Sports
Jets have options to retain Copp before arbitration despite salary-cap bind – Sportsnet.ca
WINNIPEG – This is a classic example of when last is definitely not least.
After defenceman Neal Pionk inked a four-year deal worth $23.5 million ($5.875 million AAV) with the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday morning to avoid arbitration, forward Andrew Copp is the lone restricted free agent who needs a new contract.
Did we mention salary cap space is tight for Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff?
According to PuckPedia, the Jets have already committed $82,865,478 to 21 players and they’re already on the hook for a bonus overage of $145,122.
That means the Jets are going to need to make some moves on the periphery of the roster — and they’re more likely to carry 22 (or maybe even 21) players instead of 23 when next season begins.
Even that might not be enough to balance the books and one of the considerations for the Jets might be subjecting defenceman Nathan Beaulieu to waivers and possibly sending him to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
By doing so, the Jets would be able to remove all but $125,000 of Beaulieu’s $1.25 million salary from the equation, creating some wiggle room — even after he’s potentially replaced by a veteran blue-liner making the league minimum.
After an exhilarating off-season that included the arrival of Nate Schmidt ($5.75 million) and Brenden Dillon ($3.9 million) in trades, bringing back Paul Stastny ($3.75 million) and inking restricted free agent D-man Logan Stanley to a two-year bridge deal ($900,000 AAV), most of the available money has already been spoken for.
And that includes a significant portion of the pool moving Bryan Little (up to $5.291 million) to LTIR will eventually provide.
Pionk deserved a sizable raise from the $3 million AAV he carried during his first two years with the Jets and that’s exactly what he received. He’s ultra competitive and it’s not a stretch to wonder if a partnership with Dillon might actually allow him to continue his progression.
When you consider some of the high-priced deals signed this summer, Pionk comes in at a very reasonable number. A four-year commitment is right in line with many of the other core pieces that were already secured through the 2023-24 season (and beyond).
So where do things stand with Copp?
That’s where things get interesting, especially with an arbitration date of Aug. 26 looming.
Both Copp and the Jets would prefer to get a longer-term deal taken care of at some point during the coming weeks, but that might not be possible in this flat-cap world. What we know for sure is that both parties want to avoid a second arbitration hearing. Another round of scar tissue isn’t a desired outcome — nor is it necessary.
Which brings us to what’s behind Door No. 3.
Although not optimal, inking Copp to a one-year deal for somewhere between $3.6-to-$3.85 million could be a palatable outcome for the Jets and for the player.
Copp doesn’t get the security he’s earned through his play, but he knows exactly where he stands and knows he’s valued by the coaching staff and his teammates for what he brings to the table. He’d be getting a raise and the expectation would be that a bigger deal would be on the horizon.
The Jets would get a highly-motivated player who has shown improvement each and every season he’s been in the NHL. With 15 goals and 39 points in 55 games, Copp was tracking to eclipse 20 goals and approach 60 points in a full season. That type of production isn’t easy to replace, especially when you consider Copp’s defensive awareness and his ability to grow into a leadership role.
This isn’t the only option left for the Jets to mull over, though.
Plenty of folks will suggest the Jets should consider trading Copp if they can’t sign him to a longer-term deal.
Not so fast.
While some might see moving Copp in a deal as a way to try and recoup some of the draft capital (two seconds and a third) that were sacrificed to trade for Schmidt and Dillon, that’s not how teams in “win-now” mode generally roll.
If the Jets were to trade Copp, they’d be forced to replace a middle-six forward who contributes to both special-teams units — and they still wouldn’t have much money to do so.
Those players aren’t readily available, nor are they often found in the bargain bin.
Instead of trying to integrate a new player into the fold or promoting from within, Copp is a known commodity.
He’s not an easy player to replace — and that’s before you consider all of the energy he’s invested into the Jets’ program already.
Copp is ready to put down roots here in Manitoba, he’s not counting the days until he can leave as an unrestricted free agent or banging on the door of the GM demanding a trade to a tropical destination. He sees the potential with a group that features an improved roster and wants to be part of a potential payoff.
That’s why banking on him is the proper play for the Jets.
Copp isn’t going to be thrilled with having to take a one-year deal and it would be natural for him to feel frustrated by the process.
He’s seen the Jets commit to other members of the core and it’s hard not to feel slighted when one is not afforded the same recognition.
On the flip side, Copp is a guy who has never lacked motivation, nor has he been shy about using those challenges as fuel to push him to greater heights.
The concept of a self-rental isn’t universally loved and, obviously, comes with some risk attached to it.
Stuff happens and it doesn’t always work out.
The Jets do have some experience on this front — especially during the 2018 run to the Western Conference Final, when all of Ben Chiarot, Tyler Myers and Brandon Tanev were headed toward unrestricted free agency.
With the Jets in a battle against the Nashville Predators for top spot in the North Division (and the President’s Trophy), there was never any thought given to moving those roster players for prospects, players or picks.
Sometimes, it’s just the cost of doing business.
A one-year deal doesn’t ensure that Copp walks for nothing on July 1 either, though it obviously increases the likelihood.
Consider this: if Copp is already worth somewhere in the neighbourhood of $4.5 million on a four-year deal right now, that number should only go up if he’s able to have another banner season.
But what if those same top-six minutes are not as readily available with the Jets this coming season?
It’s a logical question.
Ice time and opportunity almost always play a role in production, but even if Copp is used fairly regularly with longtime linemate Adam Lowry on the “third line” he will still be logging power play time and receiving substantial minutes.
Plus, when you consider the level of trust he’s built up over the years with Jets head coach Paul Maurice and the defensive acumen he brings to the table, Copp is almost always going to be the guy next in line to get the promotion when one arises — if he doesn’t force his way into a top-six job right out of training camp.
At every level he’s played, Copp has proven the doubters wrong and continued to carve out a bigger role for himself.
Don’t expect that to stop, no matter how this next step in the process turns out.
Copp provides tremendous value and versatility and the Jets are a better team when the Michigan product is in the lineup.
That’s precisely why this relationship should continue, even if a long-term commitment can’t currently be made.
Sports
Brad Treliving on Mitch Marner's injury status: "In all likelihood, it is a minor injury, but we want to be respectful of it" – Maple Leafs Hot Stove
At the NHL GM Meetings, Brad Treliving spoke to TSN’s Geno Reda about the status of Mitch Marner’s ankle injury, his options in net, and his first trade deadline as manager of the team.
When you hear high-ankle sprain, there is a bit of trepidation that it could be a lingering issue. Are you concerned about it at all?
Treliving: In all likelihood, it is a minor injury, but we want to be respectful of it. We have some time now. Mitch has been off the ice in the last couple of days, but we will ramp him up this week and take it day by day to see how he is feeling. Hopefully, he will be back sooner than later.
There was a scare with Ilya Samsonov when he went down during practice, but he is okay and still playing. How important is it for you as the GM to know who your number-one goalie is before the postseason?
Treliving: The good news is that we have two goalies who are really capable. Interesting situations for both. We know the season Ilya has had. The way he has bounced back and played recently gives us great confidence in him. And we know what Joe (Woll) is capable of.
Joe has gone through an injury and come back from it. Now, it is just a matter of him getting into the net. You try to balance both of those things with the fact that these are really important games. The points are important.
Sammy is going well right now. We have enough games down the stretch where both goalies are going to get into the net. That question will answer itself as we get closer to the playoffs.
We have to qualify first, but we feel confident in both goaltenders. Hopefully, both will be healthy when we get there. We are confident in both guys.
You made the comment, “We did all we thought we could do,” after the trade deadline. You inherited a lot of the roster and cap situation. How much longer do you think it will be before you can feel as though it is “your” team and you are heading into a postseason with a team you were able to put together?
Treliving: I have had an opportunity to do those things from day one. We have made some changes. We made some additions.
Through the deadline, there are three factors: there is the availability of players, those that fit, and the cost of those players. What kind of impact are they going to have on your team?
We’re excited about the things we did and the players we added at the deadline. We want to manage both the immediate right now but also the assets that we do have remaining. At the same time, what was the true availability of certain players?
We will continue to work on it. The deadline has passed. We are focused on finishing the regular season and getting into the playoffs. We will continue to work to make this team better throughout the summer and go from there.
It looks like the team is locked into the third-place spot in the Atlantic Division. That would mean either Florida or Boston in the first round. Do you feel the team is more ready to face either of them this time around?
Treliving: We are not going to get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to secure a spot first. That is goal number one. We have a lot of difficult games down the stretch. Once we can secure a spot, we’ll start focusing on who we are playing.
It sounds cliche, but it is the truth. Every team is a great team — certainly in our division. Boston and Florida are great teams, and you look at Tampa. Detroit has had some struggles recently, but they’ve had a heck of a year.
The division is deep as it is throughout the conference. We are not focused on who a potential matchup could be. Number one, we are focused on getting there. Number two, it’s about getting our game to the highest level we can get to. Once we get there, we will play who we play and go from there.
Sports
Canada's Team Homan down Norway for fourth straight win at women's worlds – TSN
SYDNEY, N.S. — Canada’s Rachel Homan continued to roll at the women’s world curling championship with a 9-4 win Monday over Norway’s Marianne Roervik.
Homan improved to 4-0 after Canada’s lone game of the day at Centre 200.
Tuesday will be an important day for Homan, vice Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew and lead Sarah Wilkes because they face two undefeated countries.
Homan takes on Italy’s Stefania Constantini (4-0) in the morning and defending champion Silvana Tirinzoni of Switzerland (5-0) at night.
“They’re two phenomenal teams and we know we will have to bring the same, or more, tomorrow,” Homan said. “I know they’re going to bring their A games, and we’re going to have to do the same.”
Norway shook hands when Homan hit for three points in the eighth end Monday.
After blanking the third, Homan’s shot stone on the button had opposing stones above and below in the fourth. Canada’s sweepers Miskew and Wilkes dragged Homan’s draw and curled it to the four-foot rings for another deuce and a 4-1 lead.
“Really well swept,” the skip said. “Tracy’s reading the line really good and called a good one there. Definitely a huge shot we needed to make sure we scored because it was looking like a steal for a while there.
“We’re all making a ton of big shots. It’s been going really good this week and hopefully it can continue.”
Norway countered with its first deuce of the game in the fifth end to trail 4-3.
Kristin Skaslien, who throws fourth stones for Roervik, navigated guards for a takeout at the back of the rings. A measurement on second stones confirmed Norway’s two points.
But Canada tightened its grip in the sixth end with Homan’s triple takeout to lie three with her first stone.
Skaslien’s shooter rolling wide left the Canadian skip a draw for a 6-3 lead.
Canada curled 92 per cent as a team in the game, led by Homan’s 94 per cent.
“(She’s) working really hard and it’s showing,” Miskew said. “The difference this year is we’re all throwing the rock very similar so she knows exactly how she has to throw her stones and trust what we tell her to make every shot.
“She’ll make anything out there.”
Homan opened the championship with a 7-6 victory over Sweden, a 7-4 defeat of Denmark, and a 10-6 win over the United States.
Norway (2-3) bounced back in Monday’s evening draw with a 11-5 victory in nine ends over Turkey’s Dilsat Yildiz (1-4).
Italy downed Tabitha Peterson of the U.S. 10-3 on Monday afternoon to drop the latter to 2-3.
South Korea’s Eunji Gim (3-1) was a 9-4 winner over Japan’s Miyu Ueno.
Estonia’s Liisa Turman (1-4) went an extra end for a 10-7 win over New Zealand’s Jessica Smith (1-4), but lost 10-9 to Demark (4-1) in the evening draw when Madeleine Dupont counted three in the 10th end.
Tirinzoni stayed unbeaten with an 8-7 decision over Turkey’s Dilsat Yildiz in the morning draw. Switzerland then won its fifth straight by beating Japan (1-4) 10-3 in eight ends in the evening draw. Tirinzoni scored three in the sixth end to go up 7-2, then added another three in the eighth to seal the deal.
Tirinzoni and teammate Alina Paetz, who throws fourth stones for the Swiss, are looking to become the first women to win five consecutive world championships.
The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 women’s world championship after Tirinzoni was victorious in 2019. Tirinzoni went on to build a run of titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
After dropping three straight, Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg got into the win column with a quick, six-end 8-2 decision over New Zealand in the morning. She improved to 2-3 in the evening with a six-end 8-1 win over Scotland’s Rebecca Morrison, who slipped to 1-4. Scotland lost 9-2 to Denmark in seven ends earlier in the day.
The top six teams in the 13-country championship advance to the playoff round. Ties for the playoffs will be solved by head-to-head results.
The top two teams from round-robin play get byes to Saturday’s semifinals. The third-place team will play the sixth and fourth will play fifth in the qualifying-round games that morning.
The winners of the qualifying-round games advance to the semifinals. The semifinal losers will play for the bronze medal Sunday morning. The winners meet for the gold Sunday evening.
Homan won the 2017 world championship in Beijing with Miskew, Joanne Courtney and Lisa Weagle. Jennifer Jones skipped the last Canadian team to win it in 2018 in North Bay, Ont.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2024.
Sports
Flames’ Wolf gets welcome-to-the-NHL moment from Capitals’ Ovechkin – Sportsnet.ca
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