On the Minnesota Wild …
Dan Rosen of NHL.com: (mailbag) The Minnesota Wild only have around $2.14 million in salary cap space and still need to re-sign restricted free agent Marcus Foligno. Foligno is coming off a one-year deal at $2.25 million, so the Wild will likely have to make a minor move – trade or sending a player down – to fit a new contract for Foligno in. It’s likely not a big issue for Wild GM Chuck Fletcher.
Michael Russo: Sounding like there has been some progress between the Wild and RFA Marcus Foligno. Training camp is nine days away, and it will get done at some point.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Chip Alexander: Hurricanes GM Ron Francis said that draft pick Martin Necas is strongly leaning to playing this season in the Czech Republic.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty: David Backes has said that he’s had some talk with the Bruins staff about playing either on the wing or at center. How things go in camp may determine where he ends up.
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The 40-year old Zdeno Chara said yesterday that he wants to play beyond this season, and he wants to do so in Boston.
“I always felt I can play for a long time if I’m in good shape and if I can be healthy. So that’s what I wish for, that I can be healthy and play a long time while still being really effective and consistent.
“I definitely want to play beyond this season. It’s really hard to put a number on it. Some people do and some people don’t. I just obviously want to keep playing beyond this season. I love this game too much. I have made no secrets about it. I want to stay here and continue to play.”
If Chara can remain healthy, signing him to a one- or two-year deal at around $4 million a season may make some sense.