2014 Free Agent Frenzy Thread: FA News, FA Rumors and FA Speculation

[sureLoss]

Seeing as the "interview period" has begun and there was some tension about free agency news showing up in the rumor thread:


http://www.startribune.com/sports/bl...gTizZm2eeQI.97

As I wrote in Wednesday's paper, the Wild will be in contact with Steve Bartlett, the agent of Thomas Vanek. However, I also hear the Wild has significant interest in Paul Stastny if he gets to free agency (like many teams) and Matt Niskanen.

Stastny and Niskanen will command lucrative, long-term deals, so there's no way the Wild would be able to land both.

Vanek will also be seeking a long-term deal, but if he wants to play in Minnesota, he might have to settle for a short-term deal. If he would agree to that, that would allow the Wild to also go after Niskanen. If the Wild opts to go hard after Niskanen, I believe he'll sign here.

The good part of the interview period is Fletcher will get to learn in advance of free agency whether Vanek would ever entertain such a thing. If not, he can react.

This is all also barring a significant trade at the draft. Basically, what happens in the next week is up in the air because one thing will always affect the next.

I wrote this in Wednesday's paper, but I asked Bartlett if Vanek would agree to a short-term deal, especially after Vanek turned down lucrative offers from the Islanders and Sabres.

“I don’t think we’re absolutely entrenched on anything," Bartlett said. "Vanek is a very confident guy, somebody that is, I think, going to look at everything – the financial side, the family side, the team side.

[dammage79]

Right, Niskanen is a Minnesota native and played college hockey there too. Only issue I see is that Minny has more than a few up and coming D Men that made a strong case last season to be in the top 6.

[Jacks]

Reports that Gaborik is close to a deal with the Kings.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=455601

While nothing is done yet, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports that the Los Angeles Kings and the pending unrestricted free agent are close on a new contract that could get done over the next 48 hours.

Seems to be a great fit on the Kings, they should do a bonus laden deal. Something like 4M base salary, 100K for every goal after 25, 1M for playing 70 games. If he plays 70 games and scores 40 goals he makes 6.5M.

[dammage79]

And for the less popular rumor mongers here is this gem:
NHLSourcesSay ‏@NHLSourcesSay 3m
#BreakingNews #Ducks have offer on table for #Canucks Ryan Kesler; two 1st round picks 10th, 24th overall + top prospect. #NSS #confirmed

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by dammage79

And for the less popular rumor mongers here is this gem:
NHLSourcesSay ‏@NHLSourcesSay 3m
#BreakingNews #Ducks have offer on table for #Canucks Ryan Kesler; two 1st round picks 10th, 24th overall + top prospect. #NSS #confirmed

yowzers good return for kesler if true, do you now how many starting goaltenders a team could draft with 3 first rounders?

[Jacks]

Not to be a dick but what does a Kesler trade rumour have to do with free agency?

[Gaskal]

Canucks getting the 6th OA, 10th OA and 22th OA would suck.

[4oh3]

Elliotte Friedman of CBC: Hearing the Kings and Gaborik are talking three years and in the $5.5 to $6 million per season range.Contract extension talks with Kings and coach Darryl Sutter could be underway.

[4oh3]

Randy Miller of NJ.com: Miller lists five possible landing spots for Martin Brodeur: 1. Washington Capitals 2. Minnesota Wild 3. Pittsburgh Penguins 4. New York Islanders 5. Edmonton Oilers

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by 4oh3

Randy Miller of NJ.com: Miller lists five possible landing spots for Martin Brodeur: 1. Washington Capitals 2. Minnesota Wild 3. Pittsburgh Penguins 4. New York Islanders 5. Edmonton Oilers

Way to cap off a HOF career by going dumpster diving

[4oh3]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Way to cap off a HOF career by going dumpster diving

Maybe the oiler special? 6x6?

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Way to cap off a HOF career by going dumpster diving

and we know the next step is KHL

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by dammage79

And for the less popular rumor mongers here is this gem:
NHLSourcesSay ‏@NHLSourcesSay 3m
#BreakingNews #Ducks have offer on table for #Canucks Ryan Kesler; two 1st round picks 10th, 24th overall + top prospect. #NSS #confirmed

That rumor's been floating for a while, along with speculation that Vancouver might then try to flip the 10th+ to move into top 3.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by dammage79

And for the less popular rumor mongers here is this gem:
NHLSourcesSay ‏@NHLSourcesSay 3m
#BreakingNews #Ducks have offer on table for #Canucks Ryan Kesler; two 1st round picks 10th, 24th overall + top prospect. #NSS #confirmed

If Kesler listed only 2 destinations he'd go to, and with his NTC, Vancouver is dealing from a position of substantial weakness. Include the announcement that the player wants out.

I can't see a conceivable deal in place for such an overpayment.

[sureLoss]

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
David Bolland's initial ask of TOR was 7 or 8 yr deal worth shade under $5M per year. If TOR counters it will be for shorter term/lower AAV.

[sureLoss]

Paul Stastny will test the market. Give Colorado the chance to match best offer:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2014...-market/18675/

I talked with Joe Sakic late tonight. His update on Paul Stastny is this: he met with Matt Keator, Paul Stastny’s agent today in Las Vegas.

The news is mixed: Stastny wants to “see what’s out there”, Sakic reports. So, we are officially entering into the period where teams are free to call Stastny and Keator and put on the full-court press. BUT, as I reported yesterday: essentially Stastny/Keator have made a vow to Sakic and the Avs: that they will circle back Colorado and give them the right of first refusal to keep him.

We will see if that "vow" to allow Colorado to match will be kept. Remember Parise and Suter supposedly promised the Devils and Predators, respectively, the chance to match any offers. Didn't happen.

[StrykerSteve]

I'm not typically a big proponent of signing UFAs... But I would love Stastny on the Flames.

[Yoho]

How good of them

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
David Bolland's initial ask of TOR was 7 or 8 yr deal worth shade under $5M per year. If TOR counters it will be for shorter term/lower AAV.

Yikes, decent role player but those demands are insane.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Paul Stastny will test the market. Give Colorado the chance to match best offer:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2014...-market/18675/




We will see if that "vow" to allow Colorado to match will be kept. Remember Parise and Suter supposedly promised the Devils and Predators, respectively, the chance to match any offers. Didn't happen.

Omg, Statsny... is a ROFR.

I spend way too much time working on asset sales.