Bobrovsky’s and Panarin pending free agent status hasn’t been a distraction
NHL.com: Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said that pending unrestricted free agents Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky haven’t been a distraction.
“I think handling himself really well,” Tortorella said Friday. “I wasn’t sure where all this goes with him and , the stuff flying around them. I know that a really big part of my job is to watch that and just make sure we are doing things the right way … it’s also the team as far as how they are handling the situation, I think it’s been really good.”
Before the season started Panarin had said he wasn’t interested in signing a contract in-season, but there are plans for his agent to meet with Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen towards the end of January.
“One of the things we talk about especially in this situation is ignore the noise,” Tortorella said. “We had a very important meeting when the season started. I’m not going to tell you what was said, but it was a very honest meeting. Just to lay the groundwork as far as what’s going to be around this team all year long.”
Luongo plans on playing until he’s 43
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo is 39-years old and he has four years left on his deal. His cap hit is $5.33 million but his salary will drop to $1 million for the final two years.
Luongo says he’s plan on honoring his deal as that is why he signed the deal … and with the back-diving salary?
“You guys said that. I never said that. My intention was to play as long as I could. I never put a number on it. I never said I was going to retire at a certain age. I was going to play as long as I enjoyed it.”