Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 31, 2020
Another look at this year’s non-playoff clubs in the Sunday NHL rumor mill.
THE SCORE: John Matisz recently examined the most important business facing the NHL’s seven non-playoff clubs. Here’s a look at some of his notable observations.
Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (Photo via NHL Images).
Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray could face some soul-searching over whether to open contract extension talks with long-time captain Ryan Getzlaf, who becomes an unrestricted free agent next July. He would attract considerable interest among playoff contenders before the 2021 NHL trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Getzlaf has an annual average value of $8.25 million with a full no-movement clause for next season. If he and the Ducks fail to reach agreement on a new contract, it’ll be interesting to see if he’ll agree to waive that movement clause.
With several veterans carrying expensive contracts, Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill needs to sign RFA winger Sam Reinhart and goalie Linus Ullmark to reasonable contracts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could be easier said than done. Both players have arbitration rights. Coming off a bridge contract, Reinhart could be seeking a lucrative long-term deal.
The rebuilding Detroit Red Wings need depth throughout their roster. Acquiring a decent goaltender should be the priority for GM Steve Yzerman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This year’s UFA goalie market includes Washington’s Braden Holtby and Vegas’ Robin Lehner. Both, however, could prefer signing with contenders. Other options could include Calgary’s Cam Talbot, Dallas’ Anton Khudobin, or the New York Islanders’ Thomas Greiss. The Wings, however, could be forced to overpay.
The Los Angeles Kings have 21 picks in the next two drafts, including five second-rounders. Matisz wondered if packaging one or two picks with Jeff Carter at the 2020 draft might net the Kings a young, established NHL player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could depend on how much of a market there is for Carter. He’s a proven performer but age seems to have caught up with the 35-year-old center. He’s also got two more seasons with an annual average value of $5.275 million, though in actual salary he’s earning $2 million annually. The Kings might have to absorb part of that cap hit.
The New Jersey Devils’ biggest decisions are deciding whether they’ll remove the interim labels from GM Tom Fitzgerald and head coach Alain Nasreddine or hire full-time replacements. They’ve interviewed former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis and former NHL coaches Gerard Gallant, Peter Laviolette, and John Stevens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Once they’ve sorted their management and coaching positions, the Devils can focus on addressing their roster issues.
Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion could be busy in the off-season. Among his 13 players on expiring contracts are Craig Anderson and Anthony Duclair.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 39-year-old Anderson could be brought back cheaply on a one-year deal, but it remains to be seen if he’s keen to spend another season with the rebuilding Senators or if Dorion wants him back. Duclair is a streaky scorer with arbitration rights, but he could end up having to accept a one-year “show-me” deal.
San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson will have to get creative to shore up his goaltending. Martin Jones is no longer an effective starting goalie but he’s got four more years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.275 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With over $66 million invested in 13 players for 2020-21, Wilson could try to move one of his high-salaried veterans for younger talent. However, they also carry various no-trade/no-movement clauses. He could look for a short-term free-agent bargain like Khudobin or former Shark Greiss.
If Bob Murray has to search his soul longer than 60 SECONDS on resigning Getzlaf then he needs to resign as Ducks GM. Ducks have 3 or 4 young promising centers in the system and with a top seven pick in draft may get another. Getz’s best years are way behind him and Ducks need to step up rebuild by playing the kids. At best I’d offer Getz a one year deal at One Million plus bonus if certain goals reached. As a Duck Getzlaf will not be playing in the playoffs the next few years so if he wants another cup he will have to waive the NMC next year or sign with someone else the year after that. Time to move FORWARD
Why not sign both those Sens. They both will be short deals regardless.
Perry first to move Getzlaf second. A very good dynamic duo that won championships and top 3-4 pairs during their hayday. I would grab Gretzlaf at the trade deadline for sure as a rental.y
What would Getzlaf make next contract?
Does he have more interest traded as an UFA or with an additonal year?
His contract ends June 2021
He is due 8 million 2020-2021 but 3 million is bonus, so at trade deadline be about 1 million or so left . If I’m Ducks I keep half or more if someone offers me picks and I’m NOT talking a #1, a #2 and #5 would be GREAT
SilverSeven, up until it was reported recently that Anders Nilsson had finally recovered from his concussion issues suffered in December I thought re-signing Craig Anderson to a 1 year deal was a possibility, sharing the duties with Marcus Hogberg.
But with Nilsson cleared to resume training/playing he will now share the tandem with Hogberg, with Joey Daccord (who was having a very good year in Belleville) brought up as and when needed throughout the season.
Duclair, I agree, should be happy with a “show-me” deal, especially with all the uncertainty going on. However, in his case, I’d give him a 2-year (possibly 3) contract as a “reward” for having a good all-round season before things went south. And any “streakiness” displayed this past season can be attributed to the fact that, as the season progressed and it became obvious he was one of the few Ottawa Fs who could hurt you on a consistent basis, he began to receive a lot closer attention from the opposition.
I would be shocked if Steve Yzerman overpays for a back-up goalie who won’t be part of the long term solution (and none of the goalies mentioned is a long term solution) to getting the Wings back in Cup contention, which should be and is the only consideration in Detroit. Look for the Wings to get creative, or exhibit patience while looking for a second goalie. Don’t expect an overpayment either in $$, term, or assets from Detroit.
I’d be surprised too, Iago, but I don’t rule out the possibility of overpaying a bit for a short-term backup until he finds a suitable long-term solution.
There might be a way out of having to sign a goalie. When Detroit signed Brattstrom to an ELC, they now could bring him to NA this year, and have either Nagle or Pickard back up Bernier, and have either Brattstrom or Larsson back up the other in Grand Rapids and let the other play in Toledo. That way, they could avoid the overpayment for a back-up, and be patient and see who might become available at the trade deadline.
It is Fascinating that 35 years ago, teams Hated playing a road-trip in Albrrta.
They now salivate when going to California.
Either Gorgiev or Lundqvist will also be available this summer. It’ll be interesting to see if either plays in the playoffs.
Agreed.They can’t come back with three goalies next season. Perhaps Georgiev could be a target for the Wings, Senators or Sharks?