Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 12, 2024
A look at three possible offer-sheet candidates plus the latest on the Kraken’s search for a new head coach in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
COULD PERFETTI, LUNDELL, OR SWAYMAN BECOME OFFER-SHEET TARGETS?
THE SCORE: John Matisz recently looked at three possible offer-sheet targets this summer.
One is Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti. He’s completing his entry-level contract and was a frequent healthy scratch near the end of the regular season and in four playoff games. He might get a clean slate now that Rick Bowness has retired as head coach.
However, the Jets only have $13 million in cap space for next season. A rival general manager could try to make life miserable for Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff by pitching a bridge deal with an average annual value of $5.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matisz acknowledged the rarity of offer sheets in the salary cap era. The last one occurred in 2021 when the Carolina Hurricanes successfully signed away Jesperi Kotkaniemi from the Montreal Canadiens. Considering how that’s turned out for the Hurricanes, it’s a prime example of why an offer sheet can be a risky move.
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).
A player has to be willing to sign an offer sheet. Perfetti and the other two on this list could receive offers from rival clubs but they’re meaningless if those players prefer signing with their current teams.
The Jets’ limited cap space could make Perfetti a tempting target but I don’t see anyone making a pitch. While the 22-year-old has potential as a scoring forward, his inconsistent production thus far doesn’t make him an enticing candidate.
Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell is another possibility given his untapped potential. The Panthers have 11 players slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer, including Sam Reinhart and Brandon Montour. Matisz suggested a similar pitch for Lundell as he did for Perfetti.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given his solid two-way play and offensive ability, Lundell is a more attractive offer-sheet target than Perfetti. The Panthers would be more vulnerable cap-wise than the Jets. While there’s a greater possibility of Lundell getting an offer sheet, it’s unlikely he’ll get one. I believe he’d prefer to stick with the Panthers.
Matisz mentioned Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, suggesting perhaps he’d entertain a “Godfather offer” like a yearly salary 50 percent greater than his actual market value.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matisz admits it’s a wild scenario. He also acknowledged Swayman’s value to the Bruins and he’ll likely be their starter for the next several years. Anything’s possible but it’s the least likely of these three.
LATEST ON THE KRAKEN’S SEARCH FOR A NEW COACH
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker recently reported Kraken GM Ron Francis isn’t wasting time interviewing potential candidates for his club’s vacant head coach position. He met with former Los Angeles Kings bench boss Todd McLellan earlier this month.
Baker speculates Francis could also be waiting until the end of the playoffs when he might have an opportunity to pursue Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour. There’s speculation the Hurricanes could part with him if they fail to advance past the second round. While a recent report claimed management pulled its contract offer from the table, both sides subsequently claimed talks were back on with each believing a deal could be done.
One rumor making the rounds claimed Brind’Amour was resentful of Francis for not promoting him to head coach during the latter’s tenure as Hurricanes GM. That was based on a Feb. 2023 interview with the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, but Brind’Amour never said anything negative about Francis. Brind’Amour gave Francis a glowing recommendation to Seattle executives in 2019 that likely sealed their decision to hire him as GM.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Baker noted that Francis is still interviewing coaching candidates. He could be keeping an eye on Brind’Amour but there’s no certainty he’ll be available. If the Hurricanes do let him go, Francis will have plenty of competition trying to hire him.
I Don t put much into the offer sheet possibility! The last offer sheet I believe was the fiasco between Carolina and Montreal! I Don t think Carolina made out to well on that one!
Sr, here’s a history of the Offer Sheet
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article/will-match-look-back-history-nhl-offer-sheets/
Conflicting reports on Brind’Amour
I thought the chances were slim to none on his availability ?
Wait and see after the 2 nd round series , on which the Rangers should be going into the next round
Brind’Amour would be the ideal candidate for Toronto , as most would agree , if it is at all possible
Hopefully an interesting – June 28 draft , with some excitement , intense engagement , player moves etc
The Leafs problems are much bigger than the coach! The culture is bad! Coach has little control when players have NTC clauses in their contracts!
Ken
Leafs offer Marner to Carolina for Pesce (signed to an extension) and the rights to Guentzel and Brind’Amour
Leafs sign Guentzel to 5 year $45M contract and the combined cost of Pesce-Guentzel is the close to the departing Marner and Brodie
This offer-sheet was actually a blessing in disguise, for the Habs.
But it was done in a particularly vicious way, KK accepting the offer just before training camp. Bergevin, having let Danault walk as a UFA, was forced into a panic move, overpaying for Dvorak.
As I recall, Patrick, the Habs had been linked to Dvorak before the offer sheet to KK.
It may have driven the price up a bit, but not only were we rid of KK they used the pick for losing him to acquire Dvorak. In essence it cost them a second round pick for Dvorak.
Dvorak has underperformed in Montreal, but think of the unrelenting criticism surrounding KK and the team had he stayed and performed as now.
Stepping back further, one could argue that the Habs would have been better off had they drafted Tkachuk. They certainly would have had a better player by a long shot.
But would an improved draft position due to the boost Tkachuk would have given them cost them a chance to draft Ghule, Caulfield, or acquire Dach?
It’s really hard to unravel history to do any sort of then vs. now comparison.
Sr. You’re right but Montreal did even worse
I would love to see Sullivan resign and go to the Devils, or wherever, and the Pens turn around and get Brind’Amour under contract. Wishful thinking, I know.
This offer-sheet was actually a blessing in disguise, for the Habs.
But it was done in a particularly vicious way, KK accepting the offer just before training camp. Bergevin, having let Danault walk as a UFA, was forced into a panic move, overpaying for Dvorak.
Patrick, Bergevin mishandled KK right from the start. As LJ points out, Tkachuk was available and the more NHL ready player at the time but instead Bergevin drafted KK – mistake. KK should never have been made the team in his first year – too young at 18 – mistake. By healthy scratching him in the playoffs in 2021 you affected his pride and confidence which led him to signing an offer sheet presented to him – mistake. Bergevin just 2 years prior made a lame attempt to offer sheet Sebastien Aho – mistake. It should have been on Bergevin’s radar that Carolina would repay the favor and sign KK to an offer sheet – this oversight was a mistake. Letting Danault walk without having KK signed – mistake. Not matching the offer was the only good thing Bergevin did but then he overpaid for Dvorak (first and a second for someone who has never scored 20 goals or got more than 40 pts in a season) – mistake. Bergevin made his own problems and although I agree the offer sheet was a blessing in disguise, we really have nothing to show for a 3rd overall pick.
I would love Brind’Amour OR Berube to be behind our bench this fall.
I do not want Keefe.
Sullivan’s “game” has waned. Did great for a while, but time has come for a change
I think Brind’Amour on Pens is a longshot
If Brind’Amour does not re-up; Leafs will outbid everybody
Hints and murmur in media has Sullivan going to Devils
Leaving Berube available for us which is great
Berube in
With:
Accairi, Eller, Smith, Nieto out; replaced by 4 guys with size and grit whose average age is 26-28
Makes Pens a definite playoff team
Doesn t matter who is coaching the Pens-they are saddled with old players who want nothing to do in the defensive end! And they all have no- trade clauses!What has Brinda Mour won?
Well, he won a game last night.
Yea an elimination game!Not close to a guy like Deoer,who is 8-0 in game sevens of a series!
SR,
I think your Right Pens will not get a name coach,
They are way to old, & Cash strapped, will more than likly miss the playoffs in 2025… thats not very appealing, yes they have Sid but as you have seen it takes a whole team to Win…..🤔
With the emergence of NJ & Buffalo and maybe the sens if they get a starter in net, The Pens dont stand a chance, and losing there back up who was better than Jarry…..😳
it looks GRIM
Exactly! I’m not sure what everyone sees in Rod but from where I stand it seems that he can’t adjust to the changes in the game and gets out coached in the playoffs. Saying that he’d be perfect for the leafs.
Canes: Fire Brind’Amour because he can’t get them over the hump.
Every other team: Falling over themselves to hire Brind’Amour to get them over the hump.
LOL Brock – delete Brind’Amour and insert Berube (with “fired” inserted twice) and it’s exactly the same sentiment.
NHL version of “musical chairs” – Ottawa just hired a coach who couldn’t get the Canucks “over the hump” and you can bet someone will soon hire Keefe – who is seen in some quarters as the coach who couldn’t get the Leafs “over the hump.”
Round and round we go.
The best way to lure Brind’Amour to your team as coach, is hiring his assistant coaching staff as well & paying them what Roddy believes they are worth.
I wish Toronto was still in the playoffs. Then we could read about different daily rumours instead of the same ones (Marner, Toronto’s D, Toronto’s goaltending, coaching, etc. etc. etc.) over and over.
Well, Les, there are no Leafs rumors in today’s update and there weren’t any in the May 9 update.
I daresay we’ll see less about them as this month goes along until after the playoffs. That’s when they’ll really ramp up again.
Treliving:
Fridays press conference :
We have to find a way – unsexy ways that don’t involve skill
What is everyone’s take on this statement ..
I guess I am seeking closure – meaning of what was said , or is this a brood topic
Ken, here’s the whole thing if anyone’s interested.
Hard to pinpoint any one aspect that would fit the definition “unsexy ways that don’t involve skill.”
Maybe he’s thinking that they need more of the type of player who’s willing to plant himself in front of the opposing goalie and take the physical contact that follows. An Yvon Lambert or Claude Lemieux if you will. Same with a player always ready to go into the corners in the offensive zone and dig out pucks for the snipers. Hard-nosed types without being goons.
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2024/05/10/brad-treliving-on-searching-for-a-head-coach-to-take-the-leafs-over-the-top-at-playoff-time/
Thanks George !
Treliving can be interesting !
He also likes “snot” in his lineup
Didn’t Burke want the same thing ? How long ago was that ? Truculence I think his word was.
SilverSeven,
Burkie’s teams had little skill, with a below average coach. Not a good combo. Brian Burke moved up in the 1st round of the 2011 draft in order to select Tyler Biggs, who went on to play exactly zero games in the NHL.
In that draft, Toronto sent Boston’s 1st rounder (30th pick) and their own 2nd rounder (39th pick) for Anaheim’s 1st rounder (22nd pick).
Pick 30 – Richard Rakell
Pick 39 – John Gibson
That draft day trade must rank as the one of the worst of all time.
The leafs history of trading their 1st round pics tells much of the story of their despair/undoing. Just off the top of my head the following is an infuriating but incomplete list of players selected with leaf traded 1st rounders:
Scott Neidermayer
Roberto Luongo
Tyler Seguin
Doug Hamilton
Seth Jarvis
I wish there was a team with a more laughable history.
Truculence got Leafs Tyler Biggs #22 overall.
I don’t believe he ever plaid a game in the NHL.
Another Burke mistake.