Free agent questions to ponder
Tom Gulitti of NHL.com answers some important questions as free agency approaches. While John Tavares weighs his options, and Erik Karlsson waits for Ottawa, there is still news.
Where does James van Riemsdyk sign? Will Max Pacioretty get traded? What about Carter Hutton? These are just to name a few.
Montreal plays a larger role than most realize. They are desperate for a center in any way. If that means trading Pacioretty, so be it. Deals have been close, but one has not occurred. Ryan O’Reilly remains in the mix along with Paul Stastny if he doesn’t sign with Winnipeg.
Even Carter Hutton generates interest now because of how little depth is left in goaltending free agency.
Speaking of Paul Stastny…
Scott Billeck of NBCSports.com: Alas, Paul Stastny causes a little problem, literally. Kevin Cheveldayoff’s signing list is extensive. Sixteen restricted agents are on the docket and nine are with Winnipeg. These include Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey, and Jacob Trouba for starters.
Money paid out is a must, and even with $25 million in cap space, there is little room for error. Watch for Bryan Little in all of this. Maybe, he can be moved.
What can the general manager do? Steve Mason, Tyler Myers, and Mathieu Perreault viewed as expendable may help. Finding takers for Myers and Mason may be more difficult. Myers developed into a nice partner for Dustin Byfuglien, however. Mason wrecked his season with a poor start which hurts trade value. Short term deal or parting ways is the dilemma.
When the trade levee breaks…
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet thinks the trade floodgates may open soon enough. So, what happened last weekend? This.
“It was interesting. It seemed like afternoon there was going to be a lot of stuff happening all at once,” Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said Saturday. “…it’s just waiting for everything to unleash in the next couple days. Depending on who’s available and who’s not on July 1, I think you’re going to see trades come very fast and be more of a frenzy.
“But we’ll see. I think everyone’s just kind of sitting and waiting and being patient.”
Furthermore, a few reasons exist to expect more trades. Carolina deemed a shakeup is needed, and players like Jeff Skinner or Justin Faulk could still go.
The Karlsson and Tavares dominoes will determine things too. Once Tavares signs somewhere, expect corollary moves.
Ryan O’Reilly traded in the next week would surprise few also.
Consider that at least six teams have $15+ million cap space. Teams spending near the cap will happen. It just takes time.