Is NHL free agency dead?
The Chris Johnston Show: Chris Johnston and Julian McKenzie on the Embrace The Tank episode talking about free agency and if it is dead.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
McKenzie: “It’s really looking like the Darren Raddysh and Rasmus Andersson sweepstakes this summer. Among a few other names, but Alex Tuch to of course. But like …”
Johnston: “Yeah, you’re projecting that they’re all going to get there. Like, I’m not sure …
McKenzie: “Right. You’re right.
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Johnston: “You know, Vegas doesn’t have a track record of walking players to free agency too often.
McKenzie: “I’ve seen Rasmus Andersson’s numbers, though they have not been the most promising since he’s been in Vegas. There is a chance he might still test.
Johnston: “Of course. I mean, until you’re signed, you’re not signed, but I, I just feel like we’re going to lose more names off the board between now and July 1st, as it is, so…
McKenzie: “Free agency is dead, right?
Johnston: “Well, it’s on life support. You know, there’s, look at, there’s some good free agent classes coming beyond this one. So, you know, I’m not going to say it’s dead, dead, but there’s some unique circumstances.
You know, like Nick Schmaltz got an eight-year deal from Utah, right? Players because of changes to the CBA in the future, like there’s, there was more incentive for (Kirill) Kaprizov and guys like that, to sign their contract, because they could still get eight-year deals. That’s coming off the table. It’s going to go down to seven with your own team, six with others moving forward.
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But this was the last, this is the last window for eligible players to get those kind of contracts. So as an example that, that’s one market force I think that pushed players to sign. It was just more guaranteed money.
You know, some the cap jumping up. I think teams have been willing to spend a little bit more. But, you know, nothing remains constant. You know, we’re only a couple years away from potentially having (Connor) McDavid, (Zach) Werenski, (Auston) Matthews, all hit the, all hit the market. You know, Cale Makar needs a new contract.
I guess the problem is, is when I even mention all those names, and even if one or more of those names changes teams, I assume they’re going to change teams by a trade and an extension versus actually hitting the open market.
So if that’s actually the case, I’m now talking myself out of my life support comment, and I’m saying yes, free agency is dead.
But I do think it’s going to look at the trade market has to be more awake this summer as a result of that. You know, there’s just too many teams out there that are going to be looking for ways to get better, that aren’t going to find the answers they want on, you know, and by going fishing for free agents.
Now it’s not even a question of, like, overpaying guys. Like, that’s you understand that you’re going to do that on July 1st, and you’re doing that because you want talent. But I think there’s not enough talent out there to go around, and so I feel like we’re going to have to get some trades kicked up. And, you know, probably starts with the names that we just booted around the deadline.
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The Robert Thomas‘, the Trocheck’s, you know, down the list. But then, you know, there might also be new players put in play that aren’t on our radar just yet, because basically, there’s gonna, teams have to get better somehow, right? Or they have to feel like they’re getting better. They have to make moves that they believe are making them better. And I just, I don’t think there’s enough difference makers available July 1st for teams to actually credibly think that.
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