Rodrigues is awarded $2 million
Ian Ott of Sabres PR: An arbitrator awarded Buffalo Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues a one-year deal with an AAV of $2 million.
Lucic was never approached about the Canucks
Rick Dhaliwal: Milan Lucic on Sportsnet 650 when asked if he was ever asked last year to waive his no-trade clause for a trade to the Vancouver Canucks: “No never. There was never a trade to Vancouver as far as I’m concerned.”
Hutton’s camp remaining patient
Rick Dhaliwal: The agent, Andy Scott, for unrestricted free agent defenseman Ben Hutton on Sportsnet 650: “We will get a deal done before camp. We have had plenty of offers since July 1st, nothing has worked so far, we will continue to be patient.”
Canucks and Boeser taking it slow
Rick Dhaliwal: Andy Scott on Vancouver Canucks restricted free agent Brock Boeser: “My colleague Ben represents Brock. I am not surprised it’s not done, everyone is taking it slow. Let the market unfold, patience is the key for everyone.”
Bruins may have to revisit Backes next year
Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston: on why it has been hard for the Boston Bruins to trade David Backes and his contract. Backes has two years left on his contract and could be a buyout option next year. Does it make sense to take on another bad with more years but less of cap hit?
Haggerty notes: “It’s going to be very difficult to find a deal for another problem contract where the B’s aren’t inheriting more years indebted to the player coming back in a trade. Or it’s going to take a first-round pick sweetener for another team to accept the Backes contract along with Boston potentially picking up some of the money.”
Loui Eriksson has one more year than Backes and is at a $6 million cap hit. That may not make much sense for the Bruins.
It may be in the Bruins best interest to let the year play out, hope Backes has a decent season and revisit next year.