Slowly, but surely, we are getting closer to normal life. In the NHL, the proof is that the market for free agents is opening up today. Less than two weeks later than the traditional date of July 1.
• Read also: Malkin stays in Pittsburgh after all
• Read also: Johnny Gaudreau will test the free agent market
• Read also: Free agents: five potential targets of Kent Hughes
This year’s showcase features some rather interesting takes. In attack especially, where are available skaters who played major roles within their teams last season. Johnny Gaudreau, Ondrej Palat, Nazem Kadri and Evander Kane.
There are also players who were thought to be anchored for life to the team that drafted them, but who are still without a contract. We think in particular of Patrice Bergeron.
For his part, Evgeni Malkin surprised everyone by finally accepting a pay cut, signing a four-season contract worth an annual value of $6.1 million late last night after long negotiations.
The quiet CH
The problem is that this market is one where one-upmanship is omnipresent. However, with the salary cap which will be increased by only one million, to reach $82.5 million in 2022-2023, the time will not be for splurging.
As of yesterday, according to the CapFriendly site, nine teams were within $3.7 million of the allowed limit: the Vegas Golden Knights, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers, the Canadiens, the Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.
With a slim $1.173M gap under the cap, don’t expect a Kent Hughes stunt. The team is under reconstruction, the general manager of CH must agree with Kirby Dach and we still do not know what the status of Carey Price (and his $ 10.5 million) will be.
The return of Brett Kulak or the arrival of support players are not impossible. But it might be quiet.
Here are, however, some names that are likely to attract attention over the next few hours.
Evgeny Malkin (SIGN)
Center | 35 years | 42 pt (20 g, 22 a) in 41 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $9.5 million
After 16 seasons in Pittsburgh, he chose at midnight to stay with the Penguins. “Evgeni is a generational talent and people will remember him as one of the greatest players in NHL history,” general manager Ron Hextall said in a statement yesterday. This means that the trio formed by Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kristopher Letang, who have shared the ice since the 2006-2007 season, will remain united.
Johnny Gaudreau
Left winger | 28 years old | 115 pt (40 g, 75 a) in 82 games
Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $6.75 million
It’s rare to see the league’s second-leading scorer go free as air. GM Brad Treliving said he would move heaven and earth to keep his star forward in Calgary. However, at 28, the time has come for the left winger to break the bank. He would have refused an offer of more than $ 80 million from the Flames. He had the best season of his career at the right time. The Devils would be greatly interested in the athlete from New Jersey. They have plenty of room under the salary cap to attract him.
Attackers
Claude Giroux
Center | 34 years old | 65 pt (21 g, 44 a) in 75 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $8.275 million
The Franco-Ontarian’s adventure did not end as planned in Florida. He was unable to touch the big trophy. And now the Panthers, huddled under the salary cap, don’t have the space to get along with him. In Philadelphia, we’d bring him back with open arms, but we might run out of space.
Patrice Bergeron
Center | 36 years | 65 pt (25 g, 40 a) in 73 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $6.875 million
It seems inconceivable to see the Quebecer leave the Bruins. However, the five-time Selke Trophy winner and team captain is still considering his future. Moreover, the new coach Jim Montgomery gave him a phone call to try to convince him to continue his career for a 19th season.
Ondrej Palat
Left winger | 31 years | 49 pt (18 g, 31 a) in 77 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $5.3 million
As has been the case for the past two seasons, the Lightning must make heartbreaking choices to comply with the salary cap requirements. By losing the services of Palat, he would see a man of great occasions leave. The Czech holds the team record with 12 game-winning goals in the playoffs.
Nazem Kadri
Center | 31 years | 87 pt (28 g, 59 a) in 71 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $4.5 million
He silenced many detractors by being an important element in the conquest of the Avalanche. And this, even if he missed several games due to injury. This playoff run ended his most productive season of his career. Will Colorado, which will have to renew Nathan MacKinnon’s contract at the end of the next campaign, be able to absorb this substantial salary increase?
Evander Kane
Left winger | 30 years | 39 pt (22 g, 17 a) in 43 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $2.11 million
The Oilers finally seemed to have found the perfect match for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The striker has been a series poison as evidenced by his 13 goals in 15 games. Except that the British Columbian, who saw his previous contract be bought out by the San Jose Sharks, will not return to the Alberta capital at a discount.
Andrew Copp
Center | 28 years old | 53 pt (21 g, 32 a) in 72 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $3.64 million
He provided good service to the New York Rangers who acquired him at the trade deadline. Copp is a player capable of evolving on the second line, reliable defensively. He is also able to create some sparks in attack.
PK Subban
right-handed | 33 Years | 22 pt (5 g, 17 a) in 77 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $9 million
After a few difficult seasons, he has experienced a certain revival of life. He is far from presenting the statistics he displayed in his good years with the Canadiens, but with a reasonable salary, he could interest a few teams.
John Klingberg
right-handed | 29 years | 47 pt (6 g, 41 a) in 74 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $4.25 million
The Swede displays good attacking skills. With a good size, he is good at spotting his attackers when leaving the zone and through traffic. However, in defense, he has many shortcomings. His vulnerability to turnovers puts him at risk every time he touches the puck.
Nick Leddy
left handed | 31 years | 24 pt (3 g, 21 a) in 75 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $5.5 million
He had a great career with the New York Islanders, but seems to be on the downswing since moving to the Detroit Red Wings and then the St. Louis Blues.
Josh Manson
Right-handed, 30 years old | 16 pt (6 g, 10 a) in 67 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $4.1 million
He gave the Avalanche what Joe Sakic saw in him by making his acquisition at the trade deadline. He is a solid and aggressive defender who is fearless. This is the kind of player who could take advantage of the overbidding of the market to win a contract that is far too expensive.
Darcy Kuemper
32 years old | 37-12-4 | 2.54 | .921 | 5 DB
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $4.5 million
The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, but obviously determined it wasn’t because of him. His unstable play in the final could have cost him dearly. The acquisition of Alexander Georgiev made Joe Sakic’s intentions clear.
Ilya Samsonov
25 years | 23-12-5 | 3.02 | .896 | 3 DB
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $2 million
The Capitals surprised many by not offering a qualifying offer to the Russian goalkeeper. Especially since, a few days earlier, they exchanged Vitek Vanecek. It must be said that Samsonov did not rise to the occasion. His .896 save percentage is second highest among 38 goaltenders who have played at least 40 games.
Jack Campbell
30 years | 31-9-6 | 2.64 | .914 | 5 DB
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $1.65 million
He gets the job done, but isn’t the type of goalie to steal a game on his own. And it gets worse when the playoffs begin. The Toronto Maple Leafs chose to trust Matt Murray, acquiring him from the Ottawa Senators. Which is not a better guarantee of success.
Brett Kulak
Defender | 28 years old | 21 pt (5 g, 16 a) in 74 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $1.85 million
The day after the elimination of the Oilers, the Albertan did not hide that he would like to return to Montreal. With the departure of Alexander Romanov, Joel Edmundson is currently the only experienced left-hander on the Canadiens’ blue line. Kulak should logically command a lower salary than Ben Chiarot.
Colin White
Center | 25 years | 10 pt (3 g, 7 a) in 24 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $4.75 million
A week ago, the Senators bought out his contract. From then on, we began to associate the name of White with the Canadian. It must be said that Kent Hughes knows him well since he was his agent before becoming the general manager of the Habs. White had shoulder surgery last summer, which explains why he has only played 24 games.
David Perron
Right winger | 34 years old | 57 pt (27 g, 30 a) in 67 games
- Salary footprint in 2021-2022: $4 million
Not bad more a wishful thinking than a possible dream. Although he played for five teams during his career, Perron signed all of his five contracts with the Blues. The two parties would still like to agree. It remains to be seen if they will find the right price. Otherwise, several teams may raise their hands.