Mark Easson

22166 Articles

NHL Rumors VIII: Jokinen, Canadiens, Penguins and Blackhawks

Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: As of yesterday, the Jets and pending UFA Olli Jokinen have had limited contact. Should expect the Jets payroll next year to be around $65 million. The Jets could take the $3 million…

Mark Easson

Top 10 2014 NHL Free Agent Defenseman

Expanded look at unrestricted free agency this week by Todd Cordell, who can be found on twitter @ToddCordell. Other Top UFA pieces: Centers, 1-10 Wingers, 11-20 Wingers . If you’re an NHL GM looking for help on defense, this isn’t the free…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors VII: Wild, Stastny, Boyle, Gionta, Komarov, Babcock and Lecavalier

Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: The Wild will be talking with Thomas Vanek's agent, but are also believed to significantly interested in Paul Stastny and Matt Niskanen. Both Stastny and Niskanen will want big, long-term deals, so they wouldn't be…

Mark Easson

NHL Video: SportsNet – Kesler Holding Up Trade Market

Darren Millard, Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean talking on Hockey Central @ Noon about the NHL rumor mill. Ryan Kesler could be holding back deals for Jason Spezza and others. There is lots of pressure on the Canucks.

Mark Easson

NHL News: Marian Gaborik Re-signs With Kings

The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed pending UFA Marian Gaborik to a seven-year contract extension. The deal is worth $34.125 million with a salary cap hit of $4.875 million. Gaborik is coming off a five-year, $37.5 million deal with a…

Mark Easson

Top 10 2014 NHL Free Agent Wingers

Expanded look at unrestricted free agency this week by Todd Cordell, who can be found on twitter @ToddCordell. While this is recognized league-wide as a poor free agent class, those hoping to address the wing and add some scoring punch are…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors VI: Spezza, Kesler, Bailey, Gagner, Boychuk and Lecavalier

Bob McKenzie: Trade talk involving Jason Spezza is heating up. The Senators are talking with four teams, three from the West and one from the East. Mark Lazerus: Hearing the Canucks are wanting Brandon Saad or Teuvo Teravainen in any…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits: Buyouts, Trading Draft Picks, Injuries and Callahan’s Clauses

Dan Rosen: The Lightning use a compliance buyout on Ryan Malone. The move clears $4.5 million off their cap. Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues GM Doug Armstrong is looking for an offensive forward before or after the…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors V: Devils, Iginla, Gibbons, Jokinen and Alfredsson

Tom Gulitti of The Record: The Devils are unlikely to use their compliance buyout. “We like our players,” Lamoriello said. “You’re not going to do a compliance buyout unless there’s a reason for it. There’s no players we don’t like.…

Mark Easson

NHL Trade: Nikitin Officially Acquired By Oilers

Team 1040: The Edmonton Oilers have traded a 2014 5th round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Nikita Nikitin. Elliotte Friedman: The Oilers sign Nikitin to a two-year contract for $9 million. The 28-year old Nikitin was drafted…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors IV: Callahan, Stastny, Ducks and Subban

Pierre LeBrun: Not finalized yet, but Ryan Callahan's contract extension with the Lightning will be for six years and $34.8 million, a $5.8 million salary cap hit. Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avs Joe Sakic said late last night…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors III: Wild, Toews and Kane, Iginla and Subban

Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press: Don't expect a blockbuster trade from the Wild. It is more likely that they'll flip draft picks or trades a role player or two. "I would say I'm receiving more calls than dialing right…

Mark Easson