Coming up tomorrow: Possible Swiss trade baits and NHL prospects
There are currently four Swiss players which have no or only very little doubt where they will play next year. Both defensemen Mark Streit (36, Philadelphia Flyers) and Roman Josi (24, Nashville Predators) have long-term contracts and will stay exactly where they are – save any unexpected blockbuster-trades. The same holds for forward Damien Brunner, 28, who has one year left on his contract with the New Jersey Devils, and goaltender Reto Berra, 27, who recently signed a 3-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche as backup of starting goalie Semyon Varlamov.
However, five Swiss players are facing a time that is crucial for their further NHL careers. Goaltender Jonas Hiller and defenseman Raphael Diaz will both hit free agency as unrestricted free agents (UFA) on July 1 and Nino Niederreiter, Simon Moser and Yannick Weber as pending restricted free agents (RFA) are looking to sign new contracts with their respective teams.
Jonas Hiller (UFA).
Current team: Anaheim Ducks
The 32-year-old goaltender is coming off a four year, $18 million contract and is listed as an unrestricted free agent (UFA). Ducks GM Bob Murray confirmed, that he won’t extend Hiller’s contract and will allow the Swiss goaltender to hit the market on July 1. Hiller is free to sign with any team and will try to get a starter job somewhere else, but might have to settle for less money than with the Ducks since he hasn’t been their undisputed starting goalie anymore after the Olympics. Furthermore, he is likely to face heavy competition from other veteran goaltenders such as Ryan Miller, Ilya Bryzgalov, and Martin Brodeur.
#NHLDucks Murray on Hiller; "He gave us a great five years, but we have young guys pushing for that spot. The writing was on the wall."
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) 19. Juni 2014
Raphael Diaz (UFA)
Current team: New York Rangers
Raphael Diaz had a mediocre season, including two trades within a few weeks (from Montréal to Vancouver and from Vancouver to New York) and lots of games in the press box. He’s a pending UFA, has already packed his things in New York and is, therefore, unlikely to get re-signed by Rangers GM Glen Sather. The 27-year-old wants to get another job in the NHL and for that, he will probably have to settle for a short-term and low-salary contract. As a puck-moving guy with a good shot he could certainly draw some interest from teams who struggled on the power play last season and are looking for an affordable blueliner.
Nino Niederreiter (RFA)
Current team: Minnesota Wild
Nino Niederreiter had a great first year in St. Paul, Minnesota. He posted 42 points in 94 games and impressed the coaches with his performance in the playoffs. He is guaranteed to stay in Minnesota for either another year (to keep him an RFA) or long-term with a new contract over multiple years. Minnesota would like to keep Niederreiter, who turned out to be a big steal after he had been traded from the New York Islanders to Minnesota in exchange for Cal Clutterbuck, for longer than just one year. The negotiations between "El Niño" and the Wild about a long-term contract are well underway.
Yannick Weber (RFA)
Current team: Vancouver Canucks
Yannick Weber signed with the Vancouver Canucks prior to this season, but struggled to get ice time at the NHL level. He averaged only 11:54 TOI in 49 games and got sent down to their AHL affiliate Utica Comets for a stretch of seven games. After that, his game with the Canucks vastly improved, but his future is, nevertheless, still written in the stars. As a RFA, the Canucks could still make a qualifying offer until June 30 and keep Weber on their roster for another year. If he won’t receive an offer, he will hit the market as a UFA on July 1. Weber’s goal is to stay in North America and for that he has to look for a job in a 3rd defensive pair and accept a low-salary contract.
Simon Moser (RFA)
Current team: Nashville Predators
Apart from a six-game stint with the Predators, Moser spent the season mainly in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals. He hopes to get another contract in Nashville but considers returning to Switzerland if he doesn’t get an extended shot at the NHL level. With an AHL salary of only $70,000 like last season – as opposed to a $570,000 NHL salary – and with no perspective to play in the NHL on a regular basis, Moser most likely won’t extend his stay in North America. In Switzerland, he still has a deal with SC Bern and would have to honor this contract in case of a return.
Coming up tomorrow: Possible Swiss trade baits and NHL prospects
