NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2024

by | Jul 30, 2024 | Rumors | 25 comments

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest speculation over Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl’s next contract, an update on Hurricanes forward Martin Necas, and trade conjecture continues to swirl around Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

WHAT COULD LEON DRAISAITL’S NEXT CONTRACT LOOK LIKE?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes Leon Draisaitl’s next contract with the Oilers could be at least $13.5 million per season. He thinks they should consider themselves lucky if they can get the 28-year-old forward signed to that amount.

Draisaitl is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His current average annual value is $8.5 million.

Matheson points out the salary cap for the first season of Draisaitl’s next contract (2025-26) could reach $93 million. He pointed out how much stars such as Toronto’s Auston Matthews ($13.25 million AAV), Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million), Oilers captain Connor McDavid ($12.5 million), the New York Rangers’ Artemi Panarin ($11.64 million) and Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson ($11.6 million) are earning.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Meanwhile, David Staples cited Oilers insider Bob Stauffer claiming Draisaitl could seek a seven or eight-year term on his next contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson believes Draisaitl’s deal will get done because Oilers owner Daryl Katz wants it done. He also noted new general manager Stan Bowman said his priority is to make the talented forward an Oiler for life.

A steadily rising salary cap will help the Oilers re-sign Draisaitl and defenseman Evan Bouchard by next summer. It should also help them ensure they can afford to retain McDavid on another monstrous contract before his UFA eligibility in July 2026.

WHAT NEXT FOR MARTIN NECAS AFTER RE-SIGNING WITH THE HURRICANES?

DFO RUNDOWN: Frank Seravalli named Martin Necas the player he’s most surprised hasn’t been traded. He believes there were a couple of deals under consideration that ultimately weren’t enough for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Seravalli believed the Buffalo Sabres had a deal in place during draft week with the Hurricanes for Necas but the forward wouldn’t agree to sign a new contract with that new deal. There was another he believed was from the Winnipeg Jets with an offer of Rutger McGroarty, Cole Perfetti, and a draft pick but didn’t get it done or it wasn’t a place Necas didn’t want to go.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas lacked no-trade protection but his status as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights gave him leverage regarding possible trade destinations.

Seravalli didn’t indicate what the Sabres offered up for Necas. That package from the Jets looks like an overpayment given Perfetti’s potential.

Necas agreed to a two-year deal with the Hurricanes on Monday with an AAV of $6.5 million. He still lacks no-trade protection but it seems less likely he’ll be moved now.

Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky recently said he’d continue to talk to other clubs but those interested parties no longer have the salary cap flexibility they had in June. The departures of forwards Jake Guentzel and Teuvo Teravainen also ensure Necas will have a larger role this season.

THE LATEST AARON EKBLAD SPECULATION

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau has Aaron Ekblad on the hot seat as the Florida Panthers defend the Stanley Cup this season.

The Panthers defenseman is entering the final season of his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. However, if GM Bill Zito is being proactive, he could attempt to move Ekblad before the next trade deadline.

Ekblad’sbeen hampered by injuries since 2018-19. However, he could still have considerable trade value as a 28-year-old right-shot blueliner. Zito’s been known for making bold moves so trading Ekblad isn’t out of the question.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill since early June. His full no-movement clause became a 12-team no-trade list on July 1, giving Zito room to maneuver in trade talks.

The departures of Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson depleted the Panthers’ blueline for the coming season and could make Zito reluctant to move Ekblad. Nevertheless, this situation could be worth monitoring as this season unfolds.







25 Comments

  1. As if the growing list of multi-year deals in the $8 million range weren’t concerning enough in terms of cap management, if the speculation by Matheson of the Edmonton Journal on Leon Draisaitl’s next contract plays out, we can only hope there’s no other unforeseen Covid-like event in the offing to put a damper on the various factors that lead to the annual cap increase.

    • If anyone is interested in the current state of contract AAVs check out this list from Spotrac which is updated as new deals are signed (the Faber included)

      https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/contracts

  2. Lol, Lyle. I guess i should’ve waited for your rumor page before posting on the morning news.

    Just another player not wanting to play in Winnipeg.

  3. Sens should look to Akblad if the Cats will absorb half his salary to pay us back from stealing Terrasenko for peanuts.

    • Heh … that would be poetic justice indeed Scott. But even at $3,750,000 Ottawa couldn’t take on him or anyone else at that cap cost without shedding a significant cap of their own.

      Right now, Staios has $1,909,285 in cap reserve with 21 of 23 accounted for – 12F 7D 2G, with likely 2 low-cost elevations from the Belleville roster after training camp – e.g., maybe Ostapchuk and Gaudette.

      • George O , Couldnt agree more. A fan can always hope lol
        My wishlist would be moving Hamonic and his 2.2 Million. With Klevin making the jump on the 3rd pair and Ostapchuk and Gaudette hopefuls to make the roster. JBD is more suited for 7th Dman
        Having the following would like pretty sweet
        Sanderson Ekblad
        Chabot Zub
        Kleven Jensen

        I know its more likely we get snow in July but a fan can always wish lol

      • Scott, one thing we’ve learned over the years is that, with regard to trades/signings, ANYTHING is possible (I once posted in here that there was absolutely NO way Toronto would deal Phaneuf to Ottawa … 2 hours after I posted that a 9-player deal went down). LOL.

        The problem with trying to project what Ottawa MIGHT do is getting a read on Staios’ thinking. Although he’s held various positions with the Leafs and Oilers before joining Ottawa, there’s no way of knowing if he was involved in any trade recommendations as a “special adviser” in both locations, nor does his record as GM of the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL offer much in that respect.

        One thing we do know is that, so far anyway, he’s avoided Dorion’s penchant for the big shiny bauble plunge.

      • As to your projected pairings, Scott, that would make things interesting in the new season with the increased offensive contributions of a healthy Norris, a full season from Pinto and the better bottom 6 support Fs in Perron, Gregor and Amadio and possibly Ostapchuk up from Belleville.

        Where it gets tricky is arranging enough cap to take on Ekblad and his $7.5 mil deal, and what he’d want next year as a pending UFA.

        Even if Staios moved Hamonic ($1.1 mil and a UFA next year (not $2.2 mil) and Bernard-Docker ($800,000 and an RFA next year) – both RD – combined with their current $1,909,000 cap space that only gives him $3,814,000 to work with. And it then becomes difficult to pinpoint another player they could afford (team-wise) to move out to bring the cap space up to at least $5.5 mil … and that would be assuming Florida would hold back at least $2 mil on Ekblad. Too convoluted I’m afraid

      • Not hockey related. But George I hope your wife’s treatment and care are going well. And that you also have time to take care of yourself. That’s a tough situation. I’m glad you returned to this board. For me at least it’s a nice tool to unwind a bit. I’m sure you need that. All the best.

      • Thanks Chrisms. We’re coping, thanks to family help, and awaiting entry to full-time care for her.

        And you’re right …I absolutely need something like this site to “unwind.”

  4. I still don’t know how Edmonton will fit both Draisaitl and Bouchard under the cap for next year. Not to mention, the following year McDavid and Skinner will need new contacts. If Skinner does well in the next two years, which he probably will, he will be getting a massive raise from the 2.6 million dollar deal he is currently on.

    I doubt Bouchard would accept less that what Nurse is making (I know I wouldn’t), so that would be 5.6 million added to the cap if he got 9.5 million and if Draisaitl accepts 13.5 million, that would add 5 million to the cap. There’s also 2.3 million from the Campbell buyout next year. That would be 12.9 million added to the cap next year.

    • If skinner continues to play well he definitely deserves a raise, I wouldn’t say massive, unless he wins the vezina, and also becomes more consistent. He can be a really good goalie, not sure I’ve seen great out of him yet though personally.

    • Dave

      the way thing are shapeing up in Edmonton,
      i can see Connor & Leon doing the same deal

      >Draisaitl 8X$13.M
      >Bouchard 8X $9.5.
      >McDavid 8X $13.M
      >Skinner 8X $8.M
      if Stu continues to get better and thought in Edmonmton is 100% he will

      with Bouchard he could do a 2 yr bridge deal also?
      by then they will have more cap space…?

      I can see the Oil trying to trade Nurse out to clear his $9.25 cap hit as he is now there 4th d/man on nthe 2nd paring….🤔

      • They might try williew, but at $9,250,000 for 6 more years, a NMC and turning 35 in the last year, there’s no way they do that without holding back one helluva chunk. It might be worth it to save around $5 mil – but that’s likely what it would take. Assuming he’d agree to go to the team that was interested in such a trade.

  5. Buffalo, wanting a monopoly on #1 o/a blueliners, will make a play for Ekblad. Of course, that’d wreck the Panther’s desire to monopolize the top of the ‘14 draft class.

  6. Ekblad and Trouba have many comparables! Both signed long term contracts that are not ending well! Both have lost a step or two and are not even close to the players they were when they signed those deals! I wonder if they become marketable if their teams take back salary and they end up at 5-6 million with the Rangers and Panthers eating the rest!

  7. Jets need to shake things up, do the Canes say no to a Kyle Connor and McGroarty for Seth Jarvis and a 2nd round pick swap? Jarvis is a Wpg kid and would sign a long term deal in a heartbeat! Wpg needs a 2C but this would be a good start in remaking the forward group.

    • Winnepeg is dealing from such a weak position because no one wants to play there! Ducky 10 brings up a good point with Jarvis! The Jets should target any kid from Winnepeg and go after them! That s the only way that can get better players!

      • Trading KFC is a no go. He’s more than capable of scoring 40+ goals per for another 6-7 seasons, and also wants to be in Winnipeg.

  8. williew,

    you may not be far off on those numbers with the exception of McDavid. It would be insulting for him not to be the highest paid player in the league, and 13 million is only a half million raise. Having said that, 14 million isn’t far off what you stated. Those four salaries would increase the payroll by 16.7 million. It may be difficult to fill out other areas with that increase.

    Time will tell.

  9. Draisaitl is a great player, but I wouldnt say he is comparable to McKinnon or even Mathews even if they are close. Agree on McDavid, no way he comes out at less than 14 and that Nurse contract looks worse every day.

    The Necas proposal from the Jets was a clear overpay I wonder what that guy is smoking, cause I want some.

    Ekblad and Trouba has similar trajectory, but at least Ekblad has an excuse with his ijuries, Trouba is just getting slow and dangerous

    • Draisaitl has 3 seasons of 50-50 -100.
      Is top 5 playoff pt per game in league history , coming off a trip to the finals .
      Also has an mvp trophy of his own.
      What has Mathews done to prove / earn more kent ??

  10. If Leon is 13 million than Pasta and the Tkatchuk brothers are steals.

  11. I would like to focus on a team that could have had an interest in Necas, the Buffalo Sabres.

    The Sabres have a need for a scoring top six forward. The checkbox remains unchecked. Jack Quinn, frequently injured, would need to prove he can stay healthy. Available candidates are older or do not produce the points the Sabres need to win games.

  12. Oilers have two Skinner Skinner chicken dinners. We will have to use first names 🙂

    Necas is proven to a degree. We know he can rush posses and finish with some size and speed. The rumoured Wpg. offer may not have been enough throwing quantity rather than quality. Perfetti was a real good junior . So far not so much in the NHL. McGroarty hasn’t played a minute and picks are picks .