Friedman on the Blues, Maple Leafs and Bruins
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: The St. Louis Blues are open for a variety of possibilities and there are only a few things they wouldn’t consider.
Believe that Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander were around $300,000 per year apart on a deal. Both sides feel they’ve moved far enough and may not want to move further.
The Maple Leafs have told teams that they are not taking back any contracts that could mess with their future salary cap situation. This makes a trade seem less unlikely. A potential three-team trade also seems unlikely.
After their 4-2 loss to the Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney confirmed that he looking for forward help.
On Mitch Marner’s second contract
TSN: Pierre LeBrun on Insider Trading notes that Mitch Marner’s agent Darren Ferris doesn’t want to negotiate Mitch Marner’s next contract until after the season. From understanding that a potential framework could be changing.
“But what I think is new is that our understanding is the Marner camp is looking at the idea of the merits of a four- or five-year deal when it’s time to negotiate as opposed to a maximum or longer term deal. And that is obviously quite interesting. It’s probably not what the Leafs want, that’s for sure. Especially, a four-year deal because that would walk Marner right into ufa (unrestricted free agency). How much would a four or five-year deal cost instead of a max deal? My sense is they think it’s somewhere between $9-10 million based on the season that he is having right now.”
Flyers GM search and other areas of need
Sam Carchidi: Columbus Blue Jackets assistant GM Barry Zito is also on the Flyers radar.
TSN: Darren Dreger on Insider Trading notes that Chuck Fletcher remains the frontrunner for the Philadelphia Flyers vacant GM spot. An experienced person and one that has the same philosophy is key. The Flyers also have some other areas of need.
“The Flyers need a goaltender to take some of the heat off the development of Carter Hart. They need a centre so they can keep Nolan Patrick’s development flexible. And they need some other tangible assets to make the Flyers a better club.”