Sabres still need to sign RFA forward Reinhart
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: 22-year old Sam Reinhart is still looking for a new deal. believes a long-term deal for the restricted free agent would be better for the Buffalo Sabres as opposed to a short-term deal.
Reinhart struggled in the first half of last season but rebounded with 37 points in his final 38 games, setting career highs with 25 goals and 50 points.
Things may have been pointing to a bridge contract, but the way he finished the year may move things to a long-term deal.
Comparables could be in the range of Dylan Larkin (five-years at $6.1 million cap hit) to Christian Dvorak (six-years at $4.45 million). Likely less than Larkin, but more than Dvorak.
After this season the Sabres will have RFAs in Nathan Beaulieu, Jake McCabe, Johan Larsson, with Jeff Skinner being a UFA.
Every team would like to have someone like Parayko
Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic: Teams may have called the St. Louis Blues about defenseman Colton Parayko, but sources are saying Blues GM Doug Armstrong had no intention of trading him.
One team executive hadn’t heard Parayko’s name in any talks.
Parayko’s name may have come up as the Blues were looking for some help up front, and teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs could use some help on the back end. The Blues added Ryan O’Reilly, Tyler Bozak, David Perron and Patrick Maroon in free agency.
“Today’s game has gotten so much younger, but patience is right out the window with a lot of people with regard to these players,” the NHL team executive said. “There’s 31 teams in this league (including the Blues) and the other 30 would be very happy looking at Parayko being part of their team. He’s a good player, he’s a young player, and it’s on him to improve. You can’t just say, ‘OK, he’s a good player, that’s it.’ You’ve got to continue to improve. But from what I understand, with his character and such, he will. He’s got the basics, the basics are there.”