As today’s 5:00 pm ET deadline for teams to file for club-elected player salary arbitration came and went, the Winnipeg Jets apparently chose not to file for arbitration with forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, says Murat Ates of The Athletic (subscription required). The decision didn’t appear as much of a surprise given Dubois’ and the Jets’ situation, and allows both sides to continue discussing a long-term extension or perhaps explore different trade scenarios as has been speculated. Winnipeg had previously issued a $6.65MM qualifying-offer to Dubois in order to retain his rights and give both sides the ability to file for arbitration.
There are several reasons as to why the Jets may have decided not to file for arbitration with Dubois. Firstly, if contract discussions have been amicable and progressive, electing for arbitration and forcing a decision, either through negotiation or arbitration, may have served to disrupt a positive situation. Another reason could be, given the $6.65MM qualifying-offer, Winnipeg would have to file, at minimum, at that number in arbitration with the strong possibility Dubois could be awarded even more. Lastly, because Dubois is two years removed from unrestricted free agency, it was also possible an arbitrator would award the 24-year-old with a two-year contract that would carry him directly to the UFA market in 2024, something not only Winnipeg would want to avoid, but perhaps also the team they could trade him to, if they elected to go down that road.
- According to Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater, who spoke to several sources today, a return of Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche seems less likely than it had previously appeared. One of the market’s most desired players this offseason, Kadri is among the few notable UFAs who has yet to sign, with some speculating that he would like to go to a true contender, and thus those teams would have to work on making room under their salary cap, Colorado included. It’s unclear what, if anything, transpired today to shake Dater’s belief that Kadri could come back to Colorado, but it could mean that the tires are beginning to move on Kadri here on day six of free agency.
- In a lengthy interview with The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf (subscription required), Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi touched on a number of topics concerning the state of the franchise, including what he expects from the team going forward and why new head coach Pete DeBoer was the right fit for the club. Another name that came up was that of longtime Stars GM Jim Nill, who has been in his position for over nine years now. Nill’s contract is set to expire after this season, leading to some apparent uncertainty about what is to come. Gaglardi was sure to quash that uncertainty, telling Yousuf that Nill was going to be extended. The Stars owner cautioned that what the extension looks like depends on several factors which he couldn’t discuss just yet, but was clear about what he intended for his GM. Of note, Yousuf writes that DeBoer did ask Gaglardi in his interview this summer about Nill’s future with the organization, Gaglardi providing DeBoer with the same assurances on Nill’s future. Still, an extension is a two-way street, and Nill, 64, recently mentioned that he’s “not going to do this forever.”
If Kadri’s holding out for a “true contender,” he’s just about run out of runway, or else he needs to settle for a substantial discount. There’s certainly no contenders left except for Calgary, the Islanders and Dallas with the cap space left to go north of $7MM.
Beyond that, he might be pricing himself out of the market. Because look: he had a great season last year, sure … playing with elite talent. The previous three years? Not even 1st line production. In only two other seasons in his whole career has he broken 20 goals; in only one other season has he reached 60 points. He’ll be 32 years old opening night, and he hasn’t shown the consistency to project to being one of those ageless wonders who produces elite scoring deep into his thirties.
And he’s going to want at least four years, I expect. Were I a GM, I’d say that was a sucker bet.
You have some valid points there. But, as a colorado resident I would caution against putting faith into Dater’s ‘gut feeling.
“It’s unclear what, if anything, transpired today to shake Dater’s belief”
This is a subpar writer looking for headlines in a situation where he’s always got a 50% chance.
M34, great point!
@M34 – “This is a subpar writer looking for headlines in a situation where he’s always got a 50% chance.” – Described that hack to a T! I’d also add “bush-league homer”, too.
Nazem Kadri is one of the most desired free agents this offseason? What? If he were he would have a signed contract in hand. Even the Avs are not making a push. Despite a great season in Denver, he is what he is and NHL teams have no desire to pay him for last year, then watch him go back to his baseline. Last season notwithstanding, he is a known quantity, the very reason that he is not one of the most desired free agents.
Agreed. He’s a product of the team and environment he was part of. As a free agent, he’s a classic example of ‘buyer beware.’
I dunno as a habs fan I always liked Kadri. Now I dont think hes an 8+ guy over 6+ years but hes a great player
DUMBA OUT KADRI IN IT COULD HAPPEN FOR THE WILD…
Who would take on Dumba’s $6mil cap hit?
Any team if Minny sweetens the deal…
So any team now magically has 6m in cap space to absorb a contract? The whole point of this article is no teams have cap space lol
U r smart
With Kadri keeping the length at 4 years or less would be smart on any team. Most of the contenders do not have much available cap space left.
A contending team would already have a 1C and a 2C. And Kadri will be looking for top 6 money. So … the only fit is … in Colorado where the 2C is a UFA … Kadri.
If you are limiting to last season’s playoff teams sure. But there are teams out there like Anaheim who needs to spend about $9mil more to get to the cap floor. Buffalo would not want to go beyond 2 years especially with their upcoming RFAs in 2+ years needing new contracts.
If Calgary can keep Matthew long term signing Kadri wouldn’t be a bad Plan B to try to stay competitive.
@fljay73 – Except, he’s already rejected CGY once, and many insiders don’t believe he’d revisit that.
Then his options will be getting limited the longer he is a FA
Stars have some cap space and some good trade candidates. But I want Tkatchuk