Here’s a taste of what was said and heard in Montreal on Wednesday, including the latest pick trade buzz, progress on deals for Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin and what’s next for Evander Kane:
Prepare for players — and picks — on the move
Leading up to any project involves some degree of trade talks. This year, general managers seem prepared for even more potential moves than usual. And that could start early in Thursday’s first round. “I think there will be quite a few trades this week,” Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher said. “And [then] what does this mean with slots. We are open to moving [pick] No. 5 and yet No. 5 has not moved once in 20 years. Teams usually don’t back down or out of a high pick. It rarely happens, but I think everyone is exploring, and maybe because of the fact that it’s a flatter draft, other teams are more willing to think about going back.” 2 Related There were only three picks traded in the first round of last year’s draft, but it was preceded by a blockbuster (Seth Jones went from Columbus to Chicago for Adam Boqvist — whose three-year, $7.8 million extension with the Blue Jackets was announced on Wednesday — and three picks) plus some other major moves as well. How can this year be different? For starters, it’s the first draft since 2019 where general managers gather in the same building, with a chance to once again conduct business in person. “The unpredictability of it all is definitely enhanced when we’re in close quarters like this,” Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “I think there’s a chance for those things to happen.” The NHL remains, for the most part, a fixed salary cap. There will be a $1 million increase for next season — up to $82.5 million — but that’s not much of a relief for those teams that have already hit the cap. Deal-cutting is a good way to create breathing space, and clubs that require it go into Thursday with strategy in hand and some prior knowledge of what the competition is thinking. “In your mind you want to imagine that everybody is going to get in there and you’re going to sit until you hit [something],” said Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas. “But I think there’s a lot of communication that goes on long before that. Everyone, at this point, knows what all the other teams are trying to achieve. Now it’s more about executing it and the plans being put in place and there is some activity. With the vast majority of teams very close in the championship, there’s always jockeying and different things going on and the poll space is very tight across the league.” Will it extend to Montreal and the No. 1 pick in the draft? The Canadiens have first crack at this offseason’s prospect pool, and GM Kent Hughes said Wednesday if the draft was that night, he would use his first overall pick on a player. Could this change by Thursday? We’ll be watching to find out. “I think there’s always a lot [trade talk] it leads to a draft,” Hughes said. “Some years, it translates into a lot of traffic and other years it doesn’t. But I would imagine by the end of tomorrow night the order pattern will be different than it is today.”
The Penguins close with Kris Letang, not Evgeni Malkin
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hexall said he expects to do something “very soon” with defenseman Letang, who is a pending unrestricted free agent. “We have some details that we’re still working out,” Hexall said, adding that he would be surprised if Letang didn’t return to the Penguins for a new deal. There have been rumblings that Letang, 35, would sign a three-year extension, but word of late is that it could be longer. He has spent all 16 seasons of his NHL career with the Penguins. Hexall was less optimistic about talks with pending free agent center Evgeni Malkin. The general manager said he could not say whether the Penguins would sign Malkin before the start of free agency on July 13. “They’re in a different stage right now. We’re just going to continue to work with his representatives and hopefully get Geno to a contract,” Hextall said of Malkin, who also played 16 seasons with Pittsburgh. Malkin made $9.5 million in salary last season. Letang made $7.25 million. Sidney Crosby could skate without Kris Letang, left, and Evgeni Malkin, right, next season. Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images
The Canucks won’t ink JT Miller before the draft
Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin had to laugh when asked if he could work out a contract extension with the star forward before the NHL draft. “I’m guessing it’s about 24 hours? So I’m not super optimistic,” he said. The 29-year-old forward sits one year away from unrestricted free agency. That situation has led to widespread speculation that Miller could be moved this offseason, possibly this week. Alvin said the team had not indicated the draft was a deadline to complete the new contract. “We haven’t said anything like that. We’re open,” the general manager said, adding that he had “good conversations” with Miller’s agents. “I guess anything can happen. We’ll wait and see here,” he said.
Oilers GM: Nothing imminent with Evander Kane
After his contract with the San Jose Sharks was terminated for violating the team’s COVID-19 policy, Evander Kane has found a home with the Edmonton Oilers. In particular, he found a home alongside Connor McDavid, scoring 22 goals in 43 regular season games and then another 13 in 15 playoff games. At a time when Kane’s stock was lower, GM Ken Holland threw Kane a lifeline with a $2,108,696 contract through the remainder of the 2021-22 season. But securing his services beyond that will be difficult. “We’re a week away. And at this stage of the game, anything is possible,” Holland said. “I’m not here to tell you I’m close to any deal. You can wake up tomorrow and stuff [have] changed. But is there a chance it will hit the market on July 13? Absolutely.” A seven-part, behind-the-scenes documentary that goes on and off the ice and into the locker room for an all-access pass during the pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Watch on ESPN+ The Oilers GM said he had “many conversations” with Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein. Multiple reports have indicated that Kane is seeking a long-term contract that could rival the $7 million average annual value of his deal with San Jose. Holland’s bet: That with the salary cap only rising by $1 million and other contending teams struggling with their own players, the market for Kane may not be as strong as his camp hopes. “Obviously we’re tight on the cap,” the GM said. “Many, many teams are tight on the cap. So I think we all have to get to a certain place, maybe July 13th, and figure out what’s going on.” Then there’s the question of San Jose. Kane and the NHLPA filed a grievance against the Sharks after Kane’s deal was terminated for “violation of his NHL Standard Player contract and violation of AHL COVID-19 protocols.” No date has yet been set for a second hearing between Kane and the Sharks, and it is not expected before the start of free agency. Holland said he’s complicating things as much as Kane and free agency. “It is what it is. It’s unique. I don’t really know,” Holland said. “We’re really winging it.” Evander Kane quickly found chemistry — and scoring — with the Oilers. Associated Press The New Jersey Devils have made a significant term and dollar offer to restricted free agent winger Bratt. Sources tell ESPN the club is waiting for a counteroffer from Bratt’s camp to begin negotiations. “Bratt is a tremendous player that we want to keep,” GM Tom Fitzgerald said. “We have made Jesper an offer that shows commitment [owners] it has in it. You don’t make the offers we’ve made with the aim of not having the player.” There is speculation that Bratt’s representatives could be looking for an offer sheet for the restricted free agent, rather than negotiating terms with the Devils. New Jersey has plenty of cap space to match any offer sheet. One thing is clear: The Devils are not looking to move Brat right now despite the difficulties in talks. “I never had Jesper Bratt on the trading block,” Fitzgerald said.
Toronto has no cap space — and a No. 1 goaltender
Toronto does not have a clear starting goaltender for next season. And they have limited space available to do that. CapFriendly projects the Leafs with about $6.4 million in cap space for 2022-23. A big part of that should be invested in a goalkeeper. It just might not be with current team leader — and pending unrestricted free agent — Jack Campbell. Despite ongoing discussions between the sides, Toronto has been unable to reach an extension with Campbell. The 30-year-old is coming off his first career season as a starter, posting a 31-9-6 record with a .914 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average. After years of being a perennial backup, Campbell has worked his way into a No. 1 job — and a paycheck. The Leafs know this comes at a high cost. “Obviously it’s coming up to decision time for everybody,” Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said. “And especially for Jack because it’s a life-changing event. It’s no secret that goaltending is a priority for us. And so we’ll continue to talk to them this week, all weekend and be well prepared for next week where we want to go”. The Leafs have a tough decision to make with current starting netminder Jack Campbell. Associated Press The Leafs have Petr Mrazek under contract for the next two seasons after Dubas signed the veteran to a three-year, $11.4 million deal last summer. Mrazek was injured for much of…
title: “Nhl Trade Free Agency Buzz " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-08” author: “Michael Richards”
Here’s a taste of what was said and heard in Montreal on Wednesday, including the latest pick trade buzz, progress on deals for Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin and what’s next for Evander Kane:
Prepare for players — and picks — on the move
Leading up to any project involves some degree of trade talks. This year, general managers seem prepared for even more potential moves than usual. And that could start early in Thursday’s first round. “I think there will be quite a few trades this week,” Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher said. “And [then] what does this mean with slots. We are open to moving [pick] No. 5 and yet No. 5 has not moved once in 20 years. Teams usually don’t back down or out of a high pick. It rarely happens, but I think everyone is exploring, and maybe because of the fact that it’s a flatter draft, other teams are more willing to think about going back.” 2 Related There were only three picks traded in the first round of last year’s draft, but it was preceded by a blockbuster (Seth Jones went from Columbus to Chicago for Adam Boqvist — whose three-year, $7.8 million extension with the Blue Jackets was announced on Wednesday — and three picks) plus some other major moves as well. How can this year be different? For starters, it’s the first draft since 2019 where general managers gather in the same building, with a chance to once again conduct business in person. “The unpredictability of it all is definitely enhanced when we’re in close quarters like this,” Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “I think there’s a chance for those things to happen.” The NHL remains, for the most part, a fixed salary cap. There will be a $1 million increase for next season — up to $82.5 million — but that’s not much of a relief for those teams that have already hit the cap. Deal-cutting is a good way to create breathing space, and clubs that require it go into Thursday with strategy in hand and some prior knowledge of what the competition is thinking. “In your mind you want to imagine that everybody is going to get in there and you’re going to sit until you hit [something],” said Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas. “But I think there’s a lot of communication that goes on long before that. Everyone, at this point, knows what all the other teams are trying to achieve. Now it’s more about executing it and the plans being put in place and there is some activity. With the vast majority of teams very close in the championship, there’s always jockeying and different things going on and the poll space is very tight across the league.” Will it extend to Montreal and the No. 1 pick in the draft? The Canadiens have first crack at this offseason’s prospect pool, and GM Kent Hughes said Wednesday if the draft was that night, he would use his first overall pick on a player. Could this change by Thursday? We’ll be watching to find out. “I think there’s always a lot [trade talk] it leads to a draft,” Hughes said. “Some years, it translates into a lot of traffic and other years it doesn’t. But I would imagine by the end of tomorrow night the order pattern will be different than it is today.”
The Penguins close with Kris Letang, not Evgeni Malkin
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hexall said he expects to do something “very soon” with defenseman Letang, who is a pending unrestricted free agent. “We have some details that we’re still working out,” Hexall said, adding that he would be surprised if Letang didn’t return to the Penguins for a new deal. There have been rumblings that Letang, 35, would sign a three-year extension, but word of late is that it could be longer. He has spent all 16 seasons of his NHL career with the Penguins. Hexall was less optimistic about talks with pending free agent center Evgeni Malkin. The general manager said he could not say whether the Penguins would sign Malkin before the start of free agency on July 13. “They’re in a different stage right now. We’re just going to continue to work with his representatives and hopefully get Geno to a contract,” Hextall said of Malkin, who also played 16 seasons with Pittsburgh. Malkin made $9.5 million in salary last season. Letang made $7.25 million. Sidney Crosby could skate without Kris Letang, left, and Evgeni Malkin, right, next season. Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images
The Canucks won’t ink JT Miller before the draft
Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin had to laugh when asked if he could work out a contract extension with the star forward before the NHL draft. “I’m guessing it’s about 24 hours? So I’m not super optimistic,” he said. The 29-year-old forward sits one year away from unrestricted free agency. That situation has led to widespread speculation that Miller could be moved this offseason, possibly this week. Alvin said the team had not indicated the draft was a deadline to complete the new contract. “We haven’t said anything like that. We’re open,” the general manager said, adding that he had “good conversations” with Miller’s agents. “I guess anything can happen. We’ll wait and see here,” he said.
Oilers GM: Nothing imminent with Evander Kane
After his contract with the San Jose Sharks was terminated for violating the team’s COVID-19 policy, Evander Kane has found a home with the Edmonton Oilers. In particular, he found a home alongside Connor McDavid, scoring 22 goals in 43 regular season games and then another 13 in 15 playoff games. At a time when Kane’s stock was lower, GM Ken Holland threw Kane a lifeline with a $2,108,696 contract through the remainder of the 2021-22 season. But securing his services beyond that will be difficult. “We’re a week away. And at this stage of the game, anything is possible,” Holland said. “I’m not here to tell you I’m close to any deal. You can wake up tomorrow and stuff [have] changed. But is there a chance it will hit the market on July 13? Absolutely.” A seven-part, behind-the-scenes documentary that goes on and off the ice and into the locker room for an all-access pass during the pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Watch on ESPN+ The Oilers GM said he had “many conversations” with Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein. Multiple reports have indicated that Kane is seeking a long-term contract that could rival the $7 million average annual value of his deal with San Jose. Holland’s bet: That with the salary cap only rising by $1 million and other contending teams struggling with their own players, the market for Kane may not be as strong as his camp hopes. “Obviously we’re tight on the cap,” the GM said. “Many, many teams are tight on the cap. So I think we all have to get to a certain place, maybe July 13th, and figure out what’s going on.” Then there’s the question of San Jose. Kane and the NHLPA filed a grievance against the Sharks after Kane’s deal was terminated for “violation of his NHL Standard Player contract and violation of AHL COVID-19 protocols.” No date has yet been set for a second hearing between Kane and the Sharks, and it is not expected before the start of free agency. Holland said he’s complicating things as much as Kane and free agency. “It is what it is. It’s unique. I don’t really know,” Holland said. “We’re really winging it.” Evander Kane quickly found chemistry — and scoring — with the Oilers. Associated Press The New Jersey Devils have made a significant term and dollar offer to restricted free agent winger Bratt. Sources tell ESPN the club is waiting for a counteroffer from Bratt’s camp to begin negotiations. “Bratt is a tremendous player that we want to keep,” GM Tom Fitzgerald said. “We have made Jesper an offer that shows commitment [owners] it has in it. You don’t make the offers we’ve made with the aim of not having the player.” There is speculation that Bratt’s representatives could be looking for an offer sheet for the restricted free agent, rather than negotiating terms with the Devils. New Jersey has plenty of cap space to match any offer sheet. One thing is clear: The Devils are not looking to move Brat right now despite the difficulties in talks. “I never had Jesper Bratt on the trading block,” Fitzgerald said.
Toronto has no cap space — and a No. 1 goaltender
Toronto does not have a clear starting goaltender for next season. And they have limited space available to do that. CapFriendly projects the Leafs with about $6.4 million in cap space for 2022-23. A big part of that should be invested in a goalkeeper. It just might not be with current team leader — and pending unrestricted free agent — Jack Campbell. Despite ongoing discussions between the sides, Toronto has been unable to reach an extension with Campbell. The 30-year-old is coming off his first career season as a starter, posting a 31-9-6 record with a .914 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average. After years of being a perennial backup, Campbell has worked his way into a No. 1 job — and a paycheck. The Leafs know this comes at a high cost. “Obviously it’s coming up to decision time for everybody,” Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said. “And especially for Jack because it’s a life-changing event. It’s no secret that goaltending is a priority for us. And so we’ll continue to talk to them this week, all weekend and be well prepared for next week where we want to go”. The Leafs have a tough decision to make with current starting netminder Jack Campbell. Associated Press The Leafs have Petr Mrazek under contract for the next two seasons after Dubas signed the veteran to a three-year, $11.4 million deal last summer. Mrazek was injured for much of…
