Just two weeks ago most NHL teams were scrambling attempting to better their rosters. Many top free agents were signed, however, there are still some big named free agents who haven’t inked a contract. Today we’ll try to analyze what the latest NHL rumours are for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks.
All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: According to Brock Boeser‘s agent Ben Hankinson, the star young player has noticed that the team have spent on Micheal Ferland, J.T. Miller, Tyler Myers, and Jordie Benn, now Boeser wants his piece of the pie.
Analysis: According to Jessi Pierce of NHL.com, Boeser is excited about the new additions to the Vancouver Canucks roster and wants to stay in Vancouver. “I feel confident we’re going to get the deal done and everything’s going to work out,” the 22-year-old forward said Wednesday at Da Beauty League, a 3-on-3 summer league started by his agent, Ben Hankinson. “I love Vancouver. The organization, the city, the fans, everything’s great there, and I want to be there for a long time.”
While all of this is fine and good Boeser remains a restricted free agent. There’s no guarantee that he stays in Vancouver. The talented 22-year-old winger who hails from Burnsville, Minnesota has scored 55 goals in his last two campaigns. It’s almost a lock that other teams would have interest in him.
So what kind of contract can Boeser expect? According to @evolvinghockey it looks like a seven-year $6.878M pact would be in the ballpark. The thing is the Canucks have just $5.058M of salary cap space to work out a contract for him.
This may mean they need to get creative and the Vancouver general manager Jim Benning stated, “If we can move players, it makes it easier, but if we can’t move players we still have a plan in place to be compliant. One option is to go into with Roussel because with his injury he is probably not going to be back until November, December, but we have a bunch of different plans in place to make sure we have enough room.”
New York Rangers
Rumour: Larry Brooks of the New York Post states that there’s no guarantee that the New York Rangers will come to a contract agreement with Jacob Trouba before his arbitration meeting on July 25.
Analysis: A projected seven-year $7.5 million deal containing some juicy bonuses is the goal to retain Trouba. But, the longer the team waits, the higher the demand may be to hammer out a deal. It’s Brooks prognostication that a one-year deal via arbitration could be struck and later signing an eight-year extension late in the season before next July.
The issue with that scenario from Trouba’s point of view is there would be no guarantee that general manager Jeff Gorton wouldn’t decide to flip him to another team before the trade deadline.
It almost seems that things are at a stalemate at this point. Both sides trying to get as much as they can from the other. The sad part about this is the player is stuck in the middle wondering what his future may be. Unfortunately, NHL teams are a business and must treat players as an asset… an asset they can trade, cut or reward according to their own focus of assuring the team’s success.
Good luck Jacob!
NHL Rumours: New York Islanders
Rumour: Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post stated the possibility of the New York Islanders trading defenceman Nick Leddy before training camp. He mentions that even if that occurs it won’t result in the windfall the team needs to contend this season.
Analysis: General manager Lou Lamoriello didn’t really accomplish much thus far this summer after being swept unceremoniously by the upstart Carolina Hurricanes. Somehow, (and heads are being scratched for certain) he managed to not retain a Vezina Trophy finalist in Robin Lehner. He then sought greener pastures with the Chicago Blackhawks for a mere $5 million deal.
The biggest prize of capturing Artemi Panarin evaded him as well. Now, he will be forced to see it every day when the new New York Rangers super-star grabs all the New York headlines for the next long seven years.
What happened Lou?
Oh, sure he managed to retain an important keg or two in the wheel of fortune for the Islanders. He kept Anders Lee happy by signing him to a seven-year $49 million contract. Then he retained the services of Brock Nelson (six-years, $36M) and Jordan Eberle (five-years $27.5M). But now is considering trading Nick Leddy?
Perhaps Lou has grand dreams of landing a big-name free agent like Mitch Marner or Patrik Laine. Some of that extra money obtained from Leddy’s seven-year $38.5M contract in its fifth year could be used. That may bring him up into the neighbourhood of $14.2M range. He may be able to attract the big-name player that has eluded him thus far. But waiting until near training camp may not be the most expeditious plan. The big names will be gone by then, Lou.
NHL Rumours: San Jose Sharks
Rumour: Kevin Kurz of the Athletic discusses if the San Jose Sharks will go after another top-nine winger via free agency.
Analysis: Another team searching for answers after committing a fortune to Erik Karlsson (eight-years $92M) is the San Jose Sharks. They committed highway robbery by signing a rising young player in Kevin LeBanc (17 goals, 39 assists) to a one-year $1 million contract. He’s worth more than that (like $1.894M one-year).
The need for another top-nine winger may be very real and pressing. They still need to determine what to do about Joe Thornton and the possible return of Patrick Marleau. Attempting to do all that with an underwhelming cap space of just $4.68 million should be something to watch over this long summer. It’s not certain they could even afford a top-nine winger unless they’re attracted to playing around Karlsson and company and accepting a lower contract.
The other possibility would be to trade goalie Aaron Dell who has one year left on his $1.9M contract. The problem with that is he had a very poor 2018-19 season. He managed just a 10-8-4 record and gave up 3.17 goals per game while stopping just .886 shots.
Try and market that deal.
Then, they really don’t want to trade a Melker Karlsson since he has shown he’s a valuable depth player.
It seems that the Sharks have bit off more than they can chew. That’s what happens when they put all their eggs into one basket.
Ask the Chicago Blackhawks about that, they may enlighten you.
