2020 was certainly a unique year away from the rink. However, it was also a year that featured several big trades and free agent signings, coaching changes, and much more. We continue our look back at the top stories from around the game on a month-by-month basis. Next up is November, a month that saw the UFA activity die down but several notable RFAs got contracts in place.
Bridge For Sergachev: With Tampa Bay’s salary cap issues placing significant limitations on what they do this offseason, it came as little surprise that defenseman Mikhail Sergachev had to settle for a short-term contract, ultimately inking a three-year deal with a $4.8MM AAV. The 22-year-old has quickly become a key part of the back end for the Lightning, notching at least 32 points in each of his first three full NHL seasons, all with Tampa after they acquired him from Montreal back in 2017. Sergachev will have one year of RFA eligibility remaining with arbitration rights and will be owed a qualifying offer of $5.76MM in 2023.
Boychuk’s Playing Days Over: While he is sitting on LTIR and technically remains under contract, Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk won’t play again as a result of eye injuries sustained late last season. He took a skate blade to the eye late in the regular season and while he returned for the playoffs, Boychuk took a high hit and was injured again with the end result being optic nerve damage. The veteran hangs up his skates with 725 career regular season games under his belt between the Avalanche, Bruins, and Islanders while he won a Stanley Cup with Boston back in 2011.
Mantha Signs Long-Term: While several restricted free agents of note opted to file for arbitration, one who didn’t was Red Wings winger Anthony Mantha. It turns out the reason for it was that the two sides were nearing an agreement and ultimately settled on a four-year, $22.8MM contract. The deal covers his final remaining RFA years plus his first two years of UFA eligibility, giving Detroit a front-line winger at a good price. Mantha, when healthy, has shown continual signs of improvement and wound up near the point-per-game mark last season. However, he had also missed considerable time the last two seasons which certainly didn’t help his negotiating power.
Nyquist Out Long-Term: Columbus was dealt an early blow on the injury front for their 2020-21 season when it was revealed that winger Gustav Nyquist underwent shoulder surgery with a recovery timeline of five-to-six months. The 31-year-old finished second on the Blue Jackets in scoring last season so his absence is certainly a notable one. GM Jarmo Kekalainen indicated that the procedure was done to fix a nagging issue that had been lingering for years. With the regular season running into May, Columbus should be able to get him back somewhere around the trade deadline which would give them a big boost for the stretch run.
Strome Gets Two: One of the more intriguing cases for a player being qualified or not was Rangers center Ryan Strome. The decision is believed to have come close to the deadline but they ultimately tendered the offer, making him arbitration-eligible. It didn’t get that far though as he agreed to a two-year, $9MM pact, buying out one UFA year in the process. The 27-year-old had a career year last season while showing chemistry with Artemi Panarin and after a slow start to this season, he has a four-game point streak currently going.
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