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Winnipeg Jets Sign David Gustafsson

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The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed their final restricted free agent, inking David Gustafsson to a two-year contract. The deal includes an average annual value of $775K in the NHL and is a two-way deal in 2022-23 and a one-way deal in 2023-24.

Gustafsson, 22, did not have arbitration rights this offseason after playing just 28 NHL games to this point in his career. Only two of those came last season, when he spent most of the year in the minor leagues with the Manitoba Moose, racking up 15 goals and 30 points in 47 games.

The 2018 second-round pick is a mixture of size and defensive responsibility that could have him in line for a more regular role this season, especially given how little the Jets have done to add forward depth this summer. In fact, they haven’t really done anything to improve that group, other than to re-sign Mason Appleton after re-acquiring him at the deadline.

With only nine forwards signed to one-way deals, there should be a healthy competition for the last few spots. Gustafsson will have to show that he can be a valuable piece at both ends, and try to insert himself into the bottom-six plans.

Boston Bruins Re-Sign David Krejci

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Aug 9: Krejci’s contract will include a full no-trade clause, and the performances bonuses are based on the following thresholds, according to CapFriendly:

  • 10 games played: $1.0MM bonus
  • 20 games played: $500K bonus
  • Playoff qualification: $500K bonus

Aug 8: It’s not just Patrice Bergeron who is returning today. The Boston Bruins have also officially announced a new contract for David Krejci, bringing him back from overseas for another go-round with the club. The veteran forward has signed a one-year, $1MM contract that includes an additional $2MM in potential performance bonuses.

Like Bergeron, Krejci comes with a contract that includes performance bonuses that can be pushed to the 2023-24 season if the Bruins end up not being able to fit them in under the cap this year. Unlike Bergeron though, Krejci isn’t coming off a Selke Trophy season, in fact, he’s not even coming off an NHL season.

The 36-year-old went back to Czechia last year, stating that he wanted his family to be able to see him play in their native land. In 51 games for Olomouc HC, he scored 20 goals and 46 points, while also attending the Olympics, scoring four points in four games. It was his performance at the World Championship, when he was reunited with Bruins teammate David Pastrnak, that really showed how effective Krejci could still be. In ten games at the event, he racked up 12 points, helping Czechia to a bronze medal.

He’ll now return to the only NHL team he ever played for. Krejci, a second-round pick in 2004, spent 15 years in Boston before going back to Europe, playing in 962 games with the Bruins. He registered 215 goals and 730 points during that time, while also being a dominant playoff performer. On two different occasions, he led the entire league in postseason scoring, with one of those times resulting in a Stanley Cup championship. His return will give the team another center option at a bargain-bin price.

Still, while Bergeron’s numbers have remained strong, Krejci had already been experiencing something of a downward trend in recent years. He scored just eight goals in 51 games during the 2020-21 season, and 13 in 61 the year before that. While he’s always been known more for his playmaking ability, there should be at least some concern about his scoring touch after more than a year away from the NHL.

The good thing for the Bruins is it barely matters, as Krejci comes in just barely over the NHL minimum, at least for his base salary. Most teams in the league would likely be willing to add a player of his stature for that amount, even if there is at least some risk that he can’t keep up anymore.

For Boston, getting the band back together this offseason was the obvious goal, though there is still some work to be done. Pavel Zacha remains unsigned after they acquired him from the New Jersey Devils, and Pastrnak needs an extension if he’s going to stay with the Bruins long-term.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Latest On Nazem Kadri

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One of the running jokes of free agency every year is that if a player hasn’t signed for a while, they probably have a deal with the New York Islanders and Lou Lamoriello just hasn’t announced it. That’s what has been fueling rumors for Nazem Kadri, one of this summer’s top options who remains unsigned partway through August.

Frank Seravalli updated the situation on The DFO Rundown for Daily Faceoff today:

My understanding is [Kadri’s camp] have continued to engage with other teams. For all the reports that Kadri has something locked up with the Islanders, I think that is premature to say. I do think the Islanders have been one of the teams that have been in conversation with Kadri, I think they have put an offer on the table.

Other teams have told me they believe [the Islanders offer] is in the $7MM x 7 range for Kadri. At this point obviously it is not signed, and the fact that they continue to talk to other teams tells me at least that they haven’t agreed to terms with the Islanders. May he end up there? It is certainly possible, but they also have to move money there to make it work. 

The Islanders do have more than $11MM in free cap space at the moment (according to CapFriendly’s projections) but still have Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, and Kieffer Bellows to factor in as restricted free agents. Dobson especially is expected to take up a huge chunk of that open space should he sign a long-term deal after his breakout 2021-22 campaign. The 22-year-old defenseman had 13 goals and 51 points in 80 games for the Islanders, establishing himself as a premier offensive defenseman in the league, while playing more than 21 minutes a night.

That means fitting Kadri will be difficult, and if Seravalli’s sources are right that the free agent’s camp is still talking to other teams, the Islanders don’t have that plan in place just yet.

Kadri, 31, is coming off a career-best 87-point season with the Colorado Avalanche that eventually resulted in his first Stanley Cup championship. The dynamic center can do just about everything on a hockey rink but still would represent plenty of risk on a seven-year deal. Not only will he turn 32 in October just before the season begins but has a history of supplementary discipline that removed him from important series for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Avalanche.

Locking him into a big-money, long-term deal would be a bold move for the Islanders, who already have several players with rather hefty cap hits for multiple years and important negotiations right around the corner. Ilya Sorokin, for instance, is only signed through 2023-24 before he is scheduled for unrestricted free agency, while Mathew Barzal will be an RFA again next summer.

Still, it’s hard to know who they are really fighting against at this point, given how capped-out so many contenders are this deep into the summer. Only a handful of teams project to have the space available to fit in a $7MM center, and most of them would likely have no interest in adding a player of Kadri’s age. Remember that even Seravalli’s information could be a negotiating tactic from the Kadri camp, as they try to work out the best deal possible in New York.

Minor Transactions: 08/09/22

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It’s the dog days of the NHL offseason now, though there is a bit of excitement to keep hockey fans occupied. Today marks the start of the World Juniors, with three games on the docket including the U.S. against Germany. As the next wave of talent battles for international glory, we’ll keep track of all the notable minor moves around the hockey world.

This page will be updated throughout the day

Latest On Chicago Blackhawks Rebuild

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After several stunning trades that saw Alex DeBrincat, Brandon Hagel, and Kirby Dach shipped out, decisions to leave Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik unqualified, and recent comments from top players suggesting frustration at the Chicago Blackhawks’ long rebuild plan, it’s tough sledding for fans of the team right now. The front office is actively trying to lose next season to secure a better draft position, which has led to plenty of speculation about the future of franchise icons Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

But there are other veterans on the roster, ones that aren’t so far along in their careers or entrenched in the Blackhawks’ history. What about Connor Murphy and Jake McCabe, two defensemen both still on the good side of 30 and capable enough to help almost any team in the league in a certain role?

They won’t be moved, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic, who answered mailbag questions today on all sorts of Blackhawks-related topics. The two veteran defensemen are both expected to stay with the club for the next few years, partly due to their hefty contracts but also because the team wants some capable NHL veterans in place to insulate their young prospects.

McCabe, 28, signed a four-year, $16MM contract with Chicago last summer that includes a seven-team no-trade clause. His $4MM cap hit is easily the largest of his career, and would be a tough contract to extract much surplus value from at this point. Asked to do too much last season, he ended up logging more than 20 minutes a night for the first time since 2017, and was outscored heavily at even-strength. Impressively though, even while receiving absolutely brutal deployment (McCabe rarely started a shift in the offensive zone), he actually did set a career-high in points with 22.

Part of the reason he played so much is because of Murphy’s up-and-down season, which saw him play just 57 games. Now 29, the 6’4″ defenseman is only just now starting the four-year, $17.6MM contract extension that he signed last August, one that includes a ten-team no-trade clause.

Murphy has never played more than 78 games in a single season and now carries a $4.4MM cap hit through 2025-26, making it difficult to trade him even if the Blackhawks wanted to. One thing to note about his deal, however, is that the salary drops to $3.65MM in the final season, and $1MM of that is due in signing bonuses. If there is a time to move him, it might end up being in the summer of 2025 when there is very little actual money owed.

That’s a long time from now though, meaning Murphy and McCabe appear to be stuck with a team that is trying to lose as many games as possible. That’s a tough situation for any veteran to play in, meaning they are still names to keep an eye on as the Chicago rebuild progresses.

New York Rangers Name Jacob Trouba Captain

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The New York Rangers will have a captain next season for the first time since Ryan McDonagh was traded in 2018. Jacob Trouba was named the 28th captain in Rangers history, and will wear the “C” next season. General manager Chris Drury explained why he made this choice:

We all think Jacob is the perfect choice for captain for many reasons. Certainly since the moment he got here, he has continued to grow as a leader within the organization. Things he does on the ice, off the ice, behind the scenes, you name it. He’s the perfect role model for our young guys, for our older guys, for our veterans. He just chooses to do everything right day in and day out. We’re thrilled he’s going to be our captain. 

Trouba, 28, is entering his fourth season with the Rangers, after landing in New York via trade in the summer of 2019. He had made it clear to the Winnipeg Jets that he was unlikely to re-sign with them long-term, so after six seasons with the Canadian club, he was sent to the Rangers in exchange for Neal Pionk and a first-round pick (which ended up being Ville Heinola).

While some may argue that the seven-year, $56MM contract that he quickly signed pays him a bit more than his on-ice play warrants, there’s a reason why the Rangers have made him captain today. The big, physical defenseman has been a horse for the club averaging more than 22 minutes a night since arriving, and taking on some of the difficult defensive matchups in order to free up more offensive players like Adam Fox.

Remember that shift to responsible, physical play wasn’t always Trouba’s calling card. He was a puck-mover for the Jets and even reached 50 points in 2018-19 on the back of top powerplay production. While he does get a bit of time with the man advantage in New York, it’s his even-strength contributions that are some important, where he averages more time than any other Rangers player. He has also produced elite penalty-killing results, and developed into one of the most feared open-ice hitters in the league.

With just four years left on his deal and this season to be played mostly at the age of 28, it is unlikely that the Rangers will have to pay for much of a decline, at least on this contract. His captaincy essentially ends any lingering trade speculation, though even that was always a bit far-fetched, given his no-movement clause and stated desire to stay.

Today, he joins an exclusive group, that includes Drury himself, who served as Rangers captain between 2008-2011. There aren’t many people better suited to understand the role and make a selection.

Detroit Red Wings, Jake Walman File Arbitration Figures

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With their hearing set for Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings and Jake Walman have filed arbitration figures. The team is looking for a two-way deal that would pay Walman $775K in the NHL and $225K in the AHL, while Walman has filed for $1.7MM, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Remember, there is almost always a significant gap between the two asks. Unlike some other sports, the neutral arbitrator does not need to pick one side or the other in the hearing, and can instead award a salary somewhere between the two. So far, only Yakov Trenin has seen his arbitration process reach a hearing. The Predators forward received a deal worth $1.7MM, between the team filing of $1.35MM and his own of $2.4.

Unlike in Trenin’s case, when the Predators chose a two-year award, the Red Wings only have the option for a one-year contract with Walman, as he is now 26 and just a year away from unrestricted free agency. He also doesn’t have much of an arbitration case, having played just 76 games in the NHL.

Still, if it gets to a hearing, the two sides will have to stop negotiating. A change in the CBA from 2020 made it so that once a hearing begins, the player is no longer able to agree to another deal. The clock is ticking for Walman and the Red Wings if they want to get a multi-year deal done.

This is the final arbitration case to be heard this summer.

Seattle Kraken Hire Dave Lowry

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The Seattle Kraken are bringing in another veteran name behind the bench, adding Dave Lowry as an assistant coach. Lowry leaves the Winnipeg Jets where he served as interim head coach last season, following Paul Maurice’s midseason exit. Kraken general manager Ron Francis released the following statement:

Dave brings experience to our coaching staff. He had a long and successful NHL playing career and has significant coaching experience at the NHL and junior ranks. Dave will be a valuable addition to Dave Hakstol’s staff.

Lowry, 57, appeared in more than 1,000 games in the NHL over a long playing career, which included stops with the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks, and Calgary Flames, even serving as captain of the latter for a short time. As a coach, he has several stops around the league and was twice named the WHL Coach of the Year while with the Victoria Royals.

With so much experience coaching young players, he’ll be a valuable resource for the Kraken as they try to build through the draft. The team also has several new additions like Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Justin Schultz who will try to turn their fortunes around quickly and contend for the playoffs in year two of the franchise’s history.

Lowry joins Hakstol’s staff which also includes Jay Leach and Paul McFarland as assistants.

Philadelphia Flyers Extend ECHL Affiliation

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The Philadelphia Flyers have announced a multi-year extension to their affiliation agreement with the Reading Royals of the ECHL, keeping them together through the next two seasons. The deal also includes an option for the 2024-25 campaign. Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher released the following statement:

We’ve had an excellent relationship with the Royals for the last eight years and are thrilled to continue that partnership. We have put a big emphasis on the development of our young prospects and our club has seen the difference firsthand how beneficial it is to have not just one, but both of our primary minor league affiliates just a few hours away.

The Flyers affiliation system has been one of the most stable in recent league history, with both the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Royals in place for the last eight seasons (with the Phantoms much longer than that). While the ECHL club isn’t used for top prospects, Reading does have a history of helping the development of goaltenders in particular, with names like Jonathan Quick, Philipp Grubauer, and James Reimer, all among their alumni. In terms of recent Flyers prospects to go through the system, Felix Sandstrom and Max Willman are shining examples of how the low-minors can help nurture raw prospects and help their professional careers reach the next level.

The “closest affiliation chain in professional hockey” as the release states, the Flyers have immediate access to players for call-up situations and should be able to monitor progression even more closely.

Reading finished the 2021-22 season with a 45-17-9 record, though ended up losing in the second round of the playoffs to the Newfoundland Growlers.

Boston Bruins Avoid Arbitration With Pavel Zacha

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With Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci now officially signed, the Boston Bruins are almost complete for the 2022-23 season. Pavel Zacha sits as the team’s only unsigned restricted free agent, with an arbitration date set for Thursday. It appears as though they will not need that hearing after all, as the Bruins have signed Zacha to a one-year, $3.5MM contract.

Because he has already completed six seasons in the NHL, a one-year deal for Zacha would take him directly to unrestricted free agency next summer at the age of 26. The 2015 sixth-overall pick was acquired by the Bruins in a trade for Erik Haula this offseason, after he put up a career-high 36 points in 2021-22.

A $3.5MM cap hit is actually equal to the base salary for both Bergeron and Krejci combined, showing just how team-friendly those bonus-laden deals are, and how strong an arbitration case Zacha had after developing into a consistent two-way presence the last few years. While he never did become the top-six center that many believed he could be when drafted, his versatility, defensive acumen, and size make him a nice piece for the Bruins to move around this year.

While this deal does technically move the Bruins over the salary cap, for the time being, they have plenty of flexibility with several key players injured to start the year. That doesn’t necessarily rule out an offseason move to free up some additional space (the Bruins will receive a short buyout window now that Zacha’s arbitration case has been settled) but it isn’t required, as Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand could be moved to long-term injured reserve as they recover from summer surgery.

Marchand’s absence, in particular, could mean a nice opportunity for Zacha, depending on how things play out, as the team’s left wing depth is quite impressive when everyone is healthy. Whether he can reach new offensive heights remains to be seen, but the big forward will at least get the chance to prove he deserves a long-term UFA contract as the Bruins try to contend for the Stanley Cup for at least one more Bergeron-led season.

PuckPedia broke the contract details on Twitter.

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