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Svechnikov Contract Talks Have Cooled With Hurricanes

Extension talks between the Carolina Hurricanes and Andrei Svechnikov have cooled off. Is that a timing thing or a drop in production thing?

Andrei Svechnikov was on fire to start the 2020-21 NHL season. He’d scored six goals in the team’s first eight games, but since then, he’s potted only one empty-net goal in the past 11. Does his drop in production have anything to do with news that the Carolina Hurricanes and the player have almost all but stopped talking about a contract extension?

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Luke DeCock of the News & Observer writes that negotiations on a new contract for the young star, whose entry-level contract expires after the season, have cooled. According to Svechnikov’s agent, Todd Diamond, that the two sides aren’t really talking about a new deal is not a sign of an impasse. It’s more got to do with the fact this shortened season and the pace of games has left little time for negotiating.

“Things are kind of status quo,” Diamond noted. He added, “There’s a time and place to have deeper talks. There’s just so many games right now, it’s not the right environment for it. It may take into the offseason.”

Svechnikov is turning 21 and will be an RFA at the end of this season. He’s not got a ton of leverage on a new deal, but the Hurricanes have been public in their discussions about finding the right option for both sides and this has been an interesting season for RFAs who have taken issues with their respective teams. He’s going to get paid well, it’s simply a matter of whether or not the Hurricanes elect to try and get a long-term deal done now, or sign a bridge deal first.

Andrei Svechnikov Hurricanes
Andrei Svechnikov Hurricanes

Most Likely Deal for Svechnikov

Svechnikov’s production throughout the rest of the season could play a big factor in the team’s contract decisions. That said, Diamond doesn’t necessarily think it’s all about the player’s point and goal totals.

“The team situation dictates those things moreso than we desire,” Diamond said. “More guys are going with the so-called bridge route because the team doesn’t have the cap space to satisfy a long-term number. In a financially tight COVID NHL, that is more than likely how both sides will lean.

Also important to remember is that Svechnikov still has 16 points in 19 games. Even when he’s struggling, he’s still a very good player.

Next: Holland Talks Complexities of Oilers Extension with Nugent-Hopkins

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