While Dallas has roughly $11MM in cap space per CapFriendly and still has to re-sign RFA winger Jason Robertson and RFA goaltender Jake Oettinger, assistant GM Scott White told Matthew DeFranks of the Dallas Morning News that the Stars don’t believe they’re in a position where they have to shed money to keep those two around. They have enough cap space left to sign one of the two to a long-term contract while the other would need to be on a short-term bridge deal but doing that would allow them to keep Radek Faksa and Denis Gurianov in the fold. To get both RFAs signed to long-term contracts, one of those two forwards and likely goalie Anton Khudobin would need to be moved out to open up extra cap flexibility. As a result, their summer shopping is likely done until Robertson and Oettinger put pen to paper on their new contracts.
Elsewhere in the Central:
- In an interview on ESPN 101 (audio link), winger David Perron indicated he didn’t receive a formal contract offer from the Blues before eventually signing a two-year, $9.5MM deal with Detroit. Perron and St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong both expressed mutual interest in a new contract getting reached, especially after the 34-year-old put up 57 points in 67 games last season. However, as Armstrong noted to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, his priority was shoring up the defense and Nick Leddy’s willingness to sign a four-year, $16MM contract basically took any chance of them keeping Perron in the fold off the table.
- Blackhawks prospect Landon Slaggert gave no consideration to turning pro after his sophomore season at Notre Dame, relays Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription link). The 20-year-old forward had 26 points in 40 games last season and was named to the United States’ roster for the postponed World Juniors. Powers adds that it would be surprising if the 2020 third-rounder doesn’t turn pro after the college season comes to an end, however, potentially creating a situation where Chicago could burn the first year of his entry-level deal right away and give him a taste of NHL action.
I dunno, but I fail to see how keeping Nick Leddy over a productive heart and soul guy like Perron benefits the Blues. Can’t imagine this was a popular decision with Blues players. Is there no one in the Blues system that can provide what Leddy does?
Meanwhile in the Central, the Preds still have no 2nd line wingers. Poile will be right on that after his extended summer vacation I’m sure. :/
The defense was much more sound after Leddy’s arrival. I think everyone here thought Tarasenko would be traded and affording Perron was not even a question.
And then they didn’t trade Tarasenko.
Other than Krug, the defense isn’t very good from the left side. Scandella and Mikkola are just not very good. Hopefully Perunovich stays healthy and has a good sophomore season.
All I know is that if I were the Preds GM I would’ve gone 2×5 for Perron. Though maybe playing for a hated rival of the Blues wasn’t appealing to him.
Ya cause you understand the clubhouse chemistry better than the GM…
Wow, what witty comment that is. Yes, all GM’s do the right thing all the time. Heck, we should just shut down the comment sections!
Keep in mind Perron also signed the contact within the first 8 hours our FA. Blues had and still have a lot to address.
He was Blues property leading up to free agency. Armstrong had weeks after their season ended to offer a contract
He won’t be the Hawks problem. He’s too old for the rebuild…
Lmao