NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2023
The latest contract signings and arbitration updates, Vladimir Tarasenko happy to join the Senators, the Kraken removes BookTok content over comments made toward Alex Wennberg and his wife, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman was awarded a one-year contract worth $3.47 million following his arbitration hearing on Sunday. Swayman had sought $4.8 million while the Bruins countered with $2 million.
The Bruins avoided arbitration with forward Trent Frederic as the two sides agreed to a two-year, $4.6 million contract with an average annual value of $2.3 million. Frederic was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing on Tuesday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The new contracts for Swayman and Frederic leave the Bruins with less than $430K of salary cap space for 2023-24 with 22 players under contract. That will likely continue to stoke speculation of the Bruins perhaps making a cost-cutting trade to bolster their depth at center for the coming season.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers avoided an arbitration hearing on Tuesday with Ryan McLeod by signing the center to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.1 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers now have $3.5 million in cap space with restricted free-agent defenseman Evan Bouchard to sign. It could leave them with sufficient wiggle room to get him under contract on a short-term deal for around $3 million per season.
Bouchard, 23, is coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights. He could receive an offer sheet from another club but that seems a remote possibility at this stage given how many clubs lack sufficient cap space to go that route this summer.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Rangers avoided arbitration with minor-league defenseman Brandon Scanlin as the two sides agreed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775K at the NHL level.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per Cap Friendly, only two players remain on the arbitration schedule. Anaheim Ducks winger Troy Terry’s hearing is slated for today (Aug. 2) while Pittsburgh Penguins forward Drew O’Connor’s is on Aug. 4.
OTTAWA SUN: Vladimir Tarasenko said he is looking forward to playing with the Senators this season. He signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the club last Thursday.
Speaking from his Florida home, the 31-year-old winger said he had several signing options in free agency. He was convinced the Senators were the right choice after speaking with general manager Pierre Dorion, head coach D.J. Smith and several Senators players.
“It’s an exciting young group of players,” said Tarasenko. “I spoke to guys before we signed and it sounds like guys want to win. We just decided that it was the best deal for one year for us.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report also indicated Tarasenko’s new agents called the club saying it would be a done deal if they included a full no-movement clause in his contract, which they did. That clause ensures Tarasenko cannot be demoted to the minors without his approval. He’ll also have total control over potential destinations if the Senators decide to move him before the March trade deadline.
ESPN.COM: The Seattle Kraken removed TikTok videos marketed to the hockey BookTok community. The move comes following statements by forward Alex Wennberg and his wife Felicia speaking out against what they called “vile comments” that sexualized and harassed him and his family for months.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche announced that Steve Konowalchuk has been named the Associate Head Coach of the Colorado Eagles, their AHL affiliate.
Former Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg announced his retirement at age 37. He played 597 games over nine NHL seasons (2012-13 to 2020-21) with the Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks, netting 110 goals and 297 points along with 14 points in 45 career NHL playoff games.
Just how bad was Boston salary cap.
Frederick signs 2yrs @ cap hit $2.3
Swayman awarded $3,475,000
Boston has 429,199 cap space 22/23 man roster (capfriendly)
Traded Taylor Hall $6m
couldn’t afford to sign Hathaway, Bertuzzi or Orlov
Bergeron retires
Krejci no announcement still out there but i move would need to be made.
Boston has two buyout windows however the roster player needs to be making $4m, meaning the usual suspect ie
Forbort $3m
Grzelcyk $3,687,500
can’t be bought out.
Qualify players include:
Debrusk $4m
Carlo $4.1m
Zacha $4.750
Coyle $5.250
these players will not be bought out and the rest don’t enter the conversation.
With Swayman selecting arbitration the Bruins had the option of 0ne or two years and they elected a 1 year deal.
Swayman was awarded $3,475,000 it’s curious why the Bruins elected the 1 year deal instead of 2. Swayman who is 24yrs old still would’ve been an rfa after two years. It’s a curious move not sure why, unless they feel he isn’t worth the money, or am i missing something.
If Boston want to sign Krejci they still need to make a deal. Or send one of the young d down sign Krejci at 1M plus bonuses.
The only way a Lindholm or Scheifele come to town is a Debrusk, Coyle, Grzelcyk or Carlo moves out.
They can start the season with a 22 man roster. Sweeney not done yet.
I was under the impression that once your arbitration case has reached a ruling which both parties have to abide to the awarded contract, it’s always just one year deal which afterwards the player becomes a UFA…and I’m not sure if the team can then walk away and the player becomes a UFA.
In any case, no rulings have been surprising so far and no wonder, thanks to the flat cap.
Hi Ron, when the player elects to go to arbitration the team can select a 1 or 2 year option.