We’re in the middle of the work week and we have another edition of our NHL Rumours. Teams are trying to make moves to add impact their roster. However, they’re already thinking about the future and how to effectively use their salary cap space. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes.
All rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period took a look at what Jack Campbell‘s next contract could look like. Both sides will wait until after the season to hammer out a deal.
Analysis: The recent Morgan Rielly extension has to Leafs committed to paying five players a good chunk of the salary cap. Campbell is in the last year of a two-year, $3.3 million contract from when he was traded from the Los Angeles Kings. The Leafs also have to worry about bringing back Rasmus Sandin, Ilya Mikheyev, Jason Spezza and Ondrej Kase due to their respective deals ending.
Pagnotta stated that the Leafs and Campbell did have talks, but decided to put them on the back-burner. Campbell could be in line for a raise if he continues to play well for Toronto. Both camps are comfortable with letting the season play out and Campbell could get $5 million with his continued good play.
The cap will likely go up to $82.5 million this coming off-season. However, general manager Kyle Dubas is likely going to have to get creative if he wants to keep Toronto in the fight for the Atlantic Division.
Calgary Flames
Rumour: The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian discussed what a deal between the Flames and the Buffalo Sabres could look like for Jack Eichel.
“It’s not really a question of if they’re interested in Jack Eichel. It’s more about, do the Flames have what it takes to get this done?” – @hailey_salvian https://t.co/8z936AFE0p
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) November 1, 2021
Analysis: Many thought a deal for Eichel was done over the weekend. However, things are at a standstill right now. Darren Dreger of TSN said that Calgary is “kicking the tires” in regards to Eichel.
Salvian got a mailbag question on what she would give up to make the Eichel trade happen. The Flames do have to try to re-sign Matthew Tkachuk and decide the fate of Johnny Gaudreau. Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane are the only “untouchables” to her. Players like Gaudreau, Noah Hanifin, or Rasmus Andersson are likely too old for Buffalo.
A hypothetical deal involved Matthew Coronato, Connor Zary, Jakob Pelletier, Dillon Dube, Juuso Valimaki, and future first-round draft selections. Buffalo is adamant about not retaining any of Eichel’s salary but would entertain taking on a contract. This puts Sean Monahan in play, who has $6.375 million for a cap hit. However, he does have a modified no-trade clause.
Monahan, Zary, Pelletier, and a 2022 first-round pick would be her ideal trade to get the former Buffalo captain.
Carolina Hurricanes
Rumour: Sara Civian on The Athletic delved into possible contract scenarios for Jesperi Kotkaniemi this off-season.
https://twitter.com/SaraCivian/status/1453887053842685954
Analysis: The Finn was scooped up by the Canes from the Montreal Canadiens via offer sheet. He’s only scored twice in eight games this season, but both sides have some possible scenarios. Kotkaniemi can reach an extension for any dollar amount before July 13’s free-agent period. However, they would have to wait for Jan. 1 to sign the deal, but a tentative deal can be reached. This deal can be for any dollar amount or term.
Carolina can give him a qualifying offer of $6.1 that he can sign or he can go to arbitration with. The $6.1 million salary is what he signed during this year’s free-agent period. Hurricanes management can also elect to go to arbitration, which would be independent of the qualifying offer.
The Hurricanes would love to get some more goals from their big acquisition. This makes his contract number unknown, but things will get clearer as the season goes along.
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