Sorry for the delay, but chasing some timely rumors got us off track yesterday, but we are back, and I will extend the "Off season 2019 Rumor Preview Week" into the weekend...at least...
First...we do have some more news this morning...the "breaking news" that should come as no surprise to anyone who is a regular of this space. Kelly McCrimmon will NOT be the next GM of the Edmonton Oilers... As I have said since my "Easter Egg on Easter Day."
Anyway...Lets get to the NHL's ACTUAL Trade Deadline...AKA...The Draft.
The NHL Draft didn't used to be such the harbinger for trades that is has become, but with the salary cap and increased importance of July 1 looming a week later teams have now turned the draft into a virtual anything goes frenzy...
Us old folks, or anyone over 20 years old, will remember what the NHL Trade Deadline, in all its glory, was like prior to the Salary Cap. When money didn't matter we saw the big money making teams really battle it out in a way that allowed rebuilding teams to get a big head start by moving their pending UFAs/aging assets.
The closest thing we have to those days now is the Draft, mainly because it is off-season and with UFA Day around the corner teams can go over (or under) the salary cap and deal with all of that a few months later.
What kinds of trades do we see at the Draft?
Trading of Rights... This is where a team moves a UFA's negotiating rights to another team so that the new team can try and work out a deal ahead of July 1, the opening of UFA Season in North America.
The crazy part of this is the teams using "conditional draft picks" which is away of completely circumventing the CBA. In other words you can talk to my player and if you get a deal you give me a draft pick...if you don't you give me nothing. That really means nothing at all when you think about it. It puts NO risk on the team acquiring the players rights because if they can't sign the player the give up nothing...WHICH IS WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IN THE NHL IS GIVING UP.
However, those deals in general are for second tier guys, and I wanted to spend more time on top tier players who usually will garner some actual compensation (along with conditional compensation)
This year there are three clear candidates who will almost certainly be traded near the Draft:
On Erik Karlsson...
About a month ago I would have said Karlsson was 100% moving at the draft, but as his game/health improves in these playoffs it is NOT impossible that Karlsson could find he is willing to take less and stay put in San Jose. It's a great place to live with great guys and from what I hear his family loves the area....(Oh yes...we are sooo into the rumors of wives impressions, kids schools, players putting their houses up, selling their boats, etc...)
But if Karlsson's rights are traded their are really four teams I am hearing could be all-in...two of whom you have already probably heard...two that have emerged recently.
* The NY Rangers.
The Rangers simply can not NOT get in on Karlsson...The question here is does Erik want all of that. Playing for the Rangers is a big deal and players tend to be very polarized about it. On one hand there is no denying walking up to MSG in the middle of one of the greatest cities in the world and pulling on that sweater is awe inspiring. Friends of mine who have played there say there is nothing like it.
On the other hand, Karlsson may be enjoying the loose fitting life-style of Northern California...especially after all the crazy attention in Ottawa...NY is like Ottawa on steroids...
* Tampa...
The Lightning and Hedman have been campaigning for over a year...the issue here is of course money...and Point will be costly.
Two other teams I am beginning to track are Buffalo and Detroit.
On Panarin and Bob....
The other obvious moves at the Draft are playing for Columbus...There has been much written about them already, but here is my take currently. Listening to people in Columbus, both Panarin and Bobrovsky are falling in love with this fanbase and starting to realize how good they have it with this team. And they really have it pretty damn good. Management has handled them both publicly preparing to leave town with more class than any other team I have seen in this situation.
Bobrovsky will be a VERY rich man after July 1, but not with Columbus. As much as the Jackets would want his talents, they feel they have possible replacements and Elvis will be entering the building...Bob will get HUGE offers...Look to Calgary, Vancouver, Florida and possibly San Jose.
Panarin is another story...
t is not impossible that Artemi has a change of heart and signs a 3-5 year deal with Columbus after this run...And that the Jackets would do it...However with coach Q in Florida and Luongo's career maybe close to ending the Panthers will be all in on both Bob and Artemi...but I am told mainly...Panarin...
The Islanders are going to be heavy on Panarin as well. They may put up the contract they offered John Tavares. The Islander need scoring and Artemi's speed would be ridiculous......
The Jackets are going to get some serious picks I am told for negotiating rights for these two players....and they know it.
One more player who could see his rights moved is Jeff Skinner...But I am starting to hear murmurs of the Sabres getting a deal done to keep him..
This is just part 1 of this part of the preview...In part 2 I will talk about trades at the Draft which could happen as a result of teams needing to clear space needed to sign their own RFAs...There are quite a few...Also we will start to see teams moving guys as the posturing for Seattle comes into play...
More to come
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017