On the Arizona Coyotes …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: The Coyotes still have RFA forwards Jordan Martinook and Anthony Duclair to re-sign. Martinook file for salary arbitration.
“I have spoke(n) to Arizona a few times and talks have gone nowhere,” Martinook’s agent, Jeff Helperl, wrote in an email.
On the Dallas Stars …
Sean Shapiro: After re-signing Radek Faksa, the Stars are basically at the cap ceiling and will be over when Jamie Oleksiak re-signs. That won’t be an issue once they figure out their nine defensemen.
Sean Shapiro: Expect the Stars to head to training camp with nine defensemen. They will make a move or put someone on waivers during training camp.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith: Now that GM Steve Yzerman was able to lock up Tyler Johnson, he’s hopeful that he can get Ondrej Palat signed before their arbitration hearing on July 25th.
On Ilya Kovalchuk …
Emily Sadler of Sportsnet: Ilya Kovalchuk wasn’t going to miss playing in the Olympics in 2018.
“One of the main factors was the upcoming Olympic Games,” he said in translation, via SKA.rus. “In 2018, only players who play in European championships and the KHL can compete there.”
Kovalchuk has been to the Olympic’s four times already.
“It’s an Olympic year, so everyone who wants to represent their country has to play at their best,” said the 34-year-old Russian winger. “I am not an exception, and it’s a challenge which I accept.”
Igor Eronko: Ilya Kovalchuk said that when he found out in June that the NHL definitely wouldn’t be sending players to the 2018 Olympics, he decided to sign in the KHL for one more year.
Igor Eronko: Kovalchuk also said that it’s too early to start talking about potentially returning to the NHL next year. He added that he didn’t talk to any team and that the Devils were the ones talking to other teams.