NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2024
An update on Leon Draisaitl’s contract status, Vladimir Tarasenko signs with the Red Wings, the Kraken makes a historic coach hire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
UPDATE ON LEON DRAISAITL’S CONTRACT SITUATION
EISHOCKEY NEWS: Michael Bauer recently interviewed Leon Draisaitl’s agent, Jiri Poner, about his client’s contract situation. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers center can become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Poner said the ball is in the Oilers’ court. “There’s no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e. by the end of August, or it doesn’t work out at all. It will also become clear whether Edmonton really wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.”
Draisaitl signed his current contract in Aug. 2017 under then-Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli. “I can still remember the shitstorm (Chiarelli) had to endure when he gave Leon the contract for $8.5 million a year,” recalled Poner. “Today, he would be celebrated for that deal.” He believes his client has been playing “at least 30 percent below his value for three years”, but insisted that wasn’t a complaint.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).
Poner also addressed the recent rumors in the North American media suggesting Draisaitl could be traded if he and the Oilers fail to agree to a contract extension.
“There are two important points. Firstly: What would a club be willing to give up for a short-term deal? Leon would then be a free agent again and the club would lose far too much. And secondly: What would Connor McDavid do a year later when his contract expires and Edmonton has already given up his best friend?”
Poner remains “very confident” that there will be an agreement with the Oilers that will please both sides.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl is still recuperating from a long, draining playoff run. Meanwhile, Oilers management has had its hands full with the recent draft and free agency. The contract extension talks will likely start later this summer.
Draisaitl’s contract status will become a focus of media attention once the dust settles in the free-agent market. The longer it drags on, the more nervous Oilers followers will become, giving rise to increasing media speculation over his future in Edmonton.
LATEST NOTABLE FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko, 32, is past his 30-plus goal prime but he tallied 23 goals last season split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. He’ll likely skate on their second line with Patrick Kane and J.T. Compher.
The Wings weren’t the only team interested in Tarasenko. TSN cited The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reporting the Pittsburgh Penguins made an offer but it was lower than other suitors.
The Red Wings freed up cap space for Tarasenko by trading winger Robby Fabbri to the Anaheim Ducks for goaltender Gage Alexander. Fabbri, 28, has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $4 million. The oft-injured forward had 18 goals and 32 points in 68 games last season.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers and center Anton Lundell agreed to a six-year, $30 million contract. Lundell, 22, was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. The average annual value is $5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundell earned his new deal as he’s increasingly become a valuable part of the Panthers’ core. Nicknamed “Baby Barkov”, he plays a two-way style similar to the Panthers captain. He did a fine job filling in for the sidelined Sam Bennett as their second-line center and could take over full-time this season with Bennett a year away from UFA eligibility.
SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with Jack Roslovic. Details have yet to be released.
DAILY FACEOFF: The list of notable UFAs keeps shrinking. Winger James van Riemsdyk, defensemen Ryan Suter and Tyson Barrie, and wingers Tyler Johnson and Max Pacioretty are still available.
NHL COACHING AND MANAGEMENT NEWS
THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken hired Jessica Campbell as a full-time assistant coach. She’s the first woman to fill that role in NHL history. Campbell has a long background as a player and a coach. Her previous job was as an assistant coach with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Campbell is the first but won’t be the last. The day that a woman becomes an NHL head coach isn’t that far away.
DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks named Ryane Clowe as an assistant general manager. He spent the past three seasons with the New York Rangers as a senior advisor and hockey operations advisor.
NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens hired Lauri Korpikoski as a player development coach and named former assistant coach Alex Burrows as a player development consultant.
Still some good mid 20’s low cost deals out there
Gustav Lidstrom , RD, 6’2” , 197, only 25; was a +12 on the Ducks (NOTE: Ducks had 91 LESS goals for than goals against) ; just came off a $0.95 M Cap hit
Michael McLeod, C, 6’2”, 190, just 26;
82 game pace: 18-17-35 plus 11; just finished 1 yr @ $1.4 M
Alex Nylander, RW/LW, 6’1”, 195, 26; 82 game pace 32-16-48; just finished 2-way contract at $775,000
Depth available that should be available at $850,000 of less:
Katchouk , 6’1”, 187, LW, 26 yrs; 82 Game pace: 9-8-17; just finished 1 year at League min
Foudy (very quick) LW/C, 24
Prob get at 2-way at league min:
Comtois, LW, 6’2”, 215
8787 No one will be offering Michael Mcleod a contract.
Was only going by Stats and that he was available
Didn’t know why he wouldn’t be offered a contract
Just googled him
Got it now
Yep, no team will offer on him right now
Certainly not saying he’s guilty; innocent until proven guilty and all; but you are right; no team takes that gamble right now (on him or the others)
If he and others are guilty; then no celebrity favours should be given in sentencing
But for now , innocent until proven guilty
Thanks for bringing that to my attention
Are the others UFAS?
Congratulations to Jessica Campbell
I don’t know anything about her; but being the first at anything is always a great accomplishment
“There’s no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e. by the end of August, or it doesn’t work out at all.” – not rush but there’s a rush haha.
Not entirely sure about Yzerman’s most recent decisions especially this money to Tarasenko and the goaltending choices but oh well…
A couple of thoughts about Yzermans actions to date:
The money to Tarasenko, 2x$4.75M, looks good in comparison to the contracts given to the UFA’s who might have filled the need for a top 6 forward – Stamkos, 4x$8M, Marchessault, 5x$5.5M, Stevenson, 7x$6.25M, Bertuzzi, 4x$5M, Monahan, 5x$5.5M, DeBrusk, 7x$5.5M, and Lindholm, 7x$7.75M.
I would rather have Tarasenko’s contract than any of these.
Yzerman still has work to do. He now has 6 LHD’s under contract, so I am sure he is working on moving either Chiarot or Maatta. And the four goalie thing has to be resolved, and I think Y is trying to figure out a creative way to move Husso. In addition, Detroit is in need of a #2 RHD, so I assume there is work going on there too.
Yzerman is known to be patient beyond belief – much more patient than this old Red Wings fan is.
Aren’t agents fun people? Imagine having to deal and make nice with guys like that for work! Every sentence was a threat. Does he expect a contract extension by the end of August or it “doesn’t work out at all”? As in, said in other comments (complaints, ie trade rumors, previous contract was under market value, McD bffs, etc), don’t waste our time with offers you know we won’t sign because we’ll walk? That’s gonna be extra fun since talking to the media is always a big plus to get balls rolling. To be a fly on that wall, eh?
Ron, ya I would like to be in the room for those chats as well.
Pretty sure the guy across the table from him understands opening positions, the tactic of trying to create urgency, etc. He was an agent after all and practiced law which would have included contract negotiations.
McDavid was his client, so pretty darn sure he has an understanding of where Connor is at these days. That firm also handled Matthews, Josi and others. Been there done that.
I think his public bluster makes him look nervous or unsure. AKA weak. No different than the little dog barking behind the fence, it’s doing it to keep you out because it’s nervous/afraid of you. Walk through that gate and it’s running to the door.
Pretty sure Jackson isn’t sweating it, want to stay? Yes or no? The answer will be yes, or what are we doing. OK, what’s the # and term. Go from there. The rest is BS.
My guess is they both know what’s reasonable, the math ain’t that hard if they revenue projections, which they will. If both are reasonable, he will be signed by the end of the year. If not, he won’t be, and then it gets hard. In the end it will be up to Draisaitl, not his agent.
Where else will besties – Draisaitl and McDavid – be able to play together?
The next step for the Oilers is hiring the GM imo. Then after that Leon is the priority along with figuring out the cap (if not already internally sorted, ltr for kane?). The end of August comment indicates a desire to get this done before camp opens imo…that is all. The comment about trade value may show too much of their hand, as it reads to me he wants an extension albeit under their terms. Otherwise why push the trade value of a rental in the narrative? It just sounds to me like Leon and his agent have a number and term that they like. Maybe he goes shorter term this time, 3, 4 or 5 years as opposed to 8 that the oilers would like to secure?
Idk but until september comes around as a fan, i am only curious about what the extension looks like, not concerned about whether it gets done or not.
RE; Oilers
Jeff jackson from the Oilers said once we get a GM in place, Then we will deal with Leon and his New contract.
i think JJ has alrealy talked with Leon & Conner to see what they are thinking money wise for Both
Conner gets Mairied latter this month, so nothing will happed between now and mid to late August untill they are both back home in Edmonton
Next up for Jackson is clearing out $4.5 in cap space
so it sounds like Kane will be moved…..❓ as with New signings of LW Skinner & RW Arvidsson for the 2nd line to play with Leon
I dont think they want $5.M Evander Kane playing on the 3rd line, they may also want to move 3rd line center Ryan McLoed as they have Henrique as the 3rd line now for 2 years🤔
Bruins….somehow they need to add a goal scorer for that 2nd line along with
signing Sway and with 8.5 million in cap space to get both done good luck with that…
Physically the Bruins will be much tougher to play against wit additions of Zadorov..Kastelic ..Max Jones and with hold overs Freddy & Brazeau
Re Boston,
at some point the Bruins need to try to move out
Joonas Korpisalo @$3.M X3 yrs with maybe with a 2nd round pick…. ❓
this may not happen till Nov or Dec time.
Unless young Centre Matthew Poitras moves in to 2nd line centre with 2 good wingers, he had 15 points in 30 game last year….
He could well be ready, if boston did make the move they would have $2.25 mil extra in the cap
Swayman could also do a bridge deal 2X5.5M that could also get boston up to $5.-$6.M….❓
l
Oilers will soon have $50M locked up on 4 players alone. Too bad they’re not a basketball team…
Just like the TML!