On today’s edition of NHL Rumors, Winnipeg Jets’ manager Kevin Cheveldayoff updated the media on the status of negotiations with Cole Perfetti. Meanwhile, the GM explained where things fell apart with Rutger McGroarty and why the forward didn’t want to be a Jet. Some news on the Edmonton Oilers reveals that they have offered Philip Broberg a contract and now that they have lost him they are looking to the PTO market for a replacement. Can a familiar name come back? Finally, do the San Jose Sharks hope to move Cody Ceci before the trade deadline?
Jets and Perfetti Talking Contract Extension, Trade McGroarty
Cheveldayoff confirms he had a conversation with Perfetti’s camp on Wednesday, and that “those discussions are ongoing” “Hopefully it’s something we’ll do soon.” Perfetti has been skating with Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, and Adam Lowry, as both sides go through these negotiations.
Jets reporter Scott Billeck told Thursday that nothing of significance has yet been noted. He adds, “I keep hearing that Perfetti wants a long-term deal. He sees his peers getting similar contracts this summer.”
McGroarty Didn’t Give Jets Answers
Cheveldayoff also talked about trading Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins after weeks of uncertainty about his future in Winnipeg. There was speculation that he told the Jets he wouldn’t sign long term and the GM addressed those rumors. Cheveldayoff says McGroarty’s camp sent him a text at the combine in June. He met with his agent and McGroarty a few days later to ask why. The answer was, “he wasn’t feeling well.”
Related: The Penguins Grading Trade by Rutger McGroarty
Cheveldayoff explained:
“(The agent) had no reason. I forwarded a series of questions to the agent to see. Was it player development? Didn’t we burn the year (of his contract?) He says ‘No.’ He said it didn’t sound right. It started in development camp and it just didn’t feel right. … When he got to the development camp here, he put on the jersey, it became real, and it didn’t feel right at the time.”
Penguins Sign McGroarty
Shortly after trading him, the Penguins signed Rutger McGroarty to a three-year, entry-level contract. The belief is that the team wanted to speed up the rebuild but struggled with the idea of trading Brayden Yager.
The plan is to give McGroarty every opportunity to play in the NHL this season and a chance to be up there with a player like Sidney Crosby.
Oilers Give Broberg Extension and Talk to Barrie
According to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, the Edmonton Oilers gave Philip Broberg a two-year extension, but it was nowhere near the number he received with St. Louis Blues. Rishaug comments, “Some information we know. The Oilers entered into negotiations with Broberg before these offer sheets took place. Two years at $1.1 million was their offer, according to Broberg’s agent Darren Ferris.”
Rishaug also confirmed that there are several other teams that are prepared to go with this offer sheet strategy against the Oilers. “So if it wasn’t the Blues, it feels like it was another team.”
Meanwhile, TSN’s Dustin Nielson reports that the Oilers are open to the idea of offering the pros a tryout offer. Nielson says they are already in talks with former Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie. He writes, “They love him in the room, does he fit on the ice the way the green line is made right now?”
The answer to that is probably no, but that doesn’t mean some depth at no cost to the team is a bad idea.
Will the Sharks Trade Ceci Before the Trade Deadline?
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal is under the impression that the San Jose Sharks will trade Cody Ceci to become a Stanley Cup contender before the March 2025 trade deadline. Adding him to the trade so they can later trade him for assets, is there a chance the Sharks could trade him back to the Oilers for a reduced salary?
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