Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post: UFA Paul Bissonnette’s agent said that the Capitals are one of “five or six teams” that have some level of interest in him.
“Right now he’s just looking for a good organization where he can contribute more than he’s been able to, to date, in the last couple years in Phoenix,” Mark Guy said Friday by telephone. “He wants to be in a position where he can compete for a solid fourth-line position and be a great team guy. He wants to be in an organization where there’s a chance to win, as most guys do, and looking forward to showing how hard he’s worked to improve his skill level and skating over the last couple years.”
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: There have been no contract extension talks between the Rangers and defenseman Marc Staal. Staal would be a UFA at the end of next season.
“There’s been no discussion at all, but I did get a call from Jeff early in the offseason telling me that they were working on their arbitration cases, so not to interpret it as a sign of disrespect toward Marc,” agent Paul Krepelka told Slap Shots on Thursday, referring to assistant general manager Jeff Gorton. “I expect that we will be talking at some point before training camp.
“Marc’s objective is to sign a long-term deal with the Rangers, and he would like to get it done before the season starts. That hasn’t changed.
“But we’ll see.”
Staal will be 28 in January and could be looking for a deal in the seven-year, $6 million per season range. If the Rangers are going to trade him, they should do it soon than later to avoid situations similar to Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan.
Hard to believe the Islanders haven’t been all over Michael Del Zotto, buying low after a tough season with the Rangers and Predators.
Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News: Sharks GM Doug Wilson.
“We’ll be a young team,” said GM Doug Wilson. “Maybe the youngest in the league.”
“It’s easier to integrate wingers and even defensemen into the lineup when you have depth at center,” he said. “Especially in our system, where the center is like a third D-man in the defensive zone.”