The Hockey Writers Daily - July 15, 2023
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In today’s edition we have the Devils’ next deal with Mercer, the Golden Knights Lehner problem, Kyle Dubas’ to-do list in Pittsburgh, the Senators’ need for more grit on the roster, and much more.
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Devils’ Mercer: Comparables for Next Deal
When New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald spoke to the media on June 16 after Jesper Bratt’s contract extension got announced, one of the things he mentioned was that he’d like to get Dawson Mercer signed to a long-term deal.
Mercer had a more than solid rookie campaign in 2021-22, finishing with 17 goals and 42 points in 82 games. He followed that up with an impressive sophomore season in 2022-23, totaling 27 goals and 56 points in 82 contests.
Mercer has one year left on his entry-level contract but has been eligible for an extension since July 1. While it may take some time to re-up him, his next deal should result in a significant payday from his entry-level cap hit of $894,167. Let’s look at his production and find a few comparables that’ll give us an idea of what a long-term pact between the two sides could look like.
Bruins: 5 Cool Things About Morgan Geekie
On July 1, the Boston Bruins signed a handful of free agents to keep their contender status in 2023-24. After bringing Milan Lucic home and inking Kevin Shattenkirk to return to the city he played college hockey in, general manager Don Sweeny signed Morgan Geekie to a two-year deal.
Interestingly, this is his first multi-year deal in the NHL outside his entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes from 2018-2021. Furthermore, Geekie’s new annual salary of $2 million is an increase in pay compared to the $1.4 million he earned last season with the Seattle Kraken.
Although Geekie is still young at 24, he’s got 180 games of experience in the league, meaning there will be some interesting things to learn about his relatively short career.
Golden Knights Have a Robin Lehner Problem
Most NHL teams are locked into awkward, uncomfortable contracts with goaltenders who they’d just as soon be rid of. John Gibson has demanded a trade from the Anaheim Ducks with four years and $25.6 million left on his deal. Matt Murray was a prime buyout candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs but remains in the fold with $6.25 million still owed this season. Even 2020 Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck is available as he enters the final year of a contract that will pay him $6.1 million.
The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t immune to this trend. Although they are the envy of the league with Logan Thompson under contract for the next two seasons at a cap hit barely above league minimum, they still have Robin Lehner and the $5 million counted against the cap in each of the next two years.
Penguins’ Kyle Dubas Still Has Much Work to Do
It has been only two weeks since the NHL Free Agency window opened, and the Pittsburgh Penguins roster already looks much different than it did when the 2022-23 regular season immediately concluded. As of this writing, nine NHL-level free agents were signed to contracts by President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas. More could be on the way, but for now, the team looks much better on paper moving forward. For getting back into the postseason, will it be enough?
Dubas, who was hired two months after Ron Hextall was fired, came into a tricky situation involving bad contracts, aging veterans, and a limited amount of draft picks and prospects to work with. There won’t be an overnight transformation of the Penguins, but significant progress has been made in the right direction.
Senators Need More Grit from More Players
The Ottawa Senators need to be bigger, badder but mostly meaner to see a postseason run next spring. To that end, Senators’ general manager (GM) Pierre Dorion needs to take a page from Toronto Maple Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving and “add more snot” to his roster this summer. Still, that’s easier said than done.
To be sure, bookies looking at the Senators’ depth chart would see youth, talent and potential. They’d probably give decent odds that the team will contend for Lord Stanley’s silverware in the next three or four years. Yet many would warn punters that the current edition of the team is not built for the playoffs.
Canucks Must Be Cautious With A Tyler Myers Trade
The Vancouver Canucks have reportedly looked into trading defenceman Tyler Myers. He is entering the final year of his albatross five-year, $30 million contract he signed in 2019, which pays him an average annual salary (AAV) of $6 million. Dumping cap is not cheap in a flat cap world, and the Canucks must be careful not to spend an egregious amount to rid themselves of his deal.
Even though the Canucks need to free up cap space somehow, they don’t have a surplus of draft capital to throw at a team to take Myers. Even though a trade feels inevitable, they must evaluate alternative options if the cost is too high for their liking. Unfortunately, bad contracts, including the Myers one signed by former general manager (GM) Jim Benning, leave the Canucks no choice but to trade his or another contract for cap space.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Edmonton Oilers - Worry About an Offer Sheet Should Be Over for Now
Colorado Avalanche - Nichushkin Might Be Av’s Most Important Player in 2023-24
Philadelphia Flyers - News & Rumors: Michkov’s Character, RFAs, Hot Mics
From TSN - Kane not expected to sign before 2023-24 season
From Sportsnet - Hockey Diversity Alliance refutes claim by Oilers' Kane after forward leaves organization
From the NHL - Tebow thrilled to be part owner of ECHL expansion team in Lake Tahoe
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