3 Veterans Ducks Could Lose To Pay Their Next Big Contract
Per Andre Leal of The Hockey News, three Ducks forwards could become salary-cap casualties as Anaheim clears room for restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier's next contract: Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Frank Vatrano.
The Numbers
Gauthier, 21, is coming off a breakout season and could command between $14 million and $15 million annually on his next deal, a massive commitment for a team still building out its books around Leo Carlsson and his monster contract.
Killorn, 36, is in the final season of his contract with a $6.25 million cap hit and carries a 15-team no-trade list. Kreider, 35, is also playing out the last year of his deal at a $6.5 million cap hit with the same 15-team protection.
Vatrano, 32, has two years left on his contract at a $4.571 million average annual value with a smaller seven-team no-trade list, the shortest protection of the three, and that makes him the most realistic trade chip of the group.
Why This Has Been Building For Weeks
This isn't a new problem for Anaheim. The Ducks have just over $9 million in cap space, due to Carlsson's contract, well short of what Gauthier is believed to be seeking, and GM Pat Verbeek has been searching for relief ever since.
Placing injured winger Troy Terry, who carries a $7 million cap hit and is recovering from hip surgery, on long-term injury reserve could provide some short-term breathing room once the season begins. But Terry's eventual return means Anaheim will still need to become cap-compliant later in the year regardless.
Killorn and Vatrano specifically have already been discussed in trade calls, with Anaheim reportedly willing to attach a draft pick to move the money rather than simply eat the cap hit.
