NHL Rumors: Flyers after Alex DeBrincat, Islanders targeting Johnny Gaudreau, and more
Anthony Scultore
|
The top trade bait target on our list for this summer is Alex DeBrincat of the Chicago Blackhawks. If a team is willing to give up the hefty package of picks and prospects, he could certainly be moved.
DeBrincat, 24, has just one more year remaining at $6.4 million before becoming a restricted free agent with salary arbitration rights. His next deal will be for max years and likely around $8 million or higher.
Whoever acquires him must obviously be in a financial position to extend him on those terms.
NHL Rumors: Flyers after Alex DeBrincat
The rumored ask for DeBrincat begins with at least one first-round pick, plus young players or prospects with high upside. That’s because the Blackhawks are looking at a full rebuild starting this season after failing miserably to retool the lineup last summer.
While Seth Jones is an excellent defenseman, the cost to acquire him was a first-round pick that turned out to be 6th overall in this draft. Adam Boqvist and last year’s first and second round picks were also part of the deal.
GM Kyle Davidson is now ready to reshape this team and stated that the only untouchables were Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Jones due to their no move clauses.
DeBrincat is undoubtedly his most attractive asset. In 82 games, he recorded 41 goals and 78 points. It was the second time in his young career that he scored that many.
When it comes to the list of suitors, it is believed to be long. Elliotte Friedman is now reporting that the Philadelphia Flyers actually made an offer.
The Flyers are one of the teams that have legitimately pitched Chicago on DeBrincat — more than just tire-kicking — and they’ve tested the market on many of their players.
Elliotte Friedman (32 Thoughts)
The Philadelphia Flyers currently hold the 5th overall pick in the draft.
NHL Rumors: Islanders should pursue Johnny Gaudreau
The latest news on Johnny Gaudreau is that he is reportedly sitting on an 8-year offer from the Calgary Flames. Elliotte Friedman states that the AAV on the deal is believed to be $9.5 million.
At some point soon, the Flames are going to want to know if he will accept it or test free agency on July 13. There are many teams believed to be interested in signing him if he does. Primarily two teams close to his hometown of Salem, New Jersey. Both the Flyers and New Jersey Devils could be heavily involved in a bidding war if he hits the market.
Another team to keep an eye on are the New York Islanders, who are desperate to find Mat Barzal a legit scoring winger. Larry Brooks of the NY Post wrote in his latest column that it’s GM Lou Lamoriello’s duty to go hard after Gaudreau.
It will cost major bucks and cap space, but Lamoriello should have room to maneuver by shedding a combination of Semyon Varlamov ($5 million cap hit), Josh Bailey ($5M) and Anthony Beauvillier ($4.15M).
NY Post
Gaudreau, 28, is coming off a career year with 115 points (40 G – 75A) in 82 games. If he decides to hit the open market on July 13, he will forego an 8th year that only the Flames can offer.
NHL Rumors: Oilers and Jack Campbell
There are a lot of rumblings regarding just who the Edmonton Oilers will target to be their goaltender next season. It appears a lot of signs are pointing at Jack Campbell as the Toronto Maple Leafs appear ready to let him walk via free agency.
Campbell, 30, was 31-9-6 with a 2.64 GAA and a .914 SV% this past season for the Leafs.
Another team rumored to be interested in signing him were the new Jersey Devils but they are believed to be shifting focus to Ville Husso of the Blues and Alexandar Georgiev of the Rangers (if he becomes a UFA).
