NHL Rumors: Top UFAs all in wait mode, Mathew Barzal bridge deal, Canes and Jackets in on Mikael Granlund
Anthony Scultore
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The top UFA’s are still out there…waiting. There also doesn’t appear to be an end anytime soon as Mike Hoffman, Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula, and several others are in a hold pattern.
NHL Rumors: Lots of talks very little action
“In early November teams were calling every day. Now it’s every other day,” an agent for one of the UFA’s told The Athletic. “They’re still indicating interest, but some of them are waiting. And some of it is us. We want to wait too.”
What are they waiting for? First and foremost what this NHL season will look like. That goes from the number of games to where the games will be played. There is talk of realignment and playing in hybrid bubbles. All of those are factors when a player is weighing out his options.
Interestingly, the agent went on to discuss how quiet the trade front has been this offseason. While GM’s continue to lay groundwork, the focus is all on getting back to play.
Mathew Barzal could command $7 to $8 million dollars in a bridge deal
The Islanders are still being very quiet and yet very active behind closed doors. There are rumblings of a bridge deal for their young RFA superstar, Mathew Barzal.
As for how much that 2-3 year deal will be, Rory Boylen at Sportsnet used Brayden Point’s recent contract as a comparable. That would put Barzal at around the $7-8 million mark and Lou Lamoriello with a lot of work to do.
RELEATED: Teams won’t offer sheet Barzal out of fear
NHL Rumors: Mikael Granlund drawing more interest
The 28 year-old two-way forward has had some scoring woes in Nashville, Granlund’s game is one teammates appreciate. Always hard on the puck and doing the work, it’s easy to see why many teams are interested.
Recently, Josh Wegman believed the Florida Panthers were a possible destination. Now Andy Strickland is reporting that the Hurricanes and Blue Jackets are in the mix.
Regardless, everything is in a holding pattern it seems.