On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: (off of Friedman’s ‘purely conjecture’ about Phil Kessel to Coyotes because of Rick Tocchet connection) Source saying that there is nothing to the Kessel to Coyotes ‘rumors’.
On the Boston Bruins …
Jimmy Murphy: On the Jarome Iginla heading back to the Boston rumors … Iginla’s kid goes to school in Boston and he’s planned on moving back to the area since 2014, but it’s not related to playing in Boston again.
Jimmy Murphy: There is always the chance that he could sign with the Bruins, but nothing is close right now.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello said that 2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren will either play in Sweden or with the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
The Marlies may be the best option for Liljegren, though he is really close to his mom back in Sweden.
He’s already said he’s having difficulty adjusting to the smaller ice, so playing here may be better for his development.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Sabres center Jack Eichel is eligible to sign a long-term contract extension this offseason. Ideally the sides would get a deal done this offseason so it wouldn’t become a distraction during the season. Eichel talks will be a little more complex than the talks the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid went through.
Sabres GM Jason Botterill recently said that talks will continue throughout the offseason.
The Sabres would likely want to sign Eichel to an eight-year deal, buying four years of unrestricted free agency. He wouldn’t be in the McDavid money range – $12.5 million cap hit – but it will cost a lot.
If Eichel wanted a four-year deal, he would be a UFA at 25 years old. It’s not known what he’s looking for in term and salary.
guessing on term and salary ranges – four years at $34 million, six years at $54 million and eight years at $90 million.