NHL Rumors: Copp becoming interesting trade chip for Jets, Hertl waiting for offer, and Pavelski extension
Anthony Scultore
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The Winnipeg Jets are fighting to stay in the playoff race, but continue to be inconsistent in their play. For the month of February, they’ve been trading wins and losses, which is better than the 6 game winless streak that ended January.
Currently, the team is 6th in the Central Division and 7 points out of the final Wild Card spot in the West. This has them falling into the sellers category come the NHL Trade Deadline on March 21.
NHL Rumors: Andrew Copp
Andrew Copp is a name to start keeping an eye on over the next few weeks. The 27 year-old is due to become a UFA, and would certainly fetch the Jets some nice pieces going forward.
This season, Copp has 12 goals and 28 points 47 games. The Michigan born forward can play a little center but has been used primarily at LW. His current cap hit is $3.64M and he will be looking for an increase next season.
Most likely, the acquiring team would be viewing Copp as a longterm acquisition and not a traditional rental.
“[The Jets] have a lot of work to do to give Cheveldayoff something to think about other than selling off pieces like Copp, which is a conscientious player who was off to by far the best start of his career with 20 points in his first 24 games. The Jets and Copp settled on a one-year deal after an arbitration filing last summer, which walks him to free agency this year.”
Frank Seravalli, DFO
Tomas Hertl awaiting contract offer
Hertl, 28, is in the final year of a deal that has a $5.625M cap hit. This season, he’s notched 40 points in 49 contests. While teams are interested in acquiring him for a playoff run, there’s been plenty of talk from both parties about looking to continue the relationship.
However, nothing concrete by way of contract talks have yet to take place.
“San Jose has certainly voiced their desire to keep him in San Jose, and they’ve made those desires clear to Hertl’s camp,” Pagnotta said via TFP. “But outside of that, there hasn’t been much yet to date. No contract offer officially put forward for Hertl. That will happen, from what I’m hearing, in the next week or two.”
The writing on the wall around the NHL is that the Sharks, who now have all that Evander Kane money freed up will extend Hertl before the trade deadline.
Joe Pavelski extension with Dallas
Pavelski, 37, has 53 points in 49 games this season and will be a UFA in July. When the trade deadline rolls around, many teams will come a knocking for the versatile pivot. Although he seems to have already made up his mind that he wants to stay in Dallas.
If the Stars are out of the playoff picture, they could trade him and then resign him as a free agent. However, based on Pavelski’s comments earlier in the season and recent reporting it seems unlikely he will be moved.
“Those conversations will start in the next week or two,” Pagnotta said via TFP. “Jim Nill and his staff in Dallas have expressed their interest in keeping him beyond this season. They really like what he brings to the table both on and off the ice. He’s a key figure in that room. They want to keep him.”
