NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2020

by | Oct 8, 2020 | Rumors | 113 comments

A flooded goalie market plus the latest on Taylor Hall, Tyson Barrie and more in today’s NHL rumor mill.

FLOODED MARKET FOR NHL GOALIES

Lots of interest in Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom as free agency nears (NHL Images).

  NHL.COM: Dan Rosen reports a number of goaltenders could be on the move when the 2020 NHL free-agent market opens on Friday at noon ET. Washington’s Braden Holtby, Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom, former New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Chicago’s Corey Crawford, the New York Islanders’ Thomas Greiss, Dallas’ Anton Khudobin, Calgary’s Cam Talbot and Edmonton’s Mike Smith are among the notables. In addition, the Vegas Golden Knights are attempting to trade Marc-Andre Fleury after re-signing Robin Lehner last weekend.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Canucks are still trying to re-sign Markstrom. The Flames and Oilers could have interest if he hits the open market. LeBrun didn’t rule out the Flames circling back to Talbot.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes Markstrom’s been at the top of Oilers’ general manager Ken Holland’s wish list for some time. It could cost six years at $6 million annually to get it done. Matheson believes Holland will have to find a trade partner for Mikko Koskinen and his $4.5 million annually over the next two years.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson has Markstrom at the top of his list of potential Flames’ free-agent targets.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks cites sources claiming Lundqvist will sign with the Washington Capitals on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights’ efforts to move Fleury are likely affected by the glut of goalies in the upcoming free-agent market. They could be forced to wait until the bigger names (Markstrom, Holtby, Lundqvist, Crawford) are off the market before finding any potential suitors. They’re reportedly attempting a three-way trade in which a third team picks up a chunk of Fleury’s cap hit, but they were only offering a second-round pick as a sweetener before the draft.

I can’t see the Oilers signing Markstrom unless they can move Koskinen. While his cap hit might be more affordable to clubs with cap space seeking goalie depth, teams will likely want something worthwhile packaged with him. The Flames, on the other hand, could get it done, though the cost to their cap space could make it difficult to re-sign or replace UFA blueliners like TJ Brodie and Travis Hamonic.

It’s believed Lundqvist has a one-year agreement with the Capitals. The reason it hasn’t been announced yet is he cannot officially sign with another NHL club until the UFA market opens tomorrow. We’ll find out tomorrow if he’s heading to Washington for next season.

There’s been little word about possible suitors for Holtby. The decline in his performance over the last two years likely has something to do with that. It doesn’t mean Holtby won’t be signed but it is interesting to note that a former Vezina Trophy winner with a Stanley Cup championship on his resume hasn’t garnered much chatter in the rumor mill.

LATEST ON HALL, BARRIE, SHATTENKIRK AND SAAD

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun expects the Nashville Predators to be among the clubs to pursue Taylor Hall via free agency tomorrow. The 28-year-old winger is heading to market after he and the Coyotes failed to reach an agreement on a new contract. LeBrun also believes the Columbus Blue Jackets could be interested.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson has Hall among his list of potential Flames free-agent targets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hall is reportedly willing to sign a one- or two-year deal and is expected to take his time evaluating offers before reaching a decision. Cap Friendly indicates the Predators now have $17.6 million in cap space after trading Nick Bonino yesterday to Minnesota and buying out Kyle Turris and Steven Santini.

They could face competition from a Cup contender with lots of cap space like the Colorado Avalanche, who could be willing to ink Hall to a one-year deal. If the Flames sign Markstrom, they won’t have enough cap room to chase Hall.

LeBrun reports the Flames, Oilers and Anaheim Ducks could have interest in Toronto defenseman Tyson Barrie. The Ducks could also pursue Kevin Shattenkirk but he’d like to remain with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Gilbertson has Barrie at No. 4 on his list of potential Flames free-agent options.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson thinks Barrie would be atop the Oilers’ list of free-agent defensemen because he could run their powerplay if Oscar Klefbom is out for the season with a shoulder injury. However, he believes they’d only offer him a one-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite Barrie’s struggles last season with the Maple Leafs, some feel he can regain his form as a puck-moving defenseman away from the harsh Toronto spotlight. We’ll find out soon enough how much interest he’ll draw as a free agent.

The Lightning would probably love to re-sign Shattenkirk. However, they’ve got limited cap space and must re-sign Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev.

LeBrun reports several clubs have contacted the Chicago Blackhawks about winger Brandon Saad. The Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche are believed among those expressing an interest.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saad might be available if the Blackhawks need to free up some cap space to re-sign or replace Corey Crawford. He has a year remaining on his contract worth an annual average value of $6 million but also carries a 10-team trade list.







113 Comments

  1. Considering Jim Rutherford had very little leverage he made a pretty nice deal with Ottawa yesterday.

    Flames aren’t going anywhere until Brad Treliving realizes that the goalie position is somewhat pretty important.

    And what happened to all of the trades that were supposed to happen? Maybe after things shake out following Friday???

    • @dennis… I agree I thought Rutherford made a decent deal with Matt Murray..

      I always thought Calgary would be a good spot for Matt Murray…good defensive team.

  2. Barrie will want to go to a contender and WPG comes to mind BUT DET comes to mind to pair with DeKeyser as their top pair to buy time for their younger core D men. He might like the less pressure to just play his game there and not be forced into being a player he is not.

    Totally see King Hen-Rik in WSH

    With cap space still think Bernier to VGS for Fluery , 2nd and prospect makes sense for both. DET ends up eating only half salary and still gets pick and prospect.

    • “Barrie will want to go to a contender and WPG comes to mind BUT DET comes to mind to pair with DeKeyser as their top pair to buy time for their younger core D men.”

      Hell no, please.

      “With cap space still think Bernier to VGS for Fluery , 2nd and prospect makes sense for both. DET ends up eating only half salary and still gets pick and prospect.”

      HELL NO, please.

      • They need a goalie for 2 years for expansion draft purposes no??

        Bernier is only signed 1 year

        Whhy worry about negotiaating again when you can have the roster spot to expose

        AND pick up draft capital and prospect depth?? They key to the move is getting picks and prospects.

        especially since DET is trying to rebuild.

        Flower can carry the next 2 years while DET goes and finds a goalie for long term in the meantime.

      • Cause maf burned those wings so bad. And honestly…. maf has a shot at number three or even two at wins ever. Why would he want to go to Detroit?

  3. An interview with Treliving yesterday said there is caution in the market place.
    I am now not sure how active Friday.Saturday is going to be for UFA signings
    Nashville is teeing it up for something. I am betting Hall

    • The question is, why would Hall want to go to Nashville, the team his anemic Coyotes eliminated in the qualifying round? To me, if he wants to win a Cup, that doesn’t make sense. There are better options for him if he’s going to sign a short-term deal to try to win right now.

  4. PREDS – Hall

    I cant believe that the Preds have $17 million in cap space …and the quality roster that they have in the top 6 and the top 4 D men along with 2 quality goalies and a Norris Trophy winner D man !

    If other teams are offering Hall a 1 or 2 year deal and the Preds go at him hard and give him term and $8 – $9 million AAV …he would be remiss to turn that down ..he will have the opportunity to swap Centres on a double shift with Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen …that’s a pretty sweet opportunity ..what kind of numbers could he put up with the option to play with 2 legit top 1A centres…

    Even if the Preds give him the bank they still have most of this team locked up for 7 years and have a good sum of money left over not to mention Rinne and his $5 million come off the books next season as well …wow Poile does a masterful job ..the best in the BIZ by far !

    this team has a legit 1 A Top 6 and a legit top 1 A 4 D pair..better than most in the league through and through .. underachieved for sure …but not to be underestimated

    adding Hall will give them a 2 line threat forcing other teams to play there checking lines more in a full game…if they can round out the bottom 6 with size and skating ability they could wear own teams and contend better next season if there is one …built in the image of the Bolts and Vegas ..

    Just a friendly reminder on what Dubas gave up for Barrie and Kerfoot ..also by doing this they had no choice but to give away Marleau with another 1st round 2020 pick to make the money work for Barrie and Kerfoot.

    Kadri Rosen and a 2020 3rd overall pick

    A legit 2nd & 3rd line centre on an amazing contract that plays a physical game ..which now they need…

    Dubas doesn’t capitalize on Barrie and gets NOTHING for him ..at trade deadline last year even though the Leafs were sitting outside of the playoffs !!
    W T F …they knew that he would not be resigned at that time !! YOU HAVE TO GET SOMETHING !

    then Dubas extends Kerfoot for only $1 million more than Kadri …such a vast difference in player!

    SO ….You loose Kadri got nothing for Barrie .
    loose a 2020 3rd over all pick and now have Kerfoot for only $1 million more than Kadri …WOW… Nice JOB !

    Kadri goes on to have the most game winning goals ..the most power play goals ..and 13th for over all points in 2020 playoffs.

    So lets summarize…

    To acquire Barrie and Kerfoot they had to give up

    Move Marleaus contract ..and a 1st …to make room

    2020 1st round pick – Carolina
    2020 3rd Round Pick – Colorado

    Nazem Kadri
    Patrick Marleau
    Cale Rosen

    After all that hey are now left with Kerfoot …LMAO ..Nice !

    Cheers… take care

    • Taylor Hall had a great season in 2017 and then has been mediocre since. Any GM that would give him 9 million for one year, let alone with term, would be insane. That’s Dubas territory. No GM is going to do that in this fiscal climate.

      • @ L j

        I am pretty sure this “board man” is going to get paid !

        he will get the money !

      • @ Kal El: We won’t have to wait long to find out. If Nashville does sign him he joins an increasingly long list of expensive players with spotty performance:

        Johansen, Turris, Duchene, Subban, and Simmonds are recent acquisitions who have underperformed in Nashville. Adding Hall to that list with term and money could spell the end of Poile.

      • One thing people forget when they comment on Taylor Hall is that he has never played with a good team. If he plays with the AVS /Boston watch out ,you wont see a mediocre season from him. I think he will light it up on a good team with great line mates.

    • Kal El, of course it’s the same old story … truth always is the same old story … and the truth is, Dubas is badly out of his depth … how in Hell does running a back-water Major Junior franchise automatically make one a sure-fire NHL GM at an age when you simply cannot possibly have built up a wealth of related experience

      Arizona learned that harsh lesson with their “boy wonder” GM

      • Wow, George, suddenly you’re nasty about the Leafs. What’s going on?
        BTW your comments need to go to Brendon Shanahan. Would you have said the same about Mark Hunter and the London Knights?
        Anyway, George, your GM is awesome so enjoy the ride. Is Dorion the same guy that Sens fans wanted to fire not so long ago? Just asking.

      • Nah BCLeafFan – just can’t understand how anyone can realistically claim Dubas has generally done a good job since taking over and defend his moves.

        Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Rielly, Johnsson, Hyman, Dermott, Holl all were drafted by someone else. Yes he did trade for Muzzin which is a plus, but the credit for getting Tavares to sign is owed more to the bottomless financial pit known as TMLSE than any shrewd negotiations and the ability to give him a ton of cash up front that 99% of the league can’t do.

        As for his draft record, so far – insofar as Round 1 is concerned – it’s consisted of two who have yet to show they can be everyday NHLers (Sandin and Liljegren), with 1 pick traded away to Carolina, and now Amirov, a smallish if skilled F who they won’t see for at least two years – while ignoring his own-stated biggest needs.

        He also painted himself in a cap hell corner by caving in to Nylander and over-paying a good – but not THAT good – Mitch Marner. And I’m not the only one who has questioned the viability of those moves.

        He’s also apparently been given free rein by Shanahan and ownership whereas Dorion who you mention – has his own admitted warts – but has often had to work with one hand tied behind his back.

        And, I suppose, I also have to admit that I think the move in some quarters to start hiring figure-filberts who rely almost totally on analytics to justify their every move is a mistake (as Arizona has painfully discovered and – I’m sorry to say – I think Toronto will too). And again, I am not the only one thinking along those lines – some others who do are devoted Leafs fans.

        What really kills me is when THEY are attacked for not supporting each and every team decision without question. Like it’s some kind of sacred duty.

    • I agree. The Kadri trade was a bad idea from the get go. Kadri was the only guy that had any balls on the team….not sure there’s a $6.5M difference between Kadri and Tavares?

      Barrie was not the D-man to target on COL…should have been Johnson or Zadorov.

      The Leafs would have been better off trading Johnsson or Kapanen last year and sliding Kadri to LW with Tavares and Nylander…then find a 3C

      The Marleau mess was created by Lamareillo but Dubas overpaid to get rid of him.

      • Lou didn’t sign an 11 million dollar ufa to play 2C long term behind Mathews . That was Dubas , which created the need to offload Marleau . I don’t understand how Lou gets the blame , he had a plan . Dubas also had a plan and acted on it, causing the cap crunch .
        Lou should have never given the 3rd year the sharks wouldn’t at the tine but I’m sure that was a number and timeline he was comfortable with. He would have considered the upcoming contracts to Marner Mathews and nylander but clearly didn’t plan to have 11 million added to payroll On any ufa

    • I think you need some life help because you are one grumpy guy. Just be happy you root for a team that can compete and has legit good players. Toronto sucked bad for like 30 years straight. Everyone thought the trade was great at the time, 3rd line center for 3rd line center and 1st RHD, thats amazing, barrie didn’t work out, oh well was only for a year

      • Craig— you’re right, Lou didn’t sign Tavares. But he did sign Marleau and Zaitsev to brutal contracts.

        Don’t forget that plenty of teams were lining up to sign Tavares…for more $$

        Dubas should have kept Kadri and unloaded Johnsson or Kapanen for defensive help. By defensive help I mean a guy that can actually play defence.

    • Kal,

      The Shanaplan!!!

    • Would love to have Kadri back for LW with Tavares and Marner. It was a bad trade.

    • Wrong… less money 🙄

  5. I still think Hall even considering a 1 year contract is absolutely foolish

    He could score quite a large 1 year contract but a career ending injury then completely ends his NHL earnings ….

    1 @ $10 M???? And then he is negotiating his next contract to start at 30…. to risky IMHO

    He’d be better off signing a 7 @ $7 M now… 1 @ $10 M gets him ahead of the game if he stays healthy ; but risks $10 M and done; and even if healthy … would a team then at 30 years… offer him 6 @ $8 M… that would likely be the absolute top end IMHO

    So… a maybe $58 M (10 followed by 6 @ $8 M) with a risk of $10 M and then done (with a career ending injury)…. or guaranteed $49 M (7 @ $7 M) .. also don’t forget … whatever part of the $10 M that is Sal … will have 20% ($2M) gone in Escrow… if it’s Avs.. a quick look at CapFreindly shows that Joe basically only signs Sal contracts (no SBs)

    Taylor… don’t do the 1 year thing!!

    • @ PENGY

      I posted about this a few days ago ..could not agree more ..if he goes this way he is being very misguided by his agent BIGTIME!

      I have not read any past posts what was your thoughts on Murry deal ?

      I like Jarry and De Smith for next season..no problem there…for a combined $5 million.
      Pretty good tandem at that cost !

      Pens still need to shore up the D …what do you think about a few players such as Bogosian or Gudas on a one year low level cost…to bring some bite back there !

      Cheers take care !

      • Hi Kal El

        Let’s hope for Hal’s sake he takes the prudent path

        Re Murray deal… at first I was very disappointed as the posts I read and texts I rec’d said the prospect would never play in the NHL

        So basically a late 2nd for Murray… was not enough

        Then there were a couple of posts on here that said he could eventually play bottom 9 wing… so if that is true.., then OK

        Re Jarry/DeSmith…. Certainly comfortable with Jarry; much less so with DeSmith… big risk is if one or both of those two go down to injury … leaving Larmi (more ECHL games than AHL, and poor numbers at that) as the back up… or starter (if something happens to both DeSmith and Jarry)

        I’d rather Jimbo sign a little better back up (no more than $2M) and send DeSmith back to WBS

        Re Pens and D…. just really need 3RD …. at reasonable hit… could play Riikola or Pierre Olivier Joseph or Czuczman on their off sides…. must NOT be Ruhweedel 🤬😡

        If they got a low risk contract hit of say $1M on one of Benning; Bowey or Stetcher… might be worth the add

        If they could somehow get Psyk for $2M (a stretch as he’s coming off $3.5 M) that would be an Uber bonus in that he is only one of maybe 3 guys in the entire NHL that is equally comfortable at D and W… Panthers did have him play a load of D this year and CapFreindly has him showing as a D list on Panthers… but I watched him pot a Tre as a winger when he was in town to play Leafs earlier this year… and I was impressed

      • You would love Benning if the Pens can sign him. I’m actually hoping Holland can resign him for about the same that he was his previous contract, $1.9 million aav. With the flat cap Holland can afford to qualify him for around the $3 million that is needed.
        He’s a very underrated bottom pairing d-man, even among Oilers fans. He has been a plus d-man every year and has a very hard shot. He won the Oilers hardest shot the last couple years in their skills competition.
        He can also play on the bottom power play and penalty killing units.

      • Kahun and Duclair are available! Go get one GMJR. Put one on McCann’s left wing with Tanev on the other side. Save Poulin for injury call up.

      • Hi KevJam

        Thanks for the info… I’m guessing then from your assessment of Benning that Holland feared an Arb award North of $3M … which he likely could not have fit in

        The QO only had to be $2M… which I believe Holland could have fit in… and any unmanageable Arb award he could have walked away from (if Holland selected 1 year Arb) which would have left Benning UFA.., as he is right now… with rights to talk to 30 other teams

        I would still like to see him as a Pen or Leaf

        From CapFreindly re QOs:

        “ The qualifying offer is calculated from the players base salary (NHL salary minus signing bonus), and at minimum must meet the seasons minimum salary requirements:

        110% of the base salary if the base salary is less than or equal to $660,000

        105% of the base salary if the base salary is greater than $660,000 or less than $1,000,000. However, this qualifying offer cannot exceed $1,000,000.

        100% of the base salary if the base salary is equal to or greater than $1,000,000.”

      • @ Pengy

        I hear you about some of the names mentioned ..I am suggesting Gudas and Bogosian as they will come in at roughly the same price ..IMO as some of the players you mentioned but with greater experience lower term and a physicality that the team will need ! out of all the ones you mentioned id take Pysyk if he comes in at a 1 year deal to prove himself but I like the other 2 better on a team such as the Pens ..

        Pens need more physicality on back end !

      • Hi Kal El

        No challenge whatsoever on Gudas physicality… but I’m not a fan of his style of play at all

        JJ was also physical…. it’s the mistakes (like JH) that I’m not comfortable with in Goudas’s game

        Add to that.. he oft takes bad penalties at the wrong time that results in a GA

        Bogasian … less physical than Gouda but certainly carries his weight… better of the two IMHO … but certainly not a game changer

        I still think a reasonable 3RD shores up the D

        DCM829… Duclair on 3rd line… yes please… but I think it’s not in the budget

        Kahun cheaper and already familiar with the players/team/style… is he peeved for being traded? Would he consider signing back

      • For the love of scrod please please don’t turn chad into the next jj. Pretty please 🙏

      • Scrod?
        Is that like a fish thing?

      • Hi Chrisms

        Great point

        I agree… they better not turn CR into a JJ… this one is easy for them… they can waive him and bury him… no risk in losing him (no worries if they do)… once in WBS… he can’t be a JJ because he won’t ever be on the ice with the big Pens

        I hope Sully and Jimbo are listening to you… I can’t believe they kept him up… no skin off his paycheque… he gets the same if he is in the press box or on the bus with WBS

        I don’t know what CR has on Jimbo (compromising pics??)….. paid to sit in the press box for 60 plus games in 18/19; re-upped with a raise BTW; a full year before UFA… when there wasn’t, isn’t, and won’t be any other team interested in his services; ever

        They already said options on 3RD are Pierre Olivier Joseph and Riikola (each able to play on their “off” side) instead of CR… so let’s hope they keep their word and don’t play him and turn him into a JJ

        I’d love to see Benning or Psyk or Stetcher at 3RD if they could be fit in

        Bowey also an option

        Psyk’s bonus is that he can play RD and RW equally well…. so he can be used in many places on the roster

  6. An interesting tweet from Allan Walsh. “Undrafted players make up the biggest percentage of players in the NHL outside of those drafted in the top 2 rounds.”

    round 1 36.7%
    round 2 16.9%
    round 3 8.6%
    round 4 8.0%
    round 5 6.2%
    round 6 5.1%
    round 7 4.2%
    Undrafted 14.4%

    Don’t give up in the name of Torey Krug there could be a $7m pay day waiting.

    • Neat numbers. Draft should absolutely be reduced to 3-4 rounds and let those others be Ufas.

    • Pengy— I’m also hoping the Leafs sign Benning as an UFA. A contract similar to Holl would be great…$2M AAV.

      Leafs still need somebody to play with Reilly. I’m wondering what it would take to pry Pesce from CAR?

      Andersen, Johnsson, for Pesce?

      • Hi Daryl

        Benning at 2RD moving Holl to 3RD would be great

        To get a 1RD… not enough space unless one of the top 4 move… it won’t be JT or AM

        and MM Cap hit basically precludes everybody

        So it would have to be WW

        WW for Pesce is fair but that leaves Car with only one true RD… Hamilton… don’t see Car making the trade

        WW to Flyers for Meyers and Frost(that’d make his Dad’s day)… Meyers not quite 1RD … but could potentially get there

        WW for Pullock would rocket Leafs up the contenders list IMHO

        The penultimate is WW foe Ekblad…. that immediately makes Leafs an Atlantic Div challenger (for 1st in Div)

  7. Re Hall: “He’d be better off signing a 7 @ $7 M now …”

    With WHO? Man, every newspaper and network worth their salt is commenting – finally and almost without exception – that the relative lack of trades to this point is directly related to extreme caution dictated by ownership following the double-barrel blast of a flat cap for who knows how long, and the absolute uncertainty over fan attendance, never mind the viability of having any semblance of a regular season.

    And with the pandemic going through the roof all over the world you can bet we’ll soon be hearing about outbreaks within those European leagues that think they are somehow immune.

    It will NOT be business as usual – not for a very long time. Sure, in “normal” times a stance like Hall is taking would be viewed as insane … but maybe Hall simply sees the writing on the wall and figures 1 year at a good chunk is a helluva lot more pragmatic than finding an idiot willing to give him that kind of money over 7 years.

    • Yep. This is a place for fantasy and fun but even so some of the suggestions are so far removed from practicality they are pointless.

      With the incandescent reality of the cap and cratering of revenue, it is a buyer’s market folks. Surely you can acknowledge that the GMs know this.

    • Hi George

      I agree that there certainly won’t be a flood of 7 @ $7 M starting offers (if any).., but if there was one… to me … he should definitely take that over 1 @ $10 M (if there is any team willing to do that)… way to risky

      Absolutely with you re eco times and highly likely much lower contract offers… but I stick by my assertion that 1 year offer should not be jumped upon , at all

      I have very strong confidence that at least 10 teams could (and would want to) find a way to offer 7 @ $5 M for Hall

      None will offer 7 @ $10 M

      So with that logic … there should be multiple 6 plus year contract offerings that have AAV’s North of $5 M but less than $9 M… the closer to $5M … the higher the number of offers

      He then has to compare that to a possible 1 yr deal at/near $10 M, that realistically can only come from two possible contenders.. Avs and Preds

      I’m thinking that the double buyout by Preds gives them an opportunity to offer a multi-year deal to Hall…. with the added bonus of the tax advantage being in Tenn.

      Preds have shown that they are not shy of doing SBs (see Duchene contract)…. so a Poile starting an offer of :

      $1M Sal each year for Sal for 6 years; with SBs totaling $33.5 M spread out.. AAV of $6.5 M …. is certainly not unfathomable even in this economic climate

      • The Duchene contract – like a lot of other bloated ones – was done pre-Covid … my contention is that the pandemic has made it a brand new ball game and for GMs to spend the same way now in the face of all the doubt would be simply insane. And I think the owners will not allow it. The message will be – since we won’t be allowed to have fans in the building anyway and only God knows which of the TV sponsors will be able to continue spending millions in advertising – ice a team of 23 that is somewhere south of the flat cap limit.

  8. If you are an NHL owner or GM, you have to be asking — Where are the revenues going to come from? It is reasonable to assume that there will be some reduction in arena receipts; even in “open” communities and with a vaccine there will be some reduction, perhaps a lot. TV revenues vary market to market, and the ratings for the playoffs don’t suggest a bonanza from the national broadcasts. Owners with other businesses may find those suffering as well. There is little question that playing pro sports will be better that bagging groceries, but the dollars flowing into the game may be limited in many ways for many years.
    If hockey can find an industry wide way to make adjustments gracefully, and allow everyone to share fairly in any sacrifice needed, it will likely be the only sport that does. The soft market for FA’s now is, I think, the tip of an iceberg of caution as we assess the future if sport in an pair of economies that may take several years to recover, and take a different shape when they do.
    I think a number of FA’s will take modest pay to stay in known & comfortable surroundings for a year or two, either they are getting a head start on a long term adjustment or the real big payday will be there for the first “normal” year.

    • good post Richard

      • Great post Richard … some truly are unable to discern there is a forest encompassing all those trees

      • Hi Richard

        With you

        Some (Stress some) of the uncertainty in rev has been mitigated via new CBA with big increases to Escrow (players know that they aren’t getting any of that large chunk in escrow; back) plus 10% deferral

        More “sharing” I expect will come from (talking here in generalities and certainly not inferring these points apply to all contracts):

        Lower AAVs

        Less long term contracts

        Less % age of total contract in SBs and or SBs more back end loaded in longer term contracts

        Longer term (4 or more years) contracts structured more in mid years; less first and last years

        More retirements … positions filled by ELCs (Average overall age of NHL player … going down slightly)

        Fewer contracts that are left void of injury insurance protection

        Maybe a couple more buyouts today… more buyouts in next years buyout window

        Average Cap hit of new mid 6 Fs and mid pairing Ds proportionately diminished in avg. value more than top lines and top pairing

        Goalie UFA contracts hid hardest in drop of overall avg Cap hit

    • I will go one step further and say there are many players who are going to have to accept near league minimum just to stay in the league.
      Check the list of UFA d-men , some who were recently making 2+ million a year could be looking @ 700k offers, take it or leave it.

      https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2021/caphit/all/defense/ufa

    • 55% of revenue for NHL is attendance. I believe that’s is why it has already moved from December to January. That is also why many GM’s are stating “when the season starts” not sure they can without any paid bums in seats

  9. Don’t expect the Leaf s to do anything. Nothing has changed with dubas. All his draft picks are undersized,wizards with the puck that get clobbered in the heavy going. He will not sign a heavy hitting d’man, it is all just talk

    • Unless they are a top line forward or a top pairing d-man those tough to play against guys are acquired by trade. For example look at T-Bay. The year after they got swept by the Blue Jackets they went out and signed Maroon. The same guy the Oilers acquired at the trade deadline for cheap the season they went to the conference semifinals.

      • But somebody had to draft Maroon first – in this case it was Philadelphia in the 6th round of the 2007 draft … and it wasn’t until 2013 – 6 years later when he was 25 – that he got any kind of a full-season chance in the NHL in Anaheim

      • Hi CrazyCanuck and Kevjam

        With KevJam wrt moves for cup runs in next year or two (size , grit , D)… can be addressed with UFAs

        That said… you can’t, IMHO, have the majority of your prospect pool all cut from the same mould… very small, speedy forwards

        They absolutely did not need to grab Amirov at 15… I really believe the much much better choice would have been Guhle (Habs got @ 16) or Schneider (Rangers … 19th)

        I don’t get the Amirov pick

      • Pengy, have you – or anyone else reading this – heard anywhere that, had Dubas not taken Amirov at 15 that he would NOT have been available at 59 or even 64?

        For any Columbus fans tuning in, the same question applies to Chinakhov at 21 – is anyone saying he wuld not have been there at 78 or, in his case, even at 114?

      • I have George. Bill Placzek, who comments on here on occasion, had him floating between 19 & 25 this year on his draft board.
        The ESPN draft analyst was on 1260 the day before the draft and when asked who he thought would make the biggest jump up the draft board on day 1, he said Amirov.
        Chinakhov, never heard of him.
        If I was Leafs GM I take one of the big mobile D that went later.

      • Thanks Ray. That at least makes the pick a more plausible one than the one taken by Columbus – and I agree – if a smooth skating, skilled but small F was seen as one of their primary needs I could see him going there … but even the most die-hard fan knows that that is NOT the case. They need to find – somewhere – big, nasty D-men who can play without killing you in other ways and since no one is going to trade any to them, and they simply don’t have the funds to buy one off the UFA heap, that leaves drafting as his only source.

      • Hi George

        They made it quite clear that they expected absolutely no other team to even think about Chinakov before 4th round… he would have been available at 78

        Re Amirov… with Ray… I had heard the panel talk about him in the 20-25 range… most rankings had him in the 20’s

        I think the lowest I saw was McKenzie had him at 19

        The old adage is you pick the best player available… Dubas didn’t

        He should have picked Guhle and if his argument was he’d rather have a rightie… Schneider

  10. Frank Seravalli said yesterday that the Oilers might be the front runner for Markstrom. He also said the that the Flames have kept the communication lines open with Talbot and that he’s their fall back. Which would make sense considering their other needs as well.
    For the Oilers they also have the option to buyout Neal and putting Klefbom on LTIR to open up cap space.
    I’m always nervous when my team is looking for a goalie. Look at Bishop, he was great for a few seasons and then the last 2 he has declined. Same with Holby. Markstrom’s numbers have been average up until last season. So was last season an anomaly? Koskinen’s numbers were almost identical to Markstroms numbers last season, so just how much of an upgrade is Markstrom from Koskinen. Koskinen did play just 5 regular season games less than Markstrom, so not to sure how that would have played into the stats.
    When it comes to goalies, I just don’t know.

    • @ KEV JAM

      I hear y about the Oilers and your worries about going after Markstrom….I think there is 2 big things different with Markstriom and Koskinen ..that I would rather take my chances on Markstrom ..

      1)
      I think Markstrom is a very central figure in a locker room and seems to take on a leadership roll that the Oilers seem to be missing on the back end. Very good communicator!

      2)
      What impressed me with Markstroms play this year was 2 big huge factors …his laterl amovment and his NEVER SAY DIE on a play …his fight to make a save when there was no way to make that save was unreal this year in his play …I think if he keeps that up ..he is the better choice
      IMO …every starting NHL goalie has a sweet spot of a few years in there career I think Markstrom is hitting that right now !

      Cheers take care

      • Yeah, I have heard good things about Markstrom and his attitude on and off the ice from Canuck fans.
        Thanks Kal El.

      • Kal,

        Markstrom put up really good numbers playing behind a pretty weak defence in Vancouver.

      • Personally, I would rather have seen Dorion get Markstrom than taking a chance on Murray … but what’s done is done, so now we hope and pray it doesn’t backfire

      • how about

        to EDM: Markstrom (sign & trade) & Sutter
        to VAN: RNH

        sign one of the goalies in the flooded market to backup Demko

      • As an Oilers fan, I would prefer to keep RNH with Koskinen, than not have RNH with Markstrom and Sutter. Sutter doesn’t play enough games to make any difference as a third line centre.
        Beside, why not wait till tomorrow and then you can sign Markstrom and keep RNH. 😉

    • Your not the only one who doesn’t know about goalies KevJam.
      It is a volatile position.
      The best guys all of a sudden suck -Bob.
      Guys come out of nowhere and win a cup -Binnington.
      They are great, then they suck, then great again – Price.
      You’re 100% right about Koskinen vs Markstrom.
      There is not a big difference in #’s or age.
      IMO – The Oil need to defend better, and get a 1B for Koskinen. When he plays a ton, he isn’t as good historically. The Oil are in no position spend over $10M combined on tenders.

      • Greiss is EDM’s best option to pursue. like a 1B who cant carry the whole season but has stretches of solid play.

        Comes cheaper adn keeps cap space to better round out that roster to defense all 200 feet.

      • except King Hen-Rik… always a class act and King!! 🙂

      • Or Talbot IHC as he seems to have found his game again. The organization knows him, and he knows them. Well liked as a team mate.
        He was really good for a 4 year stretch, struggled for a couple years, good again last year.
        As good a bet as any.

  11. Can’t wait for tomorrow. All this talk of possible trades is getting overwhelming. One thing for sure I can predict…. Dubas will serve yet another completely ineffective as Leafs GM. There must be a curse on Leafs upper management or some chip inserted in each manager’s brain to avoid defense at every turn! This poor defense has plagued us long before Dubas arrived and will likely continue after he is gone. I lived in Ontario from 1999-2002 and Toronto had a very good team under Pat Quinn….. I miss him!

    • Steven,

      Dubas strikes me as a kid playing NHL21 in GM mode.

  12. Wennberg being bought out. Add another FA.

    • He could be a reasonably priced 3C on a short term deal for the Oil to pursue.
      If I was a UFA I sure wouldn’t want to be standing when the music stops.

      • LOL yeah … 150 dancers – 15 chairs

  13. Columbus frees up another 4.5 mil in cap

  14. Meanwhile in Vancouver the GM fiddles while Rome burns tothe ground.

    Markstrom – going to test FA
    Toffili – going to test FA
    Tanev – who knows

    Benning spends his time dreaming of adding an 8.5 million dollar defenceman to a roster with no cap space.

    No picks in round 1 or 2, no move to move up in the draft. No buyouts. Only move of note is to nontender Troy Stecher.

    TSN 1040am and Sportsnet 650am on air drones were going out of their minds yesterday at Bennings lack of moves.

    Rumblings on trade with Arizona is the Canucks insist on moving Erikssons anchor contract while the Coyotes want a 1st rounder included. Moving Ekman-Larson is a salary dump, why in the hell would they take on Erikssons or Sutters contracts?

    When Benning signed Eriksson, Beagle, Myers, Roussel all the talk was why jot? We have tons of cap space. Now those horrific deals are coming home to roost.

    Markstrom, Toffili, Tanev all free agents likely to leave. Next season Benning will need big dollars to resign Hughes and Pettersson.

    Vancouvers on the road to becoming Leafs West. All their dollars tied up in very few players and no cap room to add anyone.

    Assuming Demko is your starter based on a 3 game sample is beyond ludicrous. Decent regular season but no wow factor outside of 3 games vs Vegas.

    Benning needs to get a goalie, 2 defencemen and a top line winger just to get the Nucks to the same level they were at.

    Its going to make for some very interesting radio once the FAs start leaving for greener pastures.

    Benning should have gotten one of Markstrom or Toffili resigned then start chasing his OEL fantasy.

  15. Jeez. Add another goalie. Schneider bought out in NJ

    • And the list piles up. But no worries … so many are absolutely convinced it will be business as usual and that GMs will happily offer the likes of Hall, Pietrangelo, even Krug, the usual huge, long-term deals that were sprinkled around like candy before the crap hit the fan, and that there will be the usual “frenzy” tomorrow.
      .

  16. Hall’s agent – Bobby Orr..
    Hall’s number- 4
    He is signing with the Bruins

  17. Watching everyone on capfriendly it appears teams are working thir way to $70 m cap used, give or take a mill or two.

    Some teams way over so I dont get it but most leaning going to 70ish

    nhl economics are probably anticipating a struggling rebound in revenue next season and the following.

  18. Guess Wennberg , Savard & pick offer to WPG for Laine proposed by me ain’t happening now lol

  19. Hi IHC, i sincerely think “to EDM: Markstrom (sign & trade) & Sutter
    to VAN: RNH” isn’t happening either, Why would Edmonton give up RNH and take on Sutter’s contract when they can just try and sign Markstrom

    • Precisely.

      Move out a quality asset for a brittle 4th liner making 4 million and the rights to a FA goalie that you can simply sign for dollars tomorrow makes no sense.

      Unless youre in the Jim Benning is a Moron Club and are desperate to help him out of the mess hes made which is doubtful, lol.

  20. Cory Schneider for the 9th overall pick (Horvat). I bet the Devils would love a do over on that onel

  21. Coyotes shopping the rights to Taylor Hall. Since nobody in their right mind is going to give him 8 years why would anybody trade for his rights?

    Id think if the Coyotes are looking to move out dollars trading Kessel would be a wiser move over OEL.

    The Sh*tshow in the Desert continues.

    • Except for Bettman’s stubbornness and insistence on driving a square peg into a round hole, Arizona would have been relocated a LONG time ago, along with Miami.

      • All part of the NHLs desperation to get a national tv deal in the U.S.

        Panthers draw next to no fans, Coyotes draw even less.

    • @RON

      NYR will take the rights to HALL for Brendan Smith LOL

      even throw in a Henrik Lundqvist autographed Washington Capitals jersey lol

      • Home or away?

        lol

  22. This flat cap thing is going to really alter the market for the foreseeable future. Players are going to have to take less term and/or less money than they would have gotten had the cap risen to where it was expected to. Petro is going to have to face the reality that getting $9-10 mil is not feasible for the Blues so, if he really wants to stay, he’s going to have to back down a bit. Hall know the money just isn’t there and teams aren’t going to find it for a long-term deal for a guy who is injured frequently. Duclair is likely to go crawling back to Ottawa. I wouldn’t take Saad if I were Joe Sakic. TB is going to have a hard time finding takers for their large, bad contracts. Going to be very interesting to see what everyone does one things shake out. It’s a brave new world.

    • Depending upon what Dorion does early tomorrow – IF he does anything – Duclair may find that door closed

  23. Would love to have Kadri back for LW with Tavares and Marner. It was a bad trade.

    • Wendel,

      Nylander and Andersen for Kadri and Varlomov.

      • No. Nylander is better than all 3 put together but would love to have Kadri back as he was my favorite player , very nasty, aside from the thrill of having AM34.

  24. As a Bruins fan I was hoping for 3 players in particular to be brought in this off season.

    1. Get rid of Moore and Grez on the Left D side and sign Brenden Dillon, to add size and toughness they needed, but that ain’t happening now.

    2. Trade for Josh Anderson for the same reasons and I think when healthy is a prototypical bruins winger with scoring ability. That is not happening no either

    3. Sign Taylor hall to help with scoring. It sounds like that wont happen either.

    I think it is going to be a long year for us bruin fans.

    If getting OEL turns out to be the only highlight we
    are in for a long season.

    • Fellow Bruins fan.

      At least my Red Sox had a stellar year….

      In all seriousness though, I do see some changes coming.

      I was also hoping to see Anderson on Krejci’s wing next season. I’ve read Palmieri may be available from NJ, but I like Anderson’s size. Hall could still be a possibility. Maybe even Duclair?

      I’ve wanted to see Domi in a Bruins uniform for years…he broke into the league around the same time that my youngest son was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes and Max (also T1D) is a bit of a hero to him (and perhaps to me, it was reassuring to know that my son could still chase his dreams). Maybe next year at the TDL?!

    • Hey Greatgonzo, B’s might still do something and there are players to address the 2nd line RW spot and an LD or 2 (depending on Chara).
      If you have a look on cap friendly and look at what’s out there, and what teams are doing like walking away from what was considered affordable RFA’s, it is also an opportunity to improve the roster for less $$ by being patient.
      Taking on anybody’s $8.5 player with term (OEL) is crazy IMO. Yotes would need to eat $$.

      What will the B’s do?
      Who knows, as I have said on here before, the Jacob’s businesses away from the Bruins are almost entirely hospitality. They have to be hurting. Big time.
      Now the B’s are very profitable and have their own TV deal with NESN, so they might be OK as a stand alone without fans and 20% escrow.
      But I don’t know that. Maybe they cut payroll to $70M as well? Not outside the realm of possibility.
      We will see soon enough.

      • Wow.

  25. BlackHawks will not be resigning Corey Crawford.

    Goalie carousel just increased byone.

    • Unless he wants to play – and signs at bottom dollar – he will be unemployed after tomorrow and join many UFAs – not just goalies – who will find themselves reduced to working out to stay in shape “just in case” – or heading to Europe

  26. 100% agree. Taylor Hall is a good player who has had one exceptional year.

    Remember Johnathan Cheechoo who scored 56 goals ONE year for the Sharks?

    Hall is the very definition of “one hit wonder”.

    I see Nashville in his future, as Poile collects overpaid forwards (Duschene, Turris)

    • Yep – and both times Ottawa got “fleeced” according to many experts in these pages – still waiting for the prospect who went to Colorado in the 3-way deal to play a game in the NHL. The 1st round pick they got (Byram) could be a good one, but since Ottawa had the option of letting that take place in 2018 or 2019 (and again the experts said they erred in deferring it to 2019) and chose instead to keep it in 2018, I am quite happy with Brady Tkachuk.

  27. So Columbus now has almost 10 mil in cap space, w/20 on roster after trading Nutivaar to Fl. Plus Dubinsky contract which will be ltir. Could still trade a goalie.My money is on them to sign Hall.

    • Them or Boston both seem like options if they decide they want to spend.
      I can see Bos offering a short term deal, no idea if he would take it, but he might?
      COL can, but don’t really need to as Burakovsky was really good for them on the wing last year.
      I wonder if they will address the net?

    • they still need to re-sign Dubois , figure ~ 6 million right there at least & Gavrikov will get 1.5-2 , my guess

  28. Anderson 5.5 AAV @ 7 years , I hope that works out for the Habs . Surprised to see a 7 year deal.
    Next I would like to see them lock up Gallagher for 5 years.

    • going to predict that Montreal signs Simmonds or Matt Martin on a 1 yr deal as the last addition for the 4th line. Takes the pressure off of Anderson to bang and police.
      Evans or Poehling should get the nod as the 4th line center for the upcoming season.

  29. Ottawa gets Gudbranson from Anaheim for a 5th rounder in 2021

    • George since OTT added 1 Two-time Cup winner in Murray would they add another Two-time Cup winner and go get Patty Maroon? Get ya boys a cup? lol

    • local kid George , east ender , he’s a big lad that can play with an edge. He has never really lived up to the hype as a 3rd overall pick in 2010 but I believe he understands his role now as a pro.

      • Yep. From Orléans. Yeah, Ron, I’m well aware of how badly he performed in Vancouver … just hope he has quit trying to play up to what everyone expected from a top pick and continue with the simple stay-at-home role he showed this past season in Anaheim. Let’s face it, he’s a stop-gap veteran presence for 1 season while young guys like Thompson, Bernard-Docker and Sanderson get a bit more seasoning in Europe and U.S. college circuit and will go to free agency next year.

    • He was beyond brutal in Vancouver

  30. George since OTT added 1 Two-time cup winner in Murray should they go for broke and add another Two-time cup winner in Patty Maroon? GO for broke and get ya boys a cup? lol

    He has been on the last two cup winners. 🙂

    • Heh. Why not? That may be the only way they see cup rings up close!