NHL Rumors: Jake Oettinger, MacKenzie Weegar, Martin Necas, and Lawson Crouse
Anthony Scultore
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Today’s NHL rumors takes a look at some potential contract extensions for four players.
Things have certainly slowed down, even as we await where Nazem Kadri will land. As the summer rolls along, hockey action is starting to come back with top NHL prospects competing at the postponed 2022 World Junior Championship starting on August 9th.
NHL Rumors: Stars and Jake Oettinger talks
Oettinger, 23, posted a 30-15-1 record in 2021-22 with a 2.53 GAA and a .914 SV%. The restricted free agent has no salary arbitration rights which gives the Dallas Stars control in this situation.
The only possible leverage Oettinger has would be to hold out for a better contract. According to Saad Yousuf of The Athletic, the two sides have not spoken much this summer.
By all indications, there has been little dialogue between the two sides, even though each side has made its feelings about the other very clear. According to sources on both sides, Oettinger, who trusts his agents with the business side and is not directly involved in negotiations, wants to remain with the Stars.
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With reports that Braden Holtby is likely out for next season due to lower-body injury, it would behoove the Stars to lock up their young number one netminder before the season starts.
Oettinger is coming off his entry level contact signed in 2019. Depending on the term, he should command a deal in the $4 million per season range.
NHL Rumors: Flames look to extend MacKenzie Weegar
On late Thursday, the Calgary Flames extended Jonathan Huberdeau to an 8-year deal with an AAV of $10.5.
Now they are focused on extending defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, who was also acquired from Florida in the Matthew Tkachuk trade. Per Salim Nadim Valji, both parties will begin talks next week.
Weegar, 28, established career bests with eight goals, 36 assists and 44 points in 80 games last season. He has 121 points (27 goals, 94 assists) in five-plus seasons, all with Florida. This is the last year on his deal that has a $3.25 million cap hit.
“I’m open,” Weegar said. “I guess it’s just getting down there and experiencing [Calgary] myself and Brad and my agent talking negotiation talks and seeing if it works for both sides.”
Canes working on Martin Necas
Necas, 23, registered 14 goals and 40 points in 78 games last season for the Carolina Hurricanes. Similar to Oettinger, he is an RFA with no arbitration rights.
The forward just completed his third NHL season and his GM, Don Waddell believes a new deal is close.
“We’re speaking on almost a daily basis and it’s getting close,” Waddell said via the News and Observer. “I can only speak for my side of it, but it’s going to get done.”
Lawson Crouse arbitration details
One name that was in trade rumors leading up to the deadline last March was rugged forward Lawson Crouse.
The 25 year-old picked up 20 goals and 34 points to go along with 52 penalty minutes in 65 games last year.
According to Elliotte Friedman, he is asking for $4 million while the Arizona Coyotes offered $2.5 million. Both sides are expected to come to an agreement around $3.5 million before Tuesday’s hearing.
