- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Senators GM Bryan Murray didn’t want Marc Methot contract negotiations to drag on this far. Methot’s agent retired, and is now being handled by Mike Luit. The sides met last week, and if he’s not signed to an extension, he’ll be moved.
“Mike came to town and we did have a talk,” Murray told ESPN.com Tuesday. “They’re obviously not a big hurry, they’re in the drivers’ seat for the most part. At some point we’ll talk again here in the near future.”
The Senators hope for an answer in the next couple weeks.
“We understand where everybody’s position is, it’s going to be up to us to get something concrete back to them in the next couple of weeks,” Liut told ESPN.com Tuesday.
The Senators haven’t contacted teams about Methot just yet. The Senators may be willing to trade David Legwand, who carries a $3 million cap hit. Both Chris Phillips and Chris Neil have told Murray that they would prefer to stay with the team at this point.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Odds are the Leafs will trade Cody Franson. A three-year offer around $4.4 to $4.5 million per season isn’t going to cut it. He knows he can get a six or seven year deal at more than $5 million a season after July 1st. The Leafs going six- or seven-years doesn’t make sense given their cap situation and all the other long-term deals they already have. LeBrun thinks they could get at least a 2nd round pick and either a young NHLer or a solid prospect. The second could become a first if there is a bidding war. The Red Wings, Kings and possibly the Predators are interested.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: It doesn’t appear that the Oilers have any intention of re-signing Jeff Petry, and will look to move him. The Oilers should have no trouble moving him.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Predators GM David Poile said last month that he’d be looking for a top-six forward leading up to the trade deadline, and he’s been making lots of calls.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Sharks GM Doug Wilson will listen offers on his pending UFAs, including goaltender Antti Niemi, despite them currently holding down a playoff spot. Niemi’s agent in an email said there haven’t been any contract extension talks. LeBrun doesn’t think he’ll get moved as there isn’t really a market for him. Barring an injury, top teams don’t really need a goalie.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Think the Wild would add some depth on the blueline if they could, though they may not want to pay a rich price for a rental.