NHL general managers are likely searching for some Alka Selzer after learning of the Nashville Predators signing of defenseman Roman Josi to a seven year, $28 Million contract extension on Monday.
The Preds 2008 second round pick completed his sophomore season with five goals and 13 assists in 48 games, averaging over 23 minutes ice time(second only to Shea Weber), filling the gap left by free agent blueliner Ryan Suter.
Josi was scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 5, but instead of opting for a short term bridge contract, as Montreal did with Norris Trophy candidate P.K. Subban earlier in the year, GM Dave Poile locked up the 23 year old for seven years, at an AAV of $4 Million per season; four times the amount of his 2013 salary.
The move is understandable from the Nashville point of view, as they have locked up someone they are convinced is a top pairing defenseman until the age of 30, buying up years where he would have qualified to be an unrestricted free agent, but the precedent set will make the task of re-signing other comparable free agent defensemen much more difficult.
GM Dave Nonis has two prominent RFA’s on the blueline in Cody Franson and Carl Gunnarsson. Franson blossomed under Leafs coach Randy Carlyle, leading the club in defensive scoring with 29 points and Gunnarsson, who fought through a hip injury for most of the year, trailed only Dion Phaneuf and Mike Kostka in average ice time, playing mostly a shutdown role.
Both blueliners will be 26 and just entering their prime when the 2013-14 season begins in October, but it is unknown whether the Leafs want to make as significant and as lengthy of an investment in both veterans with youngsters Morgan Rielly, Jesse Blacker and Stuart Percy in the pipeline.
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Goaltender Ben Scrivens spoke candidly about his future, his relationship with James Reimer and former Marlies coach Dallas Eakins in a radio interview Tuesday morning.
“Obviously I’d love to be a number one in the league, wherever that may be.” Scrivens said Sportsnet FAN 590’s Brady and Lang morning show. “I’ve nothing but good things to say about Toronto and I’d love to stay in Toronto.”
The 26 year old played in 20 games for Toronto during the 2013 season, with a 2.69 GAA and .915 save percentage, but only started two of the last 19 regular season games, after coach Randy Carlyle decided to go mostly with James Reimer.
“James and I had a good partnership this year…we both won some big games for the team, but by in large we had a lot of success because the team played well in front of us.”
Scrivens will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2013-14 season and is unsure of his status with the Leafs, as there are many indications that GM Dave Nonis is looking for a veteran to backup Reimer next season.
“You can’t really think too much about free agency, or this could happen or that could happen, it’s an exercise in futility, because there are so many options.”
The Spruce Grove, AB native was effusive in his praise of Eakins, the coach who played him every minute of the Marlies 2012 Calder Cup Final run.
“I couldn’t be more happy for Dallas.” Scrivens said “He’s an incredible human being. A great guy, he’s someone that you can model yourself after, not just in the way he acts around the rink but in his family life, how he treats his kids, how he treats other people and I think he’ll be nothing but a positive influence on the Oilers organization.”
Edmonton Journal reporter David Staples indicated on TSN 1050 Monday that GM Craig MacTavish is looking for a goaltender in the age range of 25-30 to replace veteran Nikolai Khabibulan and compete with incumbent Devan Dubnyk for the Oilers number one job.
That description fits Scrivens to a tee.
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