On Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen …
- Frank Seravalli of TSN: Senators defenseman Jared Cowen’s stock may be on the rise as the deadline approaches somewhat due to his contract.
If Cowen is bought out of the final year of his deal in June, the net result will be a rare $650,000 salary-cap credit for next season, which could help a team cover potential overage penalties paid out from this season.
An overage penalty is applied to next season’s salary cap when a team paid performance bonuses in contracts but did not have room under this season’s cap.
10 teams may already be facing an overage penalty next year according to GeneralFanager.com. The Blackhawks, Red Wings, Penguins, Capitals, Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Panthers, Lightning and Rangers could all face overages.
The Senators won’t just give Cowen away as GM Bryan Murray still values him as a capable defenseman. Cowen is under 26-years old, so his buyout is only 1/3 of his salary. His 2016-17 salary is $4.5 million, with a $3.1 million cap hit.
In Cowen’s case, a team would spend $750,000 in real dollars for each of the next two seasons, in exchange for a $650,000 credit in 2016-17 and a $750,000 hit in 2017-18.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
- TSN: Mark Mulville reported in the Buffalo News that Sabres GM Tim Murray needs to decide whether to trade pending UFA Jamie McGinn or try to re-sign him.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- Mark Masters: Pending UFA James Reimer: “I’ve loved being a Leaf & I’d like to be a Leaf my whole career, but obviously this unrestricted thing is sometimes a weird thing”
- Platinum Seat Ghosts: Bob McKenzie: “The contract guys that might get moved I think we’re talking about Winnik or Komarov.”
On the Winnipeg Jets …
- Platinum Seat Ghosts: Bob McKenzie on Andrew Ladd: “If Ladd is out there as a rental at the deadline, somebody is going to jump on that..you get 1st round picks for a player like that”
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
- Platinum Seat Ghosts: Bob McKenzie on Lightning offering Steven Stamkos $10+ million a season: “You wouldn’t think thats a road that Steve Yzerman would want to go down.”