Montreal – On the eve of the 2022 NHL draft, the general manager of the NHL met. What was lacking in their meeting was the change in rules or policy news by discussing the news after the meeting and business, free agents and other aspects of the league.
A glimpse of what was said and heard in Montreal on Wednesday in Montreal, the latest discussion on Pick Trade, the progress of the deals between Chris Letang and Evgeny Malkin, and what lies ahead for Evander Kane:
Prepare the players – and the selection – in motion
There is some professional discussion involved at the forefront of any draft.
This year, the general manager bracketed for more potential movements than ever before. And in the first round, it could start early on Thursday.
“I think there will be a lot of transactions this week,” said Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher. “And [then] What does this mean with draft slots. We are ready to move on [pick] No. 5 and still no. 5 is not transferred once in 20 years. Teams usually don’t fall behind or fall out of the top selection. It rarely happens, but I think because of the fact that everyone is watching and maybe it’s a flattering draft, other teams are more willing to consider going back. “
Only three options were changed in the opening run of last year’s draft, but before that there was a blockbuster trade (Seth Jones was traveling from Columbus to Chicago for Adam Bockwist – which is three years, with a 7.8 million extension). Blue jacket. Wednesday – and three options) as well as some other important activities.
How can this year be different? For starters, this is the first draft since 2019 where general managers are coming together in the same building, once again the opportunity to do business in person.
“When we’re so close, the unpredictability of it all adds up,” said Kevin Sheveldoff, GM of Winnipeg Jets. “I think those things can happen.”
For the most part, the NHL is also a flat pay cap world. There will be a $ 1 million collision for next season – up to $ 82.5 million – but that’s not too low for teams that are against the ceiling. Cutting deals are a great way to create a breathing room and the clubs that need it are taking the strategy into their own hands on Thursday and also taking some prior knowledge of what the competition is thinking.
“You have to imagine that everyone is going to gather there and you’re going to stay there until you get hit. [something]”But I think there was a lot of communication going on before that,” said Kyle Dubs, GM of Toronto Maple Leaf. Everyone now knows what all the other teams are trying to achieve. Now it’s about executing and planning and doing some activities. Since most teams are very close to the caps, there are always fun and different things going on, and there is very little room for caps throughout the league. ,
Will it spread to Montreal and pick No. 1 in the draft? The Canadian is the first to crack a pool of potential this season, and GM Kent Hughes said Wednesday that he would use his first overall pick on the player if the draft is that night. Could this change by Thursday?
We will keep looking.
“I think there’s always a lot [trade talk] Going to the draft, “Hughes said. Some years, it translates into a lot of movement, and other years it doesn’t. But I think the draft order will be different from today until late tomorrow night.”
The penguins are closer to Chris Letang, not to Evgeny Malkin
Ron Hextall, general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, said he expects to achieve something “soon” with the pending unrestricted free agent, Defender Letang.
“We have some details that we’re still working on,” Hextall said, adding that he would be surprised if Letang didn’t return to the Penguins on a new contract. Letang, 35, is rumored to have signed a three-year extension, but said too late that it could go too far. He spent all 16 seasons of his NHL career with the Penguins.
Hextol was less optimistic about talking to pending free-agent center Evgeny Malkin. The general manager said he could not say whether Penguin would get the owner’s signature before the free agency starts on July 13.
“It simply came to our notice then. We’re just going to continue to work with her representatives and hopefully Zeno will complete the deal, “Hextoll said of the owner who played 16 seasons with Pittsburgh.
Malkin earned a salary of .5 9.5 million last season. Letang earned 7.25 million.
Canucks will not ink Jetty Miller before the draft
Vancouver Canucks GM Patrick Alvin laughed when asked if the deal with Star Forward could be extended beyond the NHL draft.
“I think there are 24 hours? So I’m not very optimistic,” he said.
The 29-year-old forward has been a year away from unrestricted free agency. This situation has led to widespread speculation that Miller could be replaced this season, possibly this week.
Alvin said the team did not indicate that the draft was a deadline for a new contract. “We didn’t say anything like that. We’re open,” the general manager said, adding that he had “good discussions” with Miller’s agents.
“Anything can happen, I guess. We’ll stop here and see, ”he said.
Oilers GM: Nothing near Evander Kane
Evender Kane found the Edmonton Oilers home after his contract with the San Jose Sharks expired for violating the team’s COVID-19 policy. Notably, he found a home next to Connor McDavid, scoring 22 goals in 43 regular season games and then 13 more goals in 15 playoff games.
When Kane’s stock was at its lowest point, GM Kane Holland gave Kane a lifeline for the rest of the 2021-22 season with a price tag of 2,108,696. But beyond that, it will be difficult to secure their service.
Holland said, “We are a week away. And at this point in the game, anything is likely to happen. “” I’m not telling you here that I’m close to any kind of agreement. You can get up tomorrow and do things. [have] Has changed but is it expected to hit the market on July 13? And also. ,
There have been “significant discussions” with Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, Eulers GM said. Several reports have suggested that Kane is looking for a long-term contract that could compete with San Jose for his contract with an average annual value of $ 7 million.
Holland’s price: With Mary alone facing a ढी 1 million salary increase and other rival teams facing cap shortages with their own players, Kane’s market may not be as strong as his camp expected.
“We’re tight on the hat,” GM said. “Many, many teams are tight on hats. So I think we all have to find a specific place, maybe July 13th, and find out what’s going on. “
Then there’s the question of San Jose. Kane and the NHLPA filed a complaint against Shark after Kane terminated Kane’s contract for “breach of NHL standard player agreement and AHL COVID-19 protocol.” No date has yet been set for a second hearing between Kane and Shark, and no free agency is expected before the start.
Holland said things got complicated until Kane and Free Agency.
“That’s it. It’s unique. I don’t really know,” Holland said. “We’re really getting those wings.”
The New Jersey Devils have made a significant offer in terms and dollars for the banned free-agent winger Brat. Sources told ESPN that the club is waiting for Brett’s camp counter offer to start discussions.
GM Tom Fitzgerald said: “Brat is a great player we want to keep.” “We have made an offer to Jasper that demonstrates her commitment [owners] It has. You don’t offer to be a player. “
It is speculated that Brat’s representatives will seek an offer letter for a banned free agent rather than negotiate with the Devils. New Jersey has enough cap space to match any offer sheet.
One thing is clear: despite the difficulty in speaking, the Devils are not trying to shake Brat this time.
“I’ve never had Jasper Brat on the trading block,” Fitzgerald said.
Lack of cap space in Toronto – and No. 1 goalkeeper
Toronto has not signed a clear starting goaltender for next season. And they have limited space to accomplish this.
CapFriendly estimates space leaps of about $ 6.4 million for 2022-23. A large part of this has to be focused on the target. That may not be the case with Jack Campbell, the team’s current starter – and pending unrestricted free agent.
Despite ongoing discussions between the parties, Toronto has failed to reach an expansion agreement with Campbell. The 30-year-old is entering the first season of his career as a full-time starter, posting a 31-9-6 record with a .914 saving percentage and a 2.64 goal-average.
With perennial backups, Campbell has a number one job – and a salary. Leafs knows it’s too expensive.
Leaf’s GM Kyle Dabas said: “The time for decision-making is approaching for everyone. “And especially for Jack, because it’s a life-changing event. It’s a priority for us to have no hidden goals. And so we’ll continue to talk to her this weekend, this weekend, and prepare well for where we want to go next week.” ,
Leafs have signed Peter Marzek for the next two seasons after Dubas signed a three-year, .4 11.4 million deal with the veteran last summer. Marzek was injured for a long time last season and when he appeared he went 12-6-0 with .888 SV% and 3.34 GAA.
The cat’s injury ended the Merazek Leafs’ regular season and the first-round playoff series against Tampa Bay. Dabas is impressed with Merejek’s resilience and there is no doubt he can come back.
“Several times a year, [Mrazek] Appears in front of everyone [in the media] And the level at which he hasn’t played, he’s confident he’s capable, Dubas said. If I’m guessing and betting on him, can I bet he was a goalkeeper in 20 games last year? Or I’ll put 270 pages. Was the goalkeeper for [games] First, who was the .910 percent saver who gave his team a chance to win? I could probably bet on a bigger sample and this time Peter is sitting in it.