NHL Rumor Mill – November 11, 2020
A look at next year’s unrestricted free agent class in today’s NHL rumor mill.
THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary recently previewed the NHL’s 2021 unrestricted free agent class.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).
The notable forwards include Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, Buffalo Sabres winger Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, St. Louis Blues winger Jaden Schwartz, Montreal Canadiens winger Tomas Tatar, Boston Bruins center David Krejci, and Avalanche winger Brandon Saad.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin’s already signaled his intent to re-sign with the Capitals. Unless Getzlaf feels he’d like one more shot at a Stanley Cup run, I can see him staying with the Ducks on a short-term deal. The Oilers and Nugent-Hopkins are discussing a long-term contract extension. I doubt the Avalanche part ways with Landeskog and I don’t see the Blues letting Schwartz depart after losing Alex Pietrangelo to free agency this year.
Hall could stay with the Sabres if he develops strong chemistry with Jack Eichel and the club significantly improves. Otherwise, he’ll test the market again. Tatar’s inconsistency means the coming season is likely his last in Montreal. The Bruins could let Krejci go unless he accepts a significant pay cut. Saad could be a one-year rental unless the Avs fail to re-sign Landeskog.
Noteworthy defensemen on O’Leary’s list include the Carolina Hurricanes’ Dougie Hamilton, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ David Savard, the Oilers’ Adam Larsson, and the Vegas Golden Knights’ Alec Martinez.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four could end up hitting the market next summer. Cap constraints could make it difficult for Hamilton, Larsson and Martinez to remain with their current clubs. Savard will turn 31 next October and the Jackets could be reluctant to invest too much in him for too long.
The Bruins’ Tuukka Rask, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Frederik Andersen, the Blues’ Jordan Binnington, and the Avalanche’s Philipp Grubauer are among next year’s best UFA goaltenders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I can see the Bruins re-signing Rask to a short-term deal provided he doesn’t opt for retirement at the end of 2020-21. Andersen is likely a goner after next season.
The Blues parted ways with Jake Allen this year by trading him to the Montreal Canadiens. Things will really have to go sideways for them to let Binnington walk next summer. Grubauer’s future in Colorado could depend upon his performance in the coming season, especially during the playoffs.
Tatar’s inconsistency? I guess six straight 20-goal seasons is somehow inconsistent?
I’m with you on that Garth. Tatar has certainly been a solid goal scorer. But I expect that cap issues will result in him hitting the market. I’m surprised Phil Danault, a solid two way Center, didn’t make the list. I expect he’ll re-sign with the Habs.
Howard, I agree.
Danault is much more valuable than Tatar, and it makes you wonder about the extent of the writer’s hockey knowledge.
However I am about 95% certain that he gets resigned.
Likely 5-6 years in the $5.5 million range.
Mtl picks up $2 mill Cap space at the end of the season on the ongoing Alzner buyout.
And another $3.5 million on the Goalie position if Allen goes to the Kraken and is replaced by Primeau, which I suspect was part of the thinking in giving up a 3rd Round pick to obtain and re-sign Allen in the first place.
That’s $5.5 mill in Cap space right there.
About $2.5 mill is all that is needed to take Danault to $5.5 mill.
Tatar will be dealt, imo, pre or post season.
rich
Tatar tends to be a streaky scorer. He had a solid performance last season (61 points in 68 games), but only two goals in 10 playoff games. The previous season, he had 58 points in 82 games.
Given his age (he’ll turn 30 in December) and his $5.3 million AAV, I doubt the Habs will re-sign him.
Tatar has been consistent through his career, never known to be a primary scorer which makes him a perfect fit on Montreal’s first line that really isn’t.
Wouldn’t surprise me if he gave a home town discount to stay in a city that shows him the love.
Amen to that, thanks for all that have ever served!
To Lyle and others who are serving or have served, and to those here with family members who are/have serving/served…. on this Armistice/Remembrance/Veterans’ Day….
thanks for your service.
Pengy
Very well done Pengy …this is very close to my heart as well.
Thank you to all who have served and continue to do so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-ZnJvHdp2Y
Bless you…and thank you.
Go Leafs GO 🙂
Happy Remembrance Day to all who have fought to protect Canada to keep us free from fascism and despotism.
Amen to that Pengy.
I suspect both Krejci and Rask back with Boston, i also think both will be back at a reduced price.
To me Rask is a tossup whether he want to extend his career, Krejci can still play the game and don’t see why he would want to take a cut in pay I thought if they got a solid scoring winger with size to play on his line they would extend him but it don’t look like that will happen so I’m thinking it’s probably his last season in Boston…..lots of changes coming the Bruins way in the next year or so
Joe, no team in their right mind is going to give Krecji anything remotely close to what he has on his current deal.
So whether he likes it or not, he’s in line for a big pay cut, so it might as well be with the Bruins.
Seems like we’ll have a loaded FA season this coming year. Lots of younger higher end talent than in the past without being past their best before dates.
Something else to look forward to once things return.
A lot of plans discussed for the players. Nothing yet on how fans would be potentially involved.
Grandfather wounded on 3 separate occasions in WWI. Kept throwing him back out there. Makes ones issues on this day seem quite trivial.
Tatar needs to be replaced on the Habs with some size and grit.
Are there any rules to prevent a UFA and a team from agreeing in principle to an extension but waiting until after the expansion draft to sign?
Rask !?!? I wouldn’t trust that guy to go the store grab a carton of milk! He seems to only think of himself.
Get rid of him before he either retires or ends costing you more than you paying him now! Grab Hanifin and GOOD scorer and you’re on the way! Knowing Sweeney after waiting all this time we’ll probably end up with someone like Corey Perry!