The status of contract extension talks
between the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid has been headline news
throughout this summer. However, the 28-year-old center isn't the
only notable player eligible for UFA status next summer.
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel
and Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov are among the noteworthy
players who could be part of next summer's UFA class.
So far, there's been little to report
regarding any extension discussions between the Golden Knights and
Eichel. Kaprizov's status has garnered more attention lately,
especially after the Wild re-signed RFA center Marco Rossi last
week, but there's no indication they're closing in on a deal.
Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco was
recently asked which UFA-eligible players might hit the open market
next summer. Interestingly, he said it wasn't a certainty that
Eichel and Kaprizov would sign extensions before July 1.
Di Marco wondered how the Golden
Knights could afford another high-salaried forward after adding Mitch
Marner and his $12 million average annual value for the next eight seasons. He
speculated that the rising salary cap could send Eichel's next
contract soaring above $12.6 million annually.
PuckPedia indicates the Golden
Knights have a projected $20.375 million in cap space for 2026-27,
with 14 active roster players under contract. They could also have
another $8.8 million in cap relief if Alex Pietrangelo remains on
the long-term injured reserve, giving them more than enough to re-sign Eichel.
As for Kaprizov, Di Marco acknowledged
he's poised to become the highest-paid winger in the NHL.
Nevertheless, he wondered if Wild GM Bill Guerin was willing to do
so, pointing out that he played hardball with Rossi. While admitting
the latter situation was different, the precedent has been set. He
also thinks Kaprizov has the opportunity to significantly change the
market for wingers, which he might not turn away from.
However, the Wild are determined to
ensure the most exciting player in franchise history stays in
Minnesota. Last October, Wild owner Craig Leipold indicated his
club's plan to re-sign Kaprizov, boasting that no other team could
offer him more money or a longer term.
NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest Vancouver Canucks BuzzFollowing a season of turmoil for the
Vancouver Canucks, this off-season has been relatively quiet.
Meanwhile, Michael Russo of The
Athletic cited Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund telling
reporters that he believes Rasmus Andersson's days as his teammate
are numbered.
“Yeah, he's getting traded. It's
obvious,” Backlund said during the NHL player media tour in Europe.
The Flames captain added that Andersson doesn't want this situation
to be a distraction, prompting Backlund to tell him to just go out
and play and not worry about it.
Andersson has been the subject of trade
rumors since June, when contract extension talks with the Flames
broke down. While Backlund suggested the possibility that things
could change, he seemed resigned to the fact that the 28-year-old
defenseman will be moved before the March trade deadline.
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