Is it time to worry about Brayden Point‘s contract situation?
Joe Smith of The Athletic (mailbag): The craziest thing with this restricted free agent jam up is that no one in Tampa Bay even worries about Brayden Point. Point’s teammates seem unfazed by the slow process.
“(I’m) not too worried because it seems like it’s something that’s been going on around the league,” Killorn said. “It’ll be one of those things where it’ll be a snowball effect when one of them signs. All the teams don’t want to be the first one to sign. So we’re all just waiting.
“But I think we’re pretty fortunate knowing Pointer’s personality, knowing the way he is. He’s a very ‘team’ guy. I know he wants to be here. He wants to play here. It’s just the business side. You understand him not signing yet. No judgment on that part.”
Training camp represents the first pressure point in the negotiation process for restricted free agents. Not being able to play with their teammates draws. Furthermore, there was a debunked rumor of an eight-year, $8 million AAV deal. Right now, there is no news and all is quiet.
Does Jim Rutherford have to make a trade?
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: Again, it has been a question all summer. Jim Rutherford looks to improve the roster but is a trade the answer? As Rutherford sighed, if there are no trade partners, it is difficult to make a move.
Marcus Pettersson settling for a shorter-term, lesser AAV contract may not be a bad thing. This allows Jim Rutherford a tiny bit of flexibility. Even better, this gives the general manager an easier way to keep Pittsburgh cap compliant.
Some other notes from Rutherford include the fact that Patric Hornqvist is indeed healthy. That is important given he scored three goals over his final 39 games last season. Getting him going early will be important.
Finally, all the new acquisitions experiencing their first training camp under Mike Sullivan. Dominik Kahun, Alex Galchenyuk, and Brandon Tanev join Pettersson, Gudbranson, McCann, and Nick Bjugstad. With all this turnover, chemistry will be essential along with improved play.