Updating some pending UFA goaltenders and a defenseman
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: The Nashville Predators and Pekka Rinne‘s agent Jay Grossman have had some contract discussions over the past week and they are expected to continue. Predators GM David Poile would only say that he hopes Rinne will retire as a Predator.
There are many pending UFA goaltenders at the moment with the top group of Rinne, Sergei Bobrovsky, Semyon Varlamov, Mike Smith and Cam Talbot and a secondary group of Jimmy Howard, Brian Elliott, Michael Neuvirth, Anders Nilsson, Robin Lehner, Petr Mrazek and Keith Kinkaid.
Sergei Bobrovsky will get the biggest deal of the group and it looks like he won’t be back with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Colorado Avalanche and Semyon Varlamov haven’t held any contract talks.
The Edmonton Oilers – like the Avs and Varlamov – are talking a wait-and-see approach with Cam Talbot. There haven’t really been any discussions.
There have only been general talks between the Calgary Flames and Mike Smith, with both sides okay with seeing how the season rolls out. Smith’s agent Kurt Overhardt met Smith last week to discuss their plan. Overhardt said they were open to re-signing with the Flames, but okay with going to free agency if it came to that.
Defenseman Tyler Myers‘ agent J.P. Barry met with Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff last week but they didn’t talk numbers. guesses it was more about where Myers’ fits into their plan as they also have Dustin Byfuglien and Jacob Trouba playing the right side as well. doesn’t believe the Jets would trade Myers before the trade deadline if he’s not re-signed by then.
Matthews injury could help next seasons cap
James Mirtle of The Athletic: With Auston Matthews to miss a month because of a shoulder injury, it could help their salary cap situation for next season.
Matthews can get up to $2 million in bonuses for finishing in the top 10 of a variety of categories or winning an NHL award. The Maple Leafs could face up to $5.4 million in bonuses this year, with some potentially rolling over as bonus overages for next season. Matthews injury may save them from bonuses overages.
Matthews next contract is still going to be big, but if he had won a major award this season, he may have had a little more bargaining power.
If William Nylander and the Maple Leafs were to give a little and sign a bridge deal – which seems like the most likely situation – he could play some big minutes at center while Matthews is out.