Free Agent Notes: Ladd, Martin, Lucic
It’s that time of year again in the NHL, where rumors and speculation run rampant. Last night, after a report from Jimmy Murphy of VICE Sports indicated the Bruins were preparing an offer sheet for Jets’ defenceman Jacob Trouba, the Twitterverse went wild with speculation and conjecture. If the Bruins are indeed preparing a sheet, it would have to be for the maximum compensation, four first-round picks, as the team doesn’t own their second or third rounders for 2017. A tough pill to swallow to be sure, even if Trouba is the top pairing blueliner they think he is. More news about the upcoming free agent market:
- Darren Dreger wakes us this morning with a report that the Islanders, Canadiens, Lightning and Predators are all in the hunt for Andrew Ladd. As the Stamkos Extravaganza begins (and quite possibly ends) this Friday, the Ladd camp is moving slowly and assessing possible fits before really getting into any negotiations with teams.
- Matt Martin, another interesting name on the market is getting a lot of calls, writes Arthur Staple of Newsday. Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Los Angeles and Calgary have all reached out already, making the bottom-six winger one to watch over the next few days.
- Among the chatter yesterday was talk of Milan Lucic having agreed to a deal with the Edmonton Oilers, and while this seems like it’s a little ahead of itself, it’s at least something to keep an eye on. Gene Principe of Sportsnet, among others, reported that he’s heard Lucic is probably headed to Edmonton, but can’t guarantee it.
Full List of Players Who Did Not Receive a Qualifying Offer
The deadline to make a qualifying offer to a restrict free agent ended at 5pm today. Below is a list of players who did not receive an offer and sorted by team for easy reference. Any player that did not receive a qualifying offer is eligible to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
(as of writing the Toronto Maple Leafs were the only team not to confirm which players received QOs)
Anaheim Ducks
F Matt Bailey, F Brandon Pirri, F Charles Sarault, D Kevin Gagne, and D Martin Gernat.
Arizona Coyotes
F Sergei Plotnikov, , D Philip Samuelsson, F Christian Thomas, D Kevin Connauton, D Jarred Tinordi, D Klas Dahlbeck, and G Niklas Treutle
Boston Bruins
F Landon Ferraro and F Brett Connolly.
Buffalo Sabres
F Alex Guptill, F Colin Jacobs, F Jack Nevins, and Nathan Lieuwen.
Calgary Flames
F Kenny Agostino, F Bill Arnold, F Joe Colborne, F Turner Elson, F Josh Jooris, F Drew Shore, F Bryce Van Brabant, G Joni Ortio, and Kevin Poulin.
Carolina Hurricanes
F Zach Boychuk, F Anthony Camara, F Dane Fox, F Carter Sandlak, F Justin Shugg, D Danny Biega, D Michal Jordan, D Rasmus Rissanen, and G Rasmus Tirronen.
Montreal Canadiens Sign Andrew Shaw To A 6 Year Deal Worth $23.4MM
Montreal Canadiens signed forward Andrew Shaw to a six-year extension today worth $23.4MM. The contract’s cap hit is $3.9MM a year—slightly lower than the $4.5MM Shaw was rumored to be seeking. The Canadiens did not include any NTCs or NMCs. Pierre Lebrun of ESPN reports that the contract is front-loaded and Cap Friendly gives us details on it:
2016 – $5.5MM ($2.5MM signing bonus)
2017 – $5MM ($2MM signing bonus)
2018 – $4MM
2019 – $3.25MM ($1MM signing bonus)
2020 – $2.75MM
2021 – $2.9MM ($1MM signing bonus)
Montreal acquired Shaw from the Blackhawks in exchange for the 39th and 45th pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. The young forward scored 14G and 34P in 78 games last season, and 6P in 6 games in the playoffs. Shaw was considered an integral but underrated part of the Blackhawks’ playoff teams regardless of his run-of-the-mill production.
The signing leaves the Canadiens with approximately $8.03MM in cap space to work to land another free agent this summer. The Canadiens expect to be big players in the off-season, and Shaw’s contract does not unduly hamstring them.
Latest On Andrew Shaw’s Contract Talks
Andrew Shaw was acquired by the Canadiens in a draft night trade with Chicago. The pending restricted free agent was reportedly close to re-signing with the Blackhawks last week according to TSN’s Darren Dreger (via Today’s Slapshot) but the Blackhawks had to stop negotiations once the salary cap only increased by $1.6MM which ultimately led to him being traded for the 39th (Alex DeBrincat) and 45th (Chad Krys) picks in this weekend’s draft.
Picking up where the Hawks left off, Montreal is already believed to be in talks on a new deal with Shaw’s agent Pat Brisson. Dreger suggested Saturday that the contract should be a long-term one, potentially between 5-7 years in length.
On Sunday, Marc-Antoine Godin of La Presse reported that the Canadiens have tendered Shaw a 6 year offer worth just under $4MM per season. That would represent a sizable jump from the $2.5MM he earned in salary last year, the second of a two year bridge contract. The Canadiens must present Shaw with a $2.5MM qualifying offer in advance of Monday’s deadline.
Last season, Shaw finished eighth in Hawks’ scoring, picking up 14 goals and 20 assists (a career high) in 78 games while averaging 14:39 in ice time. He also added 4 goals (to lead the team) and 2 helpers in 6 postseason contests while logging 13:54 per night.
2016 NHL Draft Results
Pro Hockey Rumors will be following and updating every selection of the 2016 NHL Draft. Below are the results of the first round.
Round 1
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: C Auston Matthews (Zurich Lions – SUI)
2. Winnipeg Jets: RW Patrik Laine (Tappara – SM-liiga)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: LW Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton – QMJHL)
4. Edmonton Oilers: RW Jesse Puljujarvi (Karpat – SM-liiga)
5. Vancouver Canucks: D Olli Juolevi (London – OHL)
6. Calgary Flames: LW Matthew Tkachuk (London – OHL)
7. Arizona Coyotes: C Clayton Keller (USA NTDP – USHL)
8. Buffalo Sabres: F Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads – OHL)
9. Montreal Canadiens: D Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor – OHL)
10. Colorado Avalanche: C Tyson Jost (Penticton – BCHL)
11. Ottawa Senators (from New Jersey): C Logan Brown (Windsor – OHL)
12. New Jersey Devils (from Ottawa): C Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads – OHL)
13. Carolina Hurricanes: D Jake Bean (Calgary – WHL)
14. Boston Bruins: D Charlie McAvoy (Boston University – NCAA)
15. Minnesota Wild: C Luke Kunin (Wisconsin – NCAA)
16. Arizona Coyotes (From Detroit): D Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia – OHL)
17. Nashville Predators: D Dante Fabbro (Penticton – BCHL)
18. Winnipeg Jets (From Philadelphia): D Logan Stanley (Windsor – OHL)
19. New York Islanders: LW Kieffer Bellows (US NTDP)
20. Detroit Red Wings (from Arizona via New York Rangers): D Dennis Cholowski (Chilliwack (BCHL)
21. Carolina Hurricanes (from LA Kings): RW Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs – QMJHL
22. Philadelphia Flyers (From Winnipeg via Chicago): C German Rubtsov (Team Russia U-18)
23. Florida Panthers: C Henrik Borgstrom (HIFK – SM-liiga Jr)
24. Anaheim Ducks: LW Max Jones (London – OHL)
25. Dallas Stars: LW Riley Tufte (Blaine – USHSW)
26. St. Louis Blues (From Washington): C Tage Thompson (Connecticut – NCAA)
27. Tampa Bay Lightning: C Brett Howden (Moose Jaw – WHL)
28. Washington Capitals (From St. Louis): D Lucas Johansen (Kelowna – WHL)
29. Boston Bruins (from San Jose): C Trent Frederic (USA U-18 NTDP)
30. Anaheim Ducks (from Pittsburgh via Toronto): C Sam Steel (Regina – WHL)
Canadiens Acquire Shaw, Draft Picks In Separate Deals
The Canadiens acquired forward Andrew Shaw from the Chicago Blackhawks for two second round picks (39th and 45th overall).
The move doesn’t come as a huge surprise as Shaw was apparently asking for $4.5MM and the Blackhawks didn’t have the salary cap room to add that as a deal. The Canadiens get a rugged, 20-goal scorer in Shaw while the Blackhawks get more cap relief and a couple high second round picks.
In another move, the Canadiens dealt Lars Eller to Washington for second round picks in 2017 and 2018.
Snapshots: Shattenkirk, Nugent-Hopkins, Bobrovsky
As we inch closer to the 2016 NHL Draft, trade speculation continues. Here’s a quick look at what’s being said around the league.
- Michael Russo tweets that the Wild and Oilers might pair up on a deal. Russo speculates that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the likely target for the Wild. David Staples writes that he’s not the biggest fan of this move. While it would yield Mathew Dumba or Jonas Brodin (or possibly both), Staples doesn’t believe it benefits the Oilers in terms of obtaining the puck moving defenseman they need.
- Jimmy Murphy tweets that Kevin Shattenkirk remains a very high priority for several teams. Murphy indicated that the Bruins first round selection (14th overall) might just do the trick. Murphy includes the Red Wings, Rangers, Canadiens, and Coyotes as other possibilities. Joe Haggerty believes the Bruins will ultimately end up with Shattenkirk.
- Kevin Allen writes more about Cam Fowler moving to another team. Allen lists the Red Wings, Canadiens, Bruins, and Sabres as possible landing points. Allen also reports that the Blue Jackets will listen to offers for their 3rd overall pick. Kevin McGran tweeted this as well, adding that Columbus is looking for a proven center.
- Aaron Portzline reports that the Blue Jackets may want to look at offloading goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The $7.425MM cap hit would be tough to unload on another team without either a weaker return or a willingness to take on some of the salary. Portzline also listed the four goalies who are being shopped: Bobrovsky, Jimmy Howard, Ben Bishop, and Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Latest On P.K. Subban
The rumor mill has really picked up in recent days surrounding Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban. The 27 year old has six years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $9MM per season. Once July 1st hits, a full no-move clause kicks in which has brought this discussion to the forefront.
GM Marc Bergevin met the media late Thursday afternoon. Here are some of the highlights from his scrum:
Bergevin noted that he has never shopped Subban but he “can’t prevent teams from calling” per TSN’s Frank Seravelli. Also from Seravelli, Bergevin said that the conversations regarding Subban have been “pretty short”. He also acknowledged that he is continuing to listen to offers regarding Subban, per Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette. When asked point blank if it was realistic to think that Subban would be traded, his answer was a succinct “no” according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Here is some more buzz regarding Subban:
- ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun confirms that the Canadiens have held talks with both the Oilers and Canucks but that there is still no indication that Bergevin actually has intentions of trading Subban or is just listening to see what’s out there.
- Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos tweets that the asking price for Subban remains too high. He adds that the Canadiens are interested in moving up in the draft in order to secure Pierre-Luc Dubois. We profiled Dubois earlier this week as part of our draft preview.
- TSN’s Bob McKenzie believes that “Under the right circumstances, the Montreal Canadiens are prepared to trade P.K. Subban.” (Transcription via Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot.) He adds that the calls Bergevin has received are legitimate and past the tire-kicking stage.
- Former NHL agent and GM Brian Lawton hears that the Oilers are very interested in Subban and are considering “a big ask that includes everyone not named (Connor) McDavid.”
Last season, Subban played in 68 games for Montreal, scoring six goals and 45 assists while averaging a career high 26:21 of ice time per night. He finished 14th in Norris Trophy balloting for the NHL’s best defenseman.
LeBrun: Canadiens Fielding Calls For Subban
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun tweeted that the Canadiens are receiving a number of calls for defenseman P.K. Subban. The reasoning, LeBrun writes, is twofold. First, most teams are desperate for a top defenseman and the high motor Subban fits the bill. Second, Subban has a no-movement clause in his contract that kicks in on July 1. LeBrun also strongly indicated that the Canadiens are not actively shopping Subban at all. The volume of calls they have increased significantly in the last 48 hours.
LeBrun isn’t the only one reporting this, either. SportsNet’s Chris Johnston wrote this morning about how rumors are swirling but they don’t affect Subban at all. In the article, Subban talked about how much he loves playing in Montreal and how his job is not to worry about rumors and instead, “prepare for the season.” Johnston adds that the 27-year-old defenseman posted his third consecutive 50+ point season and is a fan favorite in hockey mad Montreal. However, following a season where the Habs capitulated after losing all-world goalie Carey Price, Johnston cautions that anything is possible. He also adds that it would take a “mammoth offer” to pry Subban out of Montreal.
LeBrun’s ESPN colleague Craig Custance also indicated that the rumor mill has been “churning” with Subban’s name.
While the no-movement clause marries the Canadiens and Subban for another six seasons, it would be a mighty risk to move him to another team. Subban has yet to reach his prime years as a defenseman, and is considered one of the best defensemen in the league. Aside from costing a significant amount from a willing trading partner, it would take a top scoring forward and something else on the blue line to truly pique their interest. Losing Subban would weaken the Habs blue line, and while their lack of scoring would improve, the back end of the ice would take a hit.
Subban is owed $9MM through the 2021-2022 season after a bridge deal of $2.875MM was signed for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons.
Free Agent Focus: Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens got off to a franchise-best 9-0-0 start in 2015-16 but were unable to sustain their success, eventually dropping all the way to 13th in the Eastern Conference.
With most of their team already under contract for next season, GM Marc Bergevin will have to be active in the trade market if he wants to bring in more than just one or two new faces. Here’s a closer look at the few remaining free agents they have to deal with.
Key Restricted Free Agents: Phillip Danault was the centerpiece of the pre-deadline trade that saw Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann go to Chicago. The former first round pick didn’t play a big role with the Canadiens after being acquired, averaging just 12:37 per game while picking up five points in 21 games. Danault is expected to play a bottom six role for the Canadiens next season and should receive a short-term contract.
Winger Daniel Carr was a pleasant surprise last year. The 24 year old rookie picked up six goals and three assists in 24 games with Montreal after starting the season at AHL St. John’s. He is due a two-way qualifying offer of $840,000 in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL but the team may try to convince him to take a smaller NHL cap hit in exchange for more guaranteed money in the form of a higher AHL salary.
Other RFA’s: F Michael Bournival, D Darren Dietz, D Morgan Ellis, D Joel Hanley, F Lucas Lessio
Key Unrestricted Free Agent: It was a down year for D Tom Gilbert who picked up just one goal and one assist in 45 games before a knee injury ended his season in February. He’s coming off a $2.8MM contract and will have to take a substantial pay cut to get a contract in free agency. He should still have some suitors for a third pairing role as mobility and shot blocking are still desired attributes on the open market.
Other UFA’s: D Victor Bartley, F John Scott, G Ben Scrivens
Cap Situation: Montreal has just shy of $64MM committed to 20 players already for next season, according to Cap Friendly. After re-signing Danault and Carr, they should have enough money to sign one impact player on the free agent market.