On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Coyotes GM John Chayka doesn’t see the Coyotes being big players in when free agency opens on July 1st. Chayka does hope to be able to make some trades. The Coyotes needs are at center, right defense and right wing.
The Nashville Predators may not be able to protect Pontus Aberg for the expansion draft. Aberg will be a RFA and the Preds may want to get something for him if they think they will lose him. The Coyotes will be interested.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith: Have been told that contract talks between the Lightning and RFA center Tyler Johnson continue. The Fourth Period has reported that talks were on the back burner.
David Pagnotta: Would assume that contracts talks picked back up in the last day or so, which is a good sign for both sides.
David Pagnotta: Johnson is arbitration eligible so that could be a factor when talking with the Lightning. Guessing that talks will pick up after next year’s salary cap is announced.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
David Pagnotta: The LA Kings and RFA forward Tyler Toffoli haven’t really gotten far in their contract talks. They talked a few weeks ago, but there hasn’t been any substantial since then.
On the KHL …
Slava Malamud: The KHL gave Dynamo Moscow until Sunday to put their “disastrous finances” in order.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres 2013 5th round pick Cal Petersen announced on Wednesday that he will be leaving Notre Dame a year early to go pro. The Sabres now have 30 days to sign him or he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Petersen played with Sabres Jack Eichel for Team USA at the World Championships. They spent much of May together and Eichel told him what it’s like be and play in Buffalo.
“I told him, ‘You’ve got to do what’s best for you at all times, but if you have any questions, if you need anybody to talk to about it, about the process, the situation, you can reach out to me.’”