On the Monday edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas discussed the upcoming CBA changes happening on September 16th. As NHLRumors.com noted, September 15th is the last day for players to sign eight-year extensions with their current clubs before it switches to a seven-year max deal. It will be a six-year max if the player is an unrestricted free agent.
NHL Rumors: The Latest on Cutter Gauthier and Adam Fantilli
So it is a critical day and a half, and maybe even a day, for players like Cutter Gauthier, Adam Fantilli, and Drake Batherson. These contracts need to get done as soon as possible for the Central Registry to accept them under the old CBA. As Friedman noted, Fraser Minten has his first contract rejected before signing his seven-year extension at $7.2 million.
Other players are eligible for extensions as well, but Gauthier, Fantilli, and Batherson are the big three.
In this piece, we will tackle the two restricted free agents. Let’s begin.
Cutter Gauthier
“I have heard in the last couple days that there is progress on Gauthier. I think that’s going to be a huge deal, the biggest of the three,” Friedman said. “And just some word I was hearing out of some of the camps and around the league was that there had been some progress made there. That Anaheim’s had enough trouble this offseason, and even though Gauthier is not eligible for an offer sheet, it sounds like they are motivated to get that one done, and I think that’ll be a big big deal.”
NHL Rumors: Columbus Blue Jackets, Cutter Gauthier and Drake Batherson
Remember last week, the Anaheim Ducks cleared Chris Kreider‘s cap hit and terminated his contract, opening up the money necessary for Cutter Gauthier. Plus, there is a deadline now to get him to camp.
“I don’t think, I don’t think Gauthier will be signing for eight years. I think that’s going to be five years. I guess big number,” Friedman added. “Not (Leo) Carlsson. I don’t think it’s going to be there. I think it’s going to be lower than that, but not much. And I think also the variance is probably the big one there, like the max is going to be 60%, right? So that is probably the bigger issue with Gauthier than the term.”
Again, NHLRumors.com has reported that Cutter Gauthier is looking for somewhere between $15 million and $16 million a season. He could get more than that, but one of Chris Kreider, Frank Vatrano, or Alex Killorn had to be moved. They needed the money to work, and once that was done, they could get Gauthier taken care of and in camp.
Adam Fantilli
Aaron Portzline said there was not a lot of progress over the weekend between RFA forward Adam Fantilli and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mark Scheig also confirmed a deal would not be completed over the weekend. The goal is to get him signed before training camp.
Cutter Gauthier and Adam Fantilli are Waiting to be Paid
As Friedman confirmed on 32 Thoughts on Monday, Adam Fantilli is still a challenge.
“I think it’s not only the number potentially in these cases; it’s also structure. Columbus has got another interesting one because (Kirill) Marchenko, if another team wants to acquire him and extend him under the current rules. That has to happen before Wednesday, and nobody’s really sure if Columbus wants to do that. I think Columbus wants to get out hot, and they’re obviously a better team with Marchenko than without him.
But I’ve just heard like the word around the league on Sunday, and again, this can always change with one phone call, there wasn’t much progress with Fantilli.”
Reports suggest Fantilli will look to sign a five-year extension similar to Leo Carlsson, Connor Bedard, and Macklin Celebrini.
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