NHL Rumors: Hurricanes may have extension planned for Kotkaniemi; and latest on top unsigned RFAs
Anthony Scultore
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In all the drama and trolling that transpired out of the Carolina Hurricanes offer sheeting Jesperi Kotkaniemi, was the little tidbit that an extension may have already been discussed.
According to Elliotte Friedman, a longer term deal may be coming if the Montreal Canadiens decide not to match by this Saturday.
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NHL Rumors: Hurricanes Kotkaniemi extension
“I think they also discussed the potential of what a long-term deal would look like before they signed him to this deal.,“ Friedman said on his last podcast. “I think they said, if we can do this for term, what would we be looking at? My guess is Carolina knows exactly what a long-term deal looks like and I’m also betting it’s not at $6.1 million a year.”
This of course has raised eyebrows from around the league as a form of cap circumvention.
“So if Carolina has a multi-year extension at a $4M AAV ready to go for Kotkaniemi on 1/1 that the player’s camp has likely committed to, is that not circumvention?” Larry Brooks of the NY Post asked.
Kotkaniemi, 21, had five goals and 15 assists in 56 games last season. In three NHL seasons, all with Montreal, the No. 3 overall pick in 2018 has scored 22 goals and added 40 assists in 171 games.
Latest on Top RFA’s
Elias Pettersson: “I want to stay [in Vancouver], but I also want to play for a team that’s winning and has the chance to go far into the playoffs every year,” Pettersson said in a recent Swedish interview. The talks are still ongoing with his agent JP Barry thinking bridge deal.
Quinn Hughes: The 21 year-old defenseman is also represented by JP Barry and is working on a longer term deal with the Canucks.
Rasmus Dahlin: The Sabres just signed two RFAs today, could Dahlin be far behind? He scored 5 goals and 18 assists for 23 points in 56 games this past season. Dahlin has struggled at times but has produced despite the dysfunction in Buffalo. For his career, he’s registered a total of 107 points in 197 games. Some feel he will get a bridge deal, but it would be wise for the Sabres to go longterm.
Brady Tkachuk: Ottawa Senators is trying to build their team around Brady Tkachuk. In three seasons with the Sens, the 21 year-old forward has 125 points in 198 games. Of course, Ottawa knows he is just scraping the surface of his potential. He is currently a RFA without arbitration rights, but the Senators want to lock him up long-term. Tkachuk on the other hand, is being very cautious and wants to see what Ottawa has planned regards to building a winner. A deal is expected to be done in time for camp.
Kirill Kaprizov: The Minnesota Wild and the reigning Calder Trophy winner are close to a new deal. Michael Russo who covers the Wild for The Atlethic wrote; “it does sound like there have been compromises from both sides of late.” According to Russo Kaprizov became willing to go beyond his initial two year deal which would have made him a UFA when done. He also believes that the money will still be significant, in the $9 million dollar range.