On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Bob McKenzie: The Hurricanes are close to re-signing Cam Ward to a two-year contract extension.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Andy Strickland: Wouldn’t be a surprise if the Blues re-signed Kyle Brodziak.
On Randy Carlyle …
Michael Augello: Randy Carlyle indicated yesterday on Hockey Central that he also interviewed with the Senators, Flames and Wild.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith: “Watching the cap casualties with @NHLBlackhawks a reminder what could happen with #TBLightning. Can’t afford to keep everyone in cap world”
On Andrew Ladd, Kyle Okposo, Keith Yandle and Filip Forsberg …
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Andrew Ladd on his pending free agency.
“Right now it’s like you just want to get there. It seems like we’ve been waiting for quite some time now to get the next contract,” Ladd said over the phone from Summerland, British Columbia, on Tuesday. “It’s exciting to think about the opportunities, see who is interested.’’
Ladd is looking for a team that wants to win, but also a good spot for his family.
The Blackhawks are tight to the salary cap and likely not an option.
“Yeah, both sides kind of knew that,” said Ladd. “You’re still holding out hope that something might be able to happen to fit it in, but I think we both knew that it would be pretty difficult. So I don’t think that’s going to happen. You never say never, but both sides know it’s probably not there.”
Randy Carlyle, Travis Green and Rick Bowness were the final three options for the Ducks.
Kyle Okposo is very likely heading to free agency. Okposo’s agent, Pat Brisson, has spoken with Islanders GM Garth Snow recently, but it sounds like nothing developed.
The Rangers would love bring Keith Yandle back, but there haven’t been any contract talks.
Contract talks between the Predators and Filip Forsberg continue.
