NHL Rumors: Rob Brind’Amour extension coming, Ducks top destination for Jack Eichel, and bridge deals for Canucks stars
Anthony Scultore
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NHL Rumors gets off to a hot start thanks to some breaking news. The Carolina Hurricanes and Rod Brind’Amour have just announced a joint press conference, presumably to reveal an extension.
Rod Brind’Amour extension
There was always an outside shot that Rod Brind’Amour could leave Carolina, but once Gerard Gallant signed with the Rangers for four years at $3.5 million per season, it was a clear indicator something was up. Kevin Weekes tweeted yesterday that he expected a new deal “shortly.”
The deal is likely going to be in the neighborhood of what Gallant received with the Rangers, if not than just a little more in term and money.
Brind’Amour is widely admired for his work behind the bench in Carolina. In his three seasons leading the Canes, his record is an astounding 120-65-20. That’s good for a .634 winning percentage. He is also likely to be named the Jack Adams winner this season.
Jack Eichel to the Anaheim Ducks
Unless you live under a rock or you just don’t like hockey, you’re aware that there’s an immense amount of trade talk surrounding Jack Eichel. Some believe a trade could happen soon, others think it will be closer to the draft.
As news of the Rangers and Kings interest waning or quite possibly non existent for the L.A., one team is now emerging as the new top destination.
The Anaheim Ducks.
GM Bob Murray has been rumored to be looking to make a splash this offseason. Now that he has some cap space thanks to Ryan Getzlaf’s $8.25 million hit coming off the books, trading for Jack Eichel is a possibility. Anaheim holds the third overall pick in the draft which is a given to be part of the package. They key here is who’s the roster player they move, and will they part with Trevor Zegras? If they are willing to, and assume the full risk of the neck injury – this could be the team Eichel lands on.
Bridge deals for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes
Elias Pettersson is represented by agent, JP Barry who recently discussed his client’s offseason out look as an RFA. “There’s been multiple talks (with the Canucks),” Barry said on CHEK TV. “we’ll have to keep going for a little while here. But we definitely are engaged, and hopefully, we can make some progress.”
The issue is Vancouver’s salary cap situation which Barry called out. That will make it very hard to do a long term deal. Maybe for one, but unlikely for both. All things considered, bridge deals are the way GM Jim Benning will have to go this summer.
“We’re going to look at everything, but I think anything for Pettersson will be five or under, and then we have to look at with Quinn whether or not we can do a little more or not,” Barry explained. “We’ll probably explore some of that, but that’s where we are right now.”
