NHL Notebook: Tomas Hertl Extension and Trades

The NHL Trade Deadline is four days away and the action is heating. Many wondered with all the inactivity when things would pick up. This week, teams are positioning themselves to make splashes at the deadline. While some are trying to get ahead before the rush of Monday comes. Names we expected like Josh Manson, Ben Chiarot, and Calle Jarnkrok all got moved on Wednesday, March 16th. With Tomas Hertl signing a new extension as rumors swirl around other players potentially on the move. Let’s take a look into those stories and more in this edition of the NHL Notebook.

NHL Notebook: Tomas Hertl Extension, Trades Galore on 3:16

Tomas Hertl Extension

One player everyone thought was going to be moved was Tomas Hertl of the San Jose Sharks. However, that is no longer the case as Hertl signed a new eight-year contract, $65.1 million extension to stay in San Jose. Hertl’s contract carries an AAV of $8.1375 million per season. Both parties wanted to get a deal done as documented in this week’s edition of Full Press Hockey’s Weekly NHL show on Tuesday. In addition to the high AAV, Tomas Hertl has three years of a full no-move clause. While in the final five years, Hertl has a limited no-trade clause.

The #SJSharks have signed Tomas Hertl to an 8-year extension.#NHL #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/7xv4tqYhoi

— Full Press Hockey (@FullPressNHL) March 16, 2022

Many people are scratching their heads as to why the Sharks would have so much money committed to four guys. Hertl joins, Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, and Logan Couture as players who have an $8 million cap hit or more on the team. According to CapFriendly, the Sharks have 35.64 million committed to those four guys for next season. Add in the fact that Timo Meier has a $6 million cap hit and Marc-Edouard Vlasic has a $7 million cap, the Sharks have $48.64 million committed to six guys. This is an interesting strategy as the Sharks trying to remain relevant in a competitive Western Conference.

The Sharks may not be finished as they are trying to finalize a new contract for Alexander Barabanov.

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Josh Manson Traded To Colorado

The Colorado Avalanche made a couple of pre-deadline moves. First, the Avalanche acquired defenceman Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks. Manson had been rumored all season to be on the move, but this one came out of nowhere. The Avalanche needed to bolster their blueline with Samuel Girard injured and out for at least four weeks. While Manson is a pending UFA, he brings an edge and physicality that is necessary to win in the playoffs. Not only that Manson can log a ton of minutes even strength and short-handed. He is a great depth defenceman for the Avalanche.

The Avalanche were not finished as they traded Tyson Jost to Minnestoa for Nico Sturm. Sturm is a UFA this season while Jost was scheduled to make $2 million next season. Colorado is saving $1.275 million in salary-cap space to make another move at the deadline. Rumors are they are still in the hunt for Claude Giroux.

Ben Chiarot Traded To Florida

The Florida Panthers got in on the action on Wednesday as they acquired Ben Chiarot from the Montreal Canadiens. This was the second move by the Canadiens prior to the March 21st deadline. The first was Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames. Chiarot had been rumored for a while to be leaving Montreal. Several teams were in the mix, but the Panthers knew they needed to add a depth defenceman prior to the deadline. The Canadiens received a 2023 first-round pick, a 2022 fourth-round pick (which they got from the Rangers) and unsigned college prospect Tyler Smilanic. In addition, the Canadiens will retain half of Chiarot’s $3.5 million salary. Chiarot is on the final year of his deal as he will be a pending UFA this summer.

The Panthers are getting a solid defensive defenceman in this trade. And we have seen over the years, you can’t have too many defencemen come the playoffs. This was exactly what the Panthers needed. Plus Chiarot brings playoff experience to the Panthers which is something they need if they want to get out of the first round. Over his 469 games, Chiarot has 110 points.

That was not the only move of the day for the Panthers. As earlier on Wednesday, the Panthers sent Frank Vatrano to the New York Rangers for a 2022 fourth-round pick. Vatrano was a bottom-six forward for the Panthers and will be the same for the Rangers.

Calle Jarnkrok Traded To Calagary

The Flames got in on the action on 3:16 day as they acquired Calle Jarnkrok from the Seattle Kraken for 022 second-round draft pick, 2023 third-round, and 2024 seventh-round pick. The added seventh-round pick was to ensure the Kraken would retain half of Jarnkrok’s salary. With this move the Flames add depth and versatility to their lineup. Jarnkrok is a reliable two-way player that is more known for his defence than his offence. Though he can have the scoring touch necessary from a depth player. He has 26 points in 49 games this season with the Kraken. General manager Brad Treliving loved this player going back to his days in Nashville because of his defensive awareness. Not only that but Jarnkrok can kill penalties as well. If you had to compare him to a player of the past it would be John Madden of the New Jersey Devils for his ability to play that shutdown role.

Jarnkrok will slide in between Andrew Mangiapane and Tyler Toffoli and is exactly the type of player Darryl Sutter wants on his team. It would not shock anyone if Sutter had input on getting this player acquired from Seattle.

Other News

• The Detroit Red Wings are open for business according to Steve Yzerman and one player we could see moved is Tyler Bertuzzi. Teams are calling about him. It will take at least a first-round pick to get out of Detroit
• All eyes will be on the Arizona Coyotes and Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun will be out for at least two weeks with an ankle injury. Do not be surprised if a team trades for him knowing he will be back within a week.