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 whether it is dead.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
McKenzie: “It’s really looking just like the Darren Raddysh and Rasmus Andersson sweepstakes this summer. Amongst just a few other names, but Alex Tuch to in fact. But like …”
Johnston: “Yeah, you’re projecting that they’re all going to get there. Like, I’m unsure …
McKenzie: “Right. You’re right.
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Johnston: “You already 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’ve not been essentially the most promising since he’s been in Vegas. There’s a likelihood he might still test.
Johnston: “After all. 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, because it is, so…
McKenzie: “Free agency is dead, right?
Johnston: “Well, it’s on life support. You already know, there’s, have a look at, there’s some good free agent classes coming beyond this one. So, you understand, I’m not going to say it’s dead, dead, but there’s some unique circumstances.
You already know, like Nick Schmaltz got an eight-year deal from Utah, right? Players due to changes to the CBA in the longer term, like there’s, there was more incentive for (Kirill) Kaprizov and guys like that, to sign their contract, because they may still get eight-year deals. That’s coming off the table. It’s going to go right down to seven together with your own team, six with others moving forward.
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But this was the last, that is the last window for eligible players to get those form of contracts. So for instance that, that’s one market force I believe that pushed players to sign. It was just more guaranteed money.
You already know, some the cap jumping up. I believe teams have been willing to spend a bit bit more. But, you understand, nothing stays constant. You already know, we’re only a pair years away from potentially having (Connor) McDavid, (Zach) Werenski, (Auston) Matthews, all hit the, all hit the market. You already know, Cale Makar needs a brand new contract.
I suppose the issue is, is after I even mention all those names, and even when a number of of those names changes teams, I assume they’re going to vary 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 take a look at the trade market must be more awake this summer in consequence of that. You already know, there’s just too many teams on the market which can be going to be in search of ways to recuperate, that aren’t going to seek out the answers they need on, you understand, and by going fishing without cost agents.
Now it’s not even a matter of, like, overpaying guys. Like, that’s you understand that you simply’re going to try this on July 1st, and also you’re doing that because you wish talent. But I believe there’s not enough talent on the market to go around, and so I feel like we’re going to should get some trades kicked up. And, you understand, probably starts with the names that we just booted across the deadline.
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The Robert Thomas‘, the Trocheck’s, you understand, down the list. But then, you understand, there may additionally be recent players put in play that aren’t on our radar just yet, because principally, there’s gonna, teams should recuperate in some way, right? Or they should feel like they’re recovering. They should make moves that they consider are making them higher. And I just, I don’t think there’s enough difference makers available July 1st for teams to truly credibly think that.
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