It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re almost ready for training camp and things are starting to heat up. The logjam of restricted free agents may finally be moving. The dominoes may finally be falling and we may get a glut of deals sooner rather than later. Today we talk about NHL rumours surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres.
All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Could our long international nightmare in the Mitch Marner saga finally be over? TSN’s Bob McKenzie speculated that the Leafs and Marner could work out a three-year bridge deal. He said the average value would be around $9 million or $10 million, but the interesting thing would be year three.
…on a 3-yr, $9M AAV Marner bridge with a $12M QO in Year 4, it could actually be a 4-yr, $39M ($9.75M AAV). On a 3-yr, $10M AAV with a $13M QO in Year 4, it could actually be a 4-yr, $43M ($10.75M AAV). Either way, MM is set up to walk into UFA in 4 years.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 9, 2019
The dollar figure in year three could be $12 million or $13 million and Marner would still be an RFA. However, the Leafs would have to qualify Marner at least that number. Those dollar figures could cause a big headache for Kyle Dubas.
The Marner camp also said they won’t use other wingers like Mikko Rantanen and his possible deal with the Colorado Avalanche.
Analysis: Toronto is really trying to avoid another William Nylander situation where someone holds out for a portion of the season. Nylander never really got going and there was a lot of vitriol directed at the Swede.
Marner is an important cog for the Leafs and they want him in camp. The former London Knight is trying to maximize his value, but there must be some give-and-take. There may be a deal, but this issue may rear its head again in a three or four years time.
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Speaking of RFAs, Rick Dhaliwal of Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver said that things will be picking up with the young players. He went on to say that nothing has happened with Brock Boeser and the team, but there should be movement with the start of training camp less than a week away.
Agent for a big name RFA : I am hearing of much more activity, your going to see movement this week, 1st pressure point of training camp is here.
No update on Brock Boeser talks but they should be picking up heat soon with training camp just 4 days away. #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 9, 2019
Many are probably still waiting to see if Marner will set the market for others like Boeser and Matthew Tkachuk of the Calgary Flames.
Analysis: Boeser and other players may start signing now that camp is coming soon. Missing time in training camp is a big pressure point and some will want to get in as quick as they can. Getting reps in before the season starts can help players get off on the right foot. The last thing players want is to sign a new deal and start slow out of the gate.
It’s been slow going and the Canucks only have just over $4.1 million of cap space left. Vancouver does have time to get under the $81.5 million number by the start of the season. There will likely be a corresponding move to clear some cap space to get Boeser’s contract to fit. However, there are ways to get rid of contracts in the NHL. Whether that be burying them or trading a lesser contract off. No doubt the focus is to get him signed to a fair deal for both sides.
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: Bob McKenzie of TSN jokes to colleague Frank Seravalli about starting an off-season trade bait board. McKenzie then went on to say that Justin Faulk and Rasmus Ristolainen would be the two names at the top of the list.
The Finnish defenceman has been rumoured to be on his way out of Western New York. Buffalo has plenty of blueliners after making some off-season moves.
Memo to @frank_seravalli: Too early to fire up a @TSNHockey Trade Bait board? If so, Justin Faulk (CAR) and Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF) would be two notable names at the top. Pitter patter, Frankie…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 9, 2019
Analysis: The Sabres are prepared to have Ristolainen come to camp, but probably must address his future at some point. The Fourth Period reported that the Detroit Red Wings could be in the market for the 24-year-old.
Ristolainen causes a lot of stir online. He puts up a lot of points for a defenceman. However, looking past that into other stats may suggest he isn’t as good as his point totals suggest. Ristolainen struggles heavily in his own end and has for a while now in Buffalo. He is a great powerplay quarterback, however. This is something the Wings may want heading forward.
Ristolainen did say he’ll be at a camp of whatever team holds his rights, but it’s got to be annoying to deal with the continued speculation about where he’ll end up.
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 21: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
