Friedman’s 30-Thoughts roundup …
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Heard that Jacob Trouba initial contract request was higher than Dougie Hamilton’s six-year,$5.75 million cap hit, and in the Drew Doughty range, eight-years at a $7 million cap hit. Players will always start high. It’s thought that the Jets would like to go long-term, which will raise the cap hit a bit because you are buying UFA years. Guessing if the Jets wanted to go six or seven years, they would like to be around $5.5 million, but are braced for $6-6.5 million.
- Ryan Kesler’s six-years, $6.875 million cap hit affects David Backes and Andrew Ladd. Ladd’s deal may be further along than either Dustin Byfuglien’s or Trouba’s. The Jets and Ladd have agreed on six years, but are a less than a $1 million, more than $500,000 apart per year.
- There hasn’t been much talk between the Jets and Byfuglien. Friedman thinks the Jets fear the term of an extension more than the money. Rumors were the Jets didn’t want to go over three years.
- Friedman isn’t sold on the Lightning having to trade Steven Stamkos at the trade deadline if he’s not signed to an extension. They can hold onto him, try to make another deep playoff run, and use the extra cap space on something else.
- Will Tyler Johnson’s nagging injuries affect the Lightning’s free-agent plans?
- Friedman thinks the Canadiens and Stamkos makes a lot of sense. The best rental option for the Canadiens, but unlikely the Lightning would send him to potential playoff opponent.
- Friedman wonders if the Canucks would be interested in Avs pending RFA defenseman Tyson Barrie. Friedman spitballing – Barrie for Ben Hutton and Jake Virtanen? Barrie for Virtanen and Yannick Weber may not be enough for the Avs.
- Teams have asked the Panthers about Brandon Pirri, who is arbitration eligible this offseason.
- Teams are calling the Capitals about Marcus Johansson, who is a year away from being a UFA.
- A GM on the struggling Pacific Division: “That’s held up trades, because even they thought some of their teams would be out. But they’re all in it.”
On the top unrestricted free agents …
- Kevin Allen of USA Today: Allen ranks his top 15 unrestricted free agents (Allen expects Anze Kopitar to re-sign): 1. Steven Stamkos 2. Dustin Byfuglien 3. Andrew Ladd 4. Milan Lucic 5. David Backes 6. Eric Staal 7. Keith Yandle 8. Frans Nielsen 9. Kyle Okposo 10. Loui Eriksson 11. Alex Goligoski 12. Darren Helm 13. Kris Russell 14. Jiri Hudler 15. Jason Demers
Scouting …
- Dave Stubbs: Scouting the Sharks – Canadiens last night: Capitals (2), Oilers, Flames, Avalanche, Blackhawks, Devils, Red Wings, Maple Leafs and Islanders.
- Adam Kimelman: Scouting the Flyers – Hurricanes: Canadiens, Jets , Maple Leafs, Avalanche, Panthers, Blackhawks, Sabres, Sharks, Oilers and Red Wings.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
- David Pagnotta: The Hurricanes have had two groups make pitches for the majority stake in the organization. Sounding like they have been declined so far. Both groups are still in the mix though.
On Jarret Stoll …
- Darren Dreger: The Wild claimed Jarret Stoll, but it sounds like there was more than one team that put a claim in on him. May not find out which team(s).