Deadline passes for teams to extend qualifying offers
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For a few hours at least, unrestricted free agency’s “big fish”, Steven Stamkos, had to share the pond with minnows and guppies.
The restricted group began sorting itself out around the NHL on Monday night when the deadline passed to extend qualifying offers to retain negotiating rights ahead of July 1. The clubs’ offers are either equal or slightly higher than the previous years salary, depending on the pay grid.
Thirty-goal forward Nikita Kucherov was qualified by the Tampa Bay Lightning, as were Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan in Calgary, though any player can reject the team’s offer and remain an RFA for the time being.
Big centre Joe Colborne of the Flames was not qualified, potentially setting him free as of Friday when all UFAs are fair game.
The Canadiens not only qualified newly acquired Andrew Shaw, they signed the former Blackhawk to a six-year deal worth almost $24 million US. He had 36 points in 78 games and four playoff goals.
Defenceman Justin Schultz of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins will also hit the open market.
NHL.com reported the qualifying offers extended to players on 21 teams, while nine, including the Maple Leafs, Rangers, Islanders, Red Wings and Blackhawks did not release any information.
Sportsnet reported that two-way forward Peter Holland and Marlies netminder Garret Sparks were qualified in Toronto, while defenceman Stuart Percy was not, the same move the Penguins made with his fellow first-round Toronto pick from 2011, winger Tyler Biggs.
The status of Sam Carrick, Josh Leivo, Colin Smith, Martin Marincin and Frank Corrado are unknown. All had strong seasons, either with the Leafs or the American Hockey League Marlies.
LIST SHORTENED?
Stamkos and other high-profile UFAs such as David Backes, Milan Lucic and Kyle Okposo are currently allowed to meet and gauge interest from certain teams. In the case of Stamkos, that’s believed to be Toronto, Detroit, Boston, Buffalo, Vancouver, Montreal and the New York Rangers.
But Brian Lawton, the GM in Tampa when Stamkos was drafted, told TSN radio on Monday that the three finalists would be Toronto, Tampa Bay and Boston in that order. The Leafs have a hometown appeal, though many think Stamkos can use them for bargaining leverage. Tampa Bay offers familiarity and unfinished business after he missed time at the end of a failed playoff run.
Boston is an interesting situation, but most think Stamkos would like to set up near Toronto if he can’t be a Leaf. Detroit found a taker for Pavel Datsyuk’s dead contract to clear necessary cap space and Buffalo owes it to the fan base to at least try to keep Stamkos away from rival Toronto.
FILL IT UP
Filip Forsberg’s second strong season in the NHL, with 33 goals to give him 60 the past two years, helped net him land a six-year deal for $36 million in Nashville. The former first rounder of the Washington Capitals was a pending RFA and is now will be the longest tenured player for Nashville.
“While we have already seen his creativity, hockey sense and puck skills, he has yet to reach the peak of his abilities,” GM David Poile said in a release. “We have full confidence that he will continue to blossom into one of the top players in the world.”
LEAFS MELT FROST
Andy Frost, one of the NHL’s best public address announcers is leaving his seat in the Air Canada Centre.
Taking over from Paul Morris after the closing of Maple Leaf Gardens in February 1999, Frost tweeted on Monday afternoon: “After 17 years and roughly 700 games, the contract with MLSE won’t be renewed. Cool with me!”
Frost, a DJ with Q-107 and whose deep bass delivery made many awful games a bit more lively for fans, was also a tireless promoter of the team. The Winnipeg native’s recitation of many tributes to returning players, special guests and members of Legends Row enhanced the moment. It’s one of the many game-night changes the club has made recently with music selection and a new scoreboard.
ICE CHIPS
Bruins great Ray Bourque pleaded not guilty on Monday to a drunken driving charge after his Mercedes-Benz rear-ended a minivan in a Boston suburb a couple of days ago. The 55-year-old Bourque said in a statement he accepted responsibility for his actions. “I am not happy about the situation I put myself into.” ... Calgary has picked up forward Alex Chiasson from Ottawa for American-born blueliner Patrick Sieloff ... Drew Miller’s new one-year deal in Detroit on Monday is likely bad news for Darren Helm’s chances at returning ... Wade Redden has been hired as assistant player development director with Nashville.
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