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Free Agent Notes and Draft Signings: Wings, Rangers, Red Wings, Senators, Leafs, Sharks, Islanders and Coyotes
Mark Easson
Ansar Khan: Pavel Datsyuk said he wants to sign a contract extension with the Red Wings. He’s looking forward to playing with the Wings beyond next season.
Katie Strang: The Rangers haven’t started contract talks with Henrik Lundqvist. It’s not that surprising since it’s early and can’t officially sign before July.
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings will have Blackhawks Bryan Bickell and Viktor Stalberg on their free agent radar. Bickell’s stock may be rising, but Stalberg’s may be falling a bit.
Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Brennan thinks that the cost of acquiring a player like Bobby Ryan could cost the Senators Jared Cowen and maybe Mika Zibanejad. Ryan has two years left at $5.1 million. Brennan thinks that making a trade that doesn’t involving giving up their best assets may be the best route to go, or signing a lower-risk free agent. Bruins Nathan Horton will likely want $5 million, a little much for a someone who may be one concussion from retirement. Blackhawks Bryan Bickell would make a lot of sense for the Senators. Bickell shouldn’t cost any more than $2.5 million a season, maybe three-years and $8 million. Worst-case scenario for the Sens is that he signs with the Leafs.
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs should look back on the Blackhawks salary cap situation and learn from it. The Blackhawks kept and overvalued Dave Bolland and traded/undersold Andrew Ladd. The Leafs need to figure out how much they want to spend on their centers. Mikhail Grabovksi is paid like a top center at $5.5 million and Tyler Bozak could demand that much. RFA Nazem Kadri will be looking for a big raise as well. The Leafs may not be able to afford both Grabovski and Bozak, so one may have to go. Compliance buyouts may lead to Brad Richards or Vincent Lecavalier becoming free agents and better bargains.
Jon Rowson: The Sharks have all but signed Tomas Hertl. Hertl has a contract with Slavia for next season, who want to keep their star.
Arthur Staple: The Islanders have made offers to draft picks Jesse Graham, Loic Leduc, Adam Pelech and Ville Pokka. The Islanders didn’t make offers toBrenden Kichton or Mitchell Theoret, so both will re-enter the draft.
New York Rangers: The Rangers signed their 2011 5th round pick, defenseman Samuel Noreau.
Sarah McLellan: Without new ownership, the Coyotes budget won’t increase, which doesn’t faze GM Don Maloney.