NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 24, 2025
Updates on the Wild’s contract negotiations with Kirill Kaprizov and Marco Rossi, Flyers winger Matvei Michkov weighs in on dump-and-chase hockey, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Seravalli was asked about the contract extension negotiations between the Minnesota Wild and winger Kirill Kaprizov.
Seravalli believes the 28-year-old superstar winger will get “north of what Leon Draisaitl got from the Edmonton Oilers.” Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $112 million contract with an average annual value of $14 million last September.
Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).
“I would ballpark somewhere in the neighborhood of eight years times $15 million,” Seravalli said. “That’s just a guess. No matter what, it’s going to be a significant, significant deal. The richest in Minnesota Wild history.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli’s not alone in making that assessment. Kaprizov is the most exciting player in Wild history. They’re not going to risk losing him to free agency next July.
With the salary cap reaching $104 million for 2026-27, the Wild have a projected cap space of $45.1 million with 14 active roster players under contract. They will open the vault to re-sign Kaprizov.
DAILY FACEOFF: On Monday, Michael Russo of The Athletic said the Wild are in a “major contract dispute” with Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old center is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract.
Russo observed that comparable players, like Matt Coronato of the Calgary Flames and Gabriel Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets, have signed deals in the $7 million AAV range. He indicated that Rossi turned down a five-year offer from the Wild worth $5 million annually during the winter.
According to Russo, the Wild don’t want to offer Rossi more than the $7 million AAV that teammate Matt Boldy is earning. He also doubts that they want to go into the $6 million range.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Russo believes the two sides haven’t held talks in three or four weeks. Wild general manager Bill Guerin could reopen discussions in mid-August or early September as training camp approaches.
Russo also mentioned the possibility of Rossi signing an offer sheet, but so far that hasn’t happened. Guerin has said he would match any offer for the young center, which could be having the desired effect of discouraging a rival club from trying their luck. It’s doubtful anyone will offer Rossi over $7 million.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers sophomore winger Matvei Michkov is no fan of dump-and-chase hockey. He prefers to “carry the puck in under control, make a clean pass and enter the zone with possession.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: New Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet is a proponent of the dump-and-chase style. However, it’s unlikely he’ll rein in Michkov to the point where he stifles the youngster’s creativity. During his tenure coaching the Vancouver Canucks, his system allowed skilled players like Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller to carry the puck into the opposing zone.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars will induct Joe Nieuwendyk and Ralph Strangis into the team’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 16.
Nieuwendyk spent seven seasons with the Stars from 1995-96 to 2001-02, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1999 as he led them to the Stanley Cup. Following his playing career, he served as their general manager from 2009 to 2013.
Strangis was the longest-tenured play-by-play broadcaster in Stars history. He spent 25 years with the organization, including 22 years in Dallas.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nieuwendyk was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.
CSKA MOSCOW: signed Daniel Sprong to a one-year contract. The 28-year-old winger spent nine seasons in the NHL with seven teams. He had 87 goals and 79 assists for 166 points in 374 regular-season games.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Nathan Beaulieu announced his retirement on Wednesday at age 32.
A first-round pick (17th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in 2011, Beaulieu spent 11 seasons in the NHL from 2012-13 to 2022-23 with the Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets and Anaheim Ducks. He had 12 goals and 86 assists for 98 points in 471 regular-season games and 5 points in 21 playoff contests.
Guerin says he’ll match any offer-sheet for Rossi … Russo says that “Rossi turned down a five-year offer from the Wild worth $5 million annually during the winter,” and that he “also doubts that they want to go into the $6 million range.”
So, why doesn’t one of these re-building teams with buckets of cap reserve test that by submitting an offer sheet somewhere between $5,000,000 and $6.1 mil?
Chicago – $21,412,024 in cap reserve with only RFAs LD W yatt Kaiser and G Arvid Soderblom still to re-up;
San Jose – $20,682,499 and only RFA W Danil Grushchin to re-sign;
Columbus – $16,342,501 and only RFA RW Mikael Pyyhtia to re-up;
And both Pittsburgh and Detroit, neither of which have any RFAs left to sign but do have the cap reserve sitting there doing nothing – Pitt $13,053,571 – Det $12,086,628
Because those teams know that Guerin will match such an offer sheet.
So, it costs nothing to test that theory.
Why? The Wild would easily match, and it would be silly for the Rossi camp to accept an offer sheet much lower than what they’re seeking.
Offer sheets. If I was a GM I would consider the team i am looking to poaching from.
First how often do I do business with the manager or club? Is it worth potentially fracturing that relationship. Have we had discussions about other pieces on our clubs and potential moves at some point?
What type of shape are my Rfas in and how is my cap in the next couple of years. If I make a play am I open to retaliation and if so can I mitigate that?
Is this a player i am ok over paying for. You are not going to get a player at market value and how does that work on my team short and long term? Even if I have the compensation how does it affect.my club longer term in relation to my clubs standings?
Has the agent expressed any interest that his player would be open to offers?
If the offer is matched am I actually helping the rival club? Is it better just to let it go on and try to trade as the pressure increases on the situation?
Offer sheets are closer.to a game of chess than checkers imo
Not if Guerin won’t go higher than his offer and the Rossi “camp” realizes a, say, $6.1 mil offer over 7 seasons is the best they’re are going to get. From anyone, including Guerin who is reportedly firm in his $5 mil – 5 year offer.
Again, what does it cost to test?
It certainly doesn’t appear that other clubs share that view, George, suggesting perhaps the Wild’s view of Rossi is shared by other clubs around the league. Again, it wouldn’t make sense for the Rossi camp to accept a lesser cap hit on a long-term offer from a rival club when they’re holding out for a deal comparable to Boldy’s seven-years at $7 million annually.
“We don’t want to spend $7M on the player”
“We will match any offer sheet for the player”
These two paraphrased statements are in conflict with each other.
Exactly, Whalercane. All I’m trying to get across is that it costs nothing to try.
I’m sure St. Louis – and most everyone else judging by the subsequent comments – figured Edmonton would match the two last year.
If Guerin is stubborn enough to hold to $5 mil over 5 years, at some point the Rossi “camp” may have no choice but to face that reality, as I posted elsewhere in this thread, and realize the best offer is coming from elsewhere.
And, 1Oilerfan, using the term “poaching” indicates an offer-sheet is illegal. It’s in the rules and was obviously approved by enough teams (if 100% wasn’t required) to get it introduced.
Re “Is it worth potentially fracturing that relationship?” – that didn’t appear to bother the St. Louis GM last year (and it paid off), nor the GMs who used it over the years – regardless of whether it succeeded or failed.
George I don’t doubt there are unwritten rules amongst GMs. I remember Brian Burke once venting his frustrations when he lost a player (who never lived up to the offer sheet) that the proper channels is to work out a trade, not over pay a player to sign him away or offer an amount that if you had to match it, it would damage your team’s cap allocations.
Offer sheet usage isn’t something GMs would want to use like us fans would. No GM would risk the damage of offending other GMs by poaching a player from another GM after (most likely the case based on Burke’s comment) a failed trade offer.
Just think about it for a second. If I want one of your RFAs and a successful offer sheet meant it would cost me a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd, why wouldn’t I contact you and ask if I offered that plus a player and your reply was, no we want to keep him and are trying to get him in a reasonable contract but instead of accepting that, I use the offer sheet to get him. It’s in the rules right, so we’re cool, right?
I’m generally with George on this one. Let’s assume you, the GM, thinks Rossi is worth $7M whereas Guerin doesn’t. The offer sheet of $7M presents you two outcomes:
1) you get the player you want at a value you deem fair.
2) you force Guerin to overpay, gumming up his cap space for years. Especially true if you’re in his division.
EITHER outcome is a win for you. (I suppose the only loss would be the draft picks, but I’ve assumed you factored that in to the $7M offer sheet).
I have no idea why rival GMs don’t weaponize cap space/contracts against their opponents. If the Hurricanes could find a way to toss useless cap dollars against Washington, I’d love it.
And to add to that above, Ron see my response to q2POilerfan re the use of the term “poaching” which denotes an illegality. It’s not illegal – it’s a process approved by the league and in the years it’s been available, any concern about the target GM “getting his back up” hasn’t stopped a number of GMs from using it – including St. Louis last season in what turned out for them to be a very successful ploy.
As a GM I would not be concerned at all about another GM’s “feelings.” As Leo Durocher once correctly asserted “nice guys finish last.”
I’m gonna rant a bit on this topic.
If one of a rival GM’s goals is to gum up another teams cap, then he deserves to have it come back at him. How does that make your team better? Total, 100%, dick move and short term thinking.
I would bet my truck that most GM’s feel the way Burke does.
If you are negotiating or discussing with a GM about possible trades and their rosters and then you go offer sheet them, why the heck would that GM ever discuss anything with you again? You are getting the minimum info back, and that’s it, and from more GM’s the the one you basically just lied to. Good luck in the long term.
Every single business to business dealings are also about relationships. Every. Single. One. Burning bridges isn’t a good idea. Your reputation matters, and anyone on this site who is in the B2B world and makes deals for a living will likely back me up on that.
What St Louis did, might be different, there were likely no discussions as Jackson was new and he F’d up. But now the Blues are more likely to take on fire, because if it’s good for the goose….
The KK deal was payback because of Aho on Bergevin IMO. Was it a good idea? Debatable, but I think the motivation was pretty clear.
You are driving up the cost to sign RFA’s if you sign them to over priced contracts. Precedent matters, especially in arbitration.
Ray, re “But now the Blues are more likely to take on fire, because if it’s good for the goose….” I can only respond with “so what?”
As I keep repeating, the process was introduced ostensibly with the approval of all teams at the time (or whatever % was necessary if it wasn’t 100%), and there appears to have been no “revenge” offers following the times it has been used (other than that Montreal-Carolina fiasco).
If enough GMs see the entire idea as being “intrusive” and :”unfair” then vote on dumping it as a concept!
I’m sure the NHLPA would follow along like obedient puppies. lol
As for Brian Burke
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2195723
What Burke says George is he was pissed at Lowe because of “how they did it”.
When Burke was dealing with Boston, he was honest about it. And made a hockey trade in the end. So I am guessing Lowe did what I was describing above. Misleading the guy by not negotiating in good faith. AKA, lying, or blindsiding the guy.
We see about the St Louis and the “so what” as that remains to be seen and if they are in that position in the near future. But if the cap keeps going up we’ll see fewer, as some have said about that situation, pointless. Hence don’t put yourself in that position. And to be fair we don’t know what happened behind the scenes in the STL/EDM situation.
Lyle, re “It certainly doesn’t appear that other clubs share that view” – just a reminder that the St. Louis offer-sheets weren’t submitted until mid-August last year – suggesting that, the longer the settlements seemed to be taking may have something to do with a decision to file one.
Yes, George, I’m aware of that, but the difference with Rossi is the Wild have the cap space to match the offer you proposed. The Oilers didn’t, and got burned as a result.
It didn’t take a whole lot to piss off Brian Burke.
The approved concept was there, and I don’t think the guidelines for its use goes into any detail as to the “proper” way to utilize it.
I repeat, if it’s seen as “back-stabbing” then try and get rid of it – if they can get the NHLPA on board, that is.
It’s not up to the players to determine how a GM manages his cap. If past decisions have backed him into a corner, then take advantage of it. Gloves off.
If they have the cap and are trying to lowball a player who has produced, then force him to s*^t or get off the pot by making a higher offer.
There’s no room in a competitive sport that relies heavily on fan support for the “you scratch my back … I’ll scratch yours” approach.
Yes George, Mr Burke can get pretty fired up. Seems like a good guy to have a beer with. Pretty sure I would like the guy.
There is no reason for players to remove it, who else would have wanted it included? Wouldn’t be the owners IMO.
I’m repeating myself too, relationships matter, and 35 years of living and dealing in the B2B world, has proven it repeatedly. Not saying you need to be buddies with all the GM’s, but the more open and honest conversations you can have, the more deals get done. It needs to be mutual respect. Sorry for sounding like I am training a sales person, but it’s true. If you can’t talk to a guy, and he doesn’t trust that you can help his business, you won’t find the path.
All I know is I would be leery of conversations GM’s who offer sheet guys, especially when they know you can match any reasonable offer. Like why do that? And if they overpay a guy substantially, then they’re just a dip sh*t, and can basically F off. No different than the price cutters in any industry. They don’t last.
Just my opinion on it, perhaps I am thinking it’s more like my dealings than it is in reality. But people are people no matter what they do.
I’m with George and Whalercane on this.
If I’m an owner and my GM doesn’t want to use offer sheets because of some other GMs feelings, then my GM is getting fired. It’s his job to improve MY team with all legal means necessary.
Also, one might rather give up picks for Rossi than working out a trade…. a trade could be giving up roster players you don’t want to lose. Trading Rossi for a 1st and 3rd, depending on the team, could be a 25+ pick in round 1 and a random flier in round 3. That’s nothing if you can get a player that you know is young and NHL capable right now.
@RayBark, it’s not a D-move to gum up someone else’s cap space as a “consolation prize”. Obviously, that’s not the initial intent of an offer sheet; you want the Player. If a team wants to offersheet Rossi at $7M, then that’s the value they place on him. If Minny matches, it does make it tougher for them to make future moves, so even though you didn’t get the player of your choosing, its an indirect benefit. If Minny is your opponent, and you can’t have Rossi yourself, isn’t it better for your team that Minny is paying him $7M instead of $5M? Yes, it is. Every cap dollar is critical.
And Brian Burke was a crybaby over that offersheet years ago. Were his feelings hurt because someone didn’t call him for a trade, or because he got outsmarted? It doesn’t matter that Dustin Penner didn’t work out as a player, if Edm thought he was worth the the $ and picks, it was the right competetive move for them to make. These “unwritten rule” GMs need to grow up and do their job right so people can’t offersheet their players.
anything over 4.6million includes a 1st pick as compensation.
Chicago and SJS are still in the McKenna chase as imho is Pittsburgh. Detroit has the biggest need for another creative forward..but would they chance the Mckenna lottery?
Any GM that passes up a chance to improve his team now and hope, instead, to “get lucky” in the draft is not doing his job properly.
@george
do you think a center like rossi is a need in sjs or chicago? both teams have fantastic kids for those positions
cant see columbus wanting to deal with a young player wanting to be overpaid
ds, ok, I’ll grant you that Bedard and Cellebrini can indeed fall into the category of “fantastic” and that 20 y/o Will Smith (74gp 18g 27a 45 pts) could eventually be named in the same breath.
But 31y/o Alex Wennberg (77gp 10g 25a 35 pts); 22 y/o Zack Ostapchuk (56gp Ott & SJ 2g 9a 11pts); 30 y/o Dickinson (59gp 7g 9A 16pts) and 30 y/o Sam Lafferty (60gp with Buffalo 4g 3a 7pts) are a far cry from “fantastic.”
Are you saying that, with all the cash reserves those two have, they wouldn’t be significantly better with getting a 23 y/o C who, in 82gp, potted 24g 36a 60pts costing nothing in the way of current assets?
Now, as Johnny Z has pointed out, San Jose lacks the necessary 3rd round pick, so their involvement is moot, barring another deal that gets their 3rd round pick back.
What’s the difference when someone leaves via free agency after stringing the team they were with all along? Well it’s their right , but isn’t offer sheeted someone their right ?
GM’s should do their jobs – it is a chess game – just make sure you think at least 6 moves ahead.
Would you give up a chance to draft McKenn for Rossi?
Yes.
“So, why doesn’t one of these rebuilding teams with buckets of cap reserve test that by submitting an offer sheet somewhere between $5,000,000 and $6,1 mil?”
Gorge O. mentioned Penguins. Why not? Major reason – Penguins offer Marco Rossi contract in that range or higher and Wild don’t match, Penguins require to surrender at least their 2026 1st round draft pick to Wild. 2026 draft heard around Top 5 picks better prospects than anyone from 2025 draft – meaning at least All-star player potential to Generation player potential. Next off-season reasonable chance Penguins may draft in or near the Top 5. Another reason rumor – Ducks and Penguins considering trade involving Mason McTavish and Rikard Rakell? Yet another reason Rossi is small center height 5’9″, Penguins may not want small center as Dubas mentioned he wants Penguins be more difficult team play vs includes being bigger and more physical team?
Speed Kills, exactly. SJ, CHI or the Pens are making the playoffs next year, and most likely going to be a few years until they do. All 3 will be in the hunt for the bottom 5 and a high draft position in what is being predicted to be a very, very good draft. Rossi doesn’t fit the plan from where I’m sitting.
SJ isn’t going to block Celebrini and Misa, so you’re going to pay Rossie $6M to be your 5’9″ 3C, a role he will never be good at.
Exact same story with Chicago with Bedard and Frondell. Plus a bunch of C prospects, and whoever else they may draft.
Rossi had a good season last year, so that’s 1. He also got his minutes cut in the playoffs, and didn’t like it. Frederick Guedreau got more 5 on 5 minutes at C than Rossi. Who? I trust the coach more than guys like us who barely even watch the Wild.
The NHL is a prove it league, where small guys, and perimeter guys get exposed in the playoffs. Rossi could an should learn to be better. But we don’t know that. Some do, some don’t.
He is young, he’s small for a C, and has no leverage in this situation. He’ll sign a short bridge deal or sit at home watching them play on TV.
Take a bridge deal, do it more than once, play better in the playoffs and you’ll get paid. Or you will get traded and get away from that bad guy Guerin which should make you happy.
Well said, Ray.
Ray Bark: yes, 100% agree. The best way out of these type of disoute8is a bridge deal. Rightly or wrongly, Rossi’s size is still a concern and he needs more time to overcome that and truly establish himself as a top line, or a very strong 2C.
I dont even think Flames should be doing any kind of offer sheets & we arent expecting to be a lottery pick let alone we ever win a draft lottery in my lifetime. But we are getting concerned about the Zary extension, not understanding why Conroy is grinding this kid & now we are afraid we are going down the path what Treliving did to Gaudreau & Tkachuk. Would of thought Conroy learned something from that.
But I do think a straight up offer of Zary for Rossi would make sense & then give Rossi the Coronato deal. Not sure Guerin would go for that but Zary is going to be a good one.
I could see a team offer-sheeting Rossi $7M on a short term, 2 year deal.
It would give Rossi his money and a chance on a new team, and the 2 year term isn’t something that sinks the team if he doesn’t progress further.
Maybe Minny matches, but too many GMs these days (Guerrin, Verbeek, etc) keep saying they will match anything, yet they aren’t actually offering up fair value to the same player based on new contract comps.
Related, if I were Boston or Carolina, I’d be working up a similar short term, $7M offer for McTavish. Those 2 teams would seem to be a great fit for both player and team.
Canes do not have the picks…….
SJ lacks a 3rd rounder
Technically they can still reacquire their original picks (via other pick trades) and be eligible to make offer sheets. Making those moves would probably depend on how bad they wanted a certain player.
foleyd, while I could see Carolina getting in on McTavish at $7 mil, given that they have $10,644,291 in cap reserve with no one left to re-sign, Boston – while also having no one to re-up – only has $2,081,667 in reserve.
Since that would put them in the vicinity of $5 mil over the cap, who do you see them moving out to make room?
Stankhoven could get the chance to be the 2C in Carolina. Odd they have not addressed that slot if thats not the plan.
Jesperi adds too little offensive for that role
Svech-Aho-Jarvis
Ehlers-Stank-Blake
missing some size in that top 6….
@George, Mittlestadt would be the obvious move, but they’d likely have to give him away for virtually nothing to get another team to take on 2 more years at $5.75 each.
@ds, I like Stankoven, but not sure he has the size to play center like McTavish has. It’s really odd that Carolina is just going to try rolling Jesperi at 2 C again. Maybe he’ll finally figure it out, otherwise they’ll need to find that piece at the trade deadline this year.
A team that will give up high picks in an offer sheet will want a long term deal.
Canes do not have the Picks,
And George…..SJ lacks a 3rd rounder.
Thanks Johnny Z … so many “buts” – lol
Kaprizov is an interesting case for the Wild. As good as a player as he is he still hasn t played a full season since 20-21. He will get his money but durability has to be in the back of Guerins mind. As far as Rossi, GeorgeO O has given 3 great options for offer sheets for young teams looking to make a jump in the standings! Why didn t a team like Boston who is starving for centers take a shot at offersheeting Rossi. Oh I forgot they used their money on bottom 6 forwards who add very little offense!
Actually, Kaprizov played 81 games in 21-22. He then missed 15 and 7 games over the following two seasons. Last season was really his first with a major long term injury.
“So, why doesn’t one of these re-building teams with buckets of cap reserve test that by submitting an offer sheet somewhere between $5,000,000 and $6.1 mil?”
Because it would be pointless, George. Rossi rejected an offer of $5 million annually. His camp reportedly seeks a deal comparable to teammate Matt Boldy’s $7 million AAV. He’ll have no interest in signing an offer sheet that’s within the range of what the Wild are offering.
Nothing ventured … nothing gained. What does it cost to test all those assumptions?
7 years at $6 mil is better than $5 mil for 5.
Because the Rossi camp seeks a deal comparable to Matt Boldy’s, that’s why. If you push that AAV up to, say, $6.9 million, maybe you’ll get his signature on a deal.
What they seek and what reality says is the limit are miles apart.
Of course, he does have the option of sitting out until Guerin comes around, but as Habfan30 observes re Guerin’s approach to GMing, he’d be sitting a long time with $0 coming in and the money-train clock ticking.
Again, if Guerin’s best offer is $5 mil for 5 years – and no one is going to Boldy’s level either with a team 8-year offer or an offer-sheet – it doesn’t take a genius to calculate that $6.2 mil over 7 is a lot better than 5 at $5 mil.
one bit about your suggested $6 mil x 7 years offer – offer sheet compensation is calculated on the AAV or the total contract value divided by 5, which one is higher.
because of that, any offer above $35.1 million means paying a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick for Rossi. Is he really worth that much in draft capital?
Depends, I suppose, on the organization depth at the time, Victor R.
A team that has been rebuilding for a couple of years, and with a well-stocked prospect pool after two years of drafting high, including additional picks obtained through trades, might well think his experience and consistent production is worth the compensation.
that’s a lot to give up if a team is only looking for secondary scoring and experience. Anaheim and San Jose just got that on a cheap trade (Kreider) or through free agency.
I’d say a Rossi offer sheet would make more sense for a team that has a gap at 2C and believe he could be the answer than a team with viable prospects to play in that role right now. I’m not sure any team sees him that way though.
Ostensibly, that’s why the process was introduced in the first place.
How and when and if it’s used is up to the General Managers.
If some among today’s young geniuses (like Dubas) don’t like it in any way, shape or form, then get rid of it.
And I will bet that Rossi, wherever he winds up, will have better offensive statistical output than Kreider.
Rossi – I still have an issue with paying big money long-term to a 5’9″ non-physical center. How is he going to be deep in the playoffs when things get gritty and dirty?
That’s a fair and rational concern, Toronto St. Pat’s and probably uippermost in the eyes of a lot of GMs.
But there are those who don’t look at it that way. They look at the production.
As for his playoff capability, he’s only appeared in 6 games and, with limited ice-time, has 2g 1a 3pts. His size never got in the way during the playoffs when he played for Ottawa in the OHL, nor was he pushed around during the season. And that in likely the most physical of the 3 Major Junior Leagues.
A shrinking violet he isn’t. Much like Konecny before him (also with Ottawa), who doesn’t get pushed around playing for the Flyers either.
Rossi’ overall numbers are not that bad. However, for a center is faceoff win % is low. Offer him 5.75 for 3 years. Otherwise, give him the one year prove it contract.
There are GM’s out there who find ways to keep their players focused, happy, feel like their being taken care of while being seen as firm but fair.
Jim Nill falls into that category and Kent Hughes in Montreal is following that playbook.
Then you have others like Verbeek and Guerin who are haphazard and need to show who’s boss, dumping on and negotiating/not negotiating in public. They remind me of Bergevin in Montreal, playing who has a bigger one with guys like Markov and Radulov.
Guerin will “beat” Rossi and Verbeek will “beat” McTavish this time.
If bridge deals are signed I expect both to be for 4 years, taking them to UFA so they can get out of town.
And the difference as you correctly pointed out in the treatment might owe to the fact that the “bulldogs” were both players. And tough ones at that.
Wild in a very win now situation with Kiril…..
Guerin should be flipping Rossi into another 2nd line player who can help now or keep Rossi.
even 1st rounders for Rossi dont help the Wild situation
If Guerrin losses Rossi (trade, offer sheet, hold out) then they don’t have a 2C. That is Rossi’s only leverage. Minny desparately needs a 2C, preferably someone with speed, so if it isn’t Rossi then Guerrin has to find a new one (which at this point, he won’t be able to).
Rossi isn’t a UFA until 2029. I’d offer him $6.5M for 2 years. He’d still be an RFA after that so Minny would still be in the drivers seat to re-sign him again if his performance takes off.
From Rossi’s side, he gets $13M and bets on himself to cash in more for the next deal.
Really, HF30? You are entitled to your boosterism on Rossi, but there is a legitimate alternative point of view, as expressed well by Ray. per 11:34am.
The collective agreement regarding player contracts works well for both parties, as exhibited by just a minor change in UFA contract length. RFA rules stayed intact.
Rossi has a choice, to take a longer term contract which gives him millions even if he fails to improve from last year. Or he can opt for a shorter one, gambling that he will put up #s that will get him an even bigger contract. Either way he gets millions, so boo hoo if he thinks he is hard done by.
Guerin has legitimate choices to make as well. I call that balanced.
And my view is Bergen’s decision on Radulov was correct: Radulov signed for 5 years with Dallas and the last three stinkers.
LJ,
Which part do you disagree with other than my mentioning Rossi, oh McTavish too btw ?
You disagree that Verbeek and Guerin are playing hardball?
You disagree that I think they will “beat” the players?
You disagree they are alienating the two players?
You disagree that they should sign a 4 year bridge taking them to UFA?
As for Radulov, Bergevin claimed after the fact that he matched the Dallas offer so your comment on his last 3 years is irrelevant, he wanted to keep him. He just treated him like crap while Jim Nill made him feel good.
Bergevin screwed up Markov who wanted to wind his career with a 2 year deal. Bergevin would give only a 1 year deal which Markov grudgingly was going to accept.
Markov felt as the disrespected as the offer was presented as take it or leave it. So he left
Bergevin brought in Mark Streit and Karl Azner.
Great moves eh.
Kent Hughes would probably have found a way to a better handling of these two players.
I think both Nill and Hughes would handle Rossi and McTavish differently and more successfully than Verbeek and Guerin.
HF30:
You may think it is semantics, but what you call “beating” or playing “hardball” is called bargaining.
And why is it Guerin and Verbeek are the ones playing hardball, and not the players?
Players that feel they are entitled to a certain amount are just that, entitled in the meaning now often employed.
There are of course exceptions but again IMO there is a reason why teams benefit from the RFA period. They’ve just spent time, effort and money developing a player. The player by any standard has been paid fairly with his entry level contract.
I also think it is fair that once a player has become a UFA then he can get what the market will pay and teams aren’t entitled to whine about having to pay. The pendulum has swung the other way, everyone knows how the system works. I repeat: there was no change to the new collective agreement so players clearly think they can live with the RFA portion.
That’s my answer.
I regret making any comment at all about Bergevin or Radulov as that is water long under the bridge, I don’t care, and no one involved then is in play now with either Rossi or McTavish.
LJ,
I’m assuming you have been in negotiations at various periods in your life, be it business, contracts and or labour.
I certainly have.
There are people who have a need to win “now” regardless of what will come tomorrow.
Some negotiations are regularly acrimonious others are peaceful.
Some labour forces are happy some always want to strike.
These are patterns that are controllable
Once players reach RFA status, GMs have a decision to make, is the player somebody they want to keep or not.
Keep means giving a QO or negotiating an extension.
These two GMs want to keep these guys, they already said they’d match any Offer Sheet.
They are within their rights to play hardball, no question.
It’s just dumb negotiating to alienate young producing players.
They spent time, energy and money on players who D+2,3 and 4 years have point productions equivalent to a 2C or close to it.
Their investment has paid off many times over already in production per contract.
As I alluded, I’d take $5m for example for the minimum number of years till becoming UFA and then leave.
$5m or $7m is peanuts in the big picture, over 4 years its total $8m, the players will recoup that easily with their UFA contracts that will be signed.
Guerin and Verbeek will be scratching their heads not understanding why they will be leaving OR why they’ll have to overpay to keep these 27 y/o players in their prime who’ll be entitled to squeeze out every penny from GMs who don’t appreciate them.
I’ll repeat, Jim Nill and Kent Hughes would probably find a way to keep them happy on terms they could both agree.
I think McTavish will get more than Rossi and has more leverage, and interest from other teams, than Rossi because he has a higher upside and will most likely be the better player long term.
I don’t think the Wild are sold on Rossi as the long term answer vs trying paly hardball and beat the player. They simply don’t want to pay him that much for that long because they don’t think he is worth it. At least not yet.
Perfect case for a bridge. They disagree, one party will be proven right after the bridge deal. Or Rossi can take less for long term security, if that is what he wants.
It will get done, it’s only July.
Kaprizov > Draisitl???
I don’t see it
The problem with that kind of thinking is, Minnesota does not have Draisaitl. Nor do they have a realistic option of acquiring him.
Of I’m a player and that comparison comes up I’m telling the GM “well , good luck landing him. I’ll be playing elsewhere.”
It’s the reality in all sports. Especially with a rising cap. You really can’t use other teams players as direct comparable-s. In reality, you have to pay YOUR best players top dollar.
Reasonable argument re comparison not being apples and spples
I’m just saying that Kaprizov is not worth that amount (on any team). That’s just my opinion.
He’s their top guy; yep
But not worth $15 M on any team IMHO
If he played C , then perhaps
He’ll get what the market bears
Right now; and as it stands; up until June 30th next year; there literally is only one market (Wild)
I won’t be shocked if somehow Wild pay that; I will just personally see it as an overpayment
I don’t think krill being payed more than Leon means he is batter players, more just being payed more based on the circumstance of the organization. Kirill is the ONLY true superstar the franchise has ever had and is the only #1, vs Edmonton having mcdavid as well. Comparing the two players AAV is comparing apples to oranges imo.
I also agree with captain obvious that the rising cap distorts the picture as well, and you pay your best player top dollar. Leon isn’t EDM’s best player. Really, it’s the oilers situation of having two top 5 players that distorts the picture. Kirill being payed more than him makes sense if you ask me.
Here’s a theory for you George, the teams with all that cap space are money losers and the owners see the chance to cut their losses. Plain and simple
There’s certainly that in all this drama. lol
I’ve read all the posts now I’m pouring a very strong drink lol