In today's roundup of NHL rumors, 14 players were selected for arbitration, including big names like Ryan Lindgren and Martin Necas, while star goaltender Jeremy Swayman was not selected. Also, the Colorado Avalanche do not appear to be interested in trading Valery Nichushkin. Finally, the Edmonton Oilers cleared up some cap space by trading Ryan McLeod to the Buffalo Sabres for star prospect Matthew Savoy.
Swayman avoids new arbitration
Arbitration can be tough on players because teams want the best terms possible. Management often comes prepared with ways to criticize players in ways they normally wouldn't. Arbitration can be confusing.
After the arbitration process is over in 2023, Swayman said: “I think it’s going to be a tough one.
I think the biggest thing is understanding that in everyday life, the things you hear may not always be true, and again, this is a business, so no matter what happens, I wanted to be in a good frame of mind to deal with it and ultimately do everything I could to be a part of the Boston Bruins.
Jeremy Swayman received a one-year, $3.475 million contract via arbitration.
He later said he's glad the matter is over, that he's very happy to be a part of the Boston Bruins, that he holds no grudges and that it's just the cost of doing business sometimes. Swayman has elected not to file for arbitration as he has reverted to restricted free agent status. Team-selected arbitration is scheduled for July 6 at 5 p.m., and while there is still a chance he could return for arbitration, the Bruins are expected to want to work out a long-term contract.
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Players who have filed for arbitration, notably Lindegren, Nechas, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and J.J. Moser, are not eligible for offer sheets and can sign contracts with their respective teams until they enter arbitration negotiations.
Avalanche not considering trading Nichushkin
In a recent episode The Chris Johnston Show, Johnston spoke about the latest news regarding Nichushkin and believes the Avalanche have no plans to move on from the winger.
Nichushkin will enter Phase 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and will be unavailable for six months from that date, which means until November. Johnston said the team has contacted Avalanche general manager Chris McFarland about Nichushkin's availability and that McFarland has told the team he won't be traded while in the Player Assistance Program.
Johnston added that the Avalanche will work with the player and the person in his rehabilitation.
Nichushkin is off to a very good start in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring nine goals in eight games. He is a valuable winger for the team and despite his off-ice troubles, the club will stand by their player and do their best to help him take the next step.
Oilers clear cap space for big contract
Following a surprising trade between the Oilers and Sabres that saw the Sabres send star prospect Savoy to the Oilers, it's clear CEO of Hockey Operations and interim general manager Jeff Jackson is looking to free up some cap space by trading away a disposable player.
The Oilers valued what McLeod brought to the team, but with a $2.1 million cap hit, they have too much center depth to pay that much for a fourth-line center. Now the Oilers need to resolve contract issues with Leon Draisaitel, and they'll need every penny to do that. Evan Bouchard has also been in the conversation, but he's an RFA when his current contract expires, so he can be put on the back burner for now.
In addition to moving McLeod, the Oilers are also reportedly considering releasing Evander Kane from his contract, but that would be difficult due to his full no-leave clause. The Oilers have done a great job of signing low-cost, high-impact players like Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson to contracts for this season, which has allowed them to remove some of their reinforcements.
Hurricanes interested in Ehlers
Stephen Rosner confirmed that the Carolina Hurricanes are in the running to acquire Nikolaj Ehlers from the Winnipeg Jets, despite being a trade target for the talented winger whose contract situation is uncertain.
As mentioned above, the Hurricanes have Necas, who has filed for arbitration. Even if the arbitrator agrees to a contract, Necas' goal is to get the opportunity to play a larger role in the forward group and get a chance at center. There are many question marks surrounding Necas' future in Carolina, but they are still targeting Ehlers nonetheless.
Ehlers, who has so far stated he has no interest in re-signing with the Jets, has one more season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Hurricanes were unable to re-sign Jake Guenzel, leaving them in need of a high-end winger on the left wing, and Ehlers has shown he is versatile and can play on either wing.
As with Necas and the Hurricanes, limited playing time was part of the issue between the Jets and Ellers, but with his ability to play for either team, Ellers could have a better chance in Carolina.
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