Free Agent Profile: Andrew Ladd
If you’re looking for intangibles like playoff experience, leadership and grit, Andrew Ladd might be your highest ranked free agent. It doesn’t hurt that the two-time Stanley Cup champion is also a five-time twenty goal scorer and has put up at least 46 points in six straight seasons. The big winger is a work horse, averaging close to twenty minutes a night and playing against the other teams’ top forwards.
Just 30-years old, Ladd has a lot more good hockey left in him and will look to score a big contract this summer. With over 200 career goals, and almost no recent injury history teams won’t be too afraid of giving him a long-term deal to help lead their club. We ranked him at #6 on our Top 50 UFA list.
Potential Suitors
After a report came out Tuesday morning listing the Islanders, Canadiens, Lightning and Predators as four of the teams pursuing Ladd, many fans started to imagine him as part of their squad. The Maple Ridge, BC native has always been thought of as a leader, wearing the ‘C’ for the Winnipeg Jets until his mid-season trade last year.
If the Canadiens are serious, Ladd would become the second former Blackhawk added this offseason as they recently signed Andrew Shaw to a six-year deal after acquiring his rights at the draft. While Montreal currently has Max Pacioretty entrenched as the top line left winger, Ladd could provide a huge upgrade on the second line. Skating alongside Alex Galchenyuk (if Montreal decides he’s still a center) for instance could make a pretty imposing duo for teams to try and control.
The Lightning are an interesting club to hear, as they would presumably be putting all their effort into re-signing top free agent Steven Stamkos. The could possibly be a backup plan for the team if they’re to lose their current captain. As the season wore on Stamkos played more and more on the wing, a spot that Ladd could fill alongside Tyler Johnson.
Expected Contract
Despite coming off a somewhat down year, we estimated Ladd’s contract at six years, $37.5MM. That would give him an AAV of $6.25MM, a substantial upgrade over his last deal that paid him $4.4MM per season. Early reports are that the Ladd camp is playing things slowly, waiting for the Stamkos situation to resolve itself before really throwing himself to the wolves.
As teams miss on the top names of Stamkos, Milan Lucic and Kyle Okposo, some may end up getting into a bidding war for Ladd. Don’t be surprised if you hear potential numbers that break $40MM in regards to Ladd, though whichever team signs him may regret it when he’s a 35-year old. If he brings another Stanley Cup in the meantime, they might just not care that much.
Latest Buyouts: Raymond, Nystrom, Stuart
With the buyout deadline of 4pm CST fast approaching, the league has started churning out names that will see their contracts terminated. Here is the latest:
- Elliotte Friedman reports that Calgary winger Mason Raymond has been placed on waivers and will be bought out. The 30-year old had a single season at $3.15MM left on his deal and will incur a $1.05MM cap-hit for next year.
- Also from Friedman, the Predators have decided to buyout Eric Nystrom, the 33-year old winger who scored just 7 points in 46 games for the club last season. His contract was set to expire after next season and had $2.5MM left on it. The Preds will take the $500K cap hit this year, and deal with the $1MM left next season.
- As reported two days ago, Brad Stuart was placed on waivers for the purpose of buying him out. Friedman and Bob McKenzie tell us that he’s now cleared them and will indeed be bought out today.
- The Blue Jackets have announced that they have bought out the final two seasons of Fedor Tyutin‘s deal that was worth almost $9MM. For a team desperate for salary relief, this will give them close to $3.3MM in cap room for 2016-17.
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.
Predators Considering Nystrom Buyout
Brooks Bratten tweets that the Predators are currently working to trade or buy out the contract of forward Eric Nystrom. The 33-year-old center currently has a cap hit of $2.5MM, but a buyout according to CapFriendly would save the Preds $2MM in the upcoming season. Bratten also indicated that the Preds would be letting Carter Hutton go to free agency.
Nystrom was signed to a four-year, $10MM deal prior to the 2013-14 season. Though he had 21 points in his first season (15-6) as a Predator, including a 4-goal game, Nystrom’s numbers fell each season after 2013-14.
Last week, Adam Vignan reported that the Preds were trying to deal the contract away prior to the draft. With no takers, it appears that the Predators will entertain a buyout.
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.
Predators Re-Sign Forsberg To Six-Year Deal
The Nashville Predators re-signed forward Filip Forsberg to a 6-year, $36MM deal tweets Stephen Whyno.
According to the release from the Predators, the contract will run through the 2021-22 season. Forsberg was a restricted free agent, and signing the 21-year-old forward to a long extension guarantees the dynamic forward as a critical piece for the Preds to build around.
Forsberg racked up 64 points (33-31) in a full season’s worth of games. The Swedish forward was traded to the Preds in 2013 from Washington for Martin Erat, and Michael Latta. The trade is now considered a heist and one that current Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan wishes he could have “done over,” though MacLellan was the assistant general manager to then GM George McPhee.
Since joining the Preds, Forsberg was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2014-15, and finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting for the league’s best rookie. Forsberg also etched his name into the Predators record book in both the regular and post season. One of his more recognized efforts was being the first Predator to register a hat trick in the playoffs, a feat he recorded in 2015 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
With the signing, Forsberg now becomes the second highest paid Predator after captain Shea Weber. The signing leaves Nashville with just over $7MM to secure their other free agents they wish to pursue. They include Calle Jarnkrok, Gabriel Bourque, Petter Granberg, Paul Gaustad, and Carter Hutton.
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)
Draft Day Snapshots: Blue Jackets, Predators, Wild, Jets
The 2016 NHL Entry Draft gets underway tonight and one of the top picks appears to be in play. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch spoke with Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen who noted that the team has received at least ten offers for the third overall pick.
Kekalainen is telling teams that he is willing to move the pick but would not slide out of the top ten in any trade. He also has informed them that no trade would be made until they’re on the draft floor after the top two selections are made.
Other draft day rumblings:
- The Nashville Predators could be targeting a defenseman with their first pick in the draft (17th overall), writes Adam Vingan of The Tennessean. While the team does have several strong blueliners already, they did move Seth Jones to Columbus midseason and they have only picked one defender with a first round pick in the last five years. In the same piece, GM David Poile acknowledged that he doesn’t have much interest in moving up or down from pick 17.
- Minnesota holds just two picks in the first six rounds which could make it difficult for the Wild to move up, writes The Star Tribune’s Michael Russo. GM Chuck Fletcher wouldn’t be opposed to trading down from their 15th overall selection to acquire more picks but only if there are a number of players left on their draft board at that time.
- The Winnipeg Jets have put the 22nd overall pick in play, ESPN’s Craig Custance reports. The Jets acquired the selection prior to the trade deadline as part of the Andrew Ladd to Chicago deal. Winnipeg is believed to be seeking a left shot defenseman and a top nine forward.
Free Agent Focus: Nashville Predators
The 2015-2016 Nashville Predators advanced to the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs for only the third time in franchise history before losing to the San Jose Sharks in seven games. Nashville comes into this offseason with ample cap room and only one major expiring contract.
Cap Space: $11,511,190 (according to CapFriendly)
Key UFAs: F Paul Gaustad and G Carter Hutton. Gaustad’s tenure on the Predators has been relatively quiet. The 34 year old center has failed to crack 20 points in his last two seasons, but excelled in the faceoff circle. His 55.3% face-off percentage was good for 18th in the league. Carter Hutton served as Pekke Rinne’s backup last season, going 7-5 with a .918 SV% and a 2.33 GAA. As we reported earlier, however, Nashville signed G Marek Mazanec to a two year deal. GM David Poile indicated that the move may have left Hutton as the odd man out.
Key RFAs: F Filip Forsberg. Forsberg led all Predators forwards this season with 33G and 64P. The former 1st round draft pick was traded to Nashville by the Washington Capitals for Martin Erat, who themselves acquired the pick from Colorado for Semyon Varlamov. Forsberg is coming off an entry-level deal, and the Predators are in talks with his camp to sign him to a long term extension.
Other RFAs: F Calle Jarnkrok, F Gabriel Bourque, D Petter Granberg.
Snapshots: Predators, Smid, Coaching Updates, Gillis
Nashville GM David Poile provided updates on some of his players in an interview with Brooks Bratton on the team’s website on Monday.
On pending restricted free agents Filip Forsberg and Calle Jarnkrok:
“We’ve had a couple of conversations with each of their agents, but as I always say, this is a process. I don’t look for these to be getting done tomorrow, but we’re moving ahead.”
He also noted that he is attempting to trade Eric Nystrom and that he wouldn’t rule out buying out the final year of his contract if he can’t find a trade partner. Nystrom is set to earn $3MM in salary with a $2.5MM cap hit for 2016-17. A buyout would trigger a $500,000 cap hit in 2016-17 and a $1MM charge in 2017-18.
Poile added that he will begin to send qualifying offers to his restricted free agents starting next week. Aside from Forsberg and Jarnkrok, the Preds have seven other RFA’s between their NHL and AHL teams.
Elsewhere around the league:
- Ladislav Smid’s future remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a season-ending neck injury sustained back in February, writes Darren Haynes on his From 80 Feet Above blog. His neck issues stem back to his first neck surgery six years ago. The continuing issues will prevent him from being a candidate for a buyout as the CBA does not permit injured players to be bought out.
- Tampa Bay assistant coach Rick Bowness has agreed to a multi-year extension with the Lightning, the team announced. He was reportedly a contender for the Anaheim coaching job which instead went to Randy Carlyle.
- The Blue Jackets have offered former St. Louis assistant coach Brad Shaw a contract to join them in a similar role according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.
- ESPN’s John Buccigross reports that Kevin Dineen is “getting a late look” for Calgary’s head coaching job. He also adds that Glen Gulutzan and Todd Reirden are other finalists.
- Former Vancouver GM and player agent Mike Gillis has accepted a job on the board of directors for Swiss club Geneve-Servette HC, the team announced. Gillis’ Assistant GM in Vancouver, Lorne Henning, is also joining him in this new role.