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Free Agent Hits: Kadri, Franson, Pietrangelo, Whitney and Brunner
Mark Easson
Mark Masters: Maple Leafs RFA Nazem Kadri on if he wants to clear the air about his contract status: ‘Um, not really. I just want something that’s fair, that’s all.’ On if he’s willing to holdout: ‘If that’s what it takes. I don’t want to.’ On reports of salary numbers that he’s after: ‘I just don’t know where those numbers are coming from to be honest … not many people know the truth’
Mark Masters: Maple Leafs RFA Cody Franson on his contract situation: ‘It’s not frustrating. It’s part of the business … I’m preparing as if noting is wrong.’
Andy Strickland: Blues GM Doug Armstrong said both the Blues and Alex Pietrangelo would likely do something that both sides are uncomfortable with. There is no guarantee that a deal will be reached by the start of training camp.
Lou Korac: Armstrong on an offer sheet for Pietrangelo: “We’ve kept enough cap space to address any team that thinks that they can poach him from us; that won’t happen.”
Andy Strickland: Blues coach Ken Hitchcock on when players are in a contract dispute: 1) they eventually arrive 2) can’t coach players who aren’t there.
Andy Strickland: Armstrong hinted that they could add a defenseman on a PTO if Pietrangelo remains unsigned. Bob McKenzie: Speculation is that Ryan Whitney could be brought in.
The Fourth Period: According to a Swiss newspaper, Damien Brunner could end up signing with EV Zug of the Swiss National A league if he’s not able to get an NHL deal. He could spend this season in Switzerland. He could sign a ‘game-by-game agreement’ that has an out clause for him to return to the NHL.