The Montreal Canadiens inked newly acquired forward Josh Anderson to a seven-year contract carrying an average annual value of $5.5 million, the club announced Thursday.
Anderson's pact includes a no-trade clause and breaks down as follows, according to TSN's Darren Dreger:
Year
Salary
1
$4M
2
$4M
3
$7M
4
$8M
5
$7M
6
$5M
7
$3.5M
The Canadiens will pay Anderson entirely in salary as no signing bonuses are included, reports Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Montreal landed him in the trade that sent Max Domi and a third-round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
Anderson was a pending restricted free agent coming off a three-year deal worth $1.85 million per season. The 26-year-old posted only one goal and three assists over 26 games in 2019-20 after missing much of the campaign due to injury.
He collected 27 goals and 47 points while playing all 82 contests for Columbus in 2018-19, and he buried 19 goals across only 63 games one season prior. Anderson notched 17 goals in 78 contests while averaging only 12 minutes of ice time during his first full NHL campaign in 2016-17.
The Blue Jackets selected the 6-foot-3, 222-pound winger 95th overall in 2012.
Keeping all three RFAs will be no easy task. Though teams can exceed the cap by 10% in the offseason, general manager Julien BriseBois must shed significant salary before he can hand out contracts to his three important youngsters. If he doesn't lock them into new deals before free agency opens Friday at noon ET, they'll be free to sign offer sheets from cap-rich teams, putting BriseBois in a pickle.
Offer sheets are extremely rare - mainly because it typically takes an absurd proposal to keep an RFA's team from matching. But that's not the case this offseason. Another club could potentially sign Cirelli, Sergachev, or Cernak to a reasonable offer sheet that still leaves BriseBois unable to match.
What will the RFAs cost?
Elsa / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Before we dive into the deals the Lightning's RFAs could command, it's important to keep offer-sheet compensation in mind:
Here is the updated offer sheet compensation tiers for the 2020 off-season (it is still possible that these values can slightly change).
Let's start with Cirelli. Centers are extremely difficult to come by in the NHL. There's none of significance hitting unrestricted free agency this offseason and few available via trade. Cirelli is no ordinary pivot, either. He's one of the best defensive centers in the game - he finished fourth in Selke Trophy voting this past season - and is only 23 years old.
With favorable weather, minimal media attention, and no state income tax, Tampa is arguably the most desirable location for NHL players. But even on a bridge deal, Cirelli would likely cost the Bolts at least $4.5 million per season. He shouldn't approach the $6.75-million average annual value teammate Brayden Point secured last offseason, but he's certainly worth far more than Jakub Vrana's $3.35-million annual cap hit - even after accounting for Tampa's tax advantage.
With an offer sheet, however, it wouldn't be shocking if a center-needy team offered a seven-year pact with an AAV of around $8.5 million. Such an offer would cost the submitting club a first-, a second-, and a third-round pick. That may seem pricey now, but as a potential perennial Selke Trophy candidate, Cirelli could easily end up being worth the commitment.
Chase Agnello-Dean / National Hockey League / Getty
Sergachev has had the luxury of playing behind Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh to begin his career, but the former ninth overall pick has flashed potential as a No. 1 blue-liner despite facing softer matchups. A bridge deal would likely cost the Lightning at least $3.5 million per season, appropriately slotting Sergachev somewhere between Charlie McAvoy's $4.9-million cap hit and Brandon Carlo's $2.85-million AAV (both players signed their current deals in 2019).
Considering Sergachev's upside, a seven-year contract in the range of $8 million a season is realistic as far as offer sheets go. Like the hypothetical Cirelli offer sheet, that deal would cost the poaching team a first-, a second-, and a third-round pick - and would be next to impossible for the Bolts to match in their current state.
Cernak is clearly not on the same level as Cirelli or Sergachev, but physical right-handed defensemen like him are highly coveted around the league. He would likely only cost around $2 million per season - slightly less than Carlo - for the Lightning to retain on a bridge deal. But another team could value him at a $4.36-million AAV on a five-year offer sheet, which would only cost the suitor a second-round pick. If the Lightning prioritize new deals for Cirelli and Sergachev before turning to Cernak, such a contract could become too rich for Tampa Bay.
Who will be traded to make cap room?
Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / Getty
Even if the Lightning manage to re-sign Cirelli, Sergachev, and Cernak to our conservative bridge-deal estimates, they'll be roughly $6.5 million over the cap - while carrying just 18 skaters and two goalies. That means Tampa Bay must move out at least two rather large contracts.
Fortunately for the team, Johnson has reportedly provided a list of several clubs he'd be willing to join in a trade. Lightning fans can basically say their farewells at this point.
Alex Killorn also seems likely to be dealt. He's the only non-core player with a high AAV ($4.45 million) who doesn't have a full no-trade clause. He can submit a 16-team no-trade list, though.
Moving those two players would give Tampa Bay just over $1 million in cap space. And again, that's with conservative RFA contracts and only 18 skaters. To create a bit more wiggle room, the team could trade Cedric Paquette. Even with a modest $1.65-million AAV, he's a luxury the Lightning may not be able to afford for their fourth line. Perhaps BriseBois could ship out veterans Braydon Coburn ($1.7 million) and Curtis McElhinney ($1.3 million) in the final year of their deals, though there may not be many takers.
In addition to potentially losing Johnson, Killorn, Paquette, Coburn, and McElhinney, it will also be extremely difficult for the Bolts to re-sign key pending UFAs Kevin Shattenkirk and Zach Bogosian. Tampa will likely have to fill out the roster using organizational depth or bargain free agents.
Bottom line: If the Lightning can't shed some serious salary before free agency begins, there's a real opportunity for teams to poach Cirelli, Sergachev, and Cernak from the reigning champs. No pressure, BriseBois.
One month after Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney gave Tuukka Rask a vote of confidence, the goaltender says he doesn't expect to be traded and wouldn't want to play elsewhere.
“I think Sweeney came out and said that’s not going to happen,” Rask told the Boston Herald's Steve Conroy. “I don’t want to play for anybody else but the Bruins.”
Sweeney said in September that he had "zero reservations about where Tuukka will be both on and off the ice for us," whenever the 2020-21 season begins.
Rask doesn't believe trading him is necessary.
“I don’t see any reason for that,” he said. “I’ve been here for a long time and the organization’s been so great for me. We’ve built our home in Boston and we call this home."
"... I think where my head’s at is focusing on next year and then hopefully a couple of more years after that and then pass the torch for the next guy after that. I want to help the organization as much as I can,” the veteran continued.
The 33-year-old has played his entire 13-year career with Boston, establishing himself as one of the league's premier goalies in the process. Rask is entering the final campaign of the eight-year extension he inked in 2013, which carries a $7-million cap hit.
Bruins backup Jaroslav Halak is also signed through 2020-21 at a cap hit of $2.25 million. Both goalies would be unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their deals.
Rask opted out of the NHL's return to play in August, citing the need to be with his family. Bruins president Cam Neely later revealed the netminder left the bubble to deal with a family emergency.
The Ottawa, Ontario native has now been dealt three times in the last year and a half. In February 2019 the Vancouver Canucks traded Gudbranson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tanner Pearson, and the Pens shipped the 28-year-old to Anaheim for Andreas Martinsen and a seventh-round pick in October 2019.
The 6-foot-5 blue-liner tallied nine points in 51 games this past season with 89 hits and 95 penalty minutes.
"Erik Gudbranson provides another sizable presence to our defense corps," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "He's a reliable veteran who plays an intimidating style of game and someone who will add a combination of grit, energy, and most importantly, leadership to our lineup."
Gudbranson carries a $4-million cap hit next season before he becomes a free agent in 2021. The deal creates precious cap room for the Ducks and will help the Senators reach the cap floor.
The Florida Panthers drafted Gubranson third overall in 2010.
Veteran forward Justin Williams announced Thursday his retirement after 19 NHL seasons.
"Since I first broke into the league a day after my 19th birthday back in 2000, this game has brought me so much that I will never be able to repay it," Williams said in a statement, thanking several people who helped him throughout his career.
"The countless experiences, relationships, lessons, and hardships will remain with me forever as I move on to the next stage in my life."
The 6-foot-1 winger spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes - his second stint with the franchise - and previously suited up for the Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Williams captured his first of three Stanley Cups with the Hurricanes in 2006. He also won two championships with the Kings (2012, 2014), earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP following L.A.'s 2014 run.
The 39-year-old Ontario native recorded 320 goals and 797 points across 1,264 career contests. Known for his clutch play under the spotlight, Williams amassed 41 tallies - including eight game-winners - and 102 points over 162 playoff games. He notched seven goals in Game 7s to share the NHL record with Hall of Fame forward Glenn Anderson.
The 26-year-old rearguard is signed for two more seasons with an annual cap hit of $2.7 million, per CapFriendly. He'll help fill a hole on the left side of Florida's blue line following Mike Matheson's departure, who the team traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sept. 24.
Nutivaara tallied nine points in 37 contests last season and has played 244 career NHL games.
The Buffalo Sabres originally picked Pu in the third round in 2016. He notched a pair of assists in 10 AHL games last season.
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin suffered a torn labrum in his hip during the playoffs, the team announced Thursday. He's currently exploring options for surgery, which could carry a recovery time of four months.
If the 2020-21 NHL campaign begins on its target date of Jan. 1, Seguin would likely miss the first month of the season.
The injury explains why Seguin was held in check for most of the postseason. He tallied just two goals and 11 assists in 26 games during Dallas' run to the Stanley Cup Final.
General manager Jim Nill revealed a long list of injuries the rest of his team battled throughout the playoffs, though Seguin's ailment is likely the only one that will carry over into next season:
It's "July 1" but on Oct. 9. The NHL is set to open free agency at noon ET on Friday, more than three months later than usual. With the salary cap remaining at $81.5 million for (at least) the 2020-21 season, and with the 2021 Seattle Kraken expansion looming, there shouldn't be any shortage of action on the trade and signing fronts. Here are five teams set up to make cannonball-sized splashes in the coming days.
Vegas Golden Knights
Andy Devlin / Getty Images
The Golden Knights have been the opposite of subtle since joining the league in 2017. They've acquired Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Robin Lehner via trade, signed Paul Stastny in free agency, and been linked to seemingly every big name said to be available.
The lead-up to this free-agency period has been no different, with Vegas considered a front-runner to land 30-year-old defenseman Alex Pietrangelo if the Blues captain doesn't re-sign in St. Louis. Pietrangelo, an elite right shot who can eat minutes while playing in all situations, would be a tremendous complement to lefty Shea Theodore, who broke out during the 2020 playoffs.
Before general manager Kelly McCrimmon can get serious about pursuing Pietrangelo - or other UFA defensemen such as Torey Krug, T.J. Brodie, Kevin Shattenkirk if Plan A falls through - he'll need to shed salary. With 12 forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies signed on for next year, Vegas is currently over the cap limit at $84.3 million, according to CapFriendly.
One well-publicized way to create room would be to ship out goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and his $7-million cap hit through the 2021-22 campaign. The Golden Knights recently extended Lehner for five years at $5 million per season, so Fleury's days in Vegas appear to be numbered. He's ranked fifth on TSN's Trade Bait Board, while teammates Stastny (14th), Nate Schmidt (38th), Jonathan Marchessault (39th), and Alec Martinez (40th) also make the list. Not all of them will be traded, of course, but something has to give.
It's going to be complicated for McCrimmon. However, the Golden Knights have consistently proved they can land the big fish. There's no doubting the 2018 Stanley Cup finalists will pursue any and all opportunities to get better in the present as they attempt to capitalize on a slowly closing win-now window.
Winnipeg Jets
NHL Images / Getty Images
The Jets are back to the drawing board heading into free agency after going through hell last year with the departures of defensemen Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Chariot, and Tyler Myers. The club's top priorities are pretty obvious: a top-four defenseman and probably a top-six center with No. 2 center Bryan Little's playing future up in the air due to lingering symptoms from a head injury.
Winnipeg has roughly $11 million in cap space, though currently only eight forwards, five defensemen, and two goalies are under contract for 2020-21. Does GM Kevin Cheveldayoff hold off on signing any more of his own guys (defenseman Dylan DeMelo inked a four-year extension Wednesday) so he can pursue out-of-market free agents? That's one way to attack the situation. But, the problem with that plan is twofold: 1) Winnipeg isn't perceived as a prime destination for UFAs, and 2) there aren't too many interesting centers available.
Through that lens, the idea of trading super sniper Patrik Laine - a rumor that's been circulating for weeks and has often included the Philadelphia Flyers as the partner - seems less crazy and could perhaps be the easiest way for the Jets to acquire a quality defenseman and/or forward. Of course, Cheveldayoff must be careful. If Laine reaches his ceiling as a regular 50-goal threat, you can bet everybody in the hockey world will be quick to let Cheveldayoff know who gave up on the Finnish sniper before he turned 23.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
If you squint hard enough you can pinpoint what Columbus is up to this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, GM Jarmo Kekalainen acquired playmaking center Max Domi and a third-round pick from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for power winger Josh Anderson. Hours later, he shocked draft pundits by selecting KHL sniper Yegor Chinakhov at No. 21. Both moves signaled that the defensively driven Blue Jackets are in the market for some offense. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, he inked Domi to a two-year contract.
Expect much of the same moving forward. The Jackets have around $1.7 million in cap space, and RFA Pierre-Luc Dubois is in need of a big raise. That being said, buying out forward Alexander Wennberg - which seems likely at this point - could toss some money back into the fold and produce a scenario in which Columbus can chase a UFA forward. Mike Hoffman's lethal shot, Andreas Athanasiou's speed, or Anthony Duclair's mixture of both would be welcomed. You have to wonder, too, if Alex Killorn or Tyler Johnson, two skilled, middle-six forwards on the trade block in Tampa, might be of interest to the Jackets.
Where Kekalainen could really impact the offseason landscape is in the crowded goalie market. Reports suggest neither Elvis Merzlikins nor Joonas Korpisalo is untouchable, and one of them will probably leave Columbus this offseason. Both have two years left on their current deals, with Merzlikins making a fair $4 million per season and Korpisalo earning a measly $2.8 million. Teams looking to steer clear of the UFA goalie market, which will be inflated and hectic, could instead pivot to making a deal with the Jackets.
It'll be fascinating to see what this squad looks like when the dust settles. Dubois, Seth Jones, and Zach Werenski are Columbus' ride-or-dies over the long term. The rest of the roster appears to be in transition, and adding offensive punch is clearly the MO after 2019-20 underlined that deficiency.
Colorado Avalanche
NHL Images / Getty Images
The Avalanche are in an enviable position this offseason. Not only are they Stanley Cup contenders and arguably ahead of schedule on their trajectory, but they're also in reasonable shape financially - for the next year, anyhow.
GM Joe Sakic has approximately $22.4 million in cap space, and there are no marquee names that need to be re-signed for next season. However, top defenseman Cale Makar, captain Gabriel Landeskog, and starting goalie Philipp Grubauer are all due hefty extensions next offseason. For that reason, Sakic must project a bit, although there's no reason why the Avs can't pursue some of the biggest names on the market, including Taylor Hall.
Hall, a 28-year-old play-driving left-winger, would be a tremendous fit stylistically, with his excellent skating and transition play blending perfectly with how Colorado loves to push the pace. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner is said to be taking the wooing process slowly by fielding pitches from a variety of clubs Friday before sitting down to decide where he'd like to go. Aside from the style fit and available money, the Avs boast a wealth of talent on the roster.
Sakic added around the edges of Colorado's offense last summer, bringing in Nazem Kadri, Joonas Donskoi, Andre Burakovsky, and others. It made a huge difference. This year, he has an opportunity to pounce on an uncertain free-agent market reeling from the revenue impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. With all of that cap room, perhaps Colorado could even table an offer sheet for an RFA too.
Nashville Predators
John Russell / Getty Images
There isn't a team giving off a "moves incoming!" vibe quite like the Predators.
On Wednesday, the last four years of Kyle Turris' contract were bought out and Nick Bonino was traded alongside two draft selections to the Minnesota Wild for Luke Kunin and one pick. Those two transactions cleared $8.1 million from the books and gives GM David Poile $17.7 million in cap space to sling around as he continues to revamp the forward group. Pending UFAs Mikael Granlund and Craig Smith won't be coming back either.
According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, Nashville is one of several teams vying for Hall's attention and have a meeting set up for Friday. If that push fails, perhaps Poile will take a healthy run at mid-tier forwards like Evgenii Dadonov, Tyler Toffoli, Hoffman, Duclair, and Athanasiou.
TSN's Trade Bait Board has Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen ranked 27th and 28th, suggesting an even deeper reorganization up front could be in the offing. Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba has been the subject of trade rumors for months and could be another potential acquisition for a team desperately trying to make a statement.
The Predators have made it out of the first round just once since they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017. It's time for massive changes, and Poile, a man not afraid to rattle the cage on occasion, seems dead set on charting a new course.
