It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours and it’s a West Coast bias edition. We’re in the middle of August and that means we’re about a month away from the start of training camps. However, teams are already thinking about the future. General managers are already thinking about contract extensions for key players. Today’s edition of NHL rumours is a Western edition talking about the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Vegas Golden Knights
Rumour: Chris Gawlik of Vegas Hockey Now gave an update on the impending Jonathan Marchessault contract talks.
What is Marchessault's path to signing an extension in Vegas? #VegasBorn @LockedOnVGK @VegasHockeyNow https://t.co/NCqEN0137v
— Chris Gawlik (@TDChrisG) August 17, 2023
Analysis: The reigning Conn Smythe winner is entering the final year of his contract and he’s looking to get a new deal. Marchessault, who is an unrestricted free agent next off-season, has admitted that his relationship with Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy hasn’t been the best. However, the two are on the same page and Cassidy has earned Marchessault’s respect.
No negotiations have happened as of yet and both sides are content with letting the two sides take their time. The soon-to-be 33-year-old does realize that he may have to finish his career with another team. He currently makes $5 million and would hope to get something close to that.
Vegas is always tinkering with their lineup and willing to make deals to keep them a contender. The Golden Knights finally got their hands on a Stanley Cup and Marchessault played a large hand in that. However, the money may not be there for him to close out his career in Sin City.
Colorado Avalanche
Rumour: The Athletic’s Peter Baugh took a look at what a Devon Toews contract may look like.
Devon Toews is eligible for an extension. What will his next deal look like? https://t.co/d3yifbUgQU
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) August 16, 2023
Analysis: Toews is coming into the last year of his contract much like Marchessault is. The Abbotsford, British Columbia native currently makes $4.1 million in the final year of his deal. He’ll likely be asking for a raise for his next contract.
The 29-year-old will also be a UFA at the expiration of his contract. Toews has risen through the defensive ranks to prove himself as a top defenceman with the Avalanche. He’s swallowed up a ton of minutes with Colorado and is hoping to cash in with his next deal.
Baugh used the contracts of comparable players like MacKenzie Weegar, Dougie Hamilton, Charlie McAvoy and Morgan Rielly. Weegar’s deal is around $6.25 million and seems like a bargain compared to others on the list. Baugh speculated that somewhere between $7-9 million is the price for Toews. There’s still uncertainty in regards to Gabriel Landeskog and his injury status. Colorado could put the captain’s salary on long-term injured reserve and that would help with some of the cap pressure.
Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
