If Erik Karlsson wants to ink a max deal with his new team, he'll have to wait a while.
The superstar defenseman cannot sign an eight-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks until after the 2018-19 trade deadline on Feb 25, according to a CBA rule unearthed by The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
LeBrun cited page 285 of the NHL-NHLPA agreement, and specifically Rule 50.8, subsection (b) (iv), which states:
An SPC with a term of greater than seven (7) years, provided, however, that a club may sign a player to an SPC with a term of up to eight (8) years if that player was on such club's reserve list as of and since the most recent trade deadline. With respect to potential unrestricted free agents only, the ability to re-sign a player to an SPC of eight (8) years expires when the player becomes an unrestricted free agent. With respect to a player who becomes a Group 2 restricted free agent, a club may sign such player to an SPC with a term of up to eight (8) years provided such player was on such club's reserve list and/or restricted free agent list as of and since the most recent trade deadline.
In other words, if Karlsson - a pending unrestricted free agent - wants to sign a pact for seven years or fewer with San Jose, he can do so at any time, but if he wants the maximum eight years, he has to wait until the clock strikes 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 25.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly sent a memo on the subject to all 31 teams in July as a reminder, sources told LeBrun, who added that the Sharks were very much aware of the rule as they negotiated the recent trade that landed Karlsson from the Ottawa Senators.
After acquiring the all-world blue-liner last week, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said, "It's a long-term approach, and we think Erik fits for now and for a long time."
Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors.
Murray faced some adversity last season in his debut test as the Pittsburgh Penguins' true starter, but the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the league's premier netminders on the strength of a .923 career postseason save percentage and two Stanley Cup rings. -- O'Leary
99. Aaron Ekblad, Panthers
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
NR
NR
98
84
In just four NHL seasons, Ekblad has already emerged as one of the most well-rounded defenders in the game. His 16 goals last season tied for the second most among all defensemen league-wide, and he also logged the most minutes on the penalty kill of any Panthers blue-liner. -- Hagerman
98. Devan Dubnyk, Wild
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
93
NR
NR
88
Since 2014-15, Dubnyk has cemented himself as one of the NHL's best goaltenders, posting a .922 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average in that span. Last season wasn't necessarily his best campaign, but any team would take a .918 save percentage from its netminder in an "off year." -- Wegman
97. Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
NR
96
94
87
Huberdeau is one of the league's most overlooked playmakers, as he uses his exceptional hand-eye coordination to generate scoring chances and convert them consistently. He poured in a career-high 27 goals and 42 assists last season while playing in all 82 games for the first time, and the six-year veteran is still only 25, so don't be surprised if he keeps improving. -- Gold-Smith
96. Viktor Arvidsson, Predators
Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
99
84
92
NR
Arvidsson has scored 60 goals with 62 assists over the last two years. A fourth-round pick in 2014, the 5-foot-9 speedster plays with the high motor you'd expect from a late-round pick. The winger is also one of the league's best penalty killers, having scored more shorthanded goals (eight) than any other player over the past two seasons. -- Wegman
95. Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
96
83
97
100
Rielly's game elevated to new heights in 2017-18, as he racked up a career-high 52 points, including 25 on the power play. And at five-on-five, he fared relatively well against opponents' top lines, driving possession at a 50.84 percent rate despite starting the bulk of his shifts in the defensive zone, per Corsica. -- Wegman
94. Brayden Schenn, Blues
Claus Andersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
94
NR
93
85
A proven scorer and a versatile two-way center, Schenn drove possession (54.63) and posted 70 points while logging more average ice time than Evgeni Malkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov in his first season with the St. Louis Blues. He should continue to grow in 2018-19, especially considering the Blues' new additions. -- Gold-Smith
93. Alexander Radulov, Stars
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
NR
97
95
66
After joining the Stars last offseason, Radulov helped form one of the top trios in the NHL alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. He has all the tools to be a lethal point producer and averaged the second-most points per 60 minutes on the club at five-on-five, behind only Benn. -- Hagerman
92. Charlie McAvoy, Bruins
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
88
88
88
90
In just one NHL season, McAvoy proved he has all the tools to eventually challenge for a Norris Trophy. He has a smooth stride, is a strong defender, and above all else, he's an elite offensive player. The 20-year-old finished fifth in Calder Trophy voting last season despite missing 19 games due to injury. -- Hagerman
91. Shea Weber, Canadiens
Wegman
O'Leary
Gold-Smith
Hagerman
65
98
86
98
Weber could be on the shelf until mid-December, but he's an anchor on the blue line when healthy. With an accurate, blistering point shot and undeniable power-play quarterbacking abilities, the veteran is still an impact player, even at his age. -- Gold-Smith
Domi - who was making his Canadiens preseason debut - was assessed a two-minute minor for roughing and a match penalty after punching an unsuspecting Ekblad early in the third period of Wednesday's preseason contest.
Panthers veteran netminder Roberto Luongo took no time sharing his feelings on the play.
"It was a bit of a gutless play. You don't do those types of things," Luongo told reporters postgame, per Sportsnet. "I'm sure the league will look at it, and we definitely won't forget about it.
"You don't do that. You respect your opponents, and if your opponent doesn't want to engage in a fight, that's no reason to drop your glove and punch him square in the face for no reason."
The Canadiens and Panthers will play four times this season, but the first meeting isn't until Dec. 28 in Florida.
Following the game, Panthers head coach Bob Boughner told reporters that Ekblad was removed from the game by the league to determine if he'd suffered a concussion. The 22-year-old managed to avoid sustaining a concussion, or a broken nose, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.
The news comes as a huge relief for the Panthers and their fans as Ekblad has a history of concussions.
As for Domi, he was assessed a match penalty on the play, while the NHL's Department of Player Safety is reportedly reviewing the infraction, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost several veteran forwards to free agency this offseason, and while John Tavares was brought in, the team will rely on younger players to fill out depth roles this year.
Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson will both be relied upon as lineup regulars for the 2018-19 campaign, but after Wednesday night's preseason game against the Ottawa Senators, head coach Mike Babcock wasn't very impressed with what he saw out of the two youngsters.
"They've got to be real important players for us, so I expect a lot out of those guys," Babcock said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "They've got more to give, for sure."
Kapanen and Johnsson were held without a point Wednesday and combined for just two shots. Both forwards played pivotal roles for the Maple Leafs down the stretch last season.
After registering 24 points in 28 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last year, the 22-year-old Kapanen suited up in 38 games with the big club, tallying seven goals and two assists.
Johnsson, 23, also tore up the AHL, racking up 54 points in as many games before his call-up, during which he recorded three points in nine games and added two more in six postseason contests.
Daily Faceoff projects the two wingers will flank Nazem Kadri on Toronto's third line, but it's possible more ice time will be in the forecast if William Nylander's contract holdout continues into the season.
The forward was given a two-minute minor for roughing and a match penalty after punching Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad less than a minute into the third period of Wednesday's preseason tilt.
The infraction will be looked at by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. As for Ekblad, he did not return to the game, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
The NHL isn't worried that any behind-the-scenes business factored into Henrik Zetterberg ending his playing career and landing on the Detroit Red Wings' long-term injured reserve for the remaining three seasons of his contract.
The club announced Sept. 14 that the 37-year-old's days on the ice were finished due to his back condition. Zetterberg signed a 12-year, $73-million contract in 2009, which carries a cap hit of just over $6 million until 2021. However, Zetterberg's salary declines to $3.35 million for the 2018-19 season, and then falls to $1 million in real dollars for the final two seasons of his pact.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league investigated the contract when it was initially signed.
"We wanted to understand the motivations, what was discussed, everything about that," Daly told Craig Custance of The Athletic. "We were ultimately very satisfied that there was no precooked deal that after 'Year X' he was going to leave, go into retirement, and the club is going to benefit because of that."
Zetterberg hadn't missed a game in three consecutive seasons, but Daly is also convinced of the severity of the player's back problems. However, he acknowledged the league will likely investigate to make sure the medical issue is legitimate.
"We don't question it by any means," Daly said. "We know he's been suffering and it's been a significant issue for a number of years going back to the Olympics. He couldn't even participate in the Olympics. You know it had to be a serious injury. I have no doubt to the bona fides of the situation. But will we (investigate) to make sure we check the boxes? Probably."
Prior to puck drop last season, the league handled a similar scenario with Marian Hossa, whom the Chicago Blackhawks placed on LTIR due to a skin condition with four years remaining on his contract. After an investigation, the transaction was ultimately approved.
