The rising expected cost of Roman Josi
Adam Vingan of The Athletic: It is another year and another offseason Nashville must focus on re-signing a prized defenseman. Josi is eligible to receive an extension July 1.
“I love it here,” said Josi, who turns 29 on June 1 and is getting married in Nashville in July. “love the city. I love the team. … definitely want to be here.”
“When and if we do that, that checks off a lot of boxes for what we may have to do in the future,” Predators general manager David Poile told colleague Pierre LeBrun. “So that would certainly be our No. 1 priority, to get that done.’’
Josi signed a team-friendly seven-year, $28 million deal in June 2013. Since then, Roman Josi is fourth in the league with 314 points among defensemen. Cap comparables at his position include Victor Hedman, John Carlson, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson among others. Furthermore, they all make around $8 million AAV.
Into the Capitals’ Salary Cap for 2019-20
Chris Kuc of The Athletic: Brian MacLellan worked in finance and handling other people’s money which makes perfect sense. It is just what he does as general manager of the Washington Capitals. With the salary cap expected around $83 million, that gives MacLellan room to re-sign Jakub Vrana to either a bridge or term deal. After that, maneuvering will increase depending on which path he chooses.
What does he do with Brett Connolly and Matt Niskanen? The latter is likely to be traded which would thrust more youth onto the blueline.
The salary cap hell
Luke Fox Of Sportsnet: Even with the cap headed up near $83 million, that will not help several teams this summer. Vegas, Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh are tops on the list. Vegas had ample cap space just a little over a year ago. That soaked up with the Mark Stone extension, free agent deals to Ryan Reaves and Paul Stastny. Now looms William Karlsson‘s next contract. Expect Colin Miller to be moved and maybe David Clarkson‘s contract.
Pittsburgh expects to move Phil Kessel and maybe Jack Johnson as well. Toronto speculated to make moves by trading Nazem Kadri and bringing in entry-level talent.
The Tampa Bay Lightning features its own salary cap hell in what to do with Brayden Point, who is the priciest RFA out there. That necessitates moves like trading Alex Killorn, Ryan Callahan, etc. Furthermore, Anton Stralman and Dan Girardi may go.