As the dust continues to settle on the 2023-24 season, it’s time to cast our eyes ahead to what’s likely to be a very interesting summer. Indeed, there shouldn’t be any shortage of business for POHO/GM Kyle Dubas to attend to.
Topping the list, negotiations are set to begin on a contract extension for franchise pillar Sidney Crosby, who at age 36 enjoyed a remarkable 94-point season.
There’s an entry draft to prepare for and after that free agency. Dubas and his staff will need to make decisions on a number of our own free agents, both UFA and RFA, including Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Alex Nedeljkovic, Valtteri Puustinen and prospects Sam Poulin and Jack St. Ivany.
Then there’s the trade market.
As Dubas looks for ways to improve the team, could four of his most prominent acquisitions/signings from last summer be trade fodder in the coming months?
Defenseman Ryan Graves, goalie Tristan Jarry and forward Reilly Smith endured seasons that could charitably be described as checkered. While not quite in the same boat, marquee acquisition Erik Karlsson fell short of our fevered expectations.
Of the four, Smith would appear to be the easiest to move. Even though Reilly disappointed, he still managed a reasonably respectable 40 points (albeit only 13 goals) during an off-year. His underlying metrics were actually decent.
Contractually, he’s got one season left on a deal that pays him $5 million per. The Kings were rumored to be interested at the trade deadline, but were unable to carve out cap space for the former Vegas ‘Misfit.’
With the cap expected to go up by several million, perhaps a deal can be revisited.
There were rumors that teams were kicking the tires on Jarry as well, although nothing materialized. Given the wobbly state of goaltending around the league, is it possible Dubas could get a team to bite on the two-time all-star, albeit one who lost his starter’s role to Nedeljkovic down the stretch?
For the record, Jarry ranked middle-of-the-pack in both save percentage and goals against average among NHL goalies who played at least 600 minutes.
Clubs that appear to be in desperate need of an upgrade in net include Colorado, Toronto and New Jersey. The Flames could be in the market as well if they move Jacob Markström, rumored to be a target of the Devils.
Moving Graves might prove impossible, or darn near. Especially given his struggles this season and the fact that he’s signed for five more seasons at an AAV of $4.5 million.
Perhaps the only out? Swapping the rangy defenseman and former NHL plus/minus leader for someone else’s problem contract. To that end, the Canadiens have long been seeking to unload 29-year-old power forward Josh Anderson, who’s owed a hefty $5.5 million for three more seasons. Dubas and Habs’ GM Kent Hughes have done business in the past, most notably on the Karlsson blockbuster.
Speaking of EK65…
There’s a rumor (don’t know if it’s legit) that Ottawa, seeking a veteran leader for its stable of kids, might be interested in bringing the three-time Norris Trophy winner home. The rumored return (at least the one that reached my ears)?
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
Yeah, I know. Sounds like a pure fantasy-league swap.
Given the yawning disparity in age and cap hits, not to mention the fact that both teams are tight against the cap, it’s awfully hard to imagine a deal like this getting done. Even if it were a possibility, Chychrun…despite his youth, size, talent and glowing reputation…has never had especially good underlying numbers, although to be fair he’s played on some crappy teams.
This season he was on ice for the second-most goals against in the league 5v5 with 85.
By comparison, Karlsson was on ice for 69 5v5 goals against and problem-child Graves only 37. In fact, as poorly as he’s perceived to have played, the latter was on the ice for the 16th fewest 5v5 goals against per 60 minutes among 138 defensemen who played at least 1000 minutes.
Perhaps another instance where perception and reality don’t quite sync up.
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Rick
The biggest problem I have with Graves is his lack of hitting for a player his size. He plays
small and that's the last thing the Pen's need. Just as a comparison POJ had 124 hits in
(52) games played while Graves had 72 hits in (70) games played. I'm not looking for a
goon but at 6'4 he has to be taking the body.