NHL Rumors: Malkin’s Rare Deal, Bednar or Tortorella to Oilers, Panthers Eye Brady

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Vegas Golden Knights swept the Colorado Avalanche in four games, and the fallout from that series could change the conversations when it comes to NHL coaches being available. How might this impact a team like the Edmonton Oilers? In Pittsburgh, the Penguins signed Evgeni Malkin to an interesting one-year deal. Finally, are the Florida Panthers trying to pull off a blockbuster and scoop Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators?

Could the Oilers Swing for Bednar or Tortorella as Their Next Head Coach?

On his most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman wondered what the plan in Vegas was when it came to John Tortorella. Following their sweep of the Avalanche, Tortorella still doesn’t have a contract to coach next season, and Friedman isn’t convinced the Golden Knights will offer one.

“What do you do here? Tortorella’s contract is up on June 30th. If Vegas isn’t extending him, we know Edmonton is waiting.” He added, “Maybe it’s not the Oilers, but somebody’s going to be looking at this and saying ‘Hey, if Vegas doesn’t want him, we’ll gladly take him.”

Meanwhile, Jared Bednar is going to be on the hot seat in Colorado. Former Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson wondered what their next move is. He, along with several analysts and insiders, believes it could be a coaching change. He said the Avs are running out of options as they’ve already tried to shake up the core with the Mikko Rantanen trade. “I think Jared Bednar is one of the best coaches in the NHL and gets scooped up in a second if he gets fired,” said Johnson. 

If the Avalanche believes a change is needed, Bednar won’t be out of work for long. Edmonton would surely jump on the chance to interview him.

Tortorella would be the short-term push coach the Oilers feel they might need. Bednar would be more of a long-term fit, going with a proven coach who’d won and can stick with the team longer term.

Malkin’s Deal is Unique

The Penguins announced on Tuesday that Evgeni Malkin signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal for next season. The deal is unique, however. It’s a $5.5M cap hit, but a $9M AAV contract, which lays out as follows:

$2.5M Salary
$3M Signing Bonus
$3.5M Performance Bonus

PB: $250K at each of 42 and 63 GP, $1M for playoffs, $500K for each round win

Full NMC

This had to be Pittsburgh’s way of getting Malkin back on a reasonable deal, but protecting themselves in terms of cost commitment. Only if the Penguins go on a huge run and everything falls their way will Malkin make what is outlined here. At that point, the team would be happy to pay him every penny.

Brady Tkachuk to Florida?

According to team reporter Alan Greenberg, “Rumors continue to swirl that Zito is attempting to acquire Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators.” He added in a recent column about the Panthers’ summer plans, “If this is the case, surely one or more of the signed forwards will be in the deal. Zito might also try to trade up from Florida’s ninth pick in the first round of the draft — or move it in a deal for a goalie. This, too, will be at the cost of a regular with time on his contract. Buckle up, this offseason could be quite the ride.”

Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers is not a new rumor. They are inevitable given that his brother Matthews plays for the team. The Senators, meanwhile, have continued to say that they are not looking to move Brady.