The NHL quiet period might feel like a snooze fest, but let me tell you, front offices are anything but asleep. All arbitration cases are officially settled, clearing the deck for some serious coin to be dropped. The biggest bomb? Connor Bedard, signing a massive five-year, $15 million deal with Chicago, and if that doesn’t make you sit up, nothing will.
Big Deals, Bigger Payouts, and What “Big” Even Means Anymore
While Bedard’s deal is the headliner, he’s not the only one cashing in. Elliotte Friedman’s Twitter was blowing up with details. Jet Greaves locked down $5 million over three years, while Jason Robertson snagged a single year at a hefty $12 million, though he’ll be a UFA on expiry with no extension until January. Jamie Drysdale got four years for $6.5 million, and Connor McMichael inked a solid six-year deal at $6.5 million. Then there’s Trevor Zegras, who’s in for $9.125 million over four years, and Cole Perfetti getting five years at $6 million. Honestly, if you’re asking me, “big” money in the NHL now starts around $7 million a year. Beyond those fresh deals, Patrick Kane is back in Chicago on a one-year, $8 million contract, and John Marino, at 29, signed an eight-year, $6.75 million contract with Utah. Eight years at 29? That’s what you call a trust fund for your skates.
Executive Shake-Ups and Toronto’s Front Office Drama
It’s not just players making moves, the front office carousel is spinning. Steve Yzerman seems to have “fired himself,” leaving the Red Wings looking frozen in stasis. Meanwhile, the Bruins snatched up Kevyn Adams, whose reputation got a massive boost when the Buffalo Sabres somehow made the playoffs right after he was let go. Alex Lyon, I bet, is saying “hi” from Buffalo. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ GM search is heating up, with Evan Gold rumored to be a potential candidate. Gold, who ran the P. Bruins, has a background in law and business, specializing in contracts, a role he held in Washington and Boston. There’s chatter he could become the Marlies’ man in charge or take over Brandon Pridham’s old responsibilities. But let’s be real, Gold is from Toronto, and you’d imagine he’s looking for a promotion, not just a lateral move into what can be a cul de sac in AHL management. Ryan Hardy, on the other hand, has busted right out of his own cul de sac, so who knows what the Leafs are thinking about AHL management roles these days.
Marlies Make Their Own Moves
Speaking of the Leafs, their AHL affiliate, the Marlies, are making some serious hockey operations and coaching staff changes. Chris Bourque has been named Assistant GM to Ryan Hardy. Plus, they’ve added Denver Manderson and Greg Moore as assistant coaches, working alongside HC Steve Sullivan and Mark Giordano. Greg Moore has a history with the Marlies, serving as their head coach from 2019-23 before heading to the USNTDP, and he worked with Ryan Hardy, so there’s some familiarity there. The NHL might be in its low season, but these moves prove the front offices are working overtime. Keep an eye on the Red Wings to see if Yzerman’s “firing” truly shakes things up, and if Evan Gold actually lands with the Leafs. The ripple effects of these deals are getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pension Plan Puppets.
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