NHL Rumor Mill – November 30, 2020

by | Nov 30, 2020 | Rumors | 10 comments

A look at the latest speculation involving some of the remaining notable restricted free agents in today’s NHL rumor mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently examined the status of several notable remaining restricted free agents following the Tampa Bay Lightning signing Mikhail Sergachev and the Boston Bruins signing Jake DeBrusk last week.

New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (NHL Images).

Mathew Barzal remains atop the list. Fox reminds us New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello promised to match any offer sheet for the 23-year-old center.

Lamoriello has limited cap space but will garner some extra wiggle room with defenseman Johnny Boychuk headed for LTIR following a career-ending eye injury. It’s believed the Isles GM prefers locking up Barzal for around $7.5 million annually. Barzal reportedly is considering a team-friendly deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like most general managers with key RFAs still to sign, Lamoriello could be waiting for official confirmation of a start date for this season before getting Barzal under contract. It’s not unusual for negotiations with a top RFA to stretch out until the start of training camp and sometimes into the opening days of camp.

Following the Sergachev signing, Anthony Cirelli’s agent said there was nothing new to report on contract talks with the Lightning. The cap-strapped club must shed salary to re-sign Cirelli and fellow RFA Erik Cernak and become cap compliant whenever the season begins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning are trying to move winger Tyler Johnson and his $5.5 million annual average value. There’s also speculation winger Alex Killorn ($4.45 million) could be a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Contract talks between Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Columbus Blue Jackets have stalled but GM Jarmo Kekalainen isn’t concerned. He pointed out Zach Werenski’s contract was signed right before training camp last year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With over $9 million in cap space (stick tap to Cap Friendly), the Jackets have plenty of room to accommodate a new deal for Dubois. That’s without placing injured winger Gustav Nyquist ($5.5 million) on LTIR.

Fox speculates New Jersey Devils goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood may wish to use Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins’ two-year, $8 million bridge contract as a starting point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have plenty of cap space to re-sign Blackwood and fellow RFA Jesper Bratt. They’ll get it sorted by training camp.

St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong said he and the Vince Dunn camp intend to wait until close to training camp to sign an extension. Placing sidelined forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen on LTIR will free up cap room to sign the 23-year-old defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After watching Alex Pietrangelo depart via free agency last month, some Blues fans are concerned over why it’s taking so long to get Dunn signed. Now we know why. They’ll get a deal done.

The Winnipeg Jets have reportedly shopped forward Jack Roslovic during this off-season in search of a top-four, left-side defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some might scoff at the notion of Roslovic fetching that type of return. However, the Jets could target a club in need of shedding cap space. The Jets are above the cap by $697K but are expected to place sidelined center Bryan Little ($5.29 million) on LTIR, giving them sufficient space to swap Roslovic for a decent rearguard.







10 Comments

  1. Just what has MacKenzie Blackwood done to warrant $4 Million per season???? What a joke …

    • That’s the price you have to pay for one of the most promising young goalies in the league. Murray got 3@3.75mil in 2016 after 13 regular season games. Granted he had one cup at the time but he obviously played for a powerhouse, NJ is not. He’s their MVP right now.

      • Carolina would sign him for that if they had a chance.

      • So would Edmonton

  2. If Isles can sign Barzal for 7.5, that’ll leave about 2.4m after Boychuks ltir deduction. They only need to add 1 or 2 players, so they’d be ok. I don’t see him getting an offer sheet for much more than that, just to make Lou pay him an extra mil? Doubt Barzal would do.

  3. Ottawa should try to sign Barzal to offer sheet for 8.5 mill for 7 years. Perfect top line center to play with our team.

  4. Barzal and Dubois same as Tkachuk and Point .

    • Same ballpark for sure.
      Of the four, I like Dubois the most. He’s not as flashy as Point, but he does the little things better. He’s better away from the puck as well.

  5. Please, stop with the Barzal nonsense.

    He is the face of the franchise and he’s not going anywhere.

    Perhaps the idiot (Hi Ek) who made this up should listen to Pulock’s comments after he signed his deal.

    Pulockwent out of his way to say that he and Barzal have talked and agreed to take less money to keep the team together.

    Those are quotes from a teammate, folks.

    Not some made up clikbait.

  6. Blackwood, 4 mil? Don’t think so. He got it together too little too late last year. As a Devils fan, I think he’ll be an excellent goalie. He earned #1, now he has to prove he belongs. Crawford will be a big help.