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Skinner: Pass The Dutchy

January 20, 2019, 7:30 AM ET [12 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Welcome to Sunday January 20. The NHL All Star hiatus will commence at the conclusion of the five games scheduled in the NHL today.

The NHL trade market is certainly heating up as evidenced by the numerous trades in the NHL in the past ten days.

On anthor front, NHL GMs are beginning the process of pitching long term deals to their star players who will be unrestricted free agents on July 1.

On Saturday night, were learned about the status of two Ottawa Senators UFAs-to-be.

During the "Headlines" segment on Hockey Night In Canada, Nick Kypreos revealed that earlier this week, Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion made an eight year, $64 million contract extension offer to forward Matt Duchene. The 28 year old forward is in the final season of his contract and is a $6M AAV. Duchene has scored 20 goals and 26 assists this season







Duchene is one of two Ottawa heavy hitters who will be looking for the grand slam money in free agency.

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Puck drop is next in New Jersey. #GoSensGo

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The other is winger Mark Stone, whom Elliotte Friedman said will be seeking a contract higher than the $64 million fortune that Duchene is currently considering signing off on. I like this contract value for Duchene. He is an Ontario native and would like to remain close to home.


Stone, 26, is currently earning $7,350,000 with the Senators. Stone has scored 22 goals and 28 assists this season. Stone scored 20 goals and 42 assists last season and 22 goals and 32 assist the season before that. Stone is no doubt looking for a fat pay raise.

At what price would Stone re-sign in Ottawa?

Last week, I was told that Stone and his camp are holding firm at a $9M to $9.5M AAV for an eight year term.


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That’s crazy talk. I’m sorry, Mark Stone. You are an impactful goal offensive player, however, you are not a $72 million to $76 million player.

Hard pass.

Stone has never scored 30 goals in his NHL career and he doesn’t play center. If he remains healthy and productive, Stone may best his career high of 64 points.

Duchene is a center and he has scored 30G in his NHL career.

Shouldn’t Duchene be asking for $72M to $76M and Stone $64M?

Were I Pierre Dorion, I would be doing my diligence to determine the trade market for a player of Stone's ilk. The Sens are in rebuilding mode and could use another veteran center, a top four D and a starting goaltender. Trading Stone for valuable building blocks could benefit the Sens in the long run. There will be no shortage of NHL GM who line up to participate in a Stone trade derby.

Is Stone going to be the next Erik Karlsson? Great player. Great ambassador. Too rich for Eugene Melnyk's blood? Melnyk is not a big believer in paying his star players market value contracts. He wants his best players to take hometown haircuts. Karlsson is allergic to haircuts. That's why he is killing it in San Jose right now. Will Stone be the next Sens star to opt out and leave Ottawa?

I can tell you who wants Mark Stone to remain a Senator for 8 years and $72 million and Matt Duchene for 8 years and $64 million. The Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Lightining and Florida Panthers. Atlantic Division rivals can't wait for Dprion to commit $136 million guaranteed dollars to two aging players. The salary cap does in fact have a ceiling.


Elsewhere, Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill and Jeff Skinner's agent began their contract extension discussions earlier this month. Skinner, 26, is riding high this season with his 30 goals and 14 assists. Skinner is on pace to crush his career highs of 37 goals and 26 assists. Skinner is interested in staying in Buffalo and playing with Jack Eichel for an extended period of time. Be it six years or eight years. Skinner loves playing close to his family and friends in nearby Toronto.

So, what will it cost Botterill to get Skinner locked up before he hits unrestricted free agency on July 1?

Botterill has no doubt presented the current market comp for a 30G scoring forward which is Evander Kane’s 7 years x $7M AAV. Following his trade from Buffalo, Kane signed his $49 million extension with San Jose. Its likely that Skinner's camp countered with 8 years x $8M AAV due to Skinner's multiple 30 goal seasons. Skinner is easily worth $64 to $68 million over an eight-year term. Skinner is currently slotted at $5.725M AAV. Bumping him up to $8M AAV for eight seasons will be a win-win for Skinner and the Sabres.


Skinner is a 2019 NHL All Star. Skinner’s seven game-winning goals is tied for the most in the NHL this season. He is the first Sabres player with at least seven game-winners in a season since Derek Roy (9) in 2008-09 and is four shy of matching the single-season franchise record of 11 shared by Danny Gare (1979-80) and Alexander Mogilny (1992-93).

Skinner is also tied for third in the NHL with three overtime goals this season. Skinner’s total matches the Sabres’ single-season record shared by Daniel Briere (2006-07) and Derek Roy (2009-10) and ties him for 10th-most career overtime goals in franchise history.


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Our #NHLAllStar. 😏

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**


Speaking of young snipers, Los Angeles Kings middle man Tyler Toffoli is on my mind again. Toffoli is a valuable piece that the 30th place Kings will likely be trading in their "Lose For Jack Hughes" campaign after the All Star Break.

Toffoli, 26, is having a soft season. He isn't the only Kings player to be experiencing bad puck luck this season. The entire team is a mess.

The Kings were crushed 7-1 in Denver on Saturday afternoon. The vultures are circling over the Staples Center.

The Kings have several key performers that teams like the Buffalo Sabres would like to acquire for their second half run to the playoffs. Namely, Jake Muzzin, Tyler Toffoli and Adrian Kempe.


Los Angeles GM Rob Blake is open for business. Jason Botterill is continues to look high and low for a veteran second line center and a veteran top four D.















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