NHL Rumor Mill – July 24, 2024
Check out the latest on Igor Shesterkin, Jeremy Swayman, Patrik Laine, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Kirill Marchenko in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
NHL.COM: In his latest mailbag, Dan Rosen was asked about the odds of the New York Rangers and goaltender Igor Shesterkin failing to agree to a new contract, forcing them to trade him.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).
Rosen dismissed that possibility, citing Shesterkin’s value to the Rangers. He also noted the 28-year-old netminder has plenty of years left in his playing prime. Shesterkin will seek market value on his next contract and Rosen expects a deal will be in place before his UFA eligibility next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin will receive the most expensive contract for a goaltender in NHL history. It’ll be between seven and eight years and could come in around $12 million annually.
One reader asked Rosen what Jeremy Swayman’s new contract with the Boston Bruins would look like. He anticipates it could come in around $9 million annually depending on the length of the deal. It could dip below $9 million if the 25-year-old goalie seeks an eight-year contract, or jump to the $10 million range if he wants a five-year deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why the Bruins and Swayman haven’t yet hammered out an agreement. The two sides could still be negotiating the term and dollars. Plenty of time remains for them to get it done before training camp opens in September.
Another reader noted the Washington Capitals got $3.9 million back due to the termination of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s contract and wondered if they might pursue someone like Patrik Laine. Rosen thinks they could be in the mix for Laine once he’s cleared to resume his playing career. He believes the Capitals have sufficient cap space to add another forward via trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia shows the Capitals sitting over $10.2 million above the $88 million salary cap. However, they’ll get $9.2 million in cap relief with Nicklas Backstrom on long-term injury reserve. The Caps could also get an additional $5.75 million if T.J. Oshie joins Backstrom on the LTIR list. Factor in Kuznetsov’s buyout and they could have sufficient room to make another addition, be it Laine or another forward.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of Kuznetsov, Sammi Silber reports his agent, Shumi Babayev, said there is interest from 15 NHL teams in the 32-year-old center. The former Hurricane and Capital is also believed weighing offers from KHL teams.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov probably didn’t expect to hear from other NHL teams following the termination of his contract. Those clubs could attempt to sign him to a low-cost one-year deal worth around $2.5 million.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey noted a recent report indicating Kirill Marchenko hadn’t received a worthy offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets and had yet to speak with new general manager Don Waddell. Bailey suggested this could be an opportunity for the Flyers to attempt to acquire the 24-year-old forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko also indicated he believed he would hear from Waddell this week and would likely get a better offer from him then. His arbitration hearing is slated for July 31 but he’s likely to end up settling with the Jackets before then. It’s unlikely he’ll be available for the Flyers or anyone else to acquire.
Jeremy Swayman is seeking a $9 or $10 million dollar contract, then trade him.
Swayman has zero season of being a true #1 goalie his duties were shared with Ullmark.
Jusse Saros new contract has a cap hit of $7,740,000 that is the top mark for Swayman.
Swayman had a very good playoffs, but we don’t know is how he will handle the increase workload of 55 plus games. The most he has played in one season is 44 games with 2.53 gaa and .916sv%
I will be surprised if his numbers comes in higher than Saros
If you look at Connor Hellebuyck who cap hit is $8,500,000 Hellebuyck last three season he started 60, 64 and 66 games.
Not to mention Hellebuyck was already a vezina winner before signing his contract.
Yes Swayman is younger than both; however, he doesn’t have their established records.
I’ll be shocked if Swayman gets a $9m contract.
I’ll be shocked if he gets that anywhere.
$9M for 5 yrs
$8.25 for 8 yrs
đź‘Ťđź‘Ť
Compare Swayman to Jake Ottenger! 25 yrs old,played 4 yrs in the league 193 games! RFA making 4 million this year!
Rosen. Must ate some gummies if he think 9 mil or more for Swayman
So, Bowman is the new GM in Edmonton. Yikes is all I’m going to say
I was thinking the same thing Swayman at around 6.5mil to 7.5mil max.
Has he even played a full season as the started? How does that translate into 9 or 10 mil?
His agent is smoking something!!
Re Caps may be in on Laine:
Caps already finished ahead of Pens last year; improved roster this summer; and Pens actually got (as at now) shorter, lighter, older, and definitely worse
Caps getting Laine almost seals it that Pens don’t get in
I’ve been advocating for Pens to gamble right now; without speaking to him; on Laine
“Sight unseen” (not talking to him) so to speak and his trade value will be much less than when he clears and starts practising
Worst case for Pens , he remains LTIR, insurance pays for him
If he plays he should at least get 30 goals with Crosby feeding him; 40+ is NOT out of the question
This line up gets Pens in for sure:
Crosby Rackell Laine
Malkin Rust Bunting
Eller O’Connor Beauvillier or Poulin
Hayes Puuljarvi Beauvillier or Poulin
Puustinen + maybe Koivinen as 13th/14th Fwds
Letang Pettersson
Karllsson *Graves
**?? (3rd pairing RHD) and one of Ludwig or Pickering
St. Ivany and one of Ludwig or Pickering as 7th/8th
*Hoping for a waaay better season from Graves
** we have only 2 true NHL ready RHDs. This acquisition is a must
Ceci might be available 87Pengy.
Better than the majority of 3rd pair RD guys, played 2nd pair on a team that came within a game of the cup. Best described as a 4-5 guy.
Again NOT Pengy
What is Ceci’s Cap hit?
Peggy i normally shake my head at some of your posts ( But do read them) i enjoy this site a lot .
In saying that Laine could easily get 30-40 goals if he could stay healthy mentally and physically playing with Crosby . He never really has had a great first line centre for a whole season .
“Again NOT Pengy”, said Pengy.
🙂
The question is what do the Blue Jackets want to get rid of him. Different GM now . Take your lumps. Likely losing the trade and I doubt he would show up a camp anyway. Not sure how it all works with the assistance program. Who determines when how . I wonder if any player has been traded while on LTIR.