Quickie Blog for your Thursday morning:
• Mitch Marner, agent Darren Ferris and GM Brad Treliving made one thing perfectly clear as Toronto opened camp: they will try their best to tone down the rhetoric around the winger’s upcoming free agency. That won’t be easy — if even possible — but it helps the person who needs it most: Marner.
He doesn’t create some of the craziness around him, but he’s got to deal with it.
One thing that’s become very clear is the public perception of Marner is very different than his teammates’ perception of him. (More on this at a later date.) We taped an interview that will air during the first intermission of Sunday’s pre-season game against Ottawa. He did answer one contract question: Some players feel very strongly that once the puck drops on the regular season, there should be no negotiations. Does he feel that way?
“I don’t know if I would say that,” he answered. “But I think for my sake, unless it gets really important or (I’m) really needed, I’m going to let my agent and Brad do all the talking and figure stuff out. I’m just going to focus on playing hockey and trying to help this team win games.”
• Really interesting that Boston GM Don Sweeney mentioned the Dec. 1 deadline for signing Jeremy Swayman, rather than shorter timelines like the start of exhibition play or the regular season.
Initially, I thought that meant Sweeney was preparing for a lengthier dispute than any of us expected. But, after thinking about it and asking around, I believe the Harvard grad was choosing that date so as not to create an earlier pressure-point that media and fans could circle on the calendar.
With the caveat that one phone call can change everything, I still believe there are philosophical differences yet to be bridged — what both sides are willing to accept on an eight-year contract. There’s been movement, but not enough to make everyone sing Kumbaya.
• As for the other remaining RFAs: New Jersey, Winnipeg, Dawson Mercer and Cole Perfetti might be eying each other to see who signs first. It’s believed the Devils and Mercer were discussing two- and three-year deals, while two appeared to be the preferred term for Perfetti. Again, all of this can change with one phone call.
• Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon is to meet with the media Thursday morning. Goalie Robin Lehner, who is on long-term injury, was absent from his annual pre-season physical. All players on LTIR must take one to show they can’t pass a physical. My immediate reaction is hoping everything is okay with him.
If there is a situation where the Golden Knights can pursue termination, that could be the second major case for the NHLPA this fall. The union always wants to fight these cases to protect contracts. Philadelphia terminated Ryan Johansen’s contract last month, and the player has 60 days to file an appeal — which he is expected to do. Word is that Johansen had hip surgery last week, but there is no timeline for his recovery.
• We’ll talk more on Friday’s podcast about the Rogers/MLSE purchase, but there’s another interesting move in hockey circles.
Momentum Hockey, a Montreal-based agency, is joining forces with Wasserman. According to several sources, this is not a sale, but an exclusive partnership, with Momentum dropping its name and joining the Wasserman Hockey umbrella.
Co-owned by Olivier Fortier and Charles-Olivier Roussel, their biggest client is 2020 number one overall pick Alexis Lafreniere, eligible to sign an extension with the New York Rangers at any time. The rest of the roster includes the Joseph brothers, Anthony Mantha, Jakob Pelletier and Joshua Roy.
Emilie Castonguay worked at Momentum before joining the Vancouver Canucks’ front office. Patrick Roy’s son, Frederick, works there now.
Wasserman is a worldwide giant, representing Roman Josi, Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid. That’s one reason for this marriage. Fortier and Roussel don’t have a massive agency, but take great pride in representing their clients well. Wasserman’s resources raise that to another level.
But, a few sources indicated another layer: that agencies feel there is room to grow in Quebec. It’s a hockey hotbed that turns out a ton of players, but not as many agents live there anymore. That made Momentum more intriguing, and we’ll see if there’s a domino effect.