In an appearance on CHEK’s Donnie and Dhali (video link), J.P. Barry, the agent for center Elias Pettersson, indicated that he doesn’t expect to have any discussions about a possible contract extension for his client until the end of the summer. It’s not a matter of early discussions not going well but rather a decision to just take a break for the summer and reassess closer to training camp. The 24-year-old is eligible to put pen to paper on a new deal now and is certainly coming off a great showing in 2022-23, notching 39 goals and 63 assists (both career highs) while finishing tenth in league scoring. The Canucks owe him a qualifying offer of $8.82MM next summer and his performance last year coupled with an anticipated jump in the salary cap could have his camp looking to surpass $10MM on his next agreement. That’s a deal that is going to take some time to put together.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Speaking with reporters today including Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson indicated he feels that the bulk of the heavy lifting this summer is done although they will need to finalize a deal with RFA Philipp Kurashev who filed for arbitration today. Chicago has been active this summer, adding veterans Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno, Corey Perry, and Ryan Donato up front to augment an offense that has also added top pick Connor Bedard (who also needs to sign his entry-level deal). They still have ample cap space so if the opportunity presents itself to utilize it over the coming weeks, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Blackhawks make another move at some point.
- After spending the last four seasons as Detroit’s Director of Amateur Scouting, the team announced that Kris Draper has been named as the Red Wings’ new Assistant GM; Draper will retain his old position as well. As a player, Draper spent 17 seasons with the Red Wings as a key checking center, helping them win four Stanley Cup titles. He retired in 2011 and immediately joined Detroit’s front office, working his way up from Special Assistant to the GM.
- The Rangers have a new affiliate team as the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones announced that they have affiliated with the organization. Previously, the Cyclones had been with Buffalo for the past six seasons while New York had been with Jacksonville since 2021.
I think Petey is worth 10MM easy. Especially if/when cap starts going up. Lock him up
Like I said, I don’t see Davidson making any significant trades or FA acquisitions in the 9-10 million dollar range for, Well maybe for good. He has a steady stream of draft picks and I expect him to only fill some holes with short term 4-6 million dollar deals. I mean hopefully Bedard gets one of those deals if he’s good enough but the Hawks have been going through Cap Hell for years now. I hope he spends wisely and frugally for the next couple of years and develops their own talent. Hopefully the Cap goes up so they can pay their on guys. Hockey’s Cap is a joke. I’m sure he’d love to launch Jones but with his salary and NMC probably impossible. Bowman’s final parting gift.
What do you mean by, “hockey’s cap is a joke?” In what way?
Let’s see, 81 million divided by 22 guys = less than 4 million per person. Throw in one or 2 10 million superstars and you’re already screwed before you drop a puck. That’s a joke for major sports League. Even soccer players make 10 times that.
I hate to break it to you, Soccer is a much more popular game with much bigger revenues. Don’t kill the messenger. It’s not my fault. It just is.
NHL teams should have a larger cap because other sports have a larger cap or no cap at all? Where is the logic in that? This stuff is based on simple economics. Check it out.
It’s all relative economics and the teams are all constrained by the same cap. There’s no going wild to buy everyone and then sucking up the penalty of a luxury tax. Players know this. Teams know this. Nearly all fans know this
Bring back the Stingers!