(5/27/2021) BLH on The Latest Nugent-Hopkins Reports (Part Deux)

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

(Let’s try this again. Sorry, I did attempt to post this earlier today but some gremlins in my computer did a number on it and somehow the post was lost to the ether. Hopefully, they keep their grubby mitts off of this one.)

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From Spector’s Hockey

Lyle Richardson recently posted a number of reports regarding the future of long-time Edmonton Oiler Ryan Nugent-Hopkins,

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski wonders what Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ next contract will look like and whether it’ll be with the Edmonton Oilers. The versatile 28-year-old forward is due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He’s coming off a seven-year deal worth an annual average value of $6 million.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Derek Van Diest wondered if Nugent-Hopkins has played his last game with the Oilers. He claims he’s not thinking about free agency right now, adding his goal is to stay in Edmonton. Nugent-Hopkins was the third-highest paid Oilers behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

BLH’s Thoughts: Everyone in the Oilers organization and those that cover the team or have to deal with Nuge on a regular basis love the guy. All the players want him to return as he’s a respected member of the leadership core.

THE ATHLETIC: Daniel Nugent-Bowman believes a new contract for Nugent-Hopkins with the Oilers could get tricky. Oilers general manager Ken Holland must be careful not to offer too much money or term, assuming he brings Nugent-Hopkins back. There were reports of progress in contract talks at various points in the season but nothing got done.

BLH’s Thoughts: To the extent of my knowledge, Edmonton is offering around $6.5M per year and Nuge wants closer to $7M-$7.5M. Now, if the Oilers are unwilling to move off of their number, I’m told that the Seattle Kraken are willing to give RNH what he wants so that he can be the face of their franchise. It really all comes down to the player here. Take the money and go a little bit closer to “home” or stay in Edmonton for a little bit less and compete for a Cup.

OTTAWA SUN: Ken Warren believes the Senators should give Nugent-Hopkins a long look if he hits the open market on July 28. He could be a good fit centering the Senators’ second line alongside winger Tim Stuetzle if they could sign him within a $5 million to $5.5 million range per season on a long-term contract.

BLH’s Thoughts: Is Ottawa offering RNH a 7-8 year deal? If not, he’s not signing with a rebuilding Senators team when he can stay on the Oilers for the same money (if not a little more) and term and be on a winning club. I’d think that if Ottawa wanted him, they’d be overpaying.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nugent-Hopkins’ contract status is the Oilers’ biggest priority this offseason. He could see if he can get a better deal via free agency if the Oilers offer a deal similar to this current salary or less. If that happens, Holland will be scrambling to find a suitable replacement via free agency or the trade market.

The Senators could approach Nugent-Hopkins if he becomes available. If they’re unwilling to come up over Warren’s suggested range, however, they won’t be among the suitors for long.

The flattened salary cap will affect Nugent-Hopkins’ efforts to land a more lucrative contract. Nevertheless, don’t rule out the ability of general managers with lots of cap space to overpay for talent when the free-agent auction fever hits.

BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t think Holland will be “scrambling” to find a suitable replacement if Nuge decides to head for greener pastures. There is probably no better spot in the NHL for a free agent winger than alongside one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. In fact, I think the Oilers may have their pick of the litter regardless of Nugent-Hopkins’ decision.

That said, do you think Edmonton would be better off letting him walk and going after players who bring a different element to the roster. Elliotte Friedman reported that the Oilers are going to be in on Zach Hyman and Bob Stauffer won’t stop talking about Tomas Tatar… I have reason to believe that Rickard Rakell and Jaden Schwartz could possibly be in the mix too… After that, you’ve got players like Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Mikael Granlund, and I also wonder if Vladdy Tkachyev gets a call…

It’s going to be a busy summer in Edmonton, that’s what I know for sure.

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