While there has been strong trade interest in Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, it doesn’t appear as if he’s in play. Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic report (subscription link) that the Isles have informed teams that they won’t be moving the 32-year-old. The 32-year-old is coming off one of his better years offensively after tallying 42 points in 79 games while winning nearly 60% of his faceoffs. A capable checker, Pageau will be entering the final year of his contract next season on a deal that carries a $5MM cap charge. Given the lack of depth in the center market, New York likely would have been well-positioned to land a return of some value for Pageau’s services but it appears now that they’ll hold onto him and potentially reassess his situation closer to the trade deadline in March.
Elsewhere around the NHL:
- Kraken GM Jason Botterill confirmed to reporters including Kate Shefte of The Seattle Times that the team will not be buying out goaltender Philipp Grubauer by Monday’s deadline. The 33-year-old had a rocky performance this season, posting a 3.49 GAA with a .875 SV% in 26 starts, resulting in a stint with AHL Coachella Valley after clearing waivers. Grubauer has two years left on his contract that carries a $5.9MM cap charge and while Seattle would have been able to open up nearly $4MM in room this summer with a buyout, Botterill instead will keep him around with the belief that he’ll be able to bounce back next season.
- Avalanche pending unrestricted free agents Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Lindgren are expected to hit the open market next week, relays Peter Baugh of The Athletic (subscription link). Drouin reached free agency last year as well before re-signing a one-year, $2.5MM deal. The winger put up 37 points in 45 games this season. Meanwhile, Lindgren was acquired at the trade deadline and put up 22 points in 72 games this year with the blueliner playing on a $4.5MM contract. After yesterday’s trade of Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus, the Avs have nearly $9MM in cap space, per PuckPedia, giving GM Chris McFarland more wiggle room to work with in reshaping his roster this summer.
- Noah Dobson’s new contract with the Canadiens contains just a 14-team no-trade clause beginning in 2026-27, PuckPedia reports (Twitter link). He was not eligible for any trade protection next season since that was an RFA-eligible year and RFA-eligible players can’t have any trade restrictions. The deal was heavily front-loaded with $33MM in signing bonus money over the first three seasons of the agreement.
So how old is Pageau?
32, then 33 in November
I dont know how much i trust media knowledge but rumours are he and patrick roy had a very big fall out. And he demanded a trade. Even if was surprised he got what he got but I guess he took a discount.. cuz some were saying he could of fetched 10 to 11 on the market… to me that’s ridiculous… how much will hutson get then?
I don’t understand why a team would trade its young, stud d-man for futures and then hang onto an aging Pageau if he had trade value. What are the Isles doing? (honest question – I haven’t follow them closely for a minute)
They couldn’t agree on a contract. As an Isles fan I don’t believe he is worth what he got from MTL and there are rumors he wanted even more than that to stay in NY. The isles probably end up trading Pageau at the deadline but I think Darche wants to see what he can get out of the squad before he just assumes they wont be competitive.
Chances are Lee, Pageau and one of their vet D men (Pelech/Mayfield) are moved this season.
Oh jeez I missed the contract drama with Dobson. Yeah that explains it. Wow. That’s a gut punch to lose him.
I honestly prefer not paying him and getting the players we ended up with in the draft. I don’t think he is worth what he got. He has the potential but 10M is a lot to pay for potential.
He’ll be worth just as much, maybe even more, at the trade deadline. Type of player contenders want.
What we’re going to find as the cap goes up is some teams that spent to the cap traditionally will instead spend to last year’s cap line or a bit more… They’re going to need a new stream of revenue because tix prices are going to peak & scare fans away soon..
They have lots of gambling money now. They do not care about the price of tix!
Correct. With TV deals the revenue stream will be strong. Tickets are gravy.
Seriously? Grubauer? Bounce back? The guy who’s been a net drag on the team for four seasons now? The only difference with last season is that he was terrible rather than merely mediocre/poor. They really need to cut back on their consumption of whacky weed up thataway.