It’s been a long time since so many impact players have been available on the NHL free agent market. Then, Evgeni Malkin indicated that he was going to make his services available to everyone.
Pittsburgh Penguins star player, defending Stanley Cup champions Nazem Kadri and Darcy Kuemper, NHL MVP candidate Johnny Gaudreau and Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg are among the heads of poster which will be available from July 13th.
Even though the salary cap will only be raised by US$1 million, team revenues are up for the first time since 2019, setting the stage for an outbid in the free agent market on Wednesday.
“Teams have money to spend,” Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. I believe 21 teams were stuck under the salary cap last year, and five or six more were approaching it. Teams have money to spend, and players are going to take full advantage of it. »
Probably no one will benefit more than Gaudreau, who set career highs with 40 goals and 75 assists for 115 points last year with the Pacific Division champion Flames. His next contract will certainly smash the most lucrative agreement ratified last year: that of Doug Hamilton’s $ 63 million with the New Jersey Devils.
Gaudreau, who hails from New Jersey and grew up cheering for the Flyers, has been rumored to send him to Philadelphia or the New York Islanders. The Calgary Flames, however, rolled out the red carpet for him to try to convince him to keep the status quo.
“Johnny is a very good player: he will be spoiled for choice, noted the general manager of the Flames, Brad Treliving. Big decisions will have to be made. Decisions that will mark his career, and his life. If he doesn’t get along with us, then he will have the opportunity to test the market. »
And that market was enhanced Monday when Malkin told the Penguins he intended to explore his options. The 36-year-old was producing at a point-per-game pace last season after recovering from knee surgery.
Lots of attackers, fewer defenders
Other attractive options on the market include Colorado Avalanche forward Andre Burakovsky, ex-Flyers captain and Florida Panthers forward Claude Giroux, New York Rangers center Ryan Strome and St. Louis Blues Quebec forward David Perron.
“It will be intriguing,” admitted Waddell. There will be plenty of attackers, but very few defenders available. »
As a result, teams may take their time to evaluate all options. Several general managers are of course expecting the usual madness at noon on Wednesday, but several signings could occur in the following days – and perhaps even until the opening of training camps.
“There will always be a rush for certain types of players, but due to the very small margin of maneuver of certain teams under the salary cap, is it possible that other personnel movements will occur after this date? asked Stars general manager Jim Nill. Maybe this is the kind of summer where the talks are going to go on for a while. »