For the second year in a row, Tyler Motte finds himself unsigned more than a month into unrestricted free agency. This is the case despite the fact that he fills a role that many contending teams often covet – someone who can play defensive minutes, kill penalties, and play with an edge (without getting into much penalty trouble) while chipping in a bit offensively.
Last summer, despite playing a regular role for the Rangers in the playoffs, it took until just before training camp for the 28-year-old to catch on somewhere when he inked a one-year, $1.35MM deal with Ottawa in mid-September. The contract garnered him a small raise compared to his previous AAV.
Unfortunately for both Motte and the Senators, things didn’t go too well. Missing 15 games with a broken finger midseason didn’t help but when he was in the lineup, he wasn’t able to bring each of the elements he typically does to the table. Specifically, the offense wasn’t there as he managed just three goals in 38 games as part of a bottom-six group that underachieved.
That changed when the Rangers reacquired him prior to the deadline. Already familiar with the way they play, Motte was able to get some of his scoring touch back, chipping in with five goals and five assists in 24 games down the stretch despite logging just 11 minutes a game. He wasn’t able to hit the scoresheet in the playoffs but still filled that checking role.
At this point in his career, Motte is a well-known commodity; it isn’t as if there is much left in the way of hidden upside. But what he provides is something that should result in interest from teams at some point over the coming weeks.
Stats
2022-23: 62 GP, 8-11-19, +3 rating, 6 PIMS, 109 shots, 118 hits, 45.7% CF, 12:34 ATOI
Career: 331 GP, 43-38-81, -19 rating, 82 PIMS, 512 shots, 773 hits, 44.0% CF, 12:52 ATOI
Potential Suitors
For a player like Motte, there are two different types of teams that make sense. The first is a squad with playoff hopes that is looking to shore up their fourth line or 13th forward spot, aiming to find a small improvement within the margins. The other is a team that wants one of their younger players to spend more time in the minors and wants that extra bit of depth to act as a buffer.
In the East, Toronto has looked to add some grit this offseason and Motte would continue down that path. It would need to be a contract for the minimum to work but he’d fill the void that was opened up by them not re-signing Zach Aston-Reese. His old team in New York could also use him back but with them needing as much cap space as possible to re-sign RFA Alexis Lafreniere, it would need to be a minimum-salary agreement as well. Boston has rebuilt a good chunk of their bottom six and could stand to add more depth although they’re at a spot where they need to focus on trying to open up some flexibility first. He’d also fit in on Washington’s fourth line but, you guessed it, they will be restricted to basically the minimum $775K offer as well.
Out West, Motte would give a boost to Nashville’s fourth line and they have enough cap space remaining that they won’t be restricted to just a minimum-salary offer. Edmonton is expected to try to bring in some low-cost upgrades although they, too, will be restricted to offers for the minimum. Colorado has a bit more wiggle room to work with from Gabriel Landeskog’s LTIR placement and after their fourth line struggled throughout last season, Motte would give them some reliability on that front.
Projected Contract
At this point of the summer, the bulk of the contracts handed out are going to be at or very close to the league minimum. Motte hasn’t been in that situation the last few years and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s holding out hope that a seven-figure deal could still be out there. Assuming that doesn’t materialize within the next few weeks, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Motte sign for $775K or close to it. If that happens, whoever gets him will be getting a small bargain.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.