Is Jeremy Swayman seeking more than the Bruins can accord? Could the Oilers trade for a defenseman? Will the Jets shop Nikolaj Ehlers this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SWAYMAN SEEKING $10 MILLION ANNUALLY?
INSIDE THE RINK: Matt Barry cites WEEI Sports Radio’s Rich Keefe claiming goaltender Jeremy Swayman is seeking an average annual value of $10 million in contract negotiations with the Boston Bruins.
Swayman, 25, is a restricted free agent who opted to forego arbitration this summer to negotiate with Bruins management. He’s completing a one-year, $3.75 million contract received via arbitrations last summer.
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).
If the Bruins agree to pay Swayman that much, it’ll make him the second-highest-paid goalie in the league. He’s been among the top five in save percentage over the last two seasons and won the Jennings Trophy last season with former teammate Linus Ullmark.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins president Cam Neely and head coach Jim Montgomery expressed confidence that Swayman will be signed when training camp opens in mid-September. Nevertheless, Keefe’s report could explain why Swayman hasn’t been signed yet.
The Bruins currently have just over $8.6 million in cap space, most of which is expected to go toward signing Swayman. It was projected he could receive between $7 and $8 million annually. If he’s insisting on $10 million, they’ll have to shed over $1.4 million to fit him in.
Swayman holds the hammer here. He went through arbitration last summer, didn’t enjoy the experience, and is determined to get a lucrative deal this time. He’s considered among the NHL’s top goalies and is a crucial part of the Bruins’ Stanley Cup hopes this season.
OILERS CONSIDERING A “SIGNIFICANT TRADE”?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming the Oilers are considering a significant trade that could “shake things up a little bit more” than going the professional tryout offer route.
Seravalli made those comments during an interview with Oilers Now on Monday. He believes a trade could be made before training camp opens next month.
“The thing is things are so fluid right now,” said Seravalli. “I believe there are seven different scenarios that (Oilers general manager) Stan Bowman and his staff are probably looking at. They’re looking at lots of different options around the league.”
Seravalli also believes the Oilers should consider free-agent defenseman Tony DeAngelo. He acknowledged some of the 28-year-old’s previous personal baggage but felt he’s a better blueliner than fellow UFAs Tyson Barrie, Justin Schultz and Kevin Shattenkirk.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli didn’t mention which defensemen he thinks the Oilers could be looking at. It wouldn’t be surprising if they were considering all their options as he suggests. Nevertheless, finding a better addition than a PTO signing isn’t easy at this stage in the offseason even if the Oilers could free up the cap space to do it.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR NIKOLAJ EHLERS?
THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Mike McIntyre responded to a reader’s question about whether winger Nikolaj Ehlers could end up signing a contract extension with the Jets.
Ehlers, 28, was considered a trade candidate entering the offseason. However, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and new head coach Scott Arniel frequently sang the winger’s praises, stressing his importance to their lineup for the coming season.
McIntyre doesn’t rule out a resolution similar to Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele last year. After months of speculation, the Jets signed both players to contract extensions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McIntyre also points out that a lot depends on Ehler’s performance, where he sees his future, and the Jets’ position in the standings this season.