On Brad Marchand, the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins …
Ken Campbell of The Hockey News: Brad Marchand will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and some are envisioning him beside Sidney Crosby. It will probably never happen though.
“That’s a long ways away,” Marchand acknowledged when asked last night about the possibility of playing with Crosby. “There’s championship games here, we got to think about that first. But we’ll deal with whatever needs to be dealt with down the road. But it’s a lot of fun playing with Sid, there’s no question about that. But for now we’ll keep that to here.”
There have been ongoing talks between the Bruins and Marchand’s camp this offseason, and signs do point to him re-signing with the Bruins. He’ll likely be looking for eight years at around $6 million per season.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Kevin McGran: “As far as #Leafs salary cap, Jared Cowen is officially bought out. His arb hearing will determine if buy-out was legal. He is not on roster”
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons has spoken with Joffrey Lupul twice since last year. Lupul has heard the talk that he may have played his last game in a Maple Leafs jersey, “that somehow Lou Lamoriello didn’t want him around anymore and the Leafs would find a way to “Robidas” him, the new Leafs term for making a player disappear.” Lupul said that he does plan on playing again and will be training to do so. Two people who know Lupul have said he’s having difficulty in not being wanted.
On the Calgary Flames and Johnny Gaudreau …
Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Johnny Gaudreau will officially become a holdout soon, though it’s just business. GM Brad Treliving did point out the other day that “is not the first player that’s gone through a contract situation and it won’t be the last.”
Gaudreau could be looking for $8 million a season, with the Flames likely trying to keep him under Mark Giordano‘s $6.75 million.