NHL Rumor Mill – September 10, 2024
In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest on the Leafs’ Mitch Marner and Nick Robertson, an update on the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman, and why there could be more trades and waiver activity in this year’s preseason.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports there’s no contract extension imminent between the Toronto Maple Leafs and winger Mitch Marner.
Dreger indicated the relationship between Leafs management and the Marner camp is in a good place. He doesn’t believe Marner faces pressure to sign a new deal, adding the 27-year-old winger is happy for it to be quiet. While there’s no heavy negotiation between the two sides, there’s a good relationship between them and they’re ok with not rushing into getting a deal done.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both sides seem fine with letting the coming season unfold and seeing how things play out.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nick Barden cited Dreger saying Nick Robertson seems likely to return with the Maple Leafs this season. The 22-year-old restricted free-agent winger requested a trade earlier this summer, but the two sides could soon agree to a new contract.
Robertson was unhappy with his role and limited playing time with the Leafs. However, new Leafs coach Craig Berube told him he’d be given an opportunity given their holes at the left wing position.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could be Robertson’s best chance to earn top-six minutes with the Leafs. If it doesn’t work out, his trade request could be honored.
The Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby reported Robertson preferred a trade to a Western Conference club to be closer to his family and brother Jason of the Dallas Stars. However, Nick doesn’t have much leverage in this situation.
Dreger also reports a contract between the Boston Bruins and RFA goaltender Jeremy Swayman might not be as far off as previous reports suggested. “Negotiations are probably closer than what we’re reading about,” he said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports last week claimed the two sides were far apart, with Swayman believed seeking an average annual value of around $8.5 million and the Bruins offering $6.2 million. There is speculation suggesting they could agree to a short-term deal.
Despite the conjecture, Swayman has been skating with his teammates in Boston with training camp over a week away.
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cites a source suggesting there could be more trades and waiver moves than usual during this year’s NHL training camp and preseason.
Thanks to the sharp rise in the salary cap for this season, several teams have considerable cap flexibility and lots of roster spots available. With additional youth coming into the league, there could be more trades and waiver moves. Rebuilding teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames could have the most to gain.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That period usually sparks an increase in trade activity and waiver wire moves as clubs evaluate their rosters for the upcoming season. D’Amico noted that 11 clubs have upwards of $5 million in cap space for 2024-25. Some could use it to their advantage to seek deals with cap-strapped teams looking to shed salary before the regular season begins.
Robertson signed 1 year deal.
1 year at $875k. And I recall reading internet comments (X or here) during the past few weeks suggesting that another team should offer sheet Robertson at $2 M +.
The 875k salary will force the two sides to reach a decision on where Nick ultimately plays. Leafs won’t be able to send Robertson to the minors as he would be picked up. So, Nick will remain on the club roster, with playing time determined by his performance on the ice. It’s “show me what you got time”. A great year will lead to a big payday next summer.
The ball is in his court now for sure. I hope for his sake he concentrates on improving the deficiencies in his game – he does that and the scoring will take care of itself … he does have that touch
Come to Pittsburgh ! Not sure what Toronto is looking for but I’m sure Dubas can work something out if Robertson doesn’t want to stay.
Young Russian player Valteri Puustinen and a 3d round pick to Toronto?
With that signing the Leafs now have just $400,333 in cap space and 22 of 23 on the main roster – 13F 7D 2G.
If they experience early-season nagging 1 to 3 games injuries they can’t call up even an ELC contract from the Marlies because it would put them over the cap. While perhaps not a critical if such an injury happens to a F, there’s less room for manoeuvre on the D.
Not sure how that would work if a goalie suffers a short-term injury, as they must dress 2 goalies.
I said he was an ideal candidate for an offer sheet for anywhere between $1.5-@2 or just trade a 3rd rounder for him.
That term and salary insures an easy exit for him during the season. A signed player with low term is a lot easier to move (easier if still an RFA)
Unless Robertson fills the needs the team has, I fully expect him moving on at some point in the season when the team has more of an idea of what they need and what other GMs value him now.
Good point, Ron. One we all overlooked. As I say above, the ball is in his court now to show he is prepared to play a solid 2-way game.
It`s a smart move by Robertson, missing any part of training camp whether it`s with Toronto or any other club, was his worst case scenario. At 875 grand he`s pretty much assured another club would claim him if he goes on waivers. He`s got the ball, now run with it
Blue Jackets still under cap floor by about 2.7 mil. With a roster of 22. Would expect a FA signing or probable landing spot for a salary dump.
Is there a list of teams that are still over (and can’t solve their problems with LTIR)?
Just curious if there are a handful of teams that MUST make a trade at this point to be cap compliant.
Maybe they can take Nurse from Edmonton….
foleyd, according to PuckPedia this morning these 13 teams are either over the cap or with cap space barely covering an ELC call-up, and only 5 having a possible LTIR loophole to utilize. Also showing is their main roster situation (23 max)
Washington $10.27 mil over – 22 of 23 – Backstrom $9.2 mil LTIR
Vegas $3,639,983 over – 23 of 23 -Lehner $5 mil LTIR
Montreal $2,022,084 over – 23 of 23 – Price $10.5 mil LTIR
Pha $829,763 over – 22 of 23 – Johansen $8 mil poss. LTIR
NYI – 0 cap space 22 of 23 – no LTIR candidate
Seattle $4,286 in cap space – 21 of 23 – no LTIR
Carol – $80,000 cap space – 22 of 23 – no LTIR
Van $190,833 in cap space – 23 of 23 – no LTIR
Tor $400,333 in cap space – 22 of 23 – no LTIR
NYR $623,476 in cap space – 23 of 23 – no LTIR
Tampa $730,000 in cap space – 22 of 23 – no LTIR
Minn $756,400 in cap space – 23 of 23 – no LTIR
Fla $766,666 – 22 of 23 – no LTIR
@ George O, thanks.
Seems Wash still has the most work still to do. Even if Backstrom is LTIR, they are still $1M over and a player short of the 23 man roster.
Seattle being at the cap with only 21 contracts and no LTIR options is also something to watch.
the NHL could still give Columbus an exception for this season
Wouldn’t the NHLPA fight it if they were given an exception? That’s $2.7m that any one of their members, especially unsigned FAs, could be earning.
Maybe an exception to be cap floor compliant by a certain date (like 11/1 or something)…. but not the whole season.
That is taking $ out of the Players Association if they stay below the floor.
I agree ds, they were compliant and a player dies in a tragic event. Only common sense.
Why is it common sense, Ray?
If a big salary player is injured in training camp and done for the year, is it any different?
And as others have noted, the NHLPA would surely fight this – as they should. Count the # of unsigned players still available.
And then there is the CBJ fans. They will be understanding this year given the circumstances but don’t they deserve to have the best product that can be put on the ice? They are paying, after all.
LJ I’m not sure you realize that people do return from injuries for the most part but a player can’t if he’s suddenly no longer with us and how that’s a bit different and what would be considered an exception, don’t you think?
Man… imagine the nhlpa saying to bad so sad to the jackets regarding johhnys death. That is an awful look.
Ron:
If you disagree and have a different view, great, that’s what this site is for. But if you want to push back, push back on the statements I make.
I very clearly used the example of a player “done of the year.” In terms of impact on a team’s roster, what’s the difference for CBJ?
So, in answer to your statement, no, I don’t see a difference, and am not inclined to change my other comments – unaddressed – either. CBJ have options at hand to fill their roster. They can use them without asking for an exception, which I clearly do not think is necessary.
And they can’t place Johnny on LTIR.
Any GM that objected to some sort of relief for Columbus, in the circumstances, would have to be seen as just finishing a book titled “How To Become An Instant Pariah.”
This is a unique situation and there is an easy, reasonable solution. IF CBJ is under the minimum cap this season, add the difference to next season. Heck, if they are only short by a couple of million, I am sure CBJ would agree to be at least $4 million over the minimum next season.
IF no solution, then the Blue Jackets will trade for an overpaid player or someone on LTIR and acquire more picks.
Sort of recall reading that Gaudreau’s beneficiaries will be paid this season’s salary. IF so, why is that amount not included in any calculation regarding meeting the minimum cap?
Caps have another $5.7M with TJ Oshie to put on LTIR. I think he will go on right after season begins so they can use his space. Unfortunately, his career is likely over.
I think a lot of people are underestimating what the job of the players association is tasked with.
They will maximize the dollars that their players get in all cases. JG’s passing is awful, but the PA is not going to let those dollars disappear.
As for comments that JG’s family is getting paid out on his contract, my guess is that falls under some insurance clauses, not a payment impacting the salary cap.
Finally, clear thinking Folyd7.
LJ poorly worded at the very least.
This isn’t ltir or season ending. It’s life ending.
If the league and PA see an issue with some type of relief, in today society where public opinions run wild, i don’t think the league or PA want to be looked at in that negative light.
I don’t know the answer but i would suggest you allow the Columbus Blue Jackets time to heal and to resolve the cap compliance concerns.
Get off it Caper. I have nothing to do with CBJ’s ability to grieve, and they couldn’t give a rat’s ass what I think or post here.
You make the maudlin mistake of thinking that the Gaudreau’s death ( tragic, of course) means that the CBJ won’t want to do their best to pick themselves up and move forward. Suggestions that granting relief from the cap floor will help them do so eludes me. How exactly does that help the CBJ move forward?
Slick
$2.7 M under?
Say no more…. Accairi and Nieto for future considerations
Yeah …. riiiight. Look how generous we, here, in Pittsburgh are Columbus …. we’ll gladly give you our crap … and their cap hits … to help you out.
Spector, do you have any insight in regards to Seider and Raymond with Detroit?
Neither Yzerman nor the agents are dropping any hints on those two Yzerfan19.
For whatever it’s worth check out this article by Luke Fox of SportsNet on the existing RFAs at the time of the writing
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhls-top-12-rfas-of-2024-latest-rumours-reports/
Here’s another which came out just before the Jarvis signing
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/3058706
Thank you so much.
Arizona traded for players that were injured for the entire season / career to make the cap floor . NHLPA should have used that as a platform not this tragic event.
Columbus was never going to be under the cap .
Two more PTO signings today – Tyson Barrie with Calgary and Adam Erne with NYR
Also, Adam Larsson signs a 4-year $21 mil deal with Seattle