Offer sheets have already been part of the offseason conversation, and according to player agent Allan Walsh, they’re not just a theory.
Mark Scheig reported Walsh saying, “I can tell you that other players have already been offered deals as Group 2 restricted free agents with other teams, and they either didn’t sign it and ended up re-signing with their club or it’s still hanging out there.”
Another angle in the rumor mill has the Anaheim Ducks looking for ways to move salary, with the Pittsburgh Penguins emerging as a possible landing spot. On The Sheet with Jaff Marek, Marek and David Pagnotta discussed whether Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek could send one or more contracts to Pittsburgh at a steep discount just to clear space.
Marek raised the idea directly: “Could you see Pat Verbeek turning around and handing one or both of the players you mentioned to the Pittsburgh Penguins at a deep, deep discount to get a, get out, out of their cap situation here?”
Pagnotta didn’t dismiss it. “And here’s the second-round pick as a thank you.
Wouldn’t shock me. Pittsburgh’s got the cap space.
I think Kreider’s six and a half (million) in that range. (Frank) Vatrano’s at four and a half, or just…”
Marek then clarified the numbers: “Vatrano’s four and a half. (Alex) Killorn 6.25 (million). (Chris) Kreider 6.5 (million).”
Pagnotta said the Penguins have enough room to absorb all three contracts, but the Ducks would still need bodies in the lineup. His read was that Anaheim would have to move out two of those players, and likely add an incentive to make it happen.
“You have to incentivize, and there was word again Sunday when these names started to pop up that with three first, with three, excuse me, second round picks in next year’s draft, the Ducks may be willing to include one of those, maybe more if they get desperate enough. Or maybe another pick in order to take on the full pop of these deals.
Because moving two of them, even if it’s let’s say one of the sixes and Vatrano, you’re freeing up a little over 10 mill. With the, with the nine and change you have now, that’s more than enough for Kreid, excuse me Kreider, for Gauthier, Cutter, and it gives you a little flexibility to still fish in the free agent market to fill the void of one of those guys leaving.”
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