NHL Headlines & Rumors – September 9, 2024

by | Sep 9, 2024

NHL Headlines & Rumors – September 9, 2024

What the future could hold for signing bonuses in player contracts, an update on NHL CBA talks, and more in NHL Headlines & Rumors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a shortened edition published early because I’m taking a personal day. Normal updates will resume on Tuesday, Sep 10.

TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk examines why players are signing contracts with hefty signing bonuses.

One reason is they make the contract “essentially buyout proof”. Another is based on “the time value of money,” meaning getting the money upfront is worth more than money later. Most importantly, they offer protection for the player in case of a lockout, ensuring they’ll get the bulk of that season’s earnings in one lump sum.

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (NHL Images).

Players who live in the United States but play for Canadian teams traditionally enjoy substantial tax savings on signing bonuses, paying a rate of 15 percent. However, a dispute between Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares and the Canada Revenue Agency could change that.

If Tavares loses his case, he’ll owe $6.8 million in back taxes plus interest. Plenty of players and agents along with the Canadian NHL franchises, are monitoring this situation closely.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the ruling goes against Tavares it could make it difficult for Canadian teams to attract unrestricted free agents.

ESPN: Greg Wyshynski reports NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh said there haven’t been any major discussions yet with the NHL regarding the collective bargaining agreement. The CBA will expire in two years (Sep. 15, 2026) unless the two sides agree to extend or update the deal.

“We’ll be talking to players about the agreement coming down the road and how we lay the foundation for that agreement,” said Walsh.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two sides have plenty of time to work out a new agreement. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly recently sounded upbeat about the relationship between the league and the PA.

This could also be Commissioner Gary Bettman’s last round of collective bargaining. Now 72, Bettman presided over three lockouts, including the one that killed the entire 2004-05 season, leading to the current salary cap system.

However, there’s been labor peace since the last lockout ended on Jan. 6. 2013. With league coffers swelling, Bettman will likely want the next round of collective bargaining to go as smoothly as possible. Whether that’s possible remains to be seen.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael DeRosa cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating that Radko Gudas could become the next captain of the Anaheim Ducks. The 34-year-old defenseman is a 13-season NHL veteran.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks haven’t had a team captain since Ryan Getzlaf retired in 2022. Their alternate captains last season were Cam Fowler, Mason McTavish and Troy Terry.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj could be an inspiration to the club’s rookies. Entering his third NHL season, the 23-year-old Xhekaj was never selected in the OHL or NHL drafts but made the Canadiens after being invited to their rookie camp in 2021.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski noted several clubs, like the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres, might need to shore up their depth between the pipes this season.

Kingerski wondered if this might provide the Penguins with a trade opportunity, suggesting Tristan Jarry or Alex Nedeljkovic as possible options. He also mused over whether a rival GM might pry away prospect Joel Blomqvist from the Penguins for the right price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry’s surfaced in the rumor mill over the past couple of seasons but Kingerski admits his trade value is low. His contract and inconsistent play are significant obstacles.

If Blomqvist has a good camp and preseason, Nedeljkovic could become a trade option. He’s starting a two-year contract with a cap-friendly annual cap hit of $2.5 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines & Rumors – September 8, 2024

by | Sep 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines & Rumors – September 8, 2024

Canucks captain Quinn Hughes on his goals for the upcoming season, the Wild attempted to acquire Patrik Laine, an update on Ryan Johansen, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes is proud of winning the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 but is putting that behind him to focus on his club’s goals and his personal ones for the upcoming season.

Hughes, 24, finished last season with a career-high 17 goals and 75 assists for 92 points. He believes he can reach 20 goals and doesn’t rule out 100 points this season, explaining that he felt he missed a lot of scoring opportunities last season.

The Canucks captain also believes his club will be better in 2024-25, pointing to the addition of forwards Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Kiefer Sherwood and Daniel Sprong and defenseman Derek Forbort.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes doesn’t see his club enduring the inconsistency of the previous years before last season’s improvement, noting that they’re no longer an up-and-coming club as they were back then. He indicated core players like himself, Elias Pettersson, Thatcher Demko, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser are older and more experienced.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes and his teammates will face significant pressure to build on their 109-point performance last season, the third-best record in franchise history. How they handle the heightened expectations could determine the outcome of this season.

SI.COM: Nick Horwat cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claiming the Minnesota Wild attempted to acquire Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 26-year-old winger was traded to the Montreal Canadiens last month.

Friedman believes the Wild were “very interested” in Laine. However, Horwat pointed out the cap-strapped Wild would’ve had to ship out some salary to absorb the winger’s $8.7 million cap hit through 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored last month the Wild could look into acquiring Laine. There was also talk that they were on his 10-team “no-trade” list.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports the Philadelphia Flyers hope to receive further clarification regarding their efforts to void Ryan Johansen’s contract.

According to Kurz, whether Johansen was healthy enough to report to the Flyers’ AHL affiliate following his acquisition from the Colorado Avalanche is at the heart of the disagreement. The Flyers originally thought they’d receive clarification before the start of the season but a team source suggests it’s “going to be a few weeks”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johansen has a year remaining on his contract. The average annual value is $8 million, of which $4 million was retained by the Nashville Predators when they traded him last summer to the Avalanche. The Flyers took on that portion of his AAV when they acquired him earlier this year.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Warne wonders if veteran winger Mike Hoffman has played his final NHL game. A 70-point producer in 2018-19 with the Florida Panthers, the 34-year-old winger has been unable to land a contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hoffman’s production has tumbled since then, partly due to two COVID-shortened seasons but also because of three injury-shortened campaigns with rebuilding clubs in Montreal and San Jose.

The knock on Hoffman is he’s a one-dimensional offensive player whose defensive play leaves something to be desired. Age could also be catching up with him.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers winger Corey Perry helped WWE wrestler Kevin Owens in his triple-threat match against Austin Theory during WWE Smackdown in Edmonton on Friday night.

Perry got involved when Owens and Theory battled outside the ring, grabbing Theory and holding back his arms, allowing Owens to deliver a chop across Theory’s chest. Owens high-fived Perry afterward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nice little bit of cross-promotion there.

SPORTSNET: Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder paid tribute to the Gaudreau brothers during a concert in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Vedder noted he and bassist Jeff Ament lost people close to them in tragic accidents. He cited his friend, Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, saying what good men the brothers were. Hearing the Gaudreaus came from Philadelphia and grew up watching games in that city, the band dedicated the song “Given To Fly” to the brothers, their families, loved ones and teammates.

RUMORS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he expects a bridge deal between the Devils and Dawson Mercer. The 22-year-old winger completed his entry-level contract last season.

Friedman doesn’t see how a long-term deal is possible given the Devils’ limited cap space. They have just over $4.9 million for 2024-25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll probably be a two or three-year contract with an AAV between $3.5 million and $4 million.

Nichols also tweeted on Friday that former New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck remains focused on signing an NHL contract. He indicated a handful of teams have inquired about professional tryout offers.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins believes a reunion between the Oilers and Justin Schultz is possible, saying the two sides have talked. He also noted the rumors linking the club to Kevin Shattenkirk but feels it’s more likely they sign a more affordable defense option like Travis Dermott.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schultz, 34, began his NHL career with the Oilers, playing 3 1/2 seasons before getting traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 27, 2016.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 7, 2024

by | Sep 7, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 7, 2024

The latest on Sidney Crosby’s contract talks with the Penguins, the Ducks are discussing a trade with Cam Fowler, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: In his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast episode, Elliotte Friedman believes the Pittsburgh Penguins have made “a bunch of different offers” to team captain Sidney Crosby. He thinks the 37-year-old center is weighing whether he’ll be able to handle if the retooling Penguins miss the playoffs again while he’s still on top of his game.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Friedman still thinks Crosby will re-sign with the Penguins but believes the future Hall-of-Famer wanted to take his time to decide.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby and the Penguins could announce an agreement by the opening day of training camp. Nevertheless, the closer we get to camp without an extension for Crosby, the more speculation about his future in Pittsburgh.

Cam Fowler’s tenure with the Anaheim Ducks could come to an end. Friedman reports the 32-year-old defenseman is engaged in discussions regarding trade options with Ducks management. He believes at some point they’ll have to start taking some ice time away from Fowler to allow their younger blueliners to develop.

Fowler has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million with a four-team trade list. Friedman indicates the veteran rearguard could consider more teams as trade destinations. He also adds that it’s been a “positive working relationship” between the two sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t sound like the Ducks are rushing to trade Fowler. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to determine where he sees himself and where they feel he fits in their future roster.

Fowler will become an unrestricted free agent in July 2026. He’ll likely no longer fit into the Ducks’ long-term plans by then. Attempting to trade him this season would enable interested clubs to have him on their roster for two postseason runs. The Ducks could also use their cap space to retain part of Fowler’s cap hit if it’ll sweeten the return.

Friedman speculated the St. Louis Blues might’ve been one of the teams interested in Fowler. However, he doesn’t think they have the room to acquire him now.

Speaking of the Ducks, Friedman believes they’ve been working with goaltender John Gibson to find him a new home. “That’s just been going on longer,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson first surfaced in the media rumor mill two years ago and has continued since. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list.

The Ducks’ unwillingness to retain salary is believed to be why Gibson hasn’t been moved. The recent decline in his performance is another factor but that can be chalked up in part to the quality of the team in front of him during that time.

Friedman reported the Toronto Maple Leafs are believed to be discussing a contract extension with Jake McCabe. The 31-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his contract with an AAV of $4 million with a modified no-trade clause. Half of that cap hit is carried by his former club, the Chicago Blackhawks.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 6, 2024

by | Sep 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 6, 2024

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.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2024

by | Sep 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor, what a Sidney Crosby trade might look like, whether Penguins center Lars Eller could be a trade candidate, the latest Jeremy Swayman speculation, and an update on the Canucks’ goaltending.

TSN: Travis Yost admits it’s unlikely the Pittsburgh Penguins trade Sidney Crosby. The 37-year-old Penguins captain has a year remaining on his contract and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Nevertheless, Yost thinks the hockey community underestimates the possibility of Crosby being moved by the March trade deadline.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Yost raised a scenario where Crosby accepts a trade to a contender at the deadline if the Penguins are out of contention by then, ensuring the type of return that accelerates their rebuild. He could return to the Penguins when free agency begins on July 1.

The Penguins also have the cap flexibility to retain part of Crosby’s $8.7 million cap hit in the deal.

Yost suggested the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, and Colorado Avalanche possess the flexibility and pedigree to compete for the Stanley Cup with Crosby in their lineup. He doesn’t rule out the Vegas Golden Knights given their mastery of salary-cap gymnastics and their “win-now” mentality.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt Crosby will be playing with another NHL team by this season’s trade deadline. Still, Yost raises an interesting scenario of what could become one of the biggest trades in NHL history. It would certainly provide additional excitement leading up to deadline day.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel wonders if the additional forward depth brought in by Penguins management this summer could lead to Lars Eller getting traded before the start of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eller put up solid numbers last season as the Penguins’ third-line center. He’ll return in that role unless another player successfully challenges him for that job.

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont recently reported the possibility of the Bruins and Jeremy Swayman agreeing to a short-term contract to end their current negotiation stalemate.

Dupont wrote the Bruins were looking at offering Swayman a bridge deal of 3-4 years at between $22 million and $24 million. Once the deal ends, he would become eligible for UFA status at age 29.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A three-year, $22 million deal would be worth an average annual value of $7.33 million while a four-year, $24 million contract would be worth $6 million annually.

The Bruins will have to raise those numbers to get Swayman to sign. His camp reportedly seeks around $8.5 million annually on a long-term deal.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford is waiting until training camp opens to get a clearer picture of the health of goaltenders Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs.

Demko recently resumed skating after surgery earlier in the offseason believed to be related to the knee injury that knocked him out of the 2024 playoffs. Meanwhile, Silovs was held out of competing for Latvia in their Olympic qualifier due to knee ligament inflammation.

Johnston indicated the Canucks have put out feelers to free agents Kevin Lankinen and Antti Raanta regarding professional tryout offers. However, Lankinen would prefer a full-on contract offer.

Rutherford admitted he’s hoping the Canucks can avoid starting the season with players on long-term injury reserve. The longer they remain under the salary cap when the season begins, the more cap space they accrue to put toward adding players by the March trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2024

by | Sep 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we examine the fallout from Leon Draisaitl’s expensive new contract with the Oilers and its effect on Mitch Marner’s negotiations with the Leafs plus the latest on free-agent winger Max Pacioretty.

FALLOUT FROM THE DRAISAITL CONTRACT

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli predicting it’s now a “100 percent shot that Connor McDavid signs with the Edmonton Oilers” following the club’s re-signing Leon Drasaitl on Tuesday.

Draisaitl, 28, inked an eight-year, $112 million contract extension with a league-leading $14 million average annual value beginning on July 1, 2025.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

“There is no way that Leon is signing if there is a chance that Connor is not,” Seravalli said.

Meanwhile, Jim Matheson speculates it could cost the Oilers the league maximum of 20 percent of their overall salary cap to re-sign McDavid. If the cap is $100 million when his new contract begins, his average annual value would be $20 million.

Matheson also thinks emerging blueline star Evan Bouchard’s next contract could be at least $10 million annually.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski examined the winners and losers of Draisaitl’s new contract. The losers include those who generated rumors suggesting the Oilers star could spurn Edmonton in favor of signing with the Boston Bruins or the San Jose Sharks (the latter based on team owner Hasso Plattner being German like Draisaitl.)

Wyshynski also thinks the league loses because two of its biggest stars will play in a smaller, remote market rather than a big-city market like New York, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Toronto or Los Angeles.

However, Wyshynski makes the counterpoint that having Draisaitl and McDavid on the same roster makes Edmonton a glamour franchise and more meaningful to the league than having them lead two different franchises.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be shocking if McDavid doesn’t re-sign with Draisaitl inked to a long-term extension. The earliest the Oilers can sign their captain is next July and he’ll likely regain his place as the NHL’s highest-paid player.

The rumors about Draisaitl going to Boston or San Jose were wishful thinking at best.

Edmonton could indeed become a glamour franchise with Draisaitl and McDavid there for the long haul. However, the bloom could come off that rose if they lack the cap room to maintain a Stanley Cup contender around them.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Maple Leafs are unaffected by Draisaitl’s new deal with the Oilers and continues to play the waiting game with Mitch Marner. The 27-year-old right winger will be the top player in next summer’s unrestricted free-agent market with Draisaitl no longer available.

The Leafs intend to see how Marner performs under new head coach Craig Berube this season, especially in the playoffs. Meanwhile, he must also decide if he wants to stay in Toronto.

Marner carries a $10.9 million AAV for this season. Simmons suggests his new contract could come in between that and below the $14 million Draisaitl will make on his deal. He could earn more by staying in Toronto as the Leafs are known for overpaying players.

LATEST ON MAX PACIORETTY

TSN: Chris Johnston reported earlier this week that the Maple Leafs are among the teams interested in Max Pacioretty.

The 35-year-old free-agent winger suffered a twice-torn Achilles tendon in 2022-23 that threatened to end his career. However, he returned to action midway through last season with the Washington Capitals, netting 23 points in 47 games.

Johnston thinks Pacioretty is in a position to sign a contract with a team rather than a professional tryout offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty has also been linked to the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers.