Canucks’ Offseason Signings Were Critical To Improve Team
The Vancouver Canucks dealt with a lot of criticism when free agency started last week when they went out and signed bottom-six players Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel and Tim Schaller to long-term deals (Beagle & Roussel got four years, while Schaller signed for two). While the general addition of these three players was to add some size, grit and leadership to an incredibly young team, there is another key advantage of bringing in those three, especially with their abilities to help with penalty killing. Both Beagle and Schaller were solid contributors to their teams last season on the penalty kill and they both will bring those skills to Vancouver now.
“We’ve added some players which is, I think, important. We need guys who can kill penalties,” Vancouver head coach Travis Green said. “The longer you’re in the league, the better the penalty killer you are. Some won’t understand what that means, but there’s a lot of reading plays, and making changes on the fly that you get better at over time. It’s an art learned. You don’t see a lot of young guys come in who are great penalty killers.”
The hope is that Beagle and Schaller should improve the team’s 21st-ranked penalty killing unit, which must improve dramatically if the team wants to start winning. However, their signings also have another key importance to the team.
Perhaps more than anyone, the most likely benefactor to these signings will be center Bo Horvat, who has always been forced to take penalty killing minutes in the past as part of his responsibilities. However with the retirement of Henrik Sedin, suddenly Horvat’s responsibilities have changed, according to Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Sun. The team needs more scoring without the Sedin twins and the team will turn to their four-year pro to take his game to that next level and reducing his minutes on the penalty kill should only help him carry that out.
Horvat’s numbers have been solid, but now that he’s likely moving into the No. 1 center position, he must continue to improve. The 23-year-old has increased his scoring over the past four years, going from 14 goals in his rookie campaign, to 16, then 20 and this year posting 22 goals, even though he played in the least amount of games in his career (64).
That grit created by Beagle and Roussel especially should benefit someone like Elias Pettersson, who the team hopes will become one of the next great scorers in Vancouver. However, while the 19-year-old is 6-foot-2, he weighs in at 161 pounds and the presence of one of those players could remind other teams to stay away from their prized prospect.
The Salary Cap Implications Of A Shea Weber Early Retirement
When Shea Weber signed a 14-year, $110MM offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012, everyone knew right away that it would end badly. Yes, Weber was 27 years old and one of the top defensemen in the league, but the contract was top-heavy and carried a $7.86MM cap hit through his age-40 season. The chances of him playing to a level matching that value over a full 14 years was very slim. The Flyers knew this and specifically structured it in a way that they hoped would scare the Nashville Predators and frugal GM David Poile away – it didn’t. The Predators had just watched Ryan Suter walk in free agency and couldn’t afford to let Weber leave as well. They matched the deal and held on to their superstar defenseman.
When Weber was then traded to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban in 2016, the risk in Weber’s contract increased exponentially. The league had since banned all similarly long-term contracts – setting a limit of seven years on the open market and eight years for an extension – nevertheless the front-loaded, cap-circumventing type that Weber had signed. To combat teams continuing to front-load contracts, the NHL implemented salary cap recapture penalties. This system punishes teams for lengthening contracts with low-salary seasons in order to lower the cap hit during prime years by issuing a salary cap charge if the player retires prior to the end of the contract, thereby negating the years that lowered his cap hit. The calculation is the difference in total salary and total cap hit over the course of the contract with which the player played with the team, divided by the number of years remaining on the contract after retirement. In Weber’s case, the scenario looks like this:
Year Team Cap Hit Salary Difference
2012-13 NSH $7.857MM $14MM $6.143MM
2013-14 NSH $7.857MM $14MM $6.143MM
2014-15 NSH $7.857MM $14MM $6.143MM
2015-16 NSH $7.857MM $14MM $6.143MM
2016-17 MTL $7.857MM $12MM $4.143MM
2017-18 MTL $7.857MM $12MM $4.143MM
2018-19 MTL $7.857MM $6MM -$1.857MM
2019-20 MTL* $7.857MM $6MM -$1.857MM
2020-21 MTL* $7.857MM $6MM -$1.857MM
2021-22 MTL* $7.857MM $6MM -$1.857MM
2022-23 MTL* $7.857MM $3MM -$4.857MM
2023-24 MTL* $7.857MM $1MM -$6.857MM
2024-25 MTL* $7.857MM $1MM -$6.857MM
2025-26 MTL* $7.857MM $1MM -$6.857MM
So far over the course of Weber’s contract, both Nashville and Montreal have paid him far beyond what his cap hit would suggest. If Weber was to retire today, they would both be penalized. Nashville’s total penalty is $24.572MM, while Montreal’s is fluid. However, next season marks a drop for Weber below his cap number for the remaining eight years of his contract. Now, Weber is not going to retire this off-season. However, the chances that he retires early are very high. Earlier this week, it was reported that Weber had undergone a second off-season surgery and would likely be out until mid-season. Many expected when Weber was traded to Montreal that he still had many years left of strong play in him, but it appears that the deterioration of his body has already begun. Facing a decreasing salary for the remainder of his contract and concerns about his long-term health, it would be no surprise to see Weber retire in the next two years or so nevertheless by the end of the remaining eight years. By year, here is how the penalties would play out for both Nashville and Montreal:
If Weber retires before: Penalty per year – NSH Penalty per year – MTL
2019-20 $3.51MM $918K
2020-21 $4.1MM $762K
2021-22 $4.91MM $543K
2022-23 $6.14MM $215K
2023-24 $8.19MM None
2024-25 $12.29MM None
2025-26 $24.57MM None
Obviously, the Predators have a lot to lose if Weber retires early. It is very unlikely that Weber, if he makes it that far, is likely to retire with one or even two years left on his contract. At that point, it is likely the Canadiens would just place him on long-term injured reserve to finish his career, as has become a growing trend in the NHL. However, if Weber is unable to get over the injuries that have plagued him in Montreal, could he call it quits within the next few years and stick Nashville with a $3.5-$5MM yearly penalty? Absolutely. It is a scary possibility for the Predators and a situation worth watching as Weber battles back from injury yet again next season and beyond.
All salary and cap figures are approximations. Data courtesy of CapFriendly.com.
San Jose Sharks Promote Tim Burke To Assistant GM
The San Jose Sharks announced changes to their front office today with several moves coming in their scouting department. Highlighting these changes was the promotion of Tim Burke to Assistant General Manager. Burke joins long-time Assistant GM Joe Will working under GM Doug Wilson. It is a well-earned recognition for Burke, who has spent the past 20 years with the franchise.
Burke had previously served as the team’s Director of Scouting prior to his new promotion. As the Sharks pointed out in their press release, the team has owned the lowest average draft slot in the league over the past 15 years, but Burke and his staff have managed to uncover gems like Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Burke’s primary responsibility will continue to be evaluating amateur talent and orchestrating the draft for the Sharks, but he will also take a larger role in the evaluation of professional talent at all levels as well.
Replacing Burke as Director of Scouting is none other than Doug Wilson Jr., the GM’s son. Wilson Jr. is entering his seventh season with the team, most recently as the Sharks’ Director of Hockey Operations, and will continue his previous duties relating to the NHL Draft. Working with Burke, Wilson Jr. will hope to continue San Jose’s success of finding strong players in both the draft and undrafted free agency.
San Jose Signs Undrafted Forward Vladislav Kotkov
The San Jose Sharks have employed the window to sign undrafted first-year draft eligible players by inking a promising forward prospect. The team announced this evening that they signed Vladislav Kotkov to an entry-level contract. Kotkov has been attending development camp with the Sharks this past week and did enough to earn a deal.
Kotkov, 18, was ranked 81st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the 2018 NHL Draft and was one of the biggest surprises among undrafted players. Kotkov was a first-round pick in the CHL Import Draft last year and enjoyed success in his first season playing major junior, posting 49 points in 61 games for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL.
The hulking winger stands 6’4″, 205 lbs. and plays a heavy power forward game that matches his frame. Kotkov also developed a surprising finesse game given his stature while developing in his native Russia. Kotkov’s skating concerns likely drove down his draft stock this year, but he was clearly a priority undrafted free agent for the Sharks and can now return to Chicoutimi for another year or two now with some additional guidance from his NHL squad. Kotkov is out to prove to the rest of the league that he was worthy of a draft pick. That chip on his shoulder and size that you can’t teach could mean that Kotkov could one day see NHL action.
Boone Jenner Re-Signs With Columbus Blue Jackets
Thursday: The team has officially announced the contract, signing Jenner to a four-year deal worth $15MM. The $3.75MM average annual value is a raise on Jenner’s $2.9MM salary throughout his last contract.
Wednesday: The Columbus Blue Jackets are close to re-signing one of their three key restricted free agents according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic and Bruce Bolton of NHL Network, inking Boone Jenner to a four-year contract. Jenner was issued a qualifying offer last week and had arbitration rights, but will now stay in Columbus until hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2022 should the contract be finalized as expected.
Jenner, 25, hasn’t been able to replicate the 30-goal campaign he enjoyed in 2015-16, but is still a valuable piece in the Blue Jackets puzzle. A true power forward with over 200 hits in each of his four full seasons, Jenner filled in at center when required and recorded 32 points in 75 games. Though that isn’t the offensive performance the Blue Jackets are expecting, at least some of it can be attributed to his career-low shooting percentage that should rebound at some point in the future. Still, he isn’t as crucial to the offense as in previous years and will only become less so as players like Oliver Bjorkstrand and Sonny Milano become more comfortable.
What he can do and why the Blue Jackets locked him up, is give the Blue Jackets an identity as a punishing, difficult team to play against. As Brandon Dubinsky sees his role diminish and Nick Foligno enters his thirties, much of the responsibility for physical play will fall to Jenner and other young forwards like Josh Anderson. Coach John Tortorella likes to have his teams grind down opponents with heavy forechecks, and the Blue Jackets will once again be one of the bigger teams in the league next season with Jenner and company in the fold.
The question now becomes what Jenner will set himself up for on the open market as a 29-year old in 2022. Will he add another 30-goal campaign to his resume and be able to market himself as a premiere power forward, or will he simply be another David Clarkson with one outstanding year under his belt and relatively little success otherwise. He now has four years to prove himself one way or the other, and Columbus will certainly hope he leans towards the former.
Robin Lehner Signs With New York Islanders
The New York Islanders have made several additions since losing captain John Tavares in free agency, the most recent of which was re-acquiring Matt Martin from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, the team has brought in Robin Lehner to help their situation in net. Lehner was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent when the Buffalo Sabres decided not to extend him a qualifying offer, and has now signed a one-year contract with the Islanders worth $1.5MM.
Lehner, 26, had a rough career in Buffalo after being acquired by the Sabres along with David Legwand in exchange for a first-round pick. With high expectations heaped upon him, he was asked to play behind one of the worst rosters in the league on a nightly basis and still performed admirably. In his first two seasons in Buffalo he registered a .921 save percentage through 80 games, and looked like he might be the long-term answer in net as the team rebuilt. Unfortunately, his play slipped last season and after several incidents of losing his cool on the ice over his time in Buffalo, the team decided to move on instead of giving him what would have been a $4MM qualifying offer. Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton will take over for the Sabres, leaving Lehner out on free agency looking for a new home.
After goaltenders like Hutton, Cam Ward, Petr Mrazek and Jaroslav Halak all got snapped up quickly in free agency, it wasn’t clear where Lehner would find that new home. The only place left that seemed to need a starting goaltender was New York, but it’s clear from the contract that they’re not positive he’s the long-term answer. Lehner will be an unrestricted free agent again in a year’s time, and will have to prove that he can keep calm and put up those impressive numbers once again.
He’ll have to battle Thomas Greiss to do it, who will actually make more than twice as much as Lehner next season. The 32-year old Greiss is signed for another two seasons at $3.33MM, but struggled immensely last season and registered an .892 save percentage. Where new head coach Barry Trotz will go to start the year is unclear, but he’s navigated a goaltending tandem before, most recently in Washington with Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer. If he can get anything close to the same level of play out of even one of Lehner or Greiss, the Islanders will be a much improved team in 2018-19.
Remi Elie Re-Signs With Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars have turned their attention to their own restricted free agents, and have signed Remi Elie to a one-year $735K contract. Elie had reached free agency for the first time since being selected 40th overall in 2013 and is coming off his first full season with the Stars. The $735K salary was the qualifying offer that Elie was given last week, as he still wasn’t eligible for arbitration.
Elie, 23, played 72 games for the Stars this season and recorded 14 points while getting just over 10 minutes of ice time per game. The big, physical winger was part of a Dallas bottom six that really threw their weight around last season, but will be asked to do more than just bang and crash going forward. It’s not like Elie doesn’t have some offensive skill, but with such a top-heavy lineup in Dallas wasn’t given much of a chance to use it. With a new coach in town in Jim Montgomery, perhaps players like Elie will get a chance to shine more and contribute at both ends of the rink.
Even if he doesn’t take a step forward offensively, an NHL player for $735K is always a bargain. The Stars still have work to do to become the powerhouse that many believed they were headed for a few seasons ago, and getting solid contributions from their young players is a big first step.
Free Agent Frenzy 2018: Day 2 Signings By Team
In NHL free agency, July 1st reigns supreme. Hundreds of millions of dollars were given out on Sunday, while teams raced and scrabbled their way to an improved roster. We saw long-term deals to aging scorers, and huge extensions to lock up superstars before they even get a sniff of the open market. John Tavares finally let us all know where he would play the next seven years of his career, while minor league veterans changed AHL addresses. Check out all the signings from Day 1 right here.
On Monday, things slowed down quite a bit. Calgary was the only team to really make a big splash, signing James Neal to a five-year contract. The Sharks continued to lock up their own, giving Tomas Hertl quite the pay raise. The full list of signings can be found below, with a link to each individual story:
Anaheim Ducks
F Carter Rowney – Three years, $3.4MM (link)
F Brian Gibbons – One year, $1MM (link)
F Ben Street – One year, $750K (link)
Arizona Coyotes
(none)
Boston Bruins
F Anton Blidh – One year, $650K (link)
Buffalo Sabres
(none)
Calgary Flames
F James Neal – Five years, $28.75MM (link)
F Buddy Robinson – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
Carolina Hurricanes
D Dan Renouf – One year, $650K (link)
Slater Koekkoek Re-Signs With Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up one of their restricted free agents, signing Slater Koekkoek to a one-year contract worth $865K. The deal is one-way, and could potentially take Koekkoek to Group VI unrestricted free agency next summer if he’s not given an opportunity with the Lightning this year. He needs just four games for the team to retain his rights as an RFA, but with a crowded blue line in Tampa Bay, it’s not a guarantee that he receives the chance.
Koekkoek, 24, was a first round pick of the Lightning in 2012, selected 10th overall. He was expected to become a top-pairing two-way defender, but hasn’t quite made the impact Tampa Bay had hoped. In 76 games he has recorded 13 points, but has now been bumped down the depth chart by additions like Ryan McDonagh. Tampa Bay is committed to contending for the Stanley Cup right now, and can’t wait around hoping Koekkoek continues to develop
If he’s going to ever fulfill his potential, he’ll have to take advantage of the next opportunity he’s given. If not, there might have to be a change of scenery for the left-handed defenseman. The signing doesn’t pose much risk to the Lightning as he can be completely buried in the minor leagues, but that’s certainly not the outcome GM Steve Yzerman is hoping for.
Free Agent Frenzy 2018: Day 1 Signings By Team
Here are all of the signings of day one of the free agent frenzy, broken down by team, with a link to the individual stories:
Anaheim Ducks:
F Anton Rodin – One year, $650K (link)
D Luke Schenn – One year, $800K (link)
G Jared Coreau – One year, $650K (link)
Arizona Coyotes:
F Michael Grabner – Three years, $10.05MM (link)
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Eight years, $66MM (link)
D Niklas Hjalmarsson – Two years, $10MM (link)
Boston Bruins:
F Chris Wagner – Two years, $2.5MM (link)
F Joakim Nordstrom – Two years, $2MM (link)
F Mark McNeill – One year, $650K (link)
D John Moore – Five years, $13.75MM (link)
D Cody Goloubef – One year, $650K (link)
G Jaroslav Halak – Two years, $5.5MM (link)
D Axel Andersson – Three years, $2.775MM*
Buffalo Sabres:
G Carter Hutton – Three years, $8.25MM (link)
G Scott Wedgewood – One year, $650K (link)
D Brandon Hickey – Two years, $1.85MM*
F Scott Wilson – Two years, $2.1MM (link)
Calgary Flames:
F Derek Ryan – Three years, $9.375MM (link)
F Austin Czarnik – Two years, $2.5MM (link)
F Alan Quine – One year, $700K (link)
F Tyler Graovac – One year, $650K (link)
Carolina Hurricanes:
G Petr Mrazek – One year, $1.5MM (link)
F Andrei Svechnikov – Three years, $10.725MM*
Chicago Blackhawks:
F Chris Kunitz – One year, $1MM (link)
D Brandon Manning – Two years, $4.5MM (link)
G Cam Ward – One year, $3MM (link)
D Adam Boqvist – Three years, $2.775MM*
Colorado Avalanche:
F Matt Calvert – Three years, $8.4MM (link)
D Ian Cole – Three years, $12.75MM (link)
G Joe Cannata – One year, $665K
Columbus Blue Jackets:
D Adam Clendening – One year, $700K (link)
D Dillon Simpson – Two years, $1.35MM (link)
D Tommy Cross – One year, $650K (link)
F Riley Nash – Three years, $8.25MM (link)
Dallas Stars:
F Blake Comeau – Three years, $7.2MM (link)
F Valeri Nichushkin – Two years, $5.9MM (link)
F Michael Mersch – Two years, $1.35MM (link)
F Erik Condra – One year, $650K (link)
D Roman Polak – One year, $1.3MM (link)
D Joel Hanley – One year, $650K (link)
G Anton Khudobin – Two years, $5MM (link)
F Joel L’Esperance – Two years, $1.85MM*
G Colton Point – Three years, $2.775MM*
Detroit Red Wings:
F Thomas Vanek – One year, $3MM (link)
F Chris Terry – Two years, $1.35MM (link)
F Wade Megan – One year, $650K (link)
D Jake Chelios – One year, $650K (link)
G Jonathan Bernier – Three years, $9MM
G Harri Sateri – One year, $650K (link)
D Mike Green – Two years, $10.75MM (link)
Edmonton Oilers:
F Kyle Brodziak – Two years, $2.3MM (link)
F Tobias Rieder – One year, $2MM (link)
D Kevin Gravel – One year, $700K (link)
D Joey LaLeggia – Two years, $1.35MM
Florida Panthers:
G Michael Hutchinson – One year, $1.3MM (link)
F Jared McCann – Two years, $1.75MM
Los Angeles Kings:
F Ilya Kovalchuk – Three years, $18.75MM (link)
D Drew Doughty – Eight years, $88MM (link)
Minnesota Wild:
F J.T. Brown – Two years, $1.375MM (link)
F Mike Liambas – Two years, $1.35MM (link)
F Eric Fehr – One year, $1MM (link)
F Matt Hendricks – One year, $700K (link)
D Greg Pateryn – Three years, $6.75MM (link)
D Matt Bartkowski – One year, $650K (link)
G Andrew Hammond – One year, $650K (link)
D Nick Seeler – Three years, $2.175MM (link)
Montreal Canadiens:
F Tomas Plekanec – One year, $2.25MM + $1.25MM performance bonus (link)
F Matthew Peca – Two years, $2.6MM (link)
F Michael Chaput – Two years, $1.35MM (link)
F Kenny Agostino – One year, $700K (link)
D Xavier Ouellet – One year, $700K (link)
F Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Three years, $10.275MM*
Nashville Predators:
F Connor Brickley – One year, $650K (link)
D Jarred Tinordi – One year, $650K (link)
F Rocco Grimaldi – One year, $650K (link)
New Jersey Devils:
F Kurtis Gabriel – One year, $650K (link)
D Eric Gryba – One year, $700K (link)
D John Ramage – One year, $650K (link)
New York Islanders:
F Leo Komarov – Four years, $12MM (link)
F Valtteri Filppula – One year, $2.75MM (link)
F Matthew Lorito – Two years, $1.35MM
D Thomas Hickey – Four years, $10MM (link)
New York Rangers:
D Fredrik Claesson – One year, $700K (link)
F Vladislav Namestnikov – Two years, $8MM (link)
Ottawa Senators:
F Paul Carey – One year, $700K (link)
G Mike McKenna – One year, $700K (link)
Philadelphia Flyers:
F James van Riemsdyk – Five years, $35MM (link)
Pittsburgh Penguins:
F Matt Cullen – One year, $650K (link)
F Jimmy Hayes – One year, $650K (link)
D Jack Johnson – Five years, $16.25MM (link)
D Stefan Elliott – One year, $650K (link)
G John Muse – One year, $650K (link)
D Zach Trotman – One year, $650K (link)
San Jose Sharks:
F Logan Couture – Eight years, $64MM (link)
St. Louis Blues:
F David Perron – Four years, $16MM (link)
F Tyler Bozak – Three years, $15MM (link)
F Brian Flynn – One year, $650K (link)
D Tyler Wotherspoon – One year, $700K (link)
G Chad Johnson – One year, $1.75MM (link)
Tampa Bay Lightning:
F Kevin Lynch – One year, $650K (link)
D Ryan McDonagh – Seven years, $47.25MM (link)
D Cameron Gaunce – One year, $650K (link)
Toronto Maple Leafs:
F John Tavares – Seven years, $77MM (link)
F Josh Jooris – One year, $650K (link)
F Adam Cracknell – One year, $650K (link)
D Jordan Subban – One year, $650K (link)
D Martin Marincin – One year, $800K (link)
Vancouver Canucks:
F Antoine Roussel – Four years, $12MM (link)
F Jay Beagle – Four years, $12MM (link)
F Tim Schaller – Two years, $3.8MM (link)
F Sven Baertschi – Three years, $10.1MM (link)
Vegas Golden Knights:
F Paul Stastny – Three years, $19.5MM (link)
F Daniel Carr – One year, $750K (link)
F Curtis McKenzie – One year, $650K (link)
F Alex Gallant – One year, $650K (link)
D Nick Holden – Two years, $4.4MM (link)
D Jimmy Oligny – One year, $650K (link)
G Zach Fucale – One year, $650K (link)
G Maxime Lagace – One year, $650K (link)
Washington Capitals:
F Nic Dowd – One year, $650K (link)
F Michael Sgarbossa – One year, $650K (link)
F Jayson Megna – One year, $650K (link)
D Martin Fehervary – Three years, $2.775MM*
F Travis Boyd – Two years, $1.6MM (link)
Winnipeg Jets:
F Seth Griffith – One year, $650K (link)
F Dennis Everberg – One year, $650K (link)
D Cameron Schilling – One year, $650K (link)
G Laurent Brossoit – One year, $650K (link)
*Indicates entry-level contract