign one-year deals in the hope the league’s finances improve next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates the Canucks have over $63.4 million invested in 14 players. Along with Tanev, Markstrom and Toffoli, Jake Virtanen, Josh Leivo, Adam Gaudette, Troy Stecher, and Tyler Motte must be re-signed or replaced.

Unless the Canucks shed a salary or two, they won’t have room for everybody, especially if they re-sign Markstrom and Toffoli. However, uncertainty over the league’s revenue could work in their favor if some of those free agents are willing to accept one-year deals at affordable prices.







21 Comments

  1. It’s so risky only signing for 1 year for the players, I think over the next couple of years players might go for term at a little less AAV

    • We can’t rule out that possibility.

      • Lyle, isn’t there a “buy in” for the Seattle team? Have the teams already received their share and if not, how much and when do they get? I know covid has caused much economic distress, but the league was looking good before that. TV contracts too. With no fans and nothing really going on, ratings should be pretty good once they get going. Hopefully, with the emergence of vaccines and treatments, fans will be back next year.

      • Seattle’s expansion fee is divided among the 31 existing team owners. It’s not counted as hockey-related revenue.

      • Ok. I looked it up and each owner will get close to 21 million. I don’t know how much they’ve lost this season, but that’s a nice chunk of change! I’m admittedly ignorant to the business side of things, but it seems like they bounced back ok after lockouts?

    • I disagree. If I were a player, I would gamble on myself. Sign short term in hopes that league revenue increases over the next year or two. Then, when the economy is back to normal, sign that lucrative long term deal.

      • If you’re a player that is also raising a family its not just gambling on yourself.

        I expect the quality of family life will be more heavily weighted than in the past for some players.

      • Yah doesn’t always work out, just ask Kevin Leblanc signed for a million after 56 pt season. Probably wished he pushed a bit harder now.

    • Hi BBB and Randino

      Torn on my thoughts re your two viewpoints.

      I can all but guarantee more thought and prudence will go into any contract signing decision.

      Each UFA situation is different… coming off injury? Just had an up/down year? Age?

      Generally I would posit that 25 – 27 year old UFAs might want to gamble on themselves more (take a 2 year contract in hopes of eco/Cap resurgence in 24 months) vs 28-31 year olds (who might take the stance that security with term is worth the extra $ in short term)

      Those UFAs in mid 30’s I think are predominantly (with some exceptions) going to be short term contracts

      I’ve not seen much in the way of Ovi contract talk… but he can be extended after this season ends…. *NOTE : even though he could actually sign the contract at 34; the extension will be a 35+ contract

      * Per Cap Friendly “ If a player signs a multi-year contract and is age 35 or older (as of June 30 prior to the year of the effective contract), ”

    • Hi BBB and Randino

      Torn on my thoughts re your two viewpoints.

      I can all but guarantee more thought and prudence will go into any contract signing decision.
      Each UFA situation is different… coming off injury? Just had an up/down year? Age?

      Generally I would posit that 25 – 27 year old UFAs might want to gamble on themselves more (take a 2 year contract in hopes of eco/Cap resurgence in 24 months) vs 28-31 year olds (who might take the stance that security with term is worth the extra $ in short term)

      Those UFAs in mid 30’s I think are predominantly (with some exceptions) going to be short term contracts
      I’ve not seen much in the way of Ovi contract talk… but he can be extended after this season ends…. *NOTE : even though he could actually sign the contract at 34; the extension will be a 35+ contract

      * Per Cap Friendly “ If a player signs a multi-year contract and is age 35 or older (as of June 30 prior to the year of the effective contract), ”

  2. Leaf fans. For playoff success the Leafs need players like Tyler Bertuzzi or Brandon Lemieux. We may have to give up some grace for grit but playoff hockey is all that counts.
    I know we cant do anything until this “season” ends but I would love to see some help for Hyman and Clifford in this regard for future playoff runs. Discuss.

    • The leafs had Brenden Lemieux and he couldn’t cut it.

    • Leafs had Lemieux he couldn’t cut it

  3. I would imagine the league will have to rework the salary cap situation. They had announced the cap will be going up, teams expected it too.
    The pandemic created a whole different reality which is unfortunate.
    But teams should have some kinda relief, the pandemic is different than bad decisions.

  4. Recent reports suggest the league and the PA could agree to artificially keep the cap at $81.5 million for the next couple of seasons until league revenue stabilizes. I think they’re trying to avoid both a mass sell-off of players in the trade market by cap-strapped clubs, as well as assuring a reasonable marketplace for UFA players.

    • If a reduction in the salary cap becomes necessary, the only fair thing to do would be for the players to accept a similar percentage reduction in pay. It would be a terrible thing for the game for teams to have to sell off players to meet a lower cap number. I know that this would not sit well with the NHLPA, but it would be the right thing to do. If not, then every UFA and RFA would end up paying the price. Older players might not find a job because teams might be forced to go with younger cheaper players.

    • Hey, Lyle, how about compliance buyouts as a way to hold on for a couple of years?

      • No indication yet the league and the PA are entertaining that option. I’m not saying they won’t, but don’t hold your breath.

      • Agree completely Lyle. If they go through yet another such buyout at what point does someone say we have to stop making it convenient for dumb GMs/owners to get out from under their mistakes? Otherwise, they’ll just keep doing it and, if necessary, wait for the next league reprieve.

      • It’s a stretch George to say that temporary tweaks to the economics of the game due to a global pandemic would become the status quo.

  5. Yes, George.