What will the Tampa Bay Lightning do with Brayden Point?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports there has been very little progress on the Brayden Point contract front, adding the process might be even more stalled than people think.
LeBrun added while he’s sure a deal between the restricted free agent and the Tampa Bay Lightning will get done, the two sides are not remotely close right now.
With Mitch Marner getting just under $11M AAV, Brayden Point will likely seek the same. This is where it gets very tricky for the Lightning as they are tight against the salary cap.
Reports are the Lightning offered Point a 3-year bridge deal just under $6M a year. Point will want a similar 6-year deal Marner got around $11M/year. The question is, will the Lightning be able to afford that contract?
Point had 41 goals and 51 assists in 79 games for the Lightning last season, his last year on his entry-level contract.
Can the Philadelphia Flyers get Travis Konecny signed?
NBC Sports: Jordan Hall reports the entire offseason has passed and Travis Konecny, an important forward to the Flyers’ 2019-20 season, remains a restricted free agent. While it’s unclear when he’ll be in camp, the intricacies to why the Flyers and his representation can’t agree to terms on a new contract became a bit clearer.
GM Chuck Fletcher said the Flyers are willing to be flexible but Konecny’s camp would “prefer a longer-term deal right now.” A longer-term deal might make sense for the Flyers because Konecny is only 22 years old and hasn’t fully blossomed yet. Locking up Konecny for more years before he potentially hits a different tier could attract the Flyers.
While a bridge deal may be a good bet for Konecny, long-term security isn’t bad, either. There are risks and rewards to both avenues, for both sides. It’ll be about compromising.
