NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2021
On the eve of the free-agent market, the Avalanche re-sign Gabriel Landeskog, the Lightning trade Tyler Johnson to the Blackhawks and the Canucks ship Nate Schmidt to the Jets. Get the details plus other signings and trades in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche re-signed Gabriel Landeskog to an eight-year, $56 million contract. The annual average value is $7 million.
The Colorado Avalanche re-sign captain Gabriel Landeskog (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A big name off the market just hours before free agency begins at noon ET today. The cap hit isn’t too bad but the term is lengthy for a forward turning 29 in November. Still, it should be worthwhile during the first half of the deal if Landeskog’s performance doesn’t decline during that period. It could get costly over the latter half of the contract if his skills deteriorate.
Landeskog is the Avs’ captain and their first-line left-winger. They need his skill and leadership to remain a Stanley Cup contender over the next four years. His cap hit, however, leaves the Avs with $12.3 million in cap space for 2021-22. That could make it difficult to re-sign goaltender Philipp Grubauer and to fill out the remaining roster spots.
TAMPA BAY TIMES/NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Tampa Bay Lightning trade winger Tyler Johnson to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Brent Seabrook’s contract and a second-round pick in 2023.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning were expected to trade Johnson this summer to free up salary-cap space. By taking on the permanently sidelined Seabrook’s contract, they’ll free up around $5 million in cap space by placing him on long-term injury reserve. That contract is worth an annual average value of $6.875 million through 2023-24.
Johnson’s contract also expires in ’23-’24 and he carries a $5 million annual cap hit. The Blackhawks now have around $2.5 million in cap room, though they can get $3.9 million more if necessary by placing permanently sidelined forward Andrew Shaw on LTIR.
THE PROVINCE/WINNIPEG SUN: The Vancouver Canucks trade defenseman Nate Schmidt to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a third-round pick in 2022.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A salary dump by the Canucks, shedding $5.95 million through 2024-25 from their books. With over $26 million in cap space, they have sufficient room to re-sign young stars Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. It should also allow them to fend off any offer sheet attempts for Pettersson.
The Jets, meanwhile, add their second defenseman in as many days after acquiring Brenden Dillon from the Washington Capitals. A lack of depth among their top-four blueliners was an area of concern last season. Schmidt and Dillon should help them address that issue.
THE ATHLETIC: The Seattle Kraken are expected to sign winger Jaden Schwartz when the free-agent market opens at noon ET today.
SPORTSNET: Patrik Laine is accepting the Columbus Blue Jackets’ $7.5 million qualifying offer for 2021-22.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins are reportedly closing in on a new contract for center David Krejci.
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: The Bruins have re-signed defenseman Mike Reilly to a three-year deal worth $3 million per season.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens re-signed forward Joel Armia to a four-year, $13.6 million contract. The annual average value is $3.4 million.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers are reportedly re-signing defenseman Brandon Montour to a three-year deal worth $3.5 million per season.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers are expected to sign defenseman Keith Yandle to a one-year, $900K contract. Yandle was bought out of his former contract by the Florida Panthers.
NEW YORK POST: The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to sign former Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo.
WGR550.COM: The Buffalo Sabres re-signed forward Drake Caggiula to a one-year, $750K contract.
TSN: The Winnipeg Jets re-signed goaltender Eric Comrie to a one-year, $750K deal.
THE PROVINCE: The Canucks bought out the final season of goaltender Braden Holtby’s contract.
NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: The San Jose Sharks bought out the remaining three years of goaltender Martin Jones’ contract.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers bought out the remaining two years of winger James Neal’s contract. They’re also believed to be working on a four-year contract extension for defenseman Darnell Nurse.
THE DENVER POST: The Avalanche acquired defenseman Kurtis MacDermid from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2023 fourth-rounder.
POOF! One move, at the cost of Tyler Johnson and a second, and the Lightning are cap compliant with the rest of a cup defending roster. They lose Goody, Coleman, Johnson, and Savard, and have guys in the organization ready to move up and a little cash foe FA’s. They won’t be as good, likely, but good enough to mount a spirited defence. Who was the GM of the year, again??? OR, you can start up the “cheaters” talk again, but it sure sounds tinny now coming from Montreal.
Tyler Johnson: a good player, a good person, a good team guy, Nine years, three finals, two cups, and a permanent place in the Lightning HOF. And accepting a trade as a last unselfish act. Johnny Be (is) Good.
And add Gourde to the list of players lost.
Richard I think you just don’t follow other teams. The comment about the 18 million over the cap came from Carolina. It wasn’t meant too say they cheat but maybe that the owner of Carolina just won’t pay. Its not cheating if every team can use it. It’s like when the rich teams payout the high bonuses in contracts where other teams are budget teams.
If you say so. Regardless, they Bolts now begin their defence/run for a three-peat with the top two lines, top two D pairs, the Pat Maroon factor and the Goalies intact. A lot of holes to fill but still a reasonably formidiable roster.
Great moves by both teams. The Hawks are looking like they are ramping up and Tampa plays chess everyone is either playing checkers or having issues opening the box.
Richard, a bit thin skinned today?
Many posters complained about the issue of the cap not applying in the playoffs. Firstly, they weren’t all Habs fans. Secondly few if any called it cheating. The complaints were about why the rule is the way it is.
Yes, Brisbois is a smart GM, and yes the Bolts will still be very worthy opponents.
Wow a lot of thin skinned folks here! Better keep the heat up. Richard didn’t say anything wrong and yes the Habs fans made it a bigger issue than anyone else but they also had the greatest to lose, ie the cup.
Yes other fans also took exception to the rule that allowed it but as mentioned, all within the rules until they change it.
If you read the boards from across the continent there were a hell of a lot more people calling Tampa Bay cheaters then you might suspect. People will always look for reasons to decry another team success when they can’t develop enough of their own. Next The LTIR bitching will start. Oh wait, Tampa is not the only one using that tool. Well that’s a relief!
sitting here sipping my BFC wondering have the Bruins so far this offseason improved themselves my answer is no ….they signed Hall,Krejci & Reilly who they had when the NYI took them out of the playoffs.. They need a Goalie,a LD & fix that 4th line…..they have to make a decision with Rask & if they want to bring him back who are they going to bring in to take his place until he’s ready…it could possibly cost the Bruins 10 million to keep 3 goalies ….came across a interesting tidbit with the Bruins trading for James Greenway who played with Swayman at Maine just maybe Swayman pushed the Bruins in that direction with a scouting report, the Bruins also have been after his brother Jordon Greenway for a while now ….could a DeBrusk get him
Not sure what Sakic is planning in goal, I didn’t think Grubauer was the guy and now after signing Landeskog the cap room has shrunk … maybe Sakic is just one of those managers who doesn’t think that goaltending is very important …
and congratulations to Kevin Chevalayoff who awoke from his nap and finally addressed his pathetic blueline … it only took him two seasons to do so …
What is Bowman thinking?
Is BriseBois the GM of the year already?
With Reilly the Bruins are in need of a shutdown Dman with size & toughness …
Sweeney better be active on the Free Agent & and trade front say no to Forbort, I wouldn’t waste my time trying to sign him another Hall Gill clone. Get some good players or leave well enough alone.
Winnipeg Jets in a span of two days add Dillon and Nate Schmidt at the total cost of 2 second round picks and a third.
Excellent work done by Chevy.
Connor Hellebucyk made the D look better then it was last 2 year and no he’ll have a much improved d corp in front of him.
Big bonus that Schmidt waived his no trade clause to go to Winnipeg. Yes helps he is from Minny.
Ed, wouldn’t doubt “Super Joe”. Although, I admit I was nervous about Landeskog, he still got it done. Priority was Makar and the captain because they were going to command big bucks. Still time to ink Grubbi but if not, I’m sure he has a good plan. He knows how to run a team effectively. GO AVS!!!!!!!!!
tommyboy, I think Joe knows the #’s on Grubbi.
The issue is, according to link below, is that he is a capable solid starter who is likely asking for elite money.
COL gave up the fewest high end scoring chances in the NHL and he did his job stopping most of them. But the thought is that plenty of tenders would have had excellent #’s in COL.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/four-ufas-nhl-teams-careful-not-overpay/