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Frederick Gaudreau

Snapshots: Ovechkin, Air Canada Centre, Predators

at CDT | by 2 Comments

Alex Ovechkin is coming off another disappointing playoff exit at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and earlier this offseason GM Brian MacLellan said that his superstar forward would need to train differently this offseason to make sure the speed of the game didn’t leave him behind. Ovechkin scored fewer than 50 goals in a full season for the first time since 2011-12, posting just 33 markers all year. It seems he’s taken it to heart, as a report from Tom Gulitti of NHL.com has Ovechkin showing up to optional workouts in Washington markedly thinner.

Ovechkin played last season at 239, but teammates are saying he’s definitely leaner this year which hopefully will translate into more success on the ice. It’s important to note that even though Ovechkin’s goal total dropped, he still posted 69 points due to a big jump in assists. The Capitals will begin the season on Thursday, October 5th when they take on the Ottawa Senators.

  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have reached a landmark agreement with Scotiabank for the naming rights to their arena. According to Rick Westhead of TSN the bank will pay $800MM (CAD) for the 20-year agreement that will change the name from the Air Canada Centre to Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018. The deal is the biggest naming sponsorship in North American sports history, and will make the incredibly wealthy Maple Leafs franchise worth even more. It marks the second NHL building named after the Canadian bank, following Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome. The Ottawa Senators’ Scotiabank Place was renamed the Canadian Tire Centre in 2013.
  • Any fans who bought a Viktor Arvidsson jersey during his breakout season last year will be disappointed today, as the team announced that he’ll be changing to #33 for next season. Frederick Gaudreau and Vladislav Kamenev will also change, claiming #89 and #91 respectively. Kamanev’s change is the most interesting, after he played just two games with the Predators last season. Though he was expected to press for a roster spot after another big AHL season, this actually may be more evidence that he’ll be given a chance with the NHL club at some point this year.

Frederick Gaudreau Signs Three-Year Deal With Nashville Predators

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

After showing he can contribute in the playoffs for the Nashville Predators, Frederick Gaudreau has received some certainty in his hockey future. The 24-year old signed a three-year contract worth $650K the first two seasons, and $700K in 2019-20. The first two seasons are also two-way, meaning he’ll make just $70K at the AHL level.

Gaudreau went undrafted out of the QMJHL as an undersized forward without eye-popping numbers, but has continued to develop in the AHL and this season made his NHL debut. Though his nine games during the season weren’t anything to write home about, he stepped up in the playoffs when the Predators’ center depth blew up and scored three big goals including two game-winners in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Playoff performance aside, Gaudreau doesn’t have much leverage when it came to contract negotiations. Though he was arbitration eligible, he chose not to file and instead agreed to a third year under contract. That will take him to unrestricted free agency, and it will be interesting to see if he can crack the Predators lineup next season. With just one regular season point under his belt it’s no guarantee, though many fans will likely lobby for his inclusion on the final roster.

The Predators now have five restricted free agents left to sign, including Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson. Though Johansen didn’t file for arbitration, Arvidsson’s hearing is set for July 22nd. The Predators have plenty of cap room, but will need to decide how long to lock up each of their young stars.

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