We’re closing in on the end of the 2020-21 NHL season, and the NHL Rumours are heating up. The flat cap era has made roster decisions that much harder to make. General managers have to be even more careful about the contracts they hand out. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: The Athletic and CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal examined the potential new contracts for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.
Agent JP Barry on Pettersson and Hughes deals : we are exploring shorter term for Elias 5 years and under, Quinn longer.
Donnie and Dhali
CHEK TV
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 15, 2021
Analysis: Both share a common agent in J.P.Barry, who said Petterson is looking for a shorter-term deal. Barry adds that Hughes is in the market for a longer-term contract. Petterson’s deal is hoping to not be more than five years while Hughes may want six or more. Both are restricted free agents this offseason.
Vancouver has $15 million in cap space and that’s before the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. That could free up extra space as the Canucks ideally want to keep the combined hit around $12-13 million. This would allow the team to try and re-sign someone like Alexander Edler to a possible hometown deal.
General manager Jim Benning did lock down goalie Thatcher Demko, who was also slated to be an RFA. Getting Hughes and Petterson is the next biggest priority for Benning. The Canucks also still have to deal with $3+ million left in cap recapture on the Roberto Luongo contract. That money could have been useful this offseason, but the penalty ends at the completion of next season.
Minnesota Wild
Rumour: The Athletic’s Michael Russo looks at the effects of a Zach Parise buyout.
Kirill Kaprizov and the #mnwild’s search for a center: What we’re hearing about Minnesota’s trade targets and movable assets
MEATY 🥩 https://t.co/GlnHgxFWp9
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 26, 2021
Analysis: Minnesota has three key RFAs to sign in Kirill Kaprizov, Kevin Fiala and Joel Eriksson Ek. Space is tight at $22 million and the trio expecting a hefty raise. Kaprizov’s sound like they’re going to lengthy as they haggle over a long-term or a bridge deal.
The Wild will get a boost if the Kraken take Carson Soucy ($2.75 million) or Mathew Dumba ($6 million). However, Russo said general manager Bill Guerin may explore buying out Zach Parise’s contract. Buying out Parise’s $7.5 million per season deal would give the team $5.1 million in space this season.
The next three seasons would be a bit more painful with the hit ballooning up to $6.371 million in 2022-23 and $7.371 the next two seasons after that. Parise’s buyout hit would only be $833,333 until the end of 2028-29. Minnesota may have its hand forced if it has to pony up more money for Kaprizov to keep him from going back to Russia.
Anaheim Ducks
Rumour: Eric Stephens talked about if Adam Henrique could stay in one of his latest mailbag articles.
What is Max Comtois' goal-scoring potential? 20? 30? 40? That and many other inquiries in a new #NHLDucks Mailbag. Part 1.https://t.co/mLEaigke9w
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 21, 2021
Analysis: The main caveat is if Ryan Getzlaf elects to retire or sign somewhere else. Henrique played well at the recent IIHF World Championships that saw Canada rebound to win a gold medal. The 31-year-old played well between Andrew Mangiapane and Connor Brown. His performance showed there might be something left in the tank.
Henrique still makes $5.825 million per season until the end of the 2023-24 season. His contract could be problematic if the Ducks want to move him, but Getzlaf’s possible retirement could allow Henrique to stay. The Ducks do need veterans to guide their talented prospects like Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry and others. He could be in line to be a part of the leadership group as an assistant captain.
Getzlaf will talk about his future with his family and he’s expressed a desire to play with just one team. Ducks management would love to have him back as long as he feels he can contribute. The veteran also knows that he’ll likely take a pay cut if he does stay in Orange County.
