The Flames are facing an interesting cap crunch for next season. Matthew Tkachuk is owed a $9MM qualifying offer, Andrew Mangiapane’s 31 goals plus arbitration eligibility has him looking at a sizable raise, and top scorer Johnny Gaudreau is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Sportsnet’s Rory Boylen tried to peg where Gaudreau’s price tag should be on his next deal, suggesting an $8.5MM AAV could be the right fit for him and Calgary which would represent a $1.75MM jump on his current cap hit. The 28-year-old is in the middle of a career year that sees him with 101 points in 74 games but with only mild salary cap increases coming over the next couple of seasons, it’s possible that it limits Gaudreau’s leverage if he tries to aim closer to the $10MM mark.
More from the West:
- Discussions on a new contract for Predators head coach John Hynes won’t begin until the season is over, reports Adam Vingan of The Athletic (subscription link). Nashville has played to an 89-61-8 record since he took over partway through the 2019-20 season so there’s little reason to think a coaching change is on the horizon. The Preds have a team option for next season which would likely be exercised if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a longer-term deal.
- Blues defenseman Scott Perunovich has resumed skating, relays Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The youngster underwent wrist surgery in early March and is expected to be re-evaluated at the eight-week mark. We’re still a little more than two weeks away from that point so he’s still a long way from being cleared to return to the lineup for the playoffs. In 19 games this season, the rookie has six assists while averaging 15:27 of ice time per contest.
Hynes should win coach of the year if he gets that Preds roster into the playoffs. Whatever he did to get Duchene and Johansen to play like they are is pure magic.
@Gbear – I would have to agree, at least partially, as much as it pains both of us. That Andrew Brunette guy in South FLA is bonkers this year, though. Jay Woodcroft deserves some props, too, but is overshadowed a bit by Hynes and Brunette.
The guys in Calgary and Colorado might have something to say about the Adams as well.
@wreckage – They *should* get consideration, but COL is, by most accounts, seen as a somewhat “stacked” team, and the voters would probably like to stiff Darryl, just for the exercise. I wouldn’t agree with jamming Darryl, and the Avs have a very real chance of setting all-time franchise highs in some categories. Nothing to sneeze at, for either team. Few, however, saw FLA doing what they’ve done this year, especially with injuries to key players. And, Bob was apparently on the scrap heap, with Spencer Knight just itching to take the helm. EDM shouldn’t be where they’re at, due to their goaltending mess, and with that “ill-advised” signing of Evander Kane, who is playing his butt off for his next contract. Many in Edmonton believe Kane has been a good add, even if the rest of the league disagrees. I’m perfectly fine with Darryl and Coach Bednar being in the mix, but I’m just saying that many “Insiders” think that they are, more or less, where they should be in the standings, which diminishes their accomplishments in my book.
@Mac, Calgary missed the playoffs last year and most had them as a bubble team at best. As an Oiler and Panther fan those 2 teams are pretty much where they were expected to be by prognosticators to start the year. Most had Edmonton 2nd in the Pacific (with Vegas being the expected #1) And most had Florida in the top 3 in the Atlantic with most saying some form of Tampa and Florida as top 2.
If your not giving it to Bednar because they are a stacked team, then why would you consider Florida coach as an option? Or TB, they’ve won last 2 cups so their coach can’t win.
@wreckage – Remember, I’m not saying nay to Sutter or Bednar. Calgary’s accomplishments are surprising to many, as the team looks to be overachieving, in a big way. It’s a fun listen every game night on SN960. I hate hearing about prospective voters not being totally objective when it comes to the Jack Adams award. There are some years when I, personally, would like to see it split between two coaches, if warranted. Naturally, that won’t happen, though.
@bruin4ever – I’m not saying I wouldn’t give it to Bednar, but every year I hear reports about some voters doing this kind of thing. It’s not new, but it keeps happening. I disagree with that mentality, but don’t have a vote to negate it. The reason for a few extra points for Andrew Brunette are his lack of head coaching experience prior to being thrust into it by Bill Zito. He is their “Lightning in a bottle” this year. And, regarding TBL, I think Coach Cooper should get his fair share of votes, as well. Thanks to Cup success, they’ve had to remake their roster (again), and even with the usual “Kucherov Flu”, they are in the hunt. So, really, all the guys we have discussed deserve more consideration than they may end up getting with the voters, IMO.
Gaudreau is running back to the east coast as fast as he can.
Johnny hockey will be with flyers at start of next season…He is worth all of 10 Mil no question…Flyers will have room…
Hahahahahahahha any team to give Johnny 10 sheets will be in trouble. He’s a great player don’t get me wrong but he gets a lot of help due to his teammates play. Elias should get Selky votes and would probably win if he was in the east. Chucky is a magician out there and the D/markstrom allow Johnny the freedom to do whatever he wants without being burned to much.
You can say that for alot of superstars that they do well because of their linemates…most of them are paid top dollar…we will see where he lands…
Ya but not every superstar is a undersized 30 year old coming off a career year looking to make 70-80 million
If the Rangers win their division then I would think that Turk would get a shot at coach of the year because that team is in a rebuilding year …ya right not with that coach…Turk all the way…