In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest on contract talks between the Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky, plus updates on the Jets and Predators.
COULD THE PANTHERS AND SERGEI BOBROVSKY PART WAYS?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio cited ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, who claimed he’d heard contract talks between the Florida Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky aren’t going well. The 37-year-old goaltender is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (NHL Images).
During a recent appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Wyshynski claimed the situation between the two sides was “pretty bad” and that the Panthers could decide to go in a different direction.
Both sides are believed to be far apart in contract talks. The Panthers are understandably reluctant to overpay an aging goaltender who struggled this season. His difficulties prompted rumors before the March trade deadline, but the Panthers retained him, with general manager Bill Zito insisting that his club hopes to re-sign their long-time starter.
DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell recently looked at possible replacements for Bobrovsky if he departs via free agency on July 1.
Pending UFAs include Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes, Petr Mrazek of the Anaheim Ducks, Cam Talbot of the Detroit Red Wings, and James Reimer of the Ottawa Senators. Younger options include Eric Comrie of the Winnipeg Jets, Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers, David Rittich of the New York Islanders, Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vitek Vanecek of the Utah Mammoth.
Offer-sheet options could include Jet Greaves, but the Columbus Blue Jackets will match any offer for the emerging starting goalie. Others include Akira Schmid of the Vegas Golden Knights, Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Arturs Silovs of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The trade market could include former Panthers such as Samuel Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens and Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs. They could also take a shot at acquiring Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues. Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild could be available, but he would be more expensive to acquire.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bobrovsky is completing a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $10 million. He understands he’s not getting another deal like that again.
It’s rumored that Bobrovsky would like a deal similar to the six-year, $31.5 million contract ($5.25 million average annual value) that teammate Brad Marchand received last summer. The Panthers are said to have balked at that option. They might be willing to offer a similar AAV, but on a much shorter term.
Looking at the list of potentially available goalies, Wallstedt would be the best option for the Panthers. However, Maxwell is correct that he’ll also be the most expensive, which could put him out of the Panthers’ reach.
Binnington might be a fit, but his inconsistency in recent years remains a concern.
THE LATEST ON THE JETS
THE WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen believes Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel didn’t have any answers for their club’s disappointing performance this season during their end-of-season media availability on Monday. Instead, they only promised to work harder to fix the mess their team is in.
Friesen doesn’t expect Cheveldayoff to lose his job, pointing out that Jets co-owner Mark Chapman last year said that Cheveldayoff had a job for life. Friesen believes the Jets have a group of aging core players with no obvious next wave coming behind them.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Mike McIntyre also doesn’t see Cheveldayoff losing his job because of the loyalty the ownership has in him. However, McIntyre wondered what his vision would be for the team and how it would be achieved.
Cheveldayoff might not be feeling pressure from above, but there are signs it’s coming from within. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck didn’t mince words during his end-of-season presser last week, publicly expressing his frustration over the state of the team.
If trades and free-agent signings are difficult to pull off, McIntyre wondered how the Jets are supposed to get better. They’re going to get a high first-round pick in this year’s draft, but it won’t help a core of players such as Hellebuyck, who are in win-now mode.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff downplayed Hellebuyck’s remarks a little, adding that the goalie raised the same issues with him beforehand.
Some observers, such as McIntyre, took Hellebuyck’s comments to mean he might not be with the Jets for much longer. However, it’s unlikely that Cheveldayoff will trade him this summer. Instead, he’s going to beat the bushes to try to add veteran talent that can help the Jets return to form next season.
UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS
THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty reports Predators forward Steven Stamkos doesn’t think a change of management means there will be major changes to their roster.
The Predators are currently seeking a replacement for outgoing general manager Barry Trotz. Stamkos said he’d heard from the current management that the club intends to remain competitive and push for the playoffs next season.
“I don’t anticipate any huge changes,” Stamkos said. “We’ve talked about it. Is there going to be a rebuild or this or that? It’s safe to say that’s not going to be the case.”
Stamkos wasn’t the only member of the Predators to share that view. Team captain Roman Josi and alternate captains Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg believe the club is close to returning to playoff form, based on their solid performance over the second half of this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears that whoever takes over from Trotz will not be given the green light to tear things down and commence a rebuild. Instead, it could be to tweak the roster by adding younger NHL players.