Some of the remaining free agents may have to take a shorter-term deal than originally expected
The Chris Johnston Show: Johnston and Julian McKenzie talk about some of the remaining free agents
** NHLRumors.com transcript
McKenzie: “So, with Giroux coming off the free board, that’s getting less and less every day in terms of the top talent available. What are you hearing about the guys still on the board, as of this recording? Of course, things may change when this episode goes live.
But Anthony Mantha doesn’t have a team yet. Michael Bunting does not have a team. John Klingberg does not have a team. Patrick Kane doesn’t have a team. Do you hear anything about these guys?
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Johnston: “Well, this is not the time, it’s not a good time to be on the free agent board. The truth is if you haven’t signed somewhere yet, it probably means you’re going to have to lower your expectations in terms of the type of contract you’re going to get, or maybe some of you know the options you might have at the beginning of free agency hours because other teams are gone.
You know, the crazy free agent system in the NHL. Because you know it’s such a mess, really, from noon Eastern on July 1st, even a little bit on July 2nd, and you get to July 7th, and it’s very quiet there.
And I’m not saying these players won’t get jobs. I believe they all will. But you know that we only need to look at the example of Jack Roselvic last year, who was once properly rated in the UFA board, he did not sign in the first days. At that time it was offered low deals. He didn’t want to take them. In the end, I didn’t sign I believe until October with the Edmonton Oilers. Jack Roselvic, perhaps feeling his best this summer, as he signed his two-year deal in Toronto on the first day and first few hours of free agency.
And then, you know, for these guys, it might end up being a little bit of a wait. And you also know that can be difficult because you know obviously you are not going to the city. Like, there are many other factors, and, therefore, you know that the market is very quiet; I have to be honest.
Now, some of it might be tied up in, you know, the focus on Carlsson, and then people are wondering, is there going to be a conflict with these other players? I mean, maybe some important things have been shifted to other places.
But teams, in general, are a kind of important hunt, even in this early stage of the summer, about a week after the start of the free frenzy. So, you know, I think those players might have to, they might have to wait a little bit, or they might end up taking a one-year deal somewhere. Or something less than what they thought their value was.
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I mean, Anthony Manta, for example, signed a guaranteed deal last year in Pittsburgh. It was a full bonus deal in terms of bonus games because he was injured last season. You know, I’m sure you feel like you’ve proven yourself. He had a really solid year. 30 plus goals, 60 points. This, not being signed now tells you that it will probably be another temporary contract for him somewhere. And then it’s a matter of figuring out which is the best place to go.
Therefore, it is not a good time to be an unsigned player around the league. It’s one of those things you want to do business early on if you can.”
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