The Winnipeg Jets have been the front-runners for Jonathan Toews from the get-go.
His relationship with Jets chairman Mark Chipman was a giant a part of it, and Toews’ need to play for his hometown workforce was a pure attract.
However that doesn’t imply that his camp, led by agent Pat Brisson, didn’t speak to different groups as soon as it was introduced Could 29 that Toews was 100 percent coming back. The Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs have been among the many 15 groups that spoke with Brisson about their curiosity in Toews.
The Leafs are dying to search out the keys to a deeper playoff path, and Toews would have been an exquisite addition from that perspective. It was a no brainer for common supervisor Brad Treliving to poke his nostril in there, however the Leafs obtained the sense early it was Winnipeg or Colorado for Toews.
The younger Habs might have used Toews’ Stanley Cup-winning expertise, too, to make sure.
The Avs are looking for their method again to a different Stanley Cup, and including Toews to that proficient combine would have put him able the place he didn’t have to steer however might discover a strategy to grow to be impactful. Colorado was severely , had an opportunity to speak with Toews and felt it had a very good position for him — don’t overlook Charlie Coyle might have simply slid over to wing — however in the end it was the runner-up.
The match is comparable in Winnipeg, the place there’s additionally a deep, proficient roster. Toews doesn’t must be Superman.
“In terms of becoming into the lineup, that is extra about the place he’ll end than the place he’ll begin,” Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff instructed The Athletic on Saturday. “His contributions will develop as he turns into extra snug along with his environment. Yearly, a workforce has to search out out who they’re and what every participant brings to the collective group. That’s why every season brings a brand new problem and what drives every particular person participant.
“In immediately’s recreation, it’s not about leaping over the boards first, second or third. It’s about the way you affect the folks round you when you’re on the market. JT might have chosen to simply sit on the sidelines and watch time move by, however he has chosen to embrace the brand new problem of working with a bunch of men to attain one thing particular.”
If all goes nicely, and Toews rediscovers a few of his previous kind after not enjoying for 2 and a half years, he may very well be the second-line middle on a workforce that has one of many perfect third-line facilities within the league in Adam Lowry (when he’s wholesome once more).
However what’s clear from Cheveldayoff’s remark is that Toews may have an opportunity to search out his kind. He gained’t be rushed into a job he won’t be prepared for.
Listed below are extra rumblings from across the league as we head into draft week.
Stars listening on Robertson
After making a number of calls across the league this previous week, right here’s what I make of the Jason Robertson state of affairs: The Stars aren’t actively procuring him however are listening on him to coach themselves available on the market and what groups could be keen to do sooner or later.
Dallas accurately views his worth as at its highest proper now, on condition that he’s nonetheless signed for one more 12 months at $7.75 million on the cap. On the similar time, the Stars are additionally making an attempt to gauge Robertson’s camp, CAA and Brisson, to get a really feel for what their ask can be on the subsequent contract.
Robertson is about to be a restricted free agent on July 1, 2026. He may be prolonged as early as this summer time. If the contract is honest, Dallas will seemingly lengthen him and preserve him. But when the ask is perceived as too excessive with out a lot wiggle room, it would get attention-grabbing so far as circling again to groups that reached out.
The market curiosity is already fairly sturdy for Robertson, accurately. Both method, although, I don’t see a fast decision within the coming week or two. It is a slow-play state of affairs the place he’s both prolonged by the top of the summer time or traded in August.
Jason Robertson can be a well-liked goal if the Stars determine to maneuver him. (Stephen Maturen / Getty Photos)
McDavid and the Oilers’ imaginative and prescient
Connor McDavid spoke this week, and he was candid and clear: He’s on the lookout for causes to stick with the Edmonton Oilers but in addition must have the workforce share its imaginative and prescient of what the subsequent few years appear like. As a result of profitable is No. 1. All of which is why he’s in no hurry to signal an extension immediately when he’s eligible July 1. How the Oilers entrance workplace handles the subsequent few weeks might be essential in speaking to No. 97 that they’re nonetheless going to be an elite contender.
“It’s my job to attach with Connor in that method and exhibit that that’s what we’re all making an attempt do do,” Oilers GM Stan Bowman instructed Edmonton media members Friday. “All of us have the identical goal.”
So, message acquired.
Leon Draisaitl didn’t signal his extension till Sept. 3 final 12 months, and folks shouldn’t freak out if McDavid nonetheless hasn’t signed come coaching camp. It doesn’t imply it’ll drag out that lengthy. Maybe one thing will get completed swiftly by August, however a very powerful truth to recollect is that there isn’t any agency timeline that his camp has declared.
Echoing what colleague Chris Johnston wrote this past week, I’m within the camp of not believing McDavid will signal an eight-year max deal however relatively a shorter one. Whether or not that’s two years or three or 5 or 6, time will inform.
McDavid’s agent is Judd Moldaver, who did a four-year extension for famous person Auston Matthews with the Maple Leafs two years in the past. He isn’t targeted on eight-year max offers in all conditions. And McDavid remains to be solely 28. So a three-year deal, as an illustration, would put him again in an unrestricted-free-agent leverage place at 31, when he’s nonetheless in his prime.
In fact, there’s all the time the small likelihood McDavid doesn’t suppose the Oilers are set as much as stay a contender and doesn’t lengthen. I don’t suppose that’s the likeliest final result, but it surely’s not 100% off the desk.
Groups just like the Los Angeles Kings, with former Oilers GM Ken Holland, are conserving an in depth eye. If and when McDavid ever leaves, it’s a brief checklist of markets that I consider can be a match for him: L.A., the New York Rangers, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Dallas Stars, and so on. It could not be a free-for-all, with 25 groups getting an opportunity at it.
Marner choices
The rumor du jour — and it is extremely a lot that, as I’ve not confirmed it however have heard it now from two groups — is that one choice Mitch Marner is contemplating is a two-year deal at round $12 million to $13 million per 12 months, positioning him to hit the market once more when the wage cap skyrockets to $113 million or greater in a few years.
The danger is harm, after all, however at 28 now, he can be 30 when he’s a UFA once more if he went that route.
The Vegas Golden Knights, the Stars and the Kings are among the many groups that I consider are excessive on Marner’s checklist. The Stars can be a long-shot match given their monetary dedication to Mikko Rantanen, however by no means say by no means.
Bennett’s declaration
Sam Bennett’s late-night declaration to followers at a bar Thursday went viral. (I really like how the Panthers have fun Stanley Cups, by the best way.) Bennett additionally made it clear on the ice Tuesday evening after profitable all of it that he thought-about his teammates brothers and couldn’t think about being anyplace else. So we all know Bennett needs to remain, and we all know Panthers GM Invoice Zito needs to make it occur.
However there may be nonetheless work to do to discover a candy spot on a deal. Someplace between $7.5 million and just below $8 million on an eight-year deal looks as if the spot, however will that be sufficient to get it completed? Keep in mind: Bennett was saying his intention to remain late Thursday evening, not an precise extension.
I discover it laborious to consider the perimeters gained’t get there earlier than July 1, although. Similar as with Sam Reinhart a 12 months in the past.
Flames able to hear on Andersson
As colleague Frank Seravalli first reported, talks between the Calgary Flames and Rasmus Andersson’s camp didn’t go nice not too long ago concerning a doable extension that may be signed as early as July 1.
The Flames nonetheless have Andersson underneath contract for one more 12 months and are snug having him play for them subsequent season, however on the similar time, my understanding is that GM Craig Conroy is now able to hear on commerce presents for the veteran right-shot defenseman. Whether or not that’s a commerce that occurs this summer time or waits till the deadline, each are on the desk.
There might be no scarcity of curiosity in Andersson. Proper-shot defensemen of his caliber are laborious to accumulate. He can be a fantastic slot in Dallas, however how the Stars navigate that round their restricted cap area is one other matter.
The Stars and Rasmus Andersson can be a very good match. (Sam Hodde / Getty Photos)
Blue Jackets seeking to purchase
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been among the many groups in on Mason Marchment earlier than Dallas shipped him to the Seattle Kraken. (About 20 groups confirmed totally different ranges of curiosity in Marchment, however Dallas wanted to maneuver his whole wage and never retain.)
Columbus has probably the most cap room within the league and is keen so as to add this summer time. However the Jackets don’t wish to be a dumping floor for dangerous contracts. They wish to add expertise to a workforce that shocked everybody this previous season and almost made the playoffs.
They thought Marchment would have been a strong add. They might enter the Mitch Marner sweepstakes if invited to take action. However until one thing modifications, the Marner camp doesn’t have Columbus on its checklist of most well-liked locations. No less than not thus far.
The place it leaves the Kraken
It’s been a powerful couple of days for Kraken GM Jason Botterill, who swapped out the underachieving Andre Burakovsky ($5.5 million common annual worth for 2 extra years) for Mason Marchment ($4.5 million AAV).
Marchment didn’t have a powerful playoffs for Dallas, however he’s a extra versatile participant than Burakovsky in any universe and brings a special ingredient to the Kraken. Marchment does want a brand new contract in a 12 months, however he’s an improve for Seattle by any measure.
Tavares and Leafs aren’t shut
There’s nonetheless greater than every week to go earlier than July 1, however the Leafs and John Tavares’ camp, led by agent Brisson, nonetheless haven’t discovered their candy spot on an extension. Wherever all sides is, it wasn’t shut sufficient as of Saturday.
The stakes are excessive right here. You’ve obtained a 34-year-old participant who doesn’t wish to go away his dwelling and a workforce that may ill-afford to lose a second-line middle who simply scored 38 targets and 74 factors. Deadlines spur choices. It’s in all probability nonetheless going to get completed, but it surely’s an enchanting one to make sure.
(High photograph of Mitch Marner and Connor McDavid: Dan Hamilton / Imagn Photos)
