On the New York Islanders …
Arthur Staple of Newsday: (mailbag) Think that the Islanders have changed their mind with regards to Jaroslav Halak and that he stays. The question may come down to who goes between Thomas Greiss and J-F Berube. For the short-term, it’s likely that all will remain. Halak the starter, Greiss the backup and Berube the prospect.
Guessing that John Tavares will be looking for an eight-year offer at around $9.5 – $10 million per season. The Islanders will start off lower, but will likely end up around that number.
It’s a too early for GM Garth Snow to give up on his search for another top-six forward. Doubtful that the Lightning want to trade Nikita Kucherov and they would match any offer sheets.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nikita Kucherov …
Aivis Kalnins: CSKA of the KHL is willing to offer Nikita Kucherov $6.5 million plus. He is not going to head over to the KHL unless he knows there is no way that he can sign with the Lightning.
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Nikita Kucherov’s agent, Scott Greenspun, told Lightning GM Steve Yzerman that he won’t be reporting to training camp without a contract, which is not a surprise.
“It’s all part of the process,” Yzerman said.
Kucherov could be worth $6 plus million, but the Lightning could have between $5-$5.5 million in salary cap space.
“What the contract ends up at will dictate what we need to do,” Yzerman said. “We’ll do what we have to do to get under the cap.”
Yzerman hopes to be able to get something done now that the World Cup of Hockey is over for Kucherov.
“It’s a priority for us, and will be a priority for us,” Yzerman said. “Nikita is an outstanding young player and young man. We’re hopeful we can reach an agreement as soon as possible and get him in here and ready for the season.”
Yzerman has said there are no thoughts of trading Kucherov.