We are just over a week away from the opening of NHL Free Agency and there are a lot of rumors going around the world. With a number of superstars facing big paydays in the prime of their careers, and celebrated veterans looking for one last shot at the Cup, the anticipation is growing towards July 13.
Here’s the last talk in town.
What takes so long at Forsberg?
Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg should get a big raise on the six-year $36 million deal that expires when the NHL free agency opens next week. Forsberg, 27, is coming off an amazing season, registering 42 goals and 42 assists for 84 points, all career highs. According to The athletic Pierre Lebrun, the Predators and their top scorer have a strong mutual interest in an eight-year extension together, but the two camps appear to be at an impasse on salary demands. LeBrun reports that Forsberg is looking for an annual fee of $8 million, while GM David Poile of Nashville would rather settle for about half a million dollars cheaper.
The longer these negotiations drag on, the more realistic the possibility becomes that Forsberg will enter the open market, where he could be arguably the most coveted free-agent forward available – depending on whether or not Johnny Gaudreau will re-sign in Calgary.
Will Giroux settle in Florida?
LeBrun also reported that impending free agent Claude Giroux and the Florida Panthers, with whom he was swapped before the deadline, have a mutual interest in a deal that will keep the 34-year-old in the Sunshine State. But due to the Panthers’ tight cap situation, an agreement with the veteran forward may be unattainable.
According to LeBrun, the Edmonton Oilers are a team to keep an eye on Giroux in case they can’t keep Evander Kane in the playoffs. Another option is the Ottawa Senators, a town where Giroux has family ties and where he spends his summers. The key to any negotiation with the former Philadelphia Flyers captain is deadline, as Giroux is likely looking for a multi-year deal, LeBrun reports. Since he has never won a Stanley Cup, he may also prefer to sign with a team currently in the running for a championship.
Kadri is PAID
On Monday’s episode of the “Real Kyper and Bourne” podcast, Nick Kypreos said Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri will be looking for a minimum of $8 million a season for his next deal, but that number could rise to $10 million. . Kadri registered a career high 87 points last season and racked up 15 points in 16 games in the playoffs en route to a Stanley Cup win.
While the Avalanche may be priced out of the Kadri sweepstakes, the 31-year-old will have plenty of suitors in the competition. Kypreos said the Seattle Kraken and Boston Bruins would be a good fit for Kadri, also adding that the Arizona Coyotes could be a dark horse in the race to secure his services.
Podcast guest and Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman added that he sees the Washington Capitals as an option as well, as veteran center Nicklas Backstrom will likely be out for the entire 2022-23 campaign following hip surgery in June.
Completely quiet on the Campbell front
on the podcast “32 thoughts”, Elliotte Friedman reported that “nothing is going on” between the Toronto Maple Leafs and goalkeeper Jack Campbell. Friedman also said the New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers are the current frontrunners in securing the 30-year-old’s services.
Podcast host Jeff Marek added that Campbell is reportedly seeking a $20 million four-year deal.
Campbell posted a record 31-9-6, with 2.64 goals against average and a save rate of 0.914 last season with the Leafs.
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