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Vladislav Namestnikov Signs With Detroit Red Wings

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The Detroit Red Wings are staying busy on the free agent market and have landed themselves a bargain. Versatile, two-way winger Vladislav Namestnikov is set to join the Red Wings and reunite with GM Steve Yzerman, who drafted him in the first round with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Detroit has announced a two-year deal with Namestnikov which reportedly carries a $2MM AAV. This represents a surprising drop-off in salary for Namestnikov, who made $4MM on his previous contract and has 30+ points in four of his five full NHL seasons.

Namestnikov, PHR’s 20th-ranked UFA, is either the victim of a flat cap market that is already running out of money or simply took a discount to join the Red Wings and play a major role up front. The 27-year-old is coming off a season in which he recorded 17 goals and 31 points in 65 games, despite dealing with not one but two different trades. Moving from the New York Rangers to the Ottawa Senators and then to the Colorado Avalanche, Namestnikov quickly took to each of his new locales and excelled. With some consistency, he is easily capable of reaching 20 goals and 40 points while being paid like a player who might produce half that much.

A skilled forward who also plays a responsible defensive game and is a major asset on the penalty kill, Namestnikov checks a number of boxes for Detroit. If handed a major role, as he was in Ottawa, Namestnikov should be a top scorer for the Red Wings as well as one of their best special teams players. While his salary seemingly reflects a “show me” deal, the two-year term means he’ll need produce in both seasons in Detroit if he want to cash in the next time he hits the open market. Fortunately, Namestnikov stands a strong chance of  boosting his stock in Detroit and will still be just 29 as a UFA in 2022.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Derek Forbort

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Defense was the area of need this off-season for the Winnipeg Jets, but the team had only succeeded in re-signing their own free agent blue liners. That has now changed, as a new face is heading to Winnipeg. The Jets have signed Derek Forbort, reports TSN’s Darren Dreger. It is a one-year, $1MM for Forbort, who will look to prove that he is still an everyday defenseman.

It was a strange season for Forbort, marred by injury. After three solid seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, in which he played 78+ games and averaged more than 20 minutes, Forbort missed 43 games with a back injury and then played a limited role and struggled to produce offensively when he returned. The Kings dealt Forbort to the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline, by which time Forbort was looking like his old self. However, he only got into seven regular season games before the league’s pause and ten playoff games before the Flames were eliminated. Clearly, that small sample size made it difficult for Forbort to argue that he had fully recovered from his injury issue and had returned to form.

However, the Jets need defense and Forbort could end up winning a top-four role and cashing in next summer. A big, physical defenseman who dominates on the penalty kill, Forbort is an old-fashioned stay-at-home defenseman. Winnipeg will appreciate his propensity for shot-blocking and ability to win puck battles. While Forbort will face competition for starts and ice time with Nathan Beaulieu and Luca Sbisa on the left side, it’s a battle he should win. This could prove to be a shrewd signing for the Jets.

One other note on this deal: because it is the Jets and not the Flames signing Forbort, the Flames will send a 2021 fourth-round pick to the Flames to complete their deadline deal. Had Forbort returned to Calgary, it would have been a 2022 third-round selection going to L.A. in the trade.

Dallas Stars Re-Sign Radek Faksa, Joel L’Esperance

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The Dallas Stars are bringing back a pair of restricted free agent forwards. The team has announced a five-year, 16.25MM extension with Radek Faksa. They have also revealed a new two-year, two-way contract with Joel L’Esperance, expected to be worth his qualifying offer of $725K at the NHL level.

There was some skepticism that Faksa would receive a long-term deal and significant raise this off-season, but that is exactly what he got. Playing on a $2.2MM AAV for the past three years, Faksa has failed to surpass his point total from the year prior to signing his previous extension. The 2019-20 campaign was especially disappointing, as Faksa recorded just 20 points after totaling 30 points or more in each of his three full NHL seasons. The two-way center also saw his defensive effectiveness slip this past season. Yet, none of this seems to matter. Faksa is still a useful player and Dallas was happy to keep him around, no matter the cost. Faksa is locked in to five more years with Dallas and will count for more than $1MM more against the cap with his new $3.25MM AAV.

While he’s a helpful two-way presence, handing Faksa a raise that his statistics don’t necessarily back up could come back to bite the Stars. The team still needs to re-sign RFA forwards Denis Gurianov and Roope Hintz, both of whom absolutely proved that they are top-six players deserving of significant contracts. However, they only have about $6.66MM in cap space remaining and Gurianov and Hintz alone would not fill out the roster. The Stars likely needed to get creative with the cap this off-season anyhow, but the pressure is now on to figure out their roster – before Gurianov or Hintz receive an offer sheet.

L’Esperance could be an affordable option to take on a roster spot for the cap-strapped club. The young center has played in 21 games with Dallas over the past two seasons and has been a productive player for AHL Texas. While he has yet to make much of an offensive impact in the NHL, experience and affordability could lead to opportunity for L’Esperance.

Boston Bruins Re-Sign Kevan Miller

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Sunday: CapFriendly has clarified how the bonus structure works for Miller this season, including a never-before-seen bonus. As previously reported, Miller’s one-year contract carries a $1MM base salary, but he can earn up to $2MM with bonuses. One of those bonuses is a “roster bonus”. As Miller spent the entirety of the 2019-20 season on the injured reserve, he will retain that label heading into the new season. However, if Miller is finally deemed healthy enough to be activated from the IR and is not assigned to the AHL, he will gain a $250K bonus for spending just one day on the NHL roster. This bonus acts as a signings bonus rather than a performance bonus, meaning when/if Miller is added to the Bruins’ roster, his cap hit will automatically be $1.25MM rather than $1MM. As for his remaining bonuses, they are all tied to games played. Miller can make another $250K for playing in 10 games, $125K for 20 games, $100K for 30 games, and $75K for 40 games.

Friday: No games in 2019-20? No problem. Boston has brought back career Bruin and fan-favorite defenseman Kevan Miller, who missed the entirety of this past season due to injury. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that it is an incentive-laden one-year deal for Miller, who must prove that he is healthy enough to be a contributor once again. If he is able to return to form, Miller can earn up to $2MM including bonuses. If not, he can fall back on a $1MM base salary.

When healthy, Miller has been a solid defensive player throughout his NHL career. An aggressive player who hits hard and often, blocks shots, and has never posted a minus season, Miller can be relied upon in his own end in all situations. Miller has also flashed some modest offense from time to time and has 20-point potential if he were to play a full season.

Of course, the problem is that Miller hardly ever plays a full season. His physical style has led to a number of lingering injuries and even when he is feeling healthy he tends to get hurt by putting himself in harm’s way by blocking shots or starting fights. Overall, Miller has endured a laundry list of ailments, including the broken knee cap that kept him out for over a year. If the Bruins can bring Miller back slowly, perhaps starting him in the minors to begin the year, and can limit his play time when possible, maybe they can keep him healthy and have his effective defense ready for the postseason.

Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Ross Colton

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The Tampa Bay Lightning are always in need of some cost-effective depth options and Ross Colton could be one of the next in line. CapFriendly reports that the restricted free agent forward has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way extension with Tampa Bay. Colton will be as affordable as it gets at the NHL level, making the minimum $700K, while collecting $100K in the AHL.

Colton, 24, was initially drafted by the Lightning in the fourth round in 2016. He spent the next two seasons at the University of Vermont, but left early to turn pro. Over the past two years with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, Colton has shown substantial improvement, jumping from 31 points in 66 games to 42 points in 62 games this past season. Colton finished second in scoring for the Crunch in 2019-20, while also boosting his physicality to lead all forwards in penalty minutes.

A player who could step in as a solid fourth line option for the Bolts, Colton also has the advantage of a cheap contract. The Lightning still have many moves to make to clear out salary this off-season in order to re-sign their big-name restricted free agents – Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak – but they are going to be right up against the salary cap one way or another. Colton is one of just two forwards making the minimum $700K salary next season for Tampa Bay, which should boost his chances at NHL opportunities.

Johan Larsson To Sign With Coyotes

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The Arizona Coyotes may be up against the cap, but they have identified their bottom-six as a need area and have addressed it. After signing Tyler Pitlick and John Hayden yesterday, the team is working on adding another capable forward. Craig Morgan of AZ Coyotes Insider reports that Arizona is finalizing a two-year contract with Johan Larsson. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman adds that the deal carries an AAV of $1.4MM.

Larsson, 28, has quietly been a consistent contributor for the Buffalo Sabres over the past six years, culminating in a career year this past season. In five of the past six seasons, Larsson has recorded at least six goals and 14 points. Yet, his games played have been all over the map. In 2017-18, he played a career-high 80 games and posted 17 points. The year prior, he played in just 36 games and still notched 11 points. This season, he recorded a career-high 18 points in just 62 games, as well as career-best in possession numbers. At his best, Larsson appears to have 30+ point upside, but can at least be counted on to finish with around 20 points if he plays a full season.

Larsson’s offense is just a small part of his game though. The two-way center is capable at the face-off dot, plays a physical game, and is skilled at creating turnovers and winning puck battles. At under six feet and 200 lbs., Larsson is not the biggest player, but makes his presence felt on the forecheck and defending his own zone. In the Coyotes system, Larsson has a chance to excel given his defensive focus and could find that with more ice time and responsibility, his offense also picks up as well.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Nate Thompson

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The flat cap market isn’t going to be kind to a number of free agents. Veteran center Nate Thompson is an example. After a strong season split between the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers, arguably one of the best of his long career, Thompson has settled for a one-year deal and a pay decrease. TSN’s Darren Dreger was the first to report that Thompson has signed with the Winnipeg Jets for $750K, after making $1MM last year and $1.65MM the season prior.

Thompson, 36, is admittedly getting older and a multi-year deal may have been out of the question. However, he did not look any different last season than in seasons past, as he still works hard and plays a physical game. Thompson’s defensive intelligence and disruptive nature helps him to create turnovers and turn them into offense. A solid fourth-line center who excelled in Montreal last year and was effective even without a concrete fit with Philadelphia, Thompson seemed like he would be back at a seven-digit salary again this year.

Thompson’s loss in Winnipeg’s gain. The Jets get a veteran leader and capable fourth line anchor at a bargain price. While the team is very deep up front, Thompson fills a specific need and may be able to excel with a mix of big, physical veterans and young, skilled forwards in Winnipeg’s bottom six.

Tyson Barrie Signs With Edmonton Oilers

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1:15pm: The Edmonton Oilers have confirmed the signing of Barrie. The deal is for one year and $3.75MM, a great value even based on his disappointing production this past season nevertheless the immense potential he brings playing with the Oilers elite power play.

12:00pm: Things didn’t work out in Toronto for Tyson Barrie and now the mobile defenseman is going to take a year to revitalize his value. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that Barrie has agreed to terms with the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year contract. The value is expected to come in just under $4MM, well below Barrie’s expected market value.

When Barrie was traded to the Maple Leafs last season, many expected that the talented puck-mover would excel on Toronto’s skilled roster. Instead, he had one of the worst seasons of his career, posting his second-lowest points per game since becoming a full-time NHLer and recording just five goals, the fewest in a season as a regular player. Suddenly, a player who had typically recorded 50+ points per year with the Colorado Avalanche was heading toward the free agent market for the first time with a sour season behind him, not to mention entering a market dictated by a flat cap and chock full of right-handed defensemen.

Barrie was unlikely to receive the lucrative, long-term contract that many expected prior to last season, but under $4MM as an AAV is still a major surprise. In fact, TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports that Barrie turned down an offer with an AAV of $6MM to join the Oilers on a one-year deal. Why? Opportunity, especially with Edmonton’s Oscar Klefbom expected to miss the season due to injury. Barrie will be given the quarterback role on the power play that was the best in the NHL this past season. He will also become the team’s go-to source of even strength offense on the blue line, as only Klefbom and Darnell Nurse topped 30 points this year. Given the numbers that Barrie produced in Colorado, even in some pretty dismal seasons for the club, he has enormous upside if he can return to form in Edmonton playing alongside their superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. 

Barrie is banking on himself this year. It’s a risk, but it has a high likelihood of paying off. The skilled blue liner has the potential for a career season this year and will enter a 2021 free agent market where his only real competition for the title of top right-handed defender is Dougie Hamilton. A small payday today could transform into a massive payday next summer.

Washington Capitals Sign Cameron Schilling

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The Washington Capitals are bringing back a familiar face. The team has announced that they have signed defenseman Cameron Schilling to a one-year, two-way contract. The pact carries the minimum $700K at the NHL level and $365K in the AHL. Schilling signed his entry-level contract with Washington as an undrafted college free agent back in 2012.

Schilling, 32, has spent the past three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets and the two seasons prior with the Chicago Blackhawks since leaving the Capitals in 2015. In that time, he has played in just four NHL games total, the same amount he played in his final season in Washington. Although Schilling’s AHL production has been improved over the past few years, he has yet to show the ability needed to be an NHL regular. He is a depth addition who at least has the experience to step into the lineup for the Capitals in the case of multiple injuries.

Where Schilling specifically fits in the organizational depth chart remains to be seen. With Michal Kempny potentially missing the whole season due to injury and Washington needing to move salary just to re-sign restricted free agent Jonas Siegenthaler, the NHL blue line looks a bit thin right now, especially on the left side. However, the Capitals have promising prospects like Martin Fehervary and Lucas Johansen waiting in the wings and they are lefties like Schilling. This could keep the vet blocked in the AHL all year unless he can prove to be a superior option.

Alex Pietrangelo Visiting Las Vegas

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No, Alex Pietrangelo has not signed with the Golden Knights, at least not yet. He is visiting Las Vegas though. After rumors emerged that Pietrangelo had boarded a private flight headed to Vegas, it was confirmed to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun that Pietrangelo is taking a free agent visit with the Golden Knights.

Pietrangelo, our No. 1-ranked UFA, appears to be done in St. Louis. Although Pietrangelo himself never ended talks with his former club, the Blues signed Torey Krug, putting an end to their pursuit of an extension with the captain, much to his surprise. The Calgary Flames, another team expected to be a top player for Pietrangelo, also seems to have moved on, signing Chris Tanev. Even the Toronto Maple Leafs and their limited cap space landed T.J. Brodie, ruling out a homecoming for Pietrangelo. All signs point to the Golden Knights right now.

Of course, Vegas also has cap issues of their own and would be well over the upper limit by signing Pietrangelo. That didn’t stop us from projecting Sin City as his eventual landing spot, but this will not be a cut-and-dry process for the Golden Knights. Pietrangelo also clearly wants to see the city and make sure that he and his family will be comfortable before signing what will very likely be the final contract of his NHL career. This is the first reported UFA visit of the off-season, but Pietrangelo is a player worth the extra time and effort. It remains to be seen whether it pays off for Vegas.

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