Patrick Marleau Traded To Carolina Hurricanes
The Toronto Maple Leafs have completed a deal that seemed impossible just a few days ago, trading Patrick Marleau to the Carolina Hurricanes. Toronto will also send a conditional 2020 first-round selection and a 2020 seventh-round selection and will receive a 2020 sixth-round pick in return. If the first-round pick is a top-10 selection, the Hurricanes will instead receive a first-round pick in 2021.
Marleau is expected to be bought out by the Hurricanes to become an unrestricted free agent. A buyout will not result in any cap savings for the Hurricanes given Marleau signed his current contract after the age of 35, meaning his entire $6.25MM hit will be applied to their books.
The Maple Leafs were desperate to clear some salary this summer thanks to ongoing negotiations with restricted free agents Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, and Marleau’s name has been in trade speculation for weeks. GM Kyle Dubas had recently said however that it seemed likely the veteran forward would start the year in Toronto, meaning this deal very well could have come together quickly at the draft in Vancouver. A first round pick is a steep price to pay, but the Maple Leafs will gain a huge amount of cap space in a season where they believe they can compete for the Stanley Cup.
Marleau, 39, just finished his worst offensive season since his rookie year back in 1997-98, but still recorded 16 goals and 37 points for the Maple Leafs. While not good enough to fill those $6.25MM shoes, he still does have a few playing days left in him if he chooses. Though that could technically take him back to Toronto as the Washington Capitals proved with Brooks Orpik last year, Marleau commandeered his wife’s twitter account to issue a goodbye to the organization and Maple Leafs’ fans. It seems more likely that he is heading back to California and perhaps the San Jose Sharks, though the Hurricanes intend on having a conversation to see if he would be willing to play for them first.
The veteran forward hasn’t missed a single game in the last ten seasons and has suited up 1,657 times in the NHL regular season. His 1,166 career points put him 53rd on the all-time list, only behind Joe Thornton, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin in terms of active players.
Morning Notes: Barrie, Subban, Penguins
For all the anticipation that the NHL Entry Draft creates, fans were left somewhat disappointed last night when not a single player was traded. All the viewers got from the floor in Vancouver was the Arizona Coyotes moving up three spots and the Philadelphia Flyers adding a second-round pick. The kind of movement that had been hinted at all day never materialized, perhaps thanks to the still-not-finalized cap ceiling. The league is expected to release the final number today, hopefully kicking the market into gear.
Nevertheless, here are some notes from last night’s show:
- The player most rumored to be on the move yesterday may have been Tyson Barrie, who was linked several times to the Vancouver Canucks. The offensive defenseman’s name came up even more when the Colorado Avalanche selected Bowen Byram fourth overall, but GM Joe Sakic wants everyone to calm down. Sakic told A.J. Haefele of BSN Denver that there is no truth to the idea that Barrie is already traded, and Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now that the rumors are “news to him.” Even with the apparent denials, Barrie’s name will continue to float around in trade speculation until he has a new deal with the Avalanche or is moved. The 27-year old is entering the final year of his current contract and carries a $5.5MM cap hit.
- Another defenseman drawing plenty of speculation is Nashville Predators star P.K. Subban who is apparently on the market as the team tries to clear cap space. Subban has three years remaining at a huge $9MM cap hit, but Darren Dreger of TSN suggested that the Predators may be willing to retain up to $3MM of that. If that’s true, there will likely be teams lined up to take on the Norris-winning defenseman.
- After a disappointing season from the Pittsburgh Penguins and some frustrated comments from GM Jim Rutherford, some expected the team to make a huge move and send one of their superstar talents packing this summer. While the team did try to move Phil Kessel to the Minnesota Wild, they won’t be dangling Evgeni Malkin or Kris Letang. Rutherford spoke to Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and told him it’s “highly unlikely” that either one is moved and that there was never an intention to have a ton of roster turnover in Pittsburgh.
Top Talent Remains For Day Two Of 2019 Draft
The 2019 NHL Entry Draft was short on trades but still filled with surprises. Starting at third overall when the Chicago Blackhawks shocked many by selecting Kirby Dach, things didn’t go how any prospect prognosticator expected. The Detroit Red Wings may have given the draft floor the biggest shock when GM Steve Yzerman announced Mortiz Seider‘s name at No. 6. Yzerman told Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press that they tried to move back, but didn’t want to risk missing out on the big German defenseman.
That seemed to be the theme of the night. Trades were discussed, but only one ended up being completed with the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers flipping spots in the middle of the round. Now, as the hockey world prepares for day two and rounds 2-7 trade talk is heating up once again. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia tweets that the Ottawa Senators have had talks with a lot of teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ottawa holds the first pick of the second round along with No. 44.
But if the Senators choose to keep that pick, what’s left? Who fell out of the first round and are looking to make the league regret it? Here’s a few names that may be picked at the top of round two.
Arthur Kaliyev – F, Hamilton OHL
Kaliyev was ranked seventh among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and was a lock to go in the first round by most other publications. That’s thanks to his 51-goal season for the Bulldogs and a nose for the net unlike many other prospects available. The 17-year old forward can score through any type of shot you can think of, and almost always seems to find himself in the right situation at the right time.
Despite that, there have been some to question his work ethic and drive to improve the other aspects of his game. He currently doesn’t project as an excellent skater and can shy away from physical play despite standing 6’2″ already. Those questions are probably what dropped him out of the first round, but they also could be why a team like Ottawa, Los Angeles or New Jersey have the opportunity to grab an offensive dynamo so late.
Bobby Brink – F, Sioux City USHL
If you want skill and offensive upside, it’s hard to pass up on Brink. The 17-year old winger from the USHL has scored at every level and is one of the best playmakers in the draft. His hockey sense is out of this world and he often sets up teammates before they even know the puck should be coming to them. Unlike Kaliyev, Brink is known for his hard work on the ice and willingness to do whatever the team needs.
Unfortunately, he also comes in a 5’8″ package with below average skating tools. Brink’s size and stride are what took him out of the first round, as there is plenty of work to do to get him to the point where he can really use that offensive skill at the professional level. His anticipation may get him a step ahead at the USHL level, but that skating may hold him back in the NHL or even the AHL. For a first round pick it might be hard to take that chance, but a team that trusts its development staff could get a steal early this afternoon.
Raphael Lavoie – F, Halifax QMJHL
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Lavoie, blessed with all the physical tools to make him a monstrous hockey player at the professional level. A great skater for a player of his size—6’4″ already—he can get behind defenders or power right through them coming off the wing. Lavoie was once expected to be a top pick in this 2019 draft, but after failing to show that huge development step in the QMJHL teams may have cooled on him a bit.
Perhaps that’s because of a growing feeling that his upside may be capped because of a lack of real playmaking ability. Though there are times when Lavoie looks like the most dangerous player on the ice, it is too often that the play dies on his stick if he can’t use his physical attributes to beat a defender. Still, after an outstanding playoff run with teh Mooseheads you can bet he won’t be on the board much longer.
Nils Hoglander – F, Rogle SHL
There’s no lack of skill outside of North America either. The 5’9″ Hoglander may have the best hands in the entire draft, able to turn defenders inside out even at a standstill. That’s not a position he’s often in though, as the Swedish forward is always pressing and probing defenses with his solid edgework and agility. Even starting the year at 17, the undersized Hoglander spent the entire season in the SHL and recorded 14 points in 50 games—a solid total for such a young player.
The question will be whether or not those elusive puck skills will translate to a complete professional game in North America, or if Hoglander is destined to be a top scorer in a lower league. He’s not afraid of physical play but he can sometimes be overmatched by bigger players, especially ones who can skate well and close the gaps quickly. That’s all that he’ll see in the NHL, which makes using a first round pick on him somewhat difficult. An early second though? Hoglander won’t wait around long on day two.
Brett Leason – F, Prince Albert WHL
Unfortunately for Leason, he knows the feeling of not being picked on the first day of the draft. He’s been through this twice before. The 20-year old forward is in his third year of eligibility but is coming off an outstanding season in the WHL and a top-end performance at the World Juniors. He ended up ranked 25th by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters, but some had him potentially climbing into the end of the first round.
While Leason may end up dropping a few more spots, the fact that he is an older player might come in handy. He can go directly to the AHL to continue his development in 2019-20 and could be in the NHL quicker than many other second-round selections if things go well. The 6’4″ winger is more than happy to engage physically in the corners but has a nose for the net as well that could make him a potential option in front on the powerplay one day.
Other top options: D Alex Vlasic, F Nicholas Robertson, D Matthew Robertson, F Robert Mastrosimone, F Samuel Fagemo
Submit Your Questions For The #PHRMailbag
The 2018-19 NHL season is officially over, but that doesn’t mean the hockey world gets a moment of rest. The draft is just around the corner, with free agents allowed to start talking to new teams just after that. Teams have already started to reshape their rosters with trades, while others try to steady the ship with long-term extensions.
Erik Karlsson was set to become the top free agent on the market this summer but has re-signed in San Jose, leaving a hole at the top of the list of available defensemen. Do Tyler Myers and Jake Gardiner become the de facto top options, or will teams instead circle back to the trade market to try and find their blue line solutions? What about up front? Does Artemi Panarin have a market outside of a handful of teams? Will San Jose be able to afford Joe Pavelski now? All those questions and more are on the minds of hockey fans everywhere.
With that in mind, it’s time to run another edition of our mailbag. You can submit your query by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. Make sure to get your questions in early and we’ll try to get through them all when the mailbag runs this weekend.
If you missed our last edition, it was split into two parts that you can read here and here. The first tackled topics like morality clauses in player contracts, the New Jersey Devils’ offseason plans, and the unfortunate reality of bad Edmonton Oilers contracts. Next, Brian took on questions regarding Chris Kreider‘s future in New York, a potential Jacob Trouba trade, and gave his thoughts on the Phil Kessel situation.
Rieder, Rattie Not Expected To Receive Qualifying Offers
The Edmonton Oilers have plenty of work to do this summer in order to get back into Stanley Cup playoff contention, but they’ve already made decisions on a pair of restricted free agents. Jason Gregor of TSN reports that the team will not issue qualifying offers to Tobias Rieder or Ty Rattie, making the pair of forwards unrestricted free agents. The team could still negotiate a new contract with either one, but after disappointing seasons it would not be surprising for both to have to find work elsewhere in 2019-20.
Rieder, 26, failed to score a single goal for the Oilers this season despite appearing in 67 games. The German forward was eventually called out by CEO Bob Nicholson at an Oilers’ function for his lack of offensive production, making it clear that the team wouldn’t bring him back next season. Despite his terrible year, Rieder actually has shown in the past that he can be a fine depth scoring option, scoring at least 12 times in each of his first four years in the league. A qualifying offer would have been for $2MM however, more than anyone will likely pay after a zero-goal season.
Rattie, 26, wasn’t quite as bad for the Oilers as he recorded four goals and 11 points in 50 appearances. Still, the depth forward was never able to really capture the same offensive ability he has shown in the minor and junior leagues. Originally selected 32nd overall in 2011 by the St. Louis Blues, Rattie has just 30 points in 99 career NHL contests.
2019-20 Home Openers Announced
The NHL has announced the dates for each team’s 2019-20 home opener, with the full schedule set to release on Tuesday. Below are all the dates, which start on October 2nd including the St. Louis Blues raising their Stanley Cup banner against the 2018 champion Washington Capitals.
October 2nd:
Washington @ St. Louis
Ottawa @ Toronto
Vancouver @ Edmonton
San Jose @ Vegas
October 3rd:
Arizona @ Anaheim
Montreal @ Carolina
Calgary @ Colorado
Boston @ Dallas
Minnesota @ Nashville
Winnipeg @ Rangers
Buffalo @ Pittsburgh
Florida @ Tampa Bay
October 4th:
Toronto @ Columbus
Winnipeg @ New Jersey
Washington @ Islanders
Vegas @ San Jose
October 5th:
Boston @ Arizona
New Jersey @ Buffalo
Vancouver @ Calgary
Tampa Bay @ Florida
Rangers @ Ottawa
Carolina @ Washington
October 6th:
Dallas @ Detroit
October 9th:
New Jersey @ Philadelphia
Los Angeles @ Vancouver
October 10th:
San Jose @ Chicago
Detroit @ Montreal
Minnesota @ Winnipeg
October 12th:
New Jersey @ Boston
Nashville @ Los Angeles
Pittsburgh @ Minnesota
P.K. Subban’s Name “Floating Around” As Nashville Tries To Clear Salary
The Nashville Predators have been linked to free agent Matt Duchene and need to sign an extension with captain Roman Josi, but they’ll have to clear some cap space to accomplish either one. That’s drawn plenty of speculation about who the team could move out this summer, with Kyle Turris‘ name leading the way after a disappointing season. Bob McKenzie of TSN however tweets that’s not the only Predator out there, as he’s heard P.K. Subban‘s name “floating around” as well. McKenzie makes sure to clarify that there is no guarantee of a Subban trade, and that makes sense given the complexity of any deal for the star defenseman.
Subban, 30, is one of the league’s highest paid defenseman and comes with a $9MM cap hit for the next three seasons. That includes $10MM in actual salary this year, a contract that many teams wouldn’t be able to afford given the cap struggles throughout the league. Still, Subban was traded once before while carrying that cap hit even when the ceiling was lower, and his offensive upside is still likely an attractive proposition for teams looking to contend. Though he played just 63 games for the Predators in 2018-19, the Norris-winning defenseman recorded 31 points and averaged close to 23 minutes a night. Subban has been criticized his whole career for playing dangerously, but still drives possession at an elite rate and can be a game-changing force on the right side.
It is important to note that though Subban once held a full no-movement clause, the Predators did not honor it after he waived it to come to Nashville in the first place. That means the veteran has zero trade protection in his contract at all and would have to accept a deal anywhere in the league. The Predators currently project to have around $6MM in cap space for this summer, but will need to open more room if they plan on being big spenders in free agency.
GM David Poile has never shied away from making big trades, but finalizing a deal including Subban does seem difficult given the league has not officially decided on the salary cap ceiling for next season. Though front offices around the league are generally aware of where it might land, it is not expected to be finalized until Saturday, during the second day of the draft. Acquiring a contract like Subban’s would require careful financial consideration for most teams, perhaps limiting the chance of something going down on day one.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Florida Panthers Working To Trade James Reimer
June 21: Pierre LeBrun of TSN updates the situation, reporting that the Panthers are still trying to trade Reimer. If they can’t, he suggests the goaltender could be bought out before the window closes at the end of the month. A Reimer buyout would save the Panthers nearly $2.5MM in cap space in 2019-20, but just $192K the following season and cause a $658K cap hit in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
June 14: When it became apparent that Sergei Bobrovsky was unlikely to sign an extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets and would become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the Florida Panthers were almost immediately linked. Bobrovsky and Blue Jackets teammate Artemi Panarin are both expected to be pursued by the Panthers, but how they were going to be able to pull it off was unclear. Florida already has both Roberto Luongo and James Reimer under contract for at least two seasons at a combined $7.93MM cap hit, leaving little room for Bobrovsky to fit on the roster. That might be changing soon, as George Richards of The Athletic reports that the team is working on a trade of Reimer, while colleague James Mirtle also suggests the path of a buyout.
Reimer, 31, was signed to a five-year $17MM deal in 2016 to form a sort of tandem with Luongo in Florida, but struggled last season to find his game. A career .915 save percentage prior to 2018-19, Reimer was decidedly worse and finished the season with a 13-12-5 record and .900 mark. While his $3.4MM cap hit for another two seasons may limit his trade market somewhat, the contract itself includes no trade protection at all. Mirtle suggests that the former Toronto Maple Leafs starter could work as a complement to an inexperienced goaltender, and points to Calgary as a theoretical possibility.
The Panthers could retain salary in order to facilitate a Reimer trade, but already are paying some of Jason Demers contract. Teams are allowed to retain salary on three players per season. In one way or another, it looks like the Panthers are set to move on from the goaltender though it is unclear exactly when that would happen. The buyout window opens tomorrow, while the free agent interview period—and likely the first time the Panthers can speak with Bobrovsky—opens on June 23.
Joonas Donskoi To Wait Until UFA Interview Period
The San Jose Sharks inked one of their big unrestricted free agents when they signed Erik Karlsson to a massive contract extension, but may not be able to bring everyone else back. Joonas Donskoi is going to talk to other teams during the UFA interview period next week according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, though the forward is expected to keep San Jose in the mix.
The 27-year old Donskoi is coming off a fine season with the Sharks, recording 37 points almost entirely at even-strength. He did that while averaging just 13:25 per game, but still ended up in the press box as a healthy scratch at the end of the season and in the playoffs. That was partly because of a lengthy goal drought—Donskoi failed to score in his last 34 games in the regular season—but also because of a lack of what head coach Peter DeBoer termed confidence to Paul Gackle of the Mercury News. That may be what LeBrun is referring to when he suggests that Donskoi might need a fresh start, one he could find through free agency.
Even if the Sharks wanted him back, they might simply not have enough cap space to do it. While the team currently projects to be about $15MM under the ceiling, they still need new contracts for restricted free agents Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc and Joakim Ryan. Any money left over from those negotiations is likely ticketed for Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, while not forgetting that the team could also re-sign Gustav Nyquist as well. Donskoi, despite his solid contributions, may be on the outside looking in.
In free agency however, there should be plenty of teams interested in the Finnish forward. Now with 122 points in 283 games, the right winger should find a fit on the third line somewhere and be able to contribute in several situations. His possession statistics have been excellent—though that was the case with basically every Sharks player this season—and he has shown an ability to contribute on the powerplay in the past.
Latest On Tyson Barrie
It seemed relatively surprising when a report surfaced that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie was “in play” this weekend, but his name has now popped up in a couple of other locations as well. Darren Dreger of TSN tweeted last night that “Barrie trade consideration seems to have amplified” and listed Carl Soderberg as another player whose name had come up. Dreger was then on WGR550 in Buffalo this morning and connected both the Vancouver Canucks and Arizona Coyotes to the defenseman. Then, Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now tweeted that he’d heard “chatter” about the Canucks offering Jake Virtanen and a 2020 first-round pick for Barrie, though obviously nothing has been confirmed yet.
Barrie, 27, is coming off an outstanding offensive season with the Avalanche in which he recorded 59 points in 78 games, but has just a single year left on his current contract and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Add that to the potential emergence of Cale Makar on the right side and the powerplay for the Avalanche and the team seems to be at least listening on their top defenseman.
Still, this chatter doesn’t mean that the team is set on moving Barrie. He is after all an extremely important part of the team and GM Joe Sakic has fought strongly in favor of him in the past. Barrie signed a four-year, $22MM deal with the Avalanche in 2016 and carries a $5.5MM cap hit for this season.