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NHL Rumors: Antoine Vermette will sign by Monday

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) looks to pass during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) looks to pass during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free agent center Antoine Vermette has received five offers to play in the NHL and will make a decision by Monday.

It was a bit shocking when the Arizona Coyotes bought out center Antoine Vermette. Even though the Coyotes are clearly going in a different direction than in the past, Vermette was a team leader and still a reasonably productive player. Not surprisingly, Vermette has received offers to play from at least five NHL teams. He will reportedly make his decision by Monday.

Vermette’s production has dropped in recent years. He has not gotten 40 points in a season since the 2013-14 season, making him more of a third or fourth line enter at this stage in his career. That said, he can still provide value at a cheap price. He is one of the best centers in the NHL at winning faceoffs, winning 55.8 percent of his faceoffs during the 2015-16 season. The 34-year old center had seven points in 20 playoff games as he helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup during the 2014-15 season.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Blackhawks are one of the teams interested in Vermette. He was great for them in 2014-15 and the Hawks could use all the help that they can get. Head coach Joel Quenneville likes having players that he is familiar with and he is quite familiar with Vermette. Vermette could help ease the burden that is often placed on Jonathan Toews.

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He would also make sense for any number of rebuilding teams. It would be the equivalent of buying a lottery ticket. If he plays well for the team, they could easily flip him at the trade deadline for prospects and/or draft picks. Should Vermette not play well, it’s not like the team would be losing anything. The Toronto Maple Leafs have used this practice in recent years. However, they are probably set at center, so it should be interesting to see who signs Vermette.

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