NHL Rumors: What happens next with Filip Forsberg, Phil Kessel, and Jakob Chychrun
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL Trade Deadline came and went with a lot of the big names on the move.
Claude Giroux and Ben Chiarot headed to the Panthers. Marc-Andre Fleury landed with the Wild. Mark Giordano went to where he wanted to go, wearing the blue and white of the Maple Leafs.
On the flip side, there were several players rumored to be on the block that stayed put. Players like Tomas Hertl re-upped with the Sharks, and Jake DeBrusk extended for two-years with the Bruins. However, there were some that didn’t move and that’s who we want address here.
NHL Rumors: Filip Forsberg
Filip Forsberg earned a piece of Predators history on Monday, recording two goals and three assists to lead Nashville to a 6-3 road victory over the Anaheim Ducks.
By picking up the tallies, he reached the 35 goal mark which set a franchise record for a single season goals. It also added to his totals as Nashville’s all-time leading goals, now at 213.
Forsberg, 27, is in the final year of a six-year contract. Hs current deal is for $6M AAV against the cap and his next one is expected to be $8 million or better.
GM David Poile addressed the media after the deadline passed making it clear they still very much want to re-sign Forsberg.
“We’re going to continue to work quietly with Filip and his representative toward the contract that pays him equitably while giving the organization the flexibility to compete for the Stanley Cup,” Poile said.
So what happens next: The general consensus is Forsberg will get a new deal in Nashville, likely for max term and just less than Roman Josi’s $9 million cap hit.
NHL Rumors: Phil Kessel
I believe one of the most shocking things to come out of the NHL Trade Deadline was Phil Kessel staying put. His sister, Amanda tweeted 20 minutes before the deadline was set to expire that he wasn’t being traded with the hashtag #missingout.
The 34 year-old has 39 points in 63 games this season and was said to be available for a third round pick. How are why he wasn’t moved remains a mystery.
There’s been speculation that his current ironman streak of 963 games and counting played a role in many teams’ decisioning. I mean, would you want to be the coach that scratched Phil Kessel if he wasn’t helping your team down the stretch? It’s as good a reason as any out there.
So what happens next: The pending UFA will probably garner some interest over the summer on a one or two-year deal with a low cap hit. Are we talking less than a $1M? I’m not sure, but I also wouldn’t rule out a return to Arizona on a multi-year deal to provide the young group with some veteran leadership.
NHL Rumors: Jakob Chychrun
When it was announced that Jakob Chychrun suffered a lower-body injury that would keep him out 2-4 weeks, it basically put the kibosh on a trade at the deadline.
Chychrun was injured during the second period of of 3-2 road loss to the Boston Bruins, following a collision along the boards. He came back on the ice for his shift but later left the game and did not return. This all took place a little over a week before the March 21 Deadline.
The Coyotes were asking for a lot and rightfully so. It is believe the package started with a first round pick, a young player, and a prospect. This season in 47 games, he’s recorded 7 goals and 21 points. Chychrun also has a great contract with 3 years left and a $4.6 million AAV. That’s an absolute steal for a top 4 defenseman in this economy.
Of course, none of the top contenders were ready to give up a big package for a player who couldn’t help them down the stretch. Before the injury, the Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins were considered the front runners to land him. With Chychrun on the shelf, Boston unloaded a nice package to Anaheim for Hampus Lindholm.
So what happens next: This will be the draft day trade everyone will be looking for. Boston’s acquisition of Lindholm clears the runway for L.A. to make the deal. However, there will be other suitors in Carolina, and Anaheim. I also wouldn’t sleep on the Islanders.
