Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau headlines strong NHL free-agency class
Four weeks from Wednesday, NHL general managers will have the chance to open their chequebooks.
There has been a lot buyer’s remorse over the years.
The Canadian Press examines some of the headline-grabbing options for the NHL market, which will open July 13.
Johnny Gaudreau
2021-22 Salary cap:$6.75 Million US
The Flames star, with a career-high 115 point average during the regular season, tied for second place in the league’s overall scoring race.
Gaudreau, who turns 29 in August, can still of course sign a long-term extension with Calgary — the club has the advantage of being able to offer an eight-year contract compared to the seven available to the NHL’s other 31 organizations.
However, the clock continues to tick for a player who has set personal records in goals (40), and assists (75) with a team that topped Pacific Division but couldn’t make it past the second round.
Gaudreau is a slick winger hailing from Salem, N.J. saidThe Flames are keen to keep him, and he has indicated that he is open to staying in Alberta. But there’s also no doubt a draw to return east, with the team he cheered for as a kid — the Philadelphia Flyers — rumoured to have interest.
Nazem Kadri
2021-22 Salary cap:$4.5 million
Before getting hurt in the Western Conference final, the Colorado Avalanche’s gritty, skilled centre was one the biggest stories of the postseason.
Kadri signed an agreement with the Toronto Maple Leafs that was team-friendly in 2016. However, Kadri was traded in the summer 2019 after consecutive playoff suspensions.
After scoring a career high 87 points in 2021-22 and adding 14 more in 13 playoff contests, the 31 year-old should be very popular this summer.
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After a high hit on Justin Faulk, St. Louis defenseman Justin Faulk, the Colorado forward Nazemkadri was ejected.
Filip Forsberg
2021-22 Salary cap:$6 Million
Another pending UFA is the Nashville Predators Centre, which was established after a career year.
Gaudreau was a close friend of Forsberg, who set new personal goals records in assists (42) and goals (42) in just 69 games between 2021-22.
At 27 years old, the Finn is the youngest big-name fish that will be available.
Like Gaudreau, the Flames and Nashville, Nashville is the only team that can offer an eighth year on a long-term contract.
John Klingberg
2021-22 Salary cap: $4.25 Million
The Stars defenceman has said he’s open to staying in Dallas — for the right price.
Negotiations have been difficult. Klingberg voiced his frustration in January over the lack of progress with a new contract.
Stars blue-liner Miro Heiskanen, a Stars star, has an annual contract worth $8.45million through 2028-29. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn continue to be big tickets up front.
It remains to see if Klingberg will be allowed to continue his career, as Klingberg turns 30 in August. The NHL’s salary cap, which is currently $1 million lower than it was in the pandemic-depressed period, will only rise to $82.5 million in 2022-22.
Evander Kane
2021-22 Salary cap:$2.1 Million
After his contract was terminated by San Jose Sharks in January, the controversial winger scored 35 goals in 58 regular season and playoff games with Edmonton Oilers.
Kane, who later signed on in Alberta capital for the remainder 2021-22 schedule, had great chemistry. He scored 13 times during the playoffs which still topped stats page heading into Wednesday’s Cup opener.
There’s no doubt the soon-to-be-31-year-old can put the puck in the net, but teams will also have to weigh other factors for a player already with his fourth organization.
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The Vancouver native scored three goals in a row as Edmonton won a 4-1 second period.
Kris Letang and Evgeni Makin
2021-22 Salary cap: $9.5 million (Malkin), $7.25 million (Letang)
Sidney Crosby’s partners in crime — the trio have won the Cup three times together in Pittsburgh — are poised to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in their careers unless there’s a re-up with the Penguins before July 13.
Malkin, who turns 36 this year, was limited to 41 games in 2021-22 due to injury but still managed 42 points.
The 35-year-old Letang, meanwhile, finished in a three-way tie for points this season by a defenceman with 68 — one more than his previous career-high.
Source: CBC Sports
