The Arizona Coyotes moved out Adin Hill this offseason and have Antti Raanta scheduled for free agency in two days, but that doesn’t mean they won’t listen on their other goalie. Darcy Kuemper is generating interest around the league according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, who lists the Toronto Maple Leafs as one team involved. The Coyotes–who have used their available cap space several times this offseason to acquire future assets–may be willing to retain some of Kuemper’s $4.5MM salary to get a deal done but the price is “quite high” according to Pagnotta.
The 31-year-old Kuemper had just a .907 save percentage this season, but showed off his skills at the World Championship, taking Team Canada to a gold medal. For his career, he has posted a .917 in 242 NHL games, a number that would certainly be interesting to several contenders looking for a tandem option. Toronto GM Kyle Dubas has been very clear over the past week that the team’s top priority is finding a partner for Jack Campbell, given Frederik Andersen appears to be heading to market. Kuemper could be that option for them or another team, though it will come at a cost.
- The New York Rangers could be adding some size to their young defensive group, as Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that the team is expected to sign Patrik Nemeth when free agency opens this week. The 6’3″ Nemeth spent this season with the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche, totaling 10 points in 52 games. He earned $3MM in each of the last two seasons, but could be taking a bit of a pay cut according to Brooks, who expects a two or three-year deal to be completed with an average annual value between $2.25MM and $2.75MM. The 29-year-old would certainly add some defensive responsibility to a blueline already brimming with offensive talent, though where he exactly fits would have to still be determined.
- After an outstanding season in the KHL, Chris Wideman could be returning to North America to join the Montreal Canadiens. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports that Wideman is a “good bet” to end up in Montreal when free agency opens. The 31-year-old defenseman led all KHL defensemen in scoring this season with 41 points in 59 games and then helped the U.S. win bronze at the World Championship. He last played in the NHL during the 2018-19 season and recently opened up about the Uber incident while with the Ottawa Senators that may have considerably changed his career path.
Pens top target is supposedly Darcy Kuemper. But, given the competition and Hextall’s lack of intensity as an exec, that seem unlikely.
I’m looking at Brian Burke, who drafted Andersen in ANH and then traded for him in TOR and can’t believe he isn’t angling to complete the trifecta by signing him in PGH.
kudos to those six Sens players for saying what everyone knew and were just affraid to say.
Weren’t they also afraid to say it and just happen to get recorded?
Two questions, why on Earth would the Rangers pay that much for a very very average D man like Nemeth?
And, since (for some reason) the NHL got rid of the tampering period, if Nemeth does sign with NYR around those terms, how will the NHL ignore it, pretend it’s not obvious and let it go unchallenged?
Mind you, I’m not doubting that they will, I’m just asking how.
@forwhomjoshbelltolled – “very very average D man” – yep, agreed. A reason to overpay? Maybe he’s one of the few “valuable veteran presence” types that would be willing to help the younger guys. Smith is a UFA, which leaves Trouba and Bitetto as the elder statesmen under contract. If they cut Smith loose, they might be looking at Nemeth as a replacement. And, take it from me, never bring up the “T-word” around Bettman. He’ll probably create another COVID excuse to “legalize” it. This is the same guy that told us it’s perfectly acceptable to use an alternative rule book for the postseason.
No idea why they’d waste money there, but it’s the Drury regime. D is the area we’re strong in talent and need to let it mature.
“The Avalanche have given permission to Nemeth to speak to other teams in advance of the opening of the market.”
That looks fine for an average defenceman. Average players are useful. Is he three times the player as your league minimum guy is probably a better question in my opinion and I think it’s fair to say he is.
@jdgoat – Agreed. In Nemeth’s case, his “average” may be more preferable to another guy’s “average”, who may have less time at “D” and might not communicate as well with the younger kids. And if the Rangers are choosing between Nemeth and Smith, maybe they see Nemeth as the easy choice for them. If that’s their reasoning, it seems OK to me.
They just gave away Buchnevich to clear cap and paid out the nose for Howden, I’d find a cheaper 6th D.
Thanks for info, Gasu.
Huh. Arizona HAD a lot of cap space, but they don’t any more. They’re down to $10 million free, and they’ve only got five defensemen signed to NHL contracts. They really can’t afford to retain salary on Kuemper if they unload him, and WTH? Kuemper’s got a $4.5 cap hit, which is not at all too much for a goalie of his caliber. A lot of teams pay their #1 goalies a lot more for less.