Could Laine’s camp consider an offer sheet?
The Fourth Period: Contract talks between the Winnipeg Jets and restricted free agent winger Patrik Laine are expected to pick up soon. There are already been some talks but should pick up this week.
If talks don’t go well, sources are telling TFP’s David Pagnotta that Laine will look at all options including signing an offer sheet or asking for a trade.
Laine is hoping to avoid a long, drawn-out contract battle with the Jets. The Jets have made it a priority to get him re-signed. Depending on the term of a deal, you could see the money as high as $10 million a season.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is also trying to re-sign RFA Kyle Connor.
Teams are also calling Cheveldayoff about defenseman Jacob Trouba. Talks are ongoing and will heat up leading up to the draft.
Blackhawks looking at free agent center Hayes
Chad Roumeliotis of NBC Sports: (mailbag) There are reports that the Chicago Blackhawks are doing their due diligence on free agent center Kevin Hayes. The Blackhawks drafted him in the 2012 draft in the first round but he signed with the NY Rangers.
Who the Blackhawks draft at third overall shouldn’t play into their free agent plans.
If the Blackhawks sign Hayes, it may mean that they trade one of their current centers, or move one to the wing. Their current centers are Artem Anisimov, David Kampf, Dylan Strome, and Jonathan Toews.
Defenseman Duncan Keith and forward Brandon Saad could be their top two players made available that would net them the biggest return. Keith does a full no-movement clause though. Other teams may not be interested in giving up roster players for Saad.
Artem Anisimov contract may be high at $4.55 million, but he’s still useful. His no-trade clause goes away on July 1st and he’s owed a $2 million bonus. After that, he’s only owed $5 million in salary for the final two years of his deal.