Boone Jenner Signing Extension With Columbus Blue Jackets
TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that the Columbus Blue Jackets are extending forward Boone Jenner. Dreger reports that it’s a multi-year extension for the long-time Columbus depth forward. The Columbus Dispatch’s Brian Hedger reports that deal is a four-year contract with a cap hit of $3.75MM and will kick in at the end of this season.
Jenner, a defensively-minded middle-six forward, can play both center and wing and sits in the prime of his career at age 28. Playing over 500 NHL games, all for Columbus, Jenner will stick around with the Blue Jackets as they continue to navigate a sort of on-the-fly rebuild. Jenner’s a gritty forward who’ll swallow 17 to 18 minutes of ice time a game, a valuable asset in today’s league. While expecting him to repeat his 30-goal campaign from 2015-16 is extremely unlikely, he does carry some offensive upside and can guide some of Columbus’ up-and-coming forwards.
It’s important retention for Columbus. Jenner is a strong faceoff man and he’ll likely continue to post between 20 and 35 points per season for the duration of his next deal. Drafted 37th overall in 2011 by the team, he’s been a reliable contributor over the years and will continue to be an integral part of the team’s emotional core for years to come.
Mikael Granlund Signs Extension With Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are signing forward Mikael Granlund to an extension, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports. It’s a four-year contract worth $5MM per season.
Granlund will return to Nashville despite a couple of rough seasons. After multiple 60-point seasons with the Minnesota Wild, he’s yet to reach that level of offense in the Nashville organization after being traded for Kevin Fiala. In fact, he’s scored just 62 points across 130 games with Nashville. There have been many instances of the Predators looking to trade him as well, but for now, Granlund will indeed stay put in the Music City. Granlund’s production jumped slightly this season along with an elevation in minutes, as Granlund could potentially serve as the team’s first-line center in lieu of Ryan Johansen or Matt Duchene. A dip in Granlund’s defensive game this season carries some significant cause for concern, though, as if that pace keeps up, he could become yet another expensive liability in Nashville’s top-six despite them embarking on a rebuild.
However, if Nashville opts to give Johansen or Duchene those first-line minutes, Granlund could still rebound to some good numbers in 2021-22 with some slightly restricted minutes. He still tracks as a capable offensive forward with some finishing ability, despite having some consistency issues over the past few seasons. The $5MM hit could make some fans nervous, but if Granlund is used effectively, it could be a gamble worth making.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign Martin Jones
After being bought out by the San Jose Sharks, Martin Jones has quickly found a new home. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that Jones will be joining the Philadelphia Flyers. The deal is expected to be a one-year contract at $2MM.
It is easy to dismiss Jones as a player not worth getting excited about. The past three seasons in San Jose have been nothing short of horrendous four the veteran netminder, especially compared to his lofty contract. However, Jones was carrying a heavy load as the unchallenged starter for the Sharks, playing a workhorse schedule despite his struggles. The expectation is entirely different in Philadelphia. Carter Hart is coming off a difficult campaign of his own, but the talented young keeper should rebound and will be given every opportunity to hold on to the starting job. Jones meanwhile will be looked upon to mentor Hart and provide competent play at the backup position. With far less pressure, he could very well return to form.
With that said, the Flyers’ choice of Jones as their No. 2 at this salary is intriguing. Philly has only $8MM in cap space with Hart and Travis Sanheim in need of new contracts and two other roster sports to fill and could have benefited from a more affordable backup. If they were going to give out a substantial contract to a keeper, it likely should have been someone they trusted as the starter if Hart continued to struggle. The past few years have not supported the idea that Jones can still be that player. So he instead is a pricey backup, which is not ideal for the Flyers.
Carolina Hurricanes Sign Frederik Andersen
The Carolina Hurricanes entered the off-season with three free agent goaltenders: UFA’s Petr Mrazek and James Reimer and RFA Alex Nedeljkovic. They dealt Nedeljkovic to the Detroit Red Wings in a deal that landed them another free agent, UFA Jonathan Bernier. As of right now, it does not appear that any of these netminders will be with the team this season. Instead, the team has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with former Toronto Maple Leafs starter Frederik Andersen. The Hurricanes seemingly believe in a bounce-back from Andersen, whose new contract will carry a $4.5MM AAV.
Prior to last season, no one would have batted an eye at the terms of Andersen’s new deal, though they likely would have expected it to come with the Maple Leafs. However, Andersen imploded in 2020-21, struggling to stay on the ice with a nagging injury and performing poorly when he did play. Andersen’s .895 save percentage was well below his own career average and below average league-wide as well. Andersen lost his job to Jack Campbell and all signs pointed to Toronto moving on. They did just that, ironically signing former Carolina starter Petr Mrazek.
It would be one thing for Carolina to replace Mrazek with Andersen if savings were involved or even at the same price. However, they ended up paying $700K more in AAV for Andersen, despite Mrazek being younger and having far better numbers over the past few years. Granted, Mrazek also missed considerable time this year due to injury and has not played more than 40 games in a season in the past four years. Carolina is looking for a legitimate starter and clearly feel that Andersen can be that. The 31-year-old has played 60+ games three times, all in the past five years, and the ‘Canes hope he can do it once again. They payed up for that potential; hopefully Andersen can follow through.
Travis Hamonic Re-Signing In Vancouver
The Athletic’s Rick Dhaliwal reports that the Vancouver Canucks will be bringing back defenseman Travis Hamonic. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman says it’s a two-year deal worth $3MM per season.
This always seemed like the most likely outcome for Hamonic, who has previously expressed a desire to play in western Canada and who fit in very nicely in Vancouver this past season. With the defense around him changing dramatically, Hamonic will be one of the few veteran holdovers on the Canucks blue line and with multi-year security should step further into a leadership role for the club.
More so, the 30-year-old showed this year that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Always a dependable two-way defender with the New York Islanders, Hamonic’s offense fizzled out during his time in Calgary. However, he recorded ten points in just 38 games with Vancouver this season, an 82-game pace of 22 points which would have been higher than any season he spent with the Flames. Hamonic was also solid defensively, contributing to the penalty kill and finishing second on the team in blocked shots while cutting down on his turnovers. The Canucks did not ask Hamonic to play major minutes this past season and that could continue, but he will still be able to make an impact for the team in key situations.
Sean Kuraly Signs With Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets have added some forward depth, signing Sean Kuraly to a four-year contract according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia tweets that the deal will be worth a total of $10MM. The $2.5MM AAV is more than double that of Kuraly’s previous contract with the Boston Bruins, implying that Columbus could have greater plans for the center than just a fourth line role.
This contract was one of the more easily anticipatable free agency deals this summer. Kuraly is a Dublin, Ohio native and Miami University grad, making his connection to Columbus obvious. For a team whose inability to retain talent in recent years has become an unfortunate focal point, it makes sense that they would commit long-term to a player who very much wants to play in the city. This is also not the first time that the Blue Jackets have targeted a Bruins fourth-line center in free agency; Riley Nash was the player that Kuraly replaced in Boston after he departed for a raise and greater role in Columbus, a move the team likely considered a success.
At 28, it may not seem that Kuraly has more room to grow. However, at times with the Bruins he flashed top-nine ability and arguably played better off the fourth line than on it. That is not to say that Kuraly isn’t an accomplished checker and smart two-way asset, but he could have the chance to produce at a much higher level if handed an elevated role by the Blue Jackets. In 2018-19 and 2019-20, Kuraly recorded back-to-back seasons of over 20 points despite not playing full seasons and being limited almost exclusively to a fourth line role. 30+ points per year is not out of the question for the newest pivot in Columbus.
Luke Glendening Heading To The Dallas Stars
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports that the Dallas Stars have signed forward Luke Glendening to a two-year deal. The contract comes in at a $1.5MM cap hit and takes him through the 2022-23 season.
It’s the end of an era in Michigan, as Glendening wraps up a nine-year stint with the Detroit Red Wings to begin his NHL career, which was preceded by four seasons at the University of Michigan. The 32-year-old Grand Rapids native has only played in 30 games for teams outside the state since high school, both on minor league loans. Yet, all good things come to an end. Despite holding on to Glendening at the trade deadline, this season and last, despite considerable interest, the Red Wings were unable to retain the veteran.
The Dallas Stars were hoping to improve their team defense this summer and did just that in adding Glendening, one of the most technical, defensive-minded centers in the NHL. Elite at the face-off dot (60.9% this year) and on the penalty kill, Glendening may not play big minutes, but he makes a major impact when he is on the ice. Given his defensive ability, it is surprising that the Stars were able to sign Glendening at such a low number. It is a deal that should be a much-appreciated bargain for the cap-strapped team.
Brian Elliott Signs With Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning will bring in a new veteran backup for Andrei Vasilevskiy, signing Brian Elliott according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The one-year deal is worth $900K according to Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest.
Elliott, 36, is coming off of a difficult season in Philadelphia in which he was asked to do more than expected behind a struggling Carter Hart and faltered, recording an .889 save percentage and 3.06 GAA. However, there is reason to believe that things will be much different for the veteran in Tampa. He will have a much more reduced role for the Bolts behind workhorse Andrei Vasilevskiy, arguably the best goaltender in the NHL right now. He will also be playing behind a stout Tampa defense that just won back-to-back Stanley Cups. With less responsibility and more protection, Elliott could return to form. A veteran of 502 NHL games over 14 years, Elliott has a career save percentage of .910 and GAA of 2.53.
The value of this deal works out nicely for the cap-strapped Lightning. Barring an injury to Vasilevskiy, the Lightning do not need to ask much of their backup, yet were paying Curtis McElhinney $1.3MM for numbers that were no better than Elliott’s. Filling his vacancy with a respected vet for under $1MM is a savvy move for the team, especially when backup goalies have had high price tags today.
Tucker Poolman Signs With Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are bringing in defenseman Tucker Poolman. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Poolman has signed a four-year, $10MM deal with the club, moving on after four seasons with the Winnipeg Jets to begin his NHL career.
This may be one of the more surprising contracts of the day thus far, as Poolman has been viewed as little more than a depth option in his short pro career. A standout at the University of North Dakota, Poolman was a major point producer in the NCAA but it helped that he played until he was 24. In four years since, he has just 19 points in 120 games and struggled to earn an elevated role in Winnipeg. He spent an entire season exclusively in the AHL and has never played more than 57 NHL games in a season.
The Canucks see something in the 28-year-old though. Poolman has good size and contributes in all three zones, but to this point has not excelled at any one aspect. The team seems willing to commit long term and put him in a concrete starting role in hopes that he can take than next step given more responsibility.
Columbus Blue Jackets Extend Eric Robinson
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Eric Robinson to a two-year contract extension, according to PuckPedia. The deal will carry an average annual value of $1.6MM.
Robinson, 26, still had one year left on his previous contract that will pay him $975K this season, but will now be locked up through 2023-24. He’ll earn $1.5MM in 2022-23 and $1.7MM in 2023-24, reaching unrestricted free agency at the end of the deal. An undrafted free agent signing out of Princeton in 2018, Robinson has now played 120 NHL games. He registered eight goals and 18 points this season, filling out a bottom-six role nicely.
This new deal bets that he can continue in that role, but for a team that is going through a transition period after the trade of Seth Jones it doesn’t come with much risk. At worst, he struggles to improve his offensive production and stays on the fourth-line, at best he provides a little extra secondary scoring for a reasonable price. For a player that has worked extremely hard for everything he’s earned as a professional, not a bad gamble to take.