NHL Rumor Mill – September 6, 2024

by | Sep 6, 2024 | Rumors | 39 comments

An update on the notable remaining restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox provides an update on the notable remaining restricted free agents.

Fox noted a recent rumor claiming goaltender Jeremy Swayman seeks $10 million annually from the Boston Bruins drew skepticism. Another report claimed the Bruins offered the 25-year-old netminder a lowball $6.2 million average annual value for four seasons.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

The Bruins training camp opens on Sept. 18. They possess $8.6 million in cap space. Meanwhile, Swayman was participating in captain’s skates with his teammates this week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The AAV on Swayman’s new contract will likely be between $7 million and $8 million, depending on the length of the deal. It could be anywhere between four and eight years.

Fox cited an Aug. 28 report by Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff claiming the Red Wings are close to a deal with defenseman Moritz Seider. Meanwhile, some observers wonder how Seth Jarvis’ new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes affected Lucas Raymond’s negotiations with the Wings. Both wingers had comparable stats last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider could get an eight-year deal worth between $8 million and $8.5 million. Jarvis is getting an AAV of $7.9 million (though the deferred salary actually reduces the annual cap hit to $7.42 million. Raymond’s negotiations have likely reached the point where it’s late in the game to introduce the concept of deferred payments into the discussions.

Nothing new to report on Thomas Harley’s negotiations with the Dallas Stars. Fox theorizes that the 23-year-old defenseman’s agent could be waiting to see what Seider gets with the Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If so, the Stars aren’t going to meet that demand given their $6.2 million in cap space.

Fox cited NHL Network Radio’s Dave McCarthy claiming some teams would be willing to sign Cole Perfetti to a two-year offer sheet with an AAV of $4.5 million. However, the Jets would surely match that offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets have over $5.7 million in cap space with only Perfetti to sign among their active roster players.

According to a recent report by The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta, the New Jersey Devils aren’t close to a new contract with forward Dawson Mercer. However, discussions continue between the two sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have nearly $5 million in cap space. Mercer’s coming off his entry-level contract so he lacks leverage here. He could end up with a bridge deal worth between $3.5 million and $4 million annually.

Nothing new on Peyton Krebs’ contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres. Fox speculates the 23-year-old center will either get a short-term “prove-it” deal but isn’t ruling out a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo Hockey Now’s Jason Moser believes Krebs’ limited options could leave him no choice but to accept his qualifying offer ($874,125). The Sabres could explore trade options but Moser believes the return would be minimal.

Fox believes Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson has three options: sign his qualifying offer, let his agent Pat Brisson negotiate an offer sheet or an extension, or withhold his services and await a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun last night reported Robertson still wants to be traded. He’s reportedly training at home and waiting for a resolution but the process isn’t moving as fast as his camp was hoping for. LeBrun noted that the youngster lacks leverage in this situation.

That lack of leverage prompted The Athletic’s James Mirtle to join those observers who believe it doesn’t make sense for Robertson’s career to sideline himself at this point. He thinks the youngster should sign his qualifying offer, play for the Leafs this season, and establish himself as a roster regular. That would give him arbitration rights next summer and improve his value in the trade market if he still wants to be moved.

Nothing new to report on Nashville Predators forward Philip Tomasino and Los Angeles Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev. Both are in the same position as Robertson.







39 Comments

  1. lol Robertson. Your brother is better. His issue is he’s not getting consistent top six minutes to show off just how much less skill than his brother he has. So trade me where I play top six and really show the Leafs are playing this smart. Sign the QO and move on kid.

    • Dark G, according to PuckPedia Ottawa has signed PTOs with 38 y/o LW Nikolay Kulemin and 24 y/o RD Calen Addison.

      What the heck is the point of bringing in Kulemin at this stage? He hasn’t played in the NHL for the past 6 seasons since completing 669 games with Toronto and NYI, scoring 121g 153a 274 pts and in 25 playoff games 2g 5a 7 pts.

      Last season Addison played 60 games with San Jose with 1g 11a 12 pts and a whopping minus 35. Are they thinking of replacing the departed Chychrun’s minus 30?

      • Thank you Ottawa! Now maybe i can read less posts about Addison pto in Pittsburgh. No spank you.

      • The radio people were saying that Kulemin was a favor from Pooly from he knew him in T.O. He may have a son in Ontario coming through the system and Kulemin senior is pencilled in for Belleville so he can be nearer. Don’t read too much into him here on a PTO. Now Addison is a low risk way to push the bottom 4 people in camp that nothing is given and must be earned.

      • Lol Chrisms – give him time – there are still a host of free-floating names out there – he’ll latch onto a new one

      • I don’t know what the Sen’s are thinking brining these two in for a PTO….
        LW Nikolay Kulemin and RD Calen Addison.❗️

        Tyson Barrie and or Justin Shultz would be way better..👍
        they need a tough guy…….

  2. My early season prediction and no it’s not in the headlines.

    I would bet $100 that both Patrik Laine and Pierre Luc Dubois score 30plus goals this season.

    I don’t know if Vegas has odds on such things.

    • Caper, bold predictions, nice.
      You can bet on all kinds of things, have to think you can get an over under on the their goals, but I don’t know either. Been a couple years, I should get to Vegas again soon!

      I think the odds are better for Laine, as goals are his thing, and if he plays with Suzuki he will get fed some opportunities.

      Not sure who gets the puck to PLD? Thinking he might be feeding Ovie and Wilson. That would be a big strong line that makes life really hard for the D. No fun to play against for a series if the Caps get to the playoffs. They seem better, but not a lock by any means.

  3. Robertson is an ideal candidate for an offer sheet as TML don’t want to pay him and don’t give him ice time and he still pops in some goals.

    He has a qualifying off of around 800,000, why should he accept it?

    A $1.5 million offer sheet has no compensation, almost doubles his salary and gets him to a new team.

    A $2.2 million offer almost triples his salary and compensation is a 3rd round pick.

    • Makes sense. That would also apply to Philip Tomasino and Arthur Kaliyev who, like Robertson, were drafted in 2019. Both, however, have considerably more NHL games under their belts.

      Tomasino – 6′ 180 lb C taken 24th in Rd 1 and coming off an ELC of $863,334 – 148gp 23g 47a 70 pts for 82-game averages of 16g 32a 48 pts – 3 playoff games – 0 across the board

      Kaliyev – 6′ 2″ 210 lb RW taken in Rd 2 33rd overall and also coming off an ELC of $863,334 – 188gp 35g 36a 71 pts for 82-game average of 19g 19a 38 pts – 9 playoff games – 0 across the board

      Robertson – 5′ 9″ 175 lb LW taken in Rd 2 53rd pverall and coming off an ELC of $796,667 – 87gp 17g 17a 34 pts for 82-game averages of 20 20 40 – 10 playoff games 1g 0a 1 pt

    • Except that for such low compensation, his team will match the offer, and he’s back to square one…plus he’s p*ssed off the GM who will be dealing his rights, or assigning him to the minors at the most convenient time for the team.
      Nope.
      Seen this play out before with other guys. Your best bet is always to go to camp, impress, and get a bunch o teams interested in you….not holding out (with a long history of injuries) and a reputation for being undersized.
      Put the spotlight on your talent – not your record, at a time when other teams have the maximum amount of flexibility to remake their roster.
      He may even get to choose the city he wants to play in that way.

      • Well, if they match any offer at least he gets a contract for the year and probably at a higher rate than they’ve been offering him.

  4. Correction: 82-game averages above are wrong – here are adjusted totals

    Tomasono: 13g 26a 39 pts

    Kaliyev: 15g 16a 31 pts

    Robertson: 16g 16a 32 pts

    In L.A.’s case, they are sitting on a cap reserve of $1,321,666 with a full complement of 23, according to PuckPedia.

    Nashville has a cap reserve of $3,095,801 but PuckPedia shows them with 19 of 23 committed to, and two RFAs still to re-up – Tomasino and 6′ 3″ 212lb C Juuso Parssinen, coming off an ELC of $850,833 and taken in Rd 7 210th overall in 2019. He’s closer to Robertson’s totals with 89gp 14g 23a 37 pts for 82-game averages of 13g 21a 34 pts. He has played 1 playoff game with 0 across the board.

    • Hey George I agree with you that there is more going on with these RFAs. This seems like the last opportunity for teams to get cheap cost controlled assets. The problem seems to be these RFAs don’t want to be considered as cheap. Like if one of us worked a couple of years getting paid minimum wages but now after you proved your ability you’d want to get paid like your peers and the teams want you to prove it again.

      Like you have pointed out, most of the teams have the cap dollars to pay them but simply won’t at this time. Robertson being from California it would be easier for LA to sign him if the Leafs were to trade him there, not only having a better role but being close to home after being played like yo-yo with the Leafs.

      The weird thing is how left wing is a weakness of the Leafs so there is a spot for him in the middle six to make his mark but I guess a trade is a better opportunity for him? Being his 23rd birthday is next week, let’s hope the Leafs can gift him with a new contract or a new team.

      • I wonder how many of these unsigned RFAs – including the elite ones like Raymond and Seider – are prepared to sit out until December 1, after which they can not play in the NHL this season?

        It hasn’t happened a lot, I know, but if I recall correctly, Yashin sat out an entire season. Maybe Peca?

      • What yoyo Ron? Robertson sent to the minors was a paper transaction and it happened what twice. Plus each time it happened it lit a fire under the kids butt. Both times Robertson scored his 1st game back. See a pattern here. But you make it sound like he had to pack his bags, get on an airplane, find a hotel in a different city. The Leafs have treated him very well considering the injures he`s had plus his play away from the puck. Compared to most kids in the same situation Robertson has been treated like gold

      • When I look at these situations from the teams side, I get what they are doing and I don’t think some these players have earned a bigger contract, nor have they earned a “bigger role”. Getting squeezed? Maybe, or haven’t earned or proven sh*t.

        All of these guys have averaged below 1/2 pt game. OK, fine, 1/2 point 3rd line veteran players earn $3m to $3.5m with the odd exception. But these guys are proven vets who play away from the puck, within the structure, 200′ game, whatever phrase you want to use. Another way to say they are valuable contributors to a winning NHL hockey team.

        The knock on Robertson is he doesn’t play away from the puck. Meaning he isn’t a valuable contributor to a winning team. Or another way, he can be a liability on the ice.

        Just like a whole bunch of other young players who haven’t adjusted to the NHL game.

        He is young, and will probably learn it soon enough. When he does, and he is a trusted member of a winning NHL hockey team, he will get paid accordingly.

        IMO he is just another guy who seems to be blaming other people for his own struggles. Sign a deal, get to work, earn a better contract.

        Whiner.

      • 100% correct Ray

  5. According to puckpedia, qualifying offers for :
    Tomasino- $874,125
    Kaliyev- $874,125
    Robertson- $813,750

    Robertson has a lower QO and is why I mentioned him as an ideal candidate.

    He had 14 goals in 56 games last year, with TOI of 11.23 min.

    • Could the Habs get involved with Robertson or are they capped out?

      Discussion in here has mentioned their need for some bottom 6 offense. The domino effect of getting Laine will help in that respect and the addition of Robertson that much more.

      • No thank you George. Robertson would be a solid addition at a price he would be available at, but the Habs are still in what I would call a developmental window.

        They have young D (Hutton, Maillioux, Reinbacher) to give ice time to, with associated growing pains. They have Roy, Beck, and Kapanen, who will each see some ice time. With the addition of Demidov next year, they will want to see what they have in their prospects this year going into 2025’s free agency.

        In short, this season, with limited expectations, is the one to audition prospects, not to take away a developmental opportunity.

        Besides, Robertson is small 5’9″, 179, the same size as Farrell and Mesar, and they have the diminutive Hutton to fit into their line up. There is room for small players on a team, but not many.

      • LJ,
        Why are you worried about Beck, Roy and Kapanen?

        Too much competition? Too much talent?
        You don’t hold room for prospects, they have to break the door down on good teams.

        In the “old days” when the Habs were a good team they had to choose between Savard and Vadnais, Dryden and Esposito, Carbonneau and Daoust.

        The cost to get him is peanuts in the offer I proposed and worst case scenario he doesn’t pan out.
        If he beats out one of the existing prospects its because he’s the better player.

        The odds of getting a better player in the 3rd round are small and well worth the gamble.

      • My response to George was complete and comprehensive, HF30.

    • According to Treliving, Toronto will match anything under 2.3. So if you`re thinking of an offer sheet, you`re thinking is Robertson worth a 2nd round pick to Montreal and what does him having a lower QO have to do with this?

      • I don’t understand Treliving coming through on matching a $2.3 M OS on Robertson if it comes

        Leafs only have 21 players currently listed on Puckpedia with less than $1.3 M in space

        Matching $2.3 M puts them at 22 players and more than $1M OVER Cap; so waiving at a minimum, 1 player to get under

        And that doesn’t include the potential of Hakinpaa

      • That`s Trelivings way of saying that I want a 2nd for him. They doubt Hakinpaa will pass the physical. They can waive Reeves to get under, maybe a trade coming. Still a month to go to get under the cap

    • Habs have the room and while the bottom 6 has too many bodies, 4 are there on account of bad contracts,

      I’d take Robertson and offer TML a 3rd round pick as a courtesy instead of an offer sheet.

      He’s the right age, talent.

      • If Toronto is matching under 2.3, which is a 3rd. Why would they trade him for a 3rd? That makes as much sense as the lower QO statement. Not sure what you’re reasoning is

      • Yogi,
        My reasoning is that while Treliving may have made that statement, he only has 21 players signed and $955,000 cap space left.

        So he can’t pay the guy $2.5 million, he can’t match a QO of $2.3 or $1,5 million either.

        So yeah a 3rd rounder is a courtesy for a player he can’t afford or at least isn’t willing to pay considering his summer shopping spree.

      • Habfan30 Where did you get the idea from that Treliving wasn `t willing to pay Robertson. All indications are that money isn`t the issue here, it`s ice time, Robertson`s role on the team. He wasn`t a Keefe guy, well Keefe is gone. Toronto has 1.275 mill in cap space as of now and since they can go 10% over, matching an offer for 2.3 really isn`t an issue. Plus it wouldn`t be much of a problem starting the season with 21 man roster especially with the farm team being 5 minutes down the road. Now a QO is what a team issues to retain a players rights, has nothing to do with an offer sheet, 2 separate and totally different things and yes Toronto can match an offer sheet quite easily for 2.3 mill and I believe they would for Robertson. If any team thought that Toronto wouldn`t or couldn`t match an offer sheet for Robertson, I`m sure it would`ve happened by now. Clearly you haven`t paid much attention to Robertson`s case

      • I got the idea because Robertson wasn’t extended, got a lowball qualifying offer.

        If he was to get $2.5 he’ get more ice time or would be traded, it’s as simple as that.

        I have no skin in the game, Habs don’t “need” the guy but teams with cap space like Utah, San Jose and Anaheim could step right in.

        He’s ripe for the picking whether you see it or not.

      • Habfan clearly you have no idea what the situation concerning Robertson is. Robertson hasn`t been extended because he`s refused to sign one. Like I said before, money doesn`t seem to be the issue here, it`s ice time and his role with the team. Now you`re making things up like a low ball QO. You have no clue what offers were made and neither do I for fact. He`s not waiver exempt anymore, so he knows he`ll either get better ice time or get traded. As far as anyone knows Robertson may or may not want to sign an offer sheet. A lot of kids can be offered contracts, but almost none are. Remember offer sheets are not negotiated, so offer sheets are a one shot take it or leave it, no promises can be made to the player. I don`t mind hearing somebodies honest opinion, good or bad. But please don`t make things up as you go along, it`s hard enough getting accurate info from players and teams. Unless you want to reveal where the so called low ball offer came from, perhaps maybe

      • Yogi,
        You’re in denial and trying to rationalize away what is blatantly obvious.

        The premise that began this thread is that Robertson is an ideal candidate for an offer sheet..

        Whether it’s successful or not is moot.

        You have no idea what he was offered any more than I do, what is known is that he asked to be traded.

        He isn’t waiver exempt and needs to be signed, traded or left to wither on the vine, making him as I said, ripe for an offer sheet.

  6. Tomasino is interesting
    Preds are a little crowded up front for a player like him. Might get him for a third anyway and a minor league player and pay him less than the
    $2.2m offer sheet route.

    Just like the geese, the players are gathering

    Laine definitely scores 30
    (in 63 games. )

  7. I’m surprised there hasn’t been any more offer sheets signed

    I’m sure offer sheets have been presented (if only verbally) but they don’t become an official “offer sheet” (with matching window) until player signs

    I’m very pro on Harley and I would think many teams have at least approached his agent on what it would take to sign

    That said, with anything South of $1.5 AAV needing zilch in compensation; and only a 3rd in compensation for between $1.5 M and $2.3 M; why hasn’t there been offer sheets on players like Kalyiev, Tomasino, Robertson

    Re available UFAs…. Can anybody tell me what’s wrong with Lidstrom???

    25 years old, 6’2”, 190, and a rightie D-man that was a + 12 on Ducks

    (note: other Ducks D: Fowler -36; Lacombe -24; Mintinukuv -20( Lubusskin -13

    Why not at least a PTO?

    A PTO OR even a league min 1 year comes with zero Cap risk; waive and send down to AHL; no cap counting against NHL team

    Are there some personal issues on hhis guy????

    • 8787, the skinny on Lindstrom appears here in a Hockey News article

      https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/editorials/how-the-offseason-stacks-up-for-ducks-rfa-gustav-lindstrom

      where it says “Consistency was a rare commodity among all Anaheim players in 2023-24, and Lindstrom was no exception. His most consistent defensive partner was Urho Vaakanainen, with whom he shared the ice for 175 minutes.

      Lindstrom, while not flashy in the slightest, has shown reliable fundamentals and understanding of defensive concepts and rudimentary offense. He can fend off a forecheck deep in the defensive zone before moving a puck to a first outlet option on a breakout. He displays textbook gaps and an active stick against the rush, and is consistently on his assignment’s hip when in defensive zone coverage.”

      Seems to me that, if Anaheim, with $20,943,333 in cap space, nor any other team to date, hasn’t seen any point in extending an offer to a 6′ 2″ 194 lb RD – one of the most sought-after D positions – who only turns 26 in October and has 174 NHL gp experience, one can only conclude that his game has to be seen lacking something fundamental.

      • Oh I get “lacking” and “room for improvement” but he certainly outdid other D-Men on the awful Ducks and no PTO or even a two-way? Very very strange

        Something personal must be up

        PTOs are zero risk

        2-way contracts have zero NHL CAp risk and minimal cash risk (owners are rich, so call that zero cash risk

        Cap hit’s up to $1.15 M can be fully buried. Again owners are rich so this “rounding error” investment (to Billionaires) is irrelevant

        He’s not going to get $1M or more now;

        But a League min contract to a player who just may pan out; why not?

        Same for a player like Katchouk. He’s young and has size…. PTO comes with zero risk

        These are strange situations

      • You assume they are willing to sign ptos.

      • If they have no other options (save for Europe); why not sign a PTO?

        While on PTO it doesn’t preclude them from signing with another team

        It’s a no lose scenario