It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours as we roll on through the summer. We’re nearing the start of training camps and that means the NHL rumours will start flying again. There are still some restricted free agents that need to be signed. However, there are also some unrestricted free agents still looking for homes. Could some of these veterans go the route of the professional tryout contract? Today’s NHL rumours centre on the Edmonton Oilers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: The Athletic’s Ian Mendes and Shayna Goldman took a look at what contract fits could work for the crop of unsigned RFAs. We take at Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard in this rumours piece.
Breaking down contract options for some of this summer’s remaining restricted free agents with @ian_mendes https://t.co/JYezAY4Ol4
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) August 18, 2023
Analysis: Bouchard is coming off his entry-level deal and is looking to cash in on the last couple of seasons. He’s already played in 28 Stanley Cup Playoff games and made himself an integral part of the team.
The time for Bouchard to sign his second contract has arrived. This is a practice that general manager Ken Holland has done for years. Some experts think that Bouchard could be in line for nearly 60 points next season. This means he’d love to get some sort of substantial raise. However, the Oilers have around $3.5 million in cap space.
Will that number be enough for Bouchard or does Holland have to move out more money? Both Mendes and Goldman think a bridge deal is the likely course of action. This contract would run around $3-4 million for maybe a season or two. There’s hope that the salary cap will go show a decent increase and Bouchard can get the projected value of six years and around $5.4 million a season.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta was on the NHL Network speculated on where UFA Tomas Tatar may end up at the start of training camp.
Analysis: Pagnotta said that Tatar might go the way of a PTO this training camp. The insider mentioned that the Penguins and Tatar had some links to them. However, nothing has come of those links so far. Pittsburgh would love to add to its forward depth and Tatar could be a low-cost option.
There were some other teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs that also have an interest according to Pagnotta. Toronto would love to get a lower-cost player due to them being up against the cap. The Leafs still have some salary cap issues they have to sort out before they can add a piece.
Tatar was making $4.5 million over the last few years of his contract. However, that number is likely going to dip a bit. The veteran forward is still a viable option for a team looking to add some depth scoring.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
