Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for July 2017

Los Angeles Kings Sign Five RFAs

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

2:05pm: The team has also signed Mersch to a one-year, two-way deal. The 24-year old played 48 games for the Ontario Reign this year, scoring 33 points despite a knee injury that kept him out for almost two months. The former fourth-round pick made his NHL debut in 2015-16, and is still trying to make it back to the Kings.

1:05pm: The Los Angeles Kings have reached agreements with four more restricted free agents, signing Justin Auger, Andrew Crescenzi, Zachary Leslie and Kurtis MacDermid to one-year, two-way contracts that pay $650K at the NHL level. Crescenzi was the only one of the four with arbitration rights, though he declined to file earlier this month. The Kings now have three remaining RFAs to sign: Paul LaDue, Jonny Brodzinski and Michael Mersch, though none of the three filed for arbitration either.

Out of this group MacDermid may be the most interesting, though none of the four look to have much of an NHL future. MacDermid went undrafted and signed with the Kings in 2012, only to return to the OHL to develop his two-way game further. In 58 games this season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, the 6’5″ defenseman put up 20 points and was a physical force on the ice, laying huge hits and dropping the gloves whenever necessary.

Auger, the highest draft pick of the bunch is another towering player who has some sneaky good hands and can contribute offensively at times. He, like the other three, seem destined to continue in the AHL for the foreseeable future, but Ontario fans won’t be upset about that. The club went 36-21-11 last season and should be competitive once again next year.

Boston Bruins Sign McIntyre, Subban To Two-Year Deals

at CDT | by 3 Comments

The Boston Bruins have locked up their goaltending depth for a couple more seasons, signing both Zane McIntyre and Malcolm Subban to two-year, two-way contracts. Each player will earn the minimum of $650K at the NHL level.

The tandem of McIntyre and Subban was one of the best in the AHL last season, recording a .930 and .917 save percentages respectively. They split the games almost completely evenly, and both even had short stints in the NHL when injuries struck Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin. Both NHL netminders are back next season, though Khudobin’s deal expires next summer. At that point, the Bruins will be able to make a decision on who is their next backup, and who will remain the starter in the AHL.

McIntyre, 24, took a huge step forward this year in his second season since signing out of the University of North Dakota and may have positioned himself as the leader in that race as of this moment. That’s not to say the decision is made though, as Subban, 23, comes with a much higher draft pedigree—he was selected 24th-overall in 2012—and has proven he is a capable goaltender at the AHL level for a longer stretch.

Filip Chytil, Martin Necas Sign Entry-Level Deals

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

A couple of first-round picks have inked their entry-level contracts, as Filip Chytil and Martin Necas have signed with the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes respectively. Though details on Chytil’s deal haven’t been released, Necas will earn $925K ($832.5K salary+$92.5K signing bonus each season) at the NHL level. Both deals likely contain performance bonuses as well.

Necas, the 12th-overall pick, is one of the most disputed selections in the top fifteen as he is unknown to many North American hockey fans. Though he’s played incredibly well internationally for the Czech Republic, his short career in the top Czech league wasn’t record breaking. That said, holding your own at 17 in any professional league is impressive, and Necas has immense potential as a future top line center.

Chytil on the other hand was later in the round, 21st overall as New York’s second first-round pick. He was the second Czech player selected (after Necas) and comes with incredible skating ability. Not exactly the type of puck-controlling presence Necas is, Chytil relies more on his straight line speed and ability on the forecheck. As he continues to grow, he could develop into a top line winger with a booming shot, but also has some experience in the middle.

Calgary Flames Sign Curtis Lazar

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Calgary Flames have continued to lock up their restricted free agents, this time signing Curtis Lazar to a two-year contract that carries an average annual value of $950K. Lazar did not have arbitration rights, but was issued a qualifying offer by the Flames in order to retain control of his rights.

After an incredibly poor season in which Lazar scored just four points, the first-round pick is at a crossroads. Will he join the list of top picks that struggle to adjust to the NHL, and carve out a successful career in the minor and European leagues, or will something click as he enters his mid-twenties and allow him to fulfill the potential the Ottawa Senators saw in him. It cost the Flames a second-round pick to acquire him at the deadline, and they clearly believe in his upside by giving him this deal, a contract that seems overpriced for what he’s brought to the NHL so far.

Lazar won’t turn 23 until February of next year, meaning he still has plenty of time to develop into the power forward-type he was expected to be, but it will take more than just an improved shooting percentage (amazingly he shot just 3.8% last season) to get him there. His play with and without the puck just simply hasn’t been good enough to trust with a bigger role, and in Calgary behind a deep forward group he’ll have to do more with limited minutes.

The $1.9MM gamble is definitely worth it for the Flames, who have plenty of money coming off the books next season and need depth players to help on their Stanley Cup run the next few years. If Lazar can turn in even a slightly improved performance he’ll be earning a solid salary, while if not they could bury him in the minors for no cap hit at all. This year since the minimum NHL salary increased to $650K, the amount saved with any buried one-way contract is $1.025MM, though last year’s amount would have worked for Lazar too. That slightly higher number may also ward off teams from grabbing him off waivers, allowing the Flames to hold onto him even if his performance isn’t up to snuff.

Nikita Gusev Signs Two-Year Deal In KHL

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

While it wasn’t expected that Nikita Gusev would come over to the NHL this season, any lasting hope has been extinguished. Gusev has signed a two-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg to remain in the KHL for now. Gusev was one of the assets the Vegas Golden Knights acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the expansion draft, and some thought former teammate Vadim Shipachyov may be able to convince him to come to North America a bit sooner.

Drafted in the seventh-round by the Lighting back in 2012, Gusev was always a lottery ticket that was unlikely to pay off. His ability is clear—the 25-year old scored 94 points in 75 games for SKA this year, between regular season and the playoffs—but he’s never expressed much desire to come to North America. After winning a Gagarin Cup alongside Shipachyov and other stars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk last season, Gusev is primed to become one of the very top players in the entire KHL, and probably very handsomely rewarded for it.

Because of the lack of a real player transfer agreement between the two leagues, Gusev will remain linked to the Golden Knights for the time being. Should they decide to sign him after his current contract ends, he will not be subject to the entry-level contract system*.

*This article originally wrote that his rights would expire at the normal UFA age (27), though Corey Pronman of ESPN provided details otherwise.

Minor Moves: Gravel, Gibson, Gustafsson

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Los Angeles Kings have come to an agreement with another one of their restricted free agents, signing Kevin Gravel to a one-year two-way contract worth $650K. Interestingly, Gravel had elected arbitration and was scheduled for a hearing on August 2nd, but instead took the league minimum on a one-year deal. The team did not release the guaranteed or AHL salary, likely part of why he settled.

Gravel played 49 games for the Kings last season in his first extended look with the team, registering seven points in just over 14 minutes a night. With the departure of Brayden McNabb to the Vegas Golden Knights, Gravel will likely be asked to play a bigger role and could even find himself in a full-time gig. He is still waivers exempt however, giving the team options if they think someone else is a better option on the bottom pairing.

  • The New York Islanders have signed goaltender Christopher Gibson to a one-year two-way deal, bringing him back to battle with new acquisition Kristers Gudlevskis for an AHL role. In just seven games last season Gibson recorded a .912 save percentage but hasn’t been able to show the potential that made him a second-round pick in 2011. Just 24 he’s still developing as a netminder, but will have to make big strides soon if he wants to make an impact at the NHL level.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed Erik Gustafsson to a one-year deal, a contract that will send him to unrestricted free agency next summer should he not get into 39 games in the NHL this year. After playing 41 contests in 2015-16 with the Blackhawks and recording a solid 14 points, Gustafsson spent the entire season in the AHL in 2016-17. While he again showed off his offensive upside while there, scoring 30 points in 68 games, it was a disappointing year for him to not make it back to the NHL. Now with Niklas Hjalmarsson in Arizona and Brian Campbell still unsigned, there could be an opportunity for him to step up and fill a full-time role. With depth options like Michal Rozsival not being an ideal option on a full-time basis, the Blackhawks could look to newcomer Jan Rutta along with Gustafsson and Ville Pokka as potential options.

Kevin Klein Signs One-Year Deal In Switzerland

at CDT | by 2 Comments

After announcing his retirement from the NHL last week, Kevin Klein has signed a one-year contract to play for the Zurich Lions of the Swiss NLA next season. Klein had one year remaining on his contract with the New York Rangers, but opted to retire and give up the $2.75MM instead of trying to work through his chronic injuries in the NHL.

He’ll do that instead in Switzerland, where he’ll join one of the top teams in the NLA for a year. Back in June, when it was first reported by Larry Brooks of the New York Post that Klein was considering retirement, continuing his career in Europe was mentioned. That didn’t seem like the plan last week when he announced his retirement, but at just 32 he likely has at least something left to give. The Lions are perhaps best known for their one-year housing of Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews while Marc Crawford was the head coach. While both of those men have moved on, the team remains a powerhouse in the league featuring former NHL players like David Rundblad and Robert Nilsson.

It’s interesting to see a player give up guaranteed money and a role in the NHL for the NLA, especially one like Klein who isn’t a fringe player. Playing 627 games in his career he has been a big part of the Rangers’ defensive group for several years, and before that a key cog for Nashville. The Rangers have made it clear they wanted to get younger this season, and perhaps they told Klein his role would be greatly diminished (or even buried in the minors) or maybe he just prefers the vistas of Europe over the metropolis of New York. He’s never been shy about his post-hockey plans—which include wood-working on his porch and opening a bed and breakfast with his wife—and this seems like just another outlet for those passions.

Stanislav Galiev Signs In KHL

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Stanislav Galiev became a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer, and after struggling to find a role for the Washington Capitals has signed in the KHL. The forward has inked a two-year contract with Ak Bars. Galiev was clear in his exit meeting with the Hershey Bears of the AHL, saying that he was ready for “something different.”

That new opportunity will come back in his home country of Russia, a place he hasn’t played hockey for nearly a decade. Galiev first came over to North America in 2008 to play in the USHL, before winning a Memorial Cup with Gerard Gallant and the Saint John Sea Dogs. Drafted in the third round, Galiev has played just 26 NHL games so far but remains an excellent AHL scoring threat. His 40 points in 56 games last season for Hershey wasn’t enough to get him a look with the Capitals, likely leading to his departure.

Ak Bars went 38-18-4 last season, and should be successful again led by young center Vladimir Tkachyov. Galiev will give them another highly talented offensive player to try and boost their goal scoring, something that they lacked at times last year. He’ll be 27 when his contract expires, and could then consider a move back to the NHL should his game mature.

Free Agent Notes: Wennberg, Anderson, Leier, Auger, Sifers

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

It doesn’t seem like contract talks are progressing much between the Blue Jackets and their two remaining restricted free agents.  In a reader chat, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch noted that it could take until next month before they reach agreements with forwards Alexander Wennberg and Josh Anderson.  He was quick to add that this isn’t a sign that discussions are turning sour but it would appear that there’s still a notable gap to bridge.

Wennberg’s case is a very interesting one.  He’s coming off a season where he finished second in team scoring and has established himself as a top liner.  Several years ago, they signed Ryan Johansen in a similar situation to a three-year, $12MM deal.  That could be somewhat of a benchmark for a contract here but the Blue Jackets have more than $12MM in cap space to work with per CapFriendly which will give them the financial flexibility to go for a longer-term, bigger money contract if they so desire.  Having both options available to them is likely playing a part in the talks taking longer as well considering how different the money will be between short-and-long-term deals.

  • The Flyers have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way deal with Taylor Leier, TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reports (Twitter link). The contract is reportedly worth $807K which suggests that he simply accepted their qualifying offer.  Leier collected a goal and an assist in ten games with Philadelphia this past season while adding 37 points (14-23-37) in 48 games with their AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley.
  • Winger Justin Auger has accepted his qualifying offer from the Kings according to CapFriendly (via Twitter). The contract will pay the league minimum $650K at the NHL level and $60K in the minors.  The 23-year-old is coming off a down season where he recorded just 20 points (11-9-20) in 61 games with Ontario of the AHL.
  • Unrestricted free agent defenseman Jaime Sifers, who was most recently under contract with Columbus, has signed a two-year minor league deal with Utica (affiliate of the Canucks), the AHL team announced. Sifers spent the last three years with the AHL affiliates for the Jackets and collected 20 points (6-14-20) in 74 regular season games.  He also has 37 games of NHL experience under his belt between Toronto and Minnesota.

Free Agent Profile: Andrei Markov

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Generally speaking, there isn’t much of a market for 38-year-old defensemen with plenty of mileage on them.  However, Andrei Markov is looking to buck that trend and is currently the most prominent blueliner remaining on the open market.

Feb 24, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) skates against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsMarkov has been with the Canadiens since they drafted him in the sixth round (162nd overall) back in 1998.  Montreal went into last season looking to reduce his role and ice time after he logged nearly 24 minutes per game the previous year.  They did just that for the majority of the campaign but by the end, he was back on the top pairing, something that carried through into the postseason.

Despite missing 19 games due to a groin muscle injury, Markov still had a fairly productive season, collecting 36 points (6-30-36) in 62 contests, ranking his 16th league-wide in points per game.  He followed that up by logging over 26 minutes per night in the playoffs, showing he can still handle a big role when he needs to.

It’s a combination of those two factors that have Markov continuing to push for a two-year deal, something that would have seemed highly unlikely just a few months ago.  At this point, there have been no takers which is why he’s still a free agent.

Potential Suitors

The Canadiens are the obvious one here.  GM Marc Bergevin has publicly stated that they would like to bring him back and Markov said after the season that he would like to return.  While they added Karl Alzner in free agency, he doesn’t exactly replace the offensive production that Markov brings to the table.  However, Montreal is only willing to offer him a one-year deal and last week, Bergevin voiced some frustration over the asking price.

Assuming that Markov isn’t likely to sign with a rebuilding team at this stage of his career, his market is limited to teams with postseason aspirations and a fair amount of cap or budget space available.  That’s a fairly small list overall.

Among the teams on that list would be the Oilers, who have the money for one year before Connor McDavid’s contract kicks in and they’ll be without a key cog in Andrej Sekera to start the season so there’s an important role that Markov could fill.  Florida is looking to rebound after a tough 2016-17 season and have the cap space to work with although signing him would push their defensive payroll close to $29MM.  The Devils have plenty of cap space and could up the ante financially but given where they are in their rebuilding process, Markov isn’t going to be the player that pushes them over the top.

Projected Contract

Last month, we projected a one-year, $5MM deal for Markov with Montreal, who ranked 14th on our top-50 list.  Given the last of options and the unwillingness of teams to give him his two-year, $12MM asking price, there’s a good chance that his new contract will still come in at or around that dollar value.  The bigger question at this point is whether he’ll return to the only NHL team he has ever played for or if he’ll look to finish his career elsewhere.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top