NHL Rumors and Notes: Slepyshev, Aaltonen, Kovalchuk, Maroon, Blackhawks, Jackets, Wild, Lightning, Leafs, and Knights
James Neal and Vegas Golden Knights talking contract
On Anton Slepyshev …

Aivis Kalnins: “CSKA Moscow is also expected to announce the signing of Anton Slepyshev to a two-year deal.”

On Miro Aaltonen …

Aivis Kalnins: “Miro Aaltonen has signed with Podolsk Vitjaz of the KHL”

Aivis Kalnins: “Appears to be a one-year deal for Aaltonen.”

On Ilya Kovalchuk …

Darren Dreger: “Kovalchuk contract structure: $18.75M/3 Years 1)$8.5 ($7.85 SB $650,000 salary) 2)$6.0 ($5.30 SB $700,000 salary) 3)$4.25 salary. NMC”

On Patrick Maroon …

Pierre LeBrun: “Patrick Maroon still undecided, six teams still in the mix for the power forward…”

Andy Strickland: “Pat Maroon and Calgary gaining momentum. Stay tuned”

On the Chicago Blackhawks

Mark Lazerus: “If I had to make an educated guess who the Blackhawks sign tomorrow, it’d be Ian Cole. Not the sexiest signing, but fits a need, fits a Q type, fits the budget, and I know they’ve had significant talks with his camp. Beyond that, trades are the likeliest avenue for improvement.”

On the Columbus Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin …

Aaron Portzline: “Can obviously change quickly — one phone call, one offer — but both and Artemi Panarin’s agent, Daniel Milstein, expect Panarin to be with at the start of the 2018-19 season.”

On the Minnesota Wild …

Michael Russo: “Hendricks will clock in at one-year, 700K with

On the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nikita Kucherov …

Joe Smith: “Though this is first day Nikita Kucherov eligible to sign extension – he’s an RFA next summer – not happening quite yet. Talks with haven’t begun, though it’s not unusual, expected to pick up later in summer or in camp. Yzerman has maintained he expects to sign him”

On the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matt Martin …

Chris Johnston: “Matt Martin receives a $1.5M signing bonus today — leaving just $2.5M in actual money due over the final two years on his deal. The have let other teams know he’s available via trade.”

On the Vegas Golden Knights and James Neal …

David Schoen: “A lot of rumblings this morning about Golden Knights working to keep James Neal with the club.”