Though it has been assumed by many, the NHL has not actually officially announced that player contracts that are scheduled to expire on June 30th will be extended through the eventual end of the 2019-20 season. Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription required) reports today that that uniform slide of all player contracts is expected to happen, meaning pending unrestricted free agents will have to wait until the Stanley Cup is awarded (or the season is canceled) to hit the open market.
More importantly, Russo writes, are the contracts for coaching staffs and scouts all around the league that are also set to expire at the end of the normal season. These employees are not part of a union like the NHLPA, meaning extensions may have to be negotiated individually (though the league could create a standard extension document). In the piece, Russo examines the coaching situations around the league that could be affected by the extension decisions.
- Among the players who are pending unrestricted free agents is Taylor Hall, who at one point pre-coronavirus looked like he was a lock for a huge long-term contract this summer. While some have suggested that Hall (and other premium free agents like Alex Pietrangelo and Torey Krug) could maximize their earning potential by taking a one-year contract and hoping the salary cap bounces back, Hall doesn’t sound like he wants to go down that road. Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet told ESPN On Ice that Hall told him “he doesn’t want to go through another year trying to play on a one-year contract. He wants to get settled somewhere.” The Coyotes are “a team he’s very interested in staying with” according to the Arizona coach.
- USA Hockey is still planning on holding the World Junior Summer Showcase, though Hockey Canada won’t be participating. Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports that the tournament is still scheduled for late-July between the USA, Finland, and Sweden. Nothing is certain in the world right now, but you can bet scouting staffs around the NHL perked up when they heard that they may get the chance to see many of the best young players in the world battle this summer. The tournament is a proving ground for the rosters that will take part in the World Juniors at the end of the year.
I love Tocc, but I hope Taylor isn’t seriously considering AZ as a long-term destination. Top benefit: FAR less shoveling of the old driveway during the “normal” NHL season. Second-best benefit: boatload of golf courses, but nothing quite as challenging as The National. Worst reality hit: team doesn’t look like it’s on the road to real competitiveness, considering the CA teams’ abysmal 2019-2020 records. If not for that, they may have ended up near the bottom of the conference. Taylor may not be seen as super Elite, but he shouldn’t be slammed as a bottom six guy, either.
I think every team will have a better chance to resign pending unrestricted free agents than ever before seen…doesn’t Arizona have a decent tax situation as well? If he signed in New York or Chicago you can peel 40% off the contract immediately from the taxes
@parx – Yeah, the tax situation is also usually seen as a big-time inducer for guys to relocate from less favorable places. But, it still boils down to whether you are driven to win, or just get paid. Only a few destinations allow for both. Two stark examples come to mind: AZ – NO guy (low chance to win, but can get paid w/good golf. Tampa – YES guy (greater chance to win AND get better take-home pay + also decent golf).
And, like you stated, if the cap takes a bit of a hit, the UFAs might not want to try to play tough guy when it comes to signing/re-signing. This may lead to the “Beggars Can’t Be Choosers” season.
Tocc sucks, I don’t know how he still has a job as a head coach. He’s had the league best goaltending for 3 years and done nothing with it. In the past he has put Zac Rinaldo on the ice with the goalie pulled and in need of a game tying goal. He runs strome out of town and is now on track to ruin hayton as well. His gm gets him Kessel who he proceeds to ruin so he gets him hall as well. The net result is that they fall out of the playoff race cuz they score 1 goal per game.
Tocchet is easily the worst coach in the NHL.
@Cedric Lee – Don’t forget Colliton, Hynes & Blash. It does seem strange that he has seemingly fallen into the trap of coaching 0 to Minus 1 hockey in the desert. It’s almost like being inexplicably compelled by an unseen force to keep Tipp’s defective systems going there. At least Tipp made adjustments in EDM, but it’s almost like Tocc can’t get the old Wagon Queen Family Truckster out of the ditch. He does know what makes Phil tick, but maybe the surrounding cast doesn’t work well for Phil. The Strome thing was strange to see play out, since they were seemingly so high on him, and with Hayton’s injuries it makes you wonder if he’s getting frustrated too (Hayton, that is).
Both valid points.
He would be best suited on a one year deal with a contender,run at the cup,then cash in.
There should be no hockey played by anyone who is not financially well off enough to make a their own decision. “Showcases” will be filled with desperate kids, prodded by greedy parents and agents, pushed out to play. The entire process makes me ill. Let those making millions decide if they want to risk their health.