A “sign-and-trade” scenario, in which a player signs with his current team or another only for the purposes of being traded to a different team, is uncommon in the NHL. It most frequently seen in the NBA, where such deals often offer the teams making the deal some salary cap loophole or benefit. The straightforward NHL hard cap doesn’t require such moves very often; in fact no sign-and-trade has occurred in the salary cap era. However, TSN insiders Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger think one high profile free agent could necessitate such a deal: New York Islanders superstar John Tavares.
Now, there is still no word on what Tavares’ plans are this season. He is undoubtedly the biggest name among potential unrestricted free agents this off-season, but could still choose to stay with the Islanders. Tampa Bay Lightning phenom Steven Stamkos was in a similar situation two years ago and waited about as long as possible before simply re-upping with Tampa. Tavares could certainly do the same. Dreger says that Tavares will meet with agent Pat Brisson following the season – which for the Islander should be next month – to discuss the situation and the many factors that could keep him in New York or instead drive him away. Dreger adds that Tavares is expected to inform GM Garth Snow and the Islanders as to what his plans are ahead of the NHL Draft in June.
If Tavares does let Snow and company know that he has decided to move on, it doesn’t rule out his re-signing with the team, again for the purposes of a sign-and-trade. As LeBrun points out, all three parties involved could benefit from such a deal. Tavares could gain an eighth year to his new contract, available only in extensions, if he first signs with the Isles. The team he is traded to could also use the eighth year to lessen the cap hit on the deal by dropping the actual salary as the years go on, as so often happens in lengthy contracts for players of a certain age. Finally, the biggest concern for the Islanders and their fans is obviously watching Tavares walk away for nothing. While they won’t get a return similar to if they had dealt Tavares at the deadline, New York will still get something in exchange for enabling the sign-and-trade. At this point, getting anything at all for losing Tavares has to appeal to the Isles.
Will such a scenario play out this summer? There hasn’t been a sign-and-trade this century, so obviously the odds don’t favor it. However, there are aspects of the situation that lend themselves to this being the exception to the rule. The most likely result is still that Tavares stays in New York. If that doesn’t happen, it likely means he wants to test the open market. Yet, there is a possibility that Tavares will have a specific destination in mind prior to July 1st and, if that happens, a sign-and-trade could be the ideal scenario for everyone involved.
Crazy idea but sign and trade him to Toronto for Marner and draft picks. Leafs wont be able to go after Doughty but at least this guarantees a superstar coming in
That’d be a massive overpay for any team. The Isles might get a late pick or two in a sign and trade, maybe they can squeeze a mid-round pick if someone is desperate enough. Essentially they might get the equivalent of what JT’s pre-FA rights would be worth. That 8th year does not carry as much value as the media thinks. It’ll be JT’s age 36 season and the potential cap savings on it will be fairly negligible when his next cap hit is very likely to be well over $10 million per season(I predict he’ll be in the $12-13 million range).
If we split the difference and say JT would get 7/$77 on July 1st and say his payout in actual salary is 14-14-12-12-11-7-7, tacking on an 8th year at an actual salary of $7 million only drops his cap hit $625K.
Damnit, I posted before finishing lol
Essentially adding an 8th year might drop JT’s cap hit to $10.325 rather than a straight $11 million hit. That’s also assuming he’d accept a salary payout like I outlined and that he’d be good with 3 “low end” salary seasons being tagged onto the end of his deal.
are you nuts? why would the leafs give up marner and picks for Tavares? if anything they package marner and a Gardner or Reilley to get a true #1. to land Tavares they likely need a 5th round pick and cap space.
To be honest i was not that familiar with how sign and trades work in hockey. I was basing it off basketball rules in mind so thats probably why its an overpay. If the Leafs want someone like Doughty , Karlsson or Taveras they would in all seriousness not be able to keep Marner
no I agree there. to get a number one d they will have to trade one of marner or nylander.
Yeah give up your only d for Tavares? Your team lacks d as it is. But hey. Shed some more. Maybe you can try and outscore every team.
The only way the return would be that light is if Tavares only plans on signing with one or two teams. If he’s open to multiple teams courting him, a team could offer a higher pick to get a larger window to sign him. Similar to how guys are moved before they actually become free agents, for negotiating rights. Teams would essentially be giving up a little more than a 5th rounder for those “exclusive” negotiating rights with Tavares before he is officially traded.
Carolina.
How bout the Rangers? NYR has 7 picks in the first three rounds(including 3 in round 1). They all have young players who could be attractive to NYI(Pionk, Vesey, DeAngelo, Chytil, etc.)
why do you think the rangers would give up a vesey or pick on the first 3 rounds.
again the trade pieces mean nothing. Tavares will pick where he wants to go. the islanders simply will get a token parting gift if they work out a trade (Likely no higher than a 4th round pick).
Rangers should not move any of those players or picks for Tavares. At best, I could live with them moving the worst of the first rounders but that’s still too much if Tavares makes it clear that he isn’t staying with the Islanders. If Tavares is fully committed to not resigning with the Islanders, it’ll drive the price to a third round pick or a lottery chip type of prospect at best. More likely it’d be like two or three mid-to-late round picks.
Sharks
Makes no sense for Tavares to sign in NYI only to be traded. It just hurts his new team cause they’d have to give up something
Yes great point. Why would this ever happen? For him to show loyalty to the islanders by trying to help them. He wants to win and won’t hamper his new team.
again as the article stipulates. he’d be able to add one more year to the contract doing this than simply as a free agent.
Agreed. If Tavares really wants that eight year deal, he’ll just sign a shorter term deal to qualify for the eight year deal in his next contract (assuming he’s able to do that). Otherwise, the difference of 7 or 8 years will hardly matter. He’ll still get his money if he asked for 7 years, and if he wants to have a contract for when he is older than 35, he could sign a shorter term deal and hope he is healthy enough to sign a longer extension at that point.
You heard here first: Phoenix.
You heard it here first: No
He sick of playing for a crap team. He’s gonna sign a big deal with a winning club, and I don’t even know the guy.
Stop this “sign and trade” crap. This isn’t the NBA.
Don’t worry it’ll probably never happen. The only benefit from a sign and trade in the NHL is the extra year. The NBA’s sign and trade offers the extra year and a ton of extra money for resigning as opposed to signing a new contract with a team.
Blues
Stasny is gone. Him with tarasenko would be deadly. Schenn Tavares and Thomas down the middle looks pretty good for yrs
Im calling it: Rangers end up with JT and then trade for Karlsson.
I could see Vegas being a good fit