Offer Sheet Candidates: Jones, Trouba, Lindholm
Offer sheets are an interesting wrinkle in the NHL’s free agency period; a rarely used but powerful tool to try and steal away young talent from rival clubs. Though we may not see any this season – the last one to be signed was by Ryan O’Reilly in 2013 – there are a few interesting names out there that could possibly draw interest from other teams. Let’s take a quick look at some of the offer sheet rules for this season:
- Teams can submit offer sheets to restricted free agents as of July 1st at 11:00 am central time. Players can choose to sign them at any point after that.
- If a player signs an offer sheet, his original team has seven days in which to match the deal or else accept the compensation. During this time they cannot be traded.
- Compensation is as follows (according to Elliotte Friedman):
Less than $1.239MM (average annual value of contract) – Nothing;
$1.239-$1.878MM – Third-round pick;
$1.878-$3.755MM – Second-round pick;
$3.755-$5.633MM – First and third-round picks;
$5.633-$7.510MM – First, second and third-round picks;
$7.510-$9.388MM – Two first, a second and third-round picks;
Over $9.388MM – Four first-round picks. - Teams must have the picks available before signing the player, or else the offer sheet will be considered null and void.
Some hefty prices to pay if a team goes after a big name to be sure, but sometimes deemed worth it; the Flyers would have faced stiff compensation penalties had Nashville not decided to match their 14-year, $110MM offer to Shea Weber in 2012 (one that would no longer be allowed under the seven-year contract limit). Here are some names that might just be worth the risk:
D Seth Jones – The Columbus Blue Jackets have huge cap issues at the moment and are desperately trying to rid themselves of some of their bad deals. After trading young star Ryan Johansen for Jones mid-season, they now need to find a way to re-sign the former fourth overall pick.
Jones is just 21, and has performed admirably in his first three seasons in the league, racking up 83 points in 240 games. If someone were to sign Jones to a long-term deal, the Blue Jackets would have a very difficult time matching it without finding a taker for some of their cap-hits. The team is already just $5MM under the cap, with close to $20MM committed to their blueline.
Whether Jones actually recieves any offers, or it’s just used as a negotiating tactic in order to pry some value out of the Blue Jackets in future trades, his name will surely come up in many talks this summer.
D Jacob Trouba – Another top-10 pick who is part of a deep defensive corps Trouba is considered available this summer on the trade market, and should be considered an offer sheet risk as well. While the Jets have much more cap room available, they already have three defencemen signed for over $5MM per season and might not be able to commit to a fourth.
Trouba has put up 72 points in 211 career games, and is considered a potential top-pairing blueliner in the future. Many teams could add him to their back end and thrust him into the spotlight in his fourth season. A long-term deal could be had, buying out free agent years and pushing that AAV up into un-matchable territory.
The Jets also have to worry about next year’s expansion draft, where they’ll be in danger of losing one of their young defencemen. Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom both have no-movement clauses that ensure their protection, leaving just one protection slot for both of Tyler Myers and Trouba (unless they choose the 8 skater option and risk some young forwards instead).
D Hampus Lindholm – The best player listed here, Lindholm has turned into an excellent defender for the Anaheim Ducks over the last few years. His case is one of worry for them as he could easily be offered a seven-year deal from teams around the league.
After signing Sami Vatanen last week, the Ducks now have five blueliners under contract for more than $3MM per season and adding a big deal that pushes $50MM could prove too pricey. If a team believes that Lindholm is the number 1 defenceman that he seems, they could decide to give up the picks in order to pry him away.
The Ducks have already dealt Frederik Andersen to save cap room and avoid losing him in the expansion draft, and they still have work to do before next summer. With Cam Fowler said to be on the market, perhaps he’ll be the victim of a looming Lindholm offer sheet.
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 Snapshots: Draft Pick Trades, Matthews
The Devils and Senators swapped picks in the first round. The Devils dealt the 11th overall pick to Ottawa for their 12th overall pick and 80th overall pick. Ottawa selected C Logan Brown, whose father coaches Ottawa’s OHL team and has family in Ottawa. The Devils used the pick to draft C Michael McLeod.
Other Draft notes:
- The Flyers traded for the Jets 22nd and 36th overall picks while giving up their 18th and 79th overall picks.
- The Capitals dealt their 26th overall pick to St. Louis for their 28th overall pick and 87th overall pick.
- #1 overall pick Auston Matthews was thrilled to be selected by the Maple Leafs, no matter the long road they still have to competing for a Stanley Cup. Matt Larkin from The Hockey News writes that Matthews was “euphoric” on being a Maple Leaf after the Arizona native seemed less than excited following the revelation that the Leafs would pick first. Matthews is the first American to be drafted first overall since Patrick Kane in 2007.
Flyers Extend Radko Gudas
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed D Radko Gudas to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that it’s a four year deal while Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston adds the cap hit is $3.35M. He was one year away from being eligible for unrestricted free agency.
Gudas played in 76 games with the Flyers last year, collecting five goals and nine assists while adding 116 PIMS and 304 hits (second most in the NHL). He also logged an average of 19:50 per game. In his career, the 26 year old has suited up in 202 games split between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, scoring 12 goals and 34 assists while adding 340 PIMS.
Gudas was originally a third round pick of the Lightning back in 2010 and was dealt to the Flyers as part of the Braydon Coburn trade back in 2015. He will likely be a top four blueliner for Philadelphia heading into 2016-17.
Vincent Lecavalier Announces His Retirement
Longtime NHL forward Vincent Lecavalier has officially announced his retirement today. TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie was first with the report. Lavoie also notes that he will be placed on waivers but that won’t have any effect on his decision to walk away from the game.
The 36 year old had two years remaining on his contract with a full cap hit of $4.5MM (split equally between the Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers). The $2.25MM that each team carried as a cap hit now comes off the books. General Fanager adds that there will be no salary cap recapture penalties for either team. Despite walking away from the last two years of his deal, Lecavalier will still be paid $1,761,905 annually until 2026-27 as part of his buyout from Tampa Bay.
The decision comes as little surprise as Lecavalier had indicated that he was leaning towards retiring when he waived his no-movement clause to accept a trade to the Kings last season. After recording just a single assist in seven games with the Flyers, his play picked up following the deal as he tallied ten goals and seven helpers in 42 games with Los Angeles.
He spent most of his career with the Lightning after being the first overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Lecavalier played in 1,037 games with the Bolts (a team record), collecting 383 goals (also a team record) and 491 assists. For his career, he finishes with 421 goals and 528 assists in 1,212 games between the Lightning, Flyers, and Kings.
Lecavalier won several awards over his career, including the Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals in 2007), plus a Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Lightning and a World Cup with Team Canada in 2004. He also currently has the most points of anyone drafted in 1998 as he sits 17 points ahead of longtime Tampa teammate Brad Richards.
Free Agent Focus: Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers surprised everyone this season with an unlikely playoff appearance during an expected rebuilding year. And while they bowed out in the first round, the Flyers took the President’s Trophy-winning Washington Capitals to six games. They enter the offseason with a decision as to whether to continue with the planned rebuild or to double down on their unexpected success.
Cap Space: $10,503,334MM (According to CapFriendly). Cap space is marred by two buyouts on the books: F Vincent Lecavalier and recently bought-out R.J. Umberger.
Key UFAs: F Sam Gagner. Sam Gagner is looking to bounce back after a career-worst 8G and 16P in 53 Games. Gagner held promise when drafted, but he has struggled to realize his potential and is now entering his tenth year as a pro. Any offer Gagner accepts would likely be a short-term “prove yourself” contract.
Other UFAs: F Ryan White, D Evgeny Medvedev, and G Ray Emery.
Key RFAs: F Brayden Schenn. Re-signing Schenn is Philadelphia’s biggest priority. The young forward was third in team scoring with 26G and 59P in 80 Games. More importantly, Schenn has increased his point total every season—showing definite improvement and an upward trajectory. He represents an integral piece of the Flyers’ youthful core going forward, and the team would be wise to secure him to a long-term contract.
Other RFAs: F Jordan Weal, F Nick Cousins, D Radko Gudas, D Brandon Manning.
The Flyers face the age-old dilemma of following their success or sticking to a rebuild. No team wants to be mired in standings purgatory where they are too good for a high draft pick, but never good enough for an extended playoff push. Draft day and July 1st will indicate which way the Flyers go.
Flyers Buy Out R.J. Umberger
2:37 PM: The Flyers have officially announced that they have bought out the final year of Umberger’s contract. Because Umberger had a no-movement clause in his contract, he was eligible to elect to bypass the waiver process and immediately be bought out which he did.
11:12 AM: TSN’s Frank Seravalli tweets that the Flyers are likely to buy out the contract of forward R.J. Umberger. The year remaining comes with a cap hit of $4.6MM. CSN Philly’s Tim Panaccio tweeted later that general manager Ron Hextall confirmed that the club was in the process of the buyout.
According to CapFriendly, the buyout will keep $1.6MM on the books for the 2016-2017 season and $1.5MM for the 2017-2018 season. The deal saves them $3MM.
The 34-year-old struggled to live up to the expectations of his contract. Signed by the Blue Jackets in 2012, Umberger was shipped to the Flyers with a draft pick for Scott Hartnell in 2014. Umberger never come close to scoring 20 goals as he did earlier in his career. As his production waned, a buyout became more likely.