Labor talks top list of offseason issues
USA TODAY Sports NHL columnist Kevin Allen examines 10 important story lines for fans to follow this summer:
1. CBA talks to begin
The NHL and NHL Players Association are expected to begin negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement soon. The current deal expires Sept. 15. Commissioner Gary Bettman has not publicly shared the league’s objective. But based on what the NBA and NFL achieved, the NHL likely will want to reduce players’ share of revenue from 57%. It’s not unthinkable the NHL could lose games.
2. Ryan Suter/Zach Parise sweepstakes
They are the most desirable free agents. The Nashville Predators are trying to persuade Suter to stay, and New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello will make a significant push to keep Parise. The Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild might pitch for both, and the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings are expected to inquire about Parise.
3. Preventing Penguins from taking flight
The Pittsburgh Penguins will talk this summer to Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal, who can become unrestricted free agents in July 2013. Although the Penguins want to re-sign both, they could end up only with Crosby. It’s not about money as much as whether Staal wants to remain a No. 3 center. If the Pens opt to move Staal, the Carolina Hurricanes (with
brothers Eric and Jared Staal) could be a good fit.
4. Rick Nash 3-for-1 sale
The Columbus Blue Jackets will entertain offers for their star forward, who has the right to provide a list of acceptable teams. The Blue Jackets will seek multiple players in return, maybe three players and a draft pick. A top young goalie prospect or a proven goalie would be a welcome addition.
5. Roberto Luongo saga
The Vancouver Canucks’ ideal situation would be dealing Luongo and keeping Cory Schneider, but Luongo won’t be easy to trade. The goalie market is small, and his contract runs 10 more years. Luongo’s .919 save percentage would seem to be a good fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but general manager Brian Burke has never liked long-term contracts.
6. Finding Alex Ovechkin a new boss
With Dale Hunter returning to junior hockey, the Washington Capitals need a coach. Hunter seemed to be the tough-love-style coach superstar Ovechkin needed. Can GM George McPhee find another candidate with Hunter’s temperament?
7. Oilers debate
For the third year in a row, the Edmonton Oilers have the No. 1 pick in the draft. They need a premium young defenseman to go with skilled young forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. The problem is the best available player is forward Nail Yakupov. The Oilers must decide whether to take Yakupov, trade for a defenseman or take the best available defenseman in the draft — Ryan Murray.
8. Renovating Red Wings
With Nicklas Lidstrom retired and Brad Stuart’s rights traded, the Red Wings will embark on a renovation project. GM Ken Holland will be aggressive and could have $20 million to spend on free agents. They like Suter because he plays a poised style that could ease the pain of Lidstrom’s retirement.
9. Coyotes no longer endangered?
Glendale, Ariz., approved a 20-year, $325 million lease agreement for Jobing.com Arena, an important hurdle for Greg Jamison to buy the Phoenix Coyotes. More work is to be done, and the Goldwater Institute, a government watchdog group, has fought the deal.
10. New Hall of Fame class
First-year eligibles include Joe Sakic, Brendan Shanahan, Mats Sundin, Jeremy Roenick and Curtis Joseph. Some are lobbying to get late NHL coaches Pat Burns and Fred Shero inducted.