WEEGAR “DISAPPOINTED” WITH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

TORONTO, ON -- As the Florida Panthers navigate through off-season decisions that impact their ability to compete for a playoff spot in the 2020-21 season, one important matter appears to be coming to a head.

Contract negotiations between the Panthers and restricted free agent defenceman MacKenzie Weegar have hit a roadblock, and while an arbitration hearing scheduled for Nov. 8 will ultimately bring a resolution, one way or another, frustrations are growing.

After speaking with Weegar’s agent Matt Ebbs, the 26-year-old’s camp is unhappy with the way contract talks have gone, thus far.

Weegar absolutely loves playing in South Florida and its fans and wants to remain a Panther long-term – he’s well-liked in the room, has nothing but great things to say about head coach Joel Quenneville, is great with his teammates, and has a build a strong blueline bromance with the likes of Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad – but the way talks have been going, he’s concerned he might not be calling Florida home for much longer.

“We’re disappointed with how things have gone, to this point,” Ebbs told TFP on Monday.

“It’s been disappointing that they haven’t really been able to get anything accomplished.”

Weegar, an Ottawa native, made $1.6 million last season and is looking for a bump in pay. While Ebbs would not divulge specifics of his negotiations with the Panthers and new-GM Bill Zito, he mentioned “we have a pretty good idea what the number is.”

With help from CapFriendly, below is a list of Weegar’s top comparables. The Boston Bruins recent re-signing of Matt Grzelcyk (4-years, $3,687,500 AAV) is the closest:

Perhaps the Panthers knew they’d be playing hardball with Weegar and maybe that’s a reason why the team has also discussed trading him. After losing Evgenii Dadonov to the Ottawa Senators, and with the possibility/likelihood of losing Mike Hoffman, as well, the Panthers have been trying to find a way to replace the 54 goals those two players scored for them last season. Moving Weegar for help up front could be in the cards.

According to multiple sources, the Winnipeg Jets have shown significant interest in Weegar and there’s plenty of chatter forward Jack Roslovic, a restricted free agent one-year away from arbitration rights, could be part of a deal if the two sides come to terms on a move.

The Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks are among the teams that have also poked around the last few weeks.

Ebbs has not spoken with other teams interested in acquiring his client, as the Panthers have not granted him permission to do so.

Weegar’s reliability on the backend and his numbers, especially his five-on-five analytics, have been impressive. While he was on the ice at even strength, the Panthers had 51.7% of the shots (SAT), which put him second on the team. Without him, the team averaged 49% of SAT. Weegar also had the second-hardest deployment among Florida’s defencemen, starting 53.6% of his shifts in the defensive zone.

As for expected goals for and against, Weegar was second on the Panthers and 25th in the NHL – when he was on the ice, the Panthers should have scored 55% of the goals, according to Natural Stat Trick’s Expected Goal Percentage, which put him ahead of Ekblad (51.5%).

Across the board, the Panthers have controlled the puck and pace of play more than the opposition while Weegar’s on the ice, and there’s no doubting the fact his importance to the team’s blueline had him third on the team in average time-on-ice behind Ekblad, his D-pairing partner, and Anton Stralman. It’s easy to see why he’s on a few other teams’ radars.

NO IMMEDIATE URGENCY FOR DANAULT

The Montreal Canadiens locked up a key piece of their core last week when, after a quick turnaround, the team signed Brendan Gallagher to a six-year, $39 million contract extension.

In less than 24 hours, the two sides went from ‘talks have broken off’ to ‘we have a deal!’ After some initial miscommunication/misunderstanding, Habs GM Marc Bergevin and Gallagher’s agent Gerry Johannson hammered out the long-term deal.

With Gallagher’s contract out of the way, Bergevin told the media during his Thursday zoom call that while “we’re always open for business,” he’ll be taking some time away from the rink.

As I reported last week, there are no contract discussions currently planned between the Canadiens and Phillip Danault’s camp, led by Craig Oster. There is also no immediate sense of urgency in getting a deal long-term done.

After Montreal’s post-season wrapped in August, Danault voiced his concern over his playing time and utilization in the playoffs. He does not want to be relegated to a purely-defensively role; he wants to continue to participate offensively along the team’s top line with Gallagher and Tomas Tatar.

“I don’t know if I’m ready to accept this,” Danault said at the time. “I like to contribute offensively, and I know that I can still reach another level offensively. I don’t know if I want to limit myself to strictly a defensive role.”

With centres Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi set to take on greater roles this coming season, Danault’s time could lessen. But with Montreal sporting three lines that can contribute offensively, the minutes are expected to be spread around, which could affect everyone’s playing time.

Danault, 27, has one-year left on his current contract that comes with a $3.083 million cap hit. He’s due for a raise and according to sources close to the situation, he’d like to stay in Montreal and would be prepared to sign a fair contract if/when one is presented.

What “fair” means to him, however, is unclear.

Anything significantly north of a $5 million average-annual-value could be a tough pill to swallow for the Canadiens if Suzuki and Kotkaniemi develop the way many within the organization are expecting. But talks haven’t gotten that far, yet.