Vancouver Canucks Rumours and Rumblings: Jacob Markstrom and Tyler Toffoli contracts, and the Penguins’ interest in Chris Tanev
By Faber
3 years agoIt’s been a busy couple of days for Vancouver Canucks news and rumours.
With this offseason in fast forward, there are many moves that should be happening in rapid-fire mode.
Let’s look at some of the rumours swirling around the team right now.
Jacob Markstrom
The latest on a Jacob Markstrom contract is that many teams are interested in his services and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added: “All I’ve heard is it’s been a really challenging negotiation”.
Friedman was on Sportsnet radio this week and said this about the contract negotiations.
“They’ve been working at this for months. I don’t think that necessarily means they’ve been working on that straight. They’ve been on and off, but I think they know each others’ positions. I don’t think that’s changed a lot. I would bet Markstrom’s representatives have an idea of his market. I think there’s a limit of what Vancouver’s willing to do particularly in salary. I think Vancouver needs assurances that they’ll have expansion draft flexibility, which I think Markstrom is willing to consider at a price.”
Teams that could be interested in Markstrom include the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes.
If these teams are willing to lock Markstrom down to a 4-5 year contract with an average annual value over 5 million dollars, the Canucks will have to consider walking away from their MVP.
Tyler Toffoli
Satiar Shah of Sportsnet 650 was adamant that he believes a contract could get done this week.
He would later go on to state that nothing had changed in the negotiations but that he would not be surprised to see the deal done as son as this week.
We heard rumours about a 3-4 year under five million dollars being on the table for Toffoli.
If this is the type of deal that the Canucks can get done for a top six winger, they should hurry to get it done as it can sure up their strength of the lineup for the next few years.
Toffoli turns 29 next season and could be a vital piece alongside Bo Horvat on the second line and brings a fresh look to the first powerplay unit with his ability to be a playmaker below the goal line.
Chris Tanev
There has been plenty of rumblings about the Pittsburgh Penguins being interested in acquiring Chris Tanev in free agency.
Rob Rossi and Josh Yohe of The Athletic recently wrote about the Penguins looking to upgrade the right side of their defence and that general manager Jim Rutherford is keen on adding another Tanev to his team.
“Adding a right-handed shot defenseman is a priority for the Penguins, and Rutherford is expected to try clearing enough cap space to pursue Christopher Tanev on the open market, multiple team and league sources said.”
Rick Dhaliwal was on TSN1040 radio and he reported that the Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and another mystery team that he cannot say publicly are all interested in Tanev.
Rossi and Yohe reported that the Penguins plan to use the idea of uniting the Tanev brothers and lower cost of living in Pittsburgh to be some of the driving forces in negotiations with Chris Tanev. Chris’ brother Brandon just signed a six-year deal with the Penguins last year and some sources are saying the Penguins could offer Tanev a five year deal with just under five million dollars a year as the average annual value.
The Penguins value Chris Tanev’s strength in the defensive zone and believe it would help balance the defence core as they have offensive right shot defenceman in John Marino and Kris Letang.
Their current head coach, Mike Sullivan, coached Tanev in Vancouver and could be a major supporter of bringing Tanev to the steel city.
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