Pending free agent defensemen Karlsson, Gardiner, and Myers
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Erik Karlsson is not eligible to sign for the max term of eight years with the San Jose Sharks until after the NHL trade deadline on February 25th. He can sign for seven years before then, but not eight years.
Both the Sharks and Karlsson will wait to hold talks until the new year, giving Karlsson time to feel out San Jose. If he decides San Jose isn’t for him, he’ll be the top UFA defenseman.
After Karlsson, Jake Gardiner and Tyler Myers would be next on the pending UFA defensemen list.
Gardiner would like to remain with the Maple Leafs, and his agent Pat Brisson met with Leafs GM Kyle Dubas last week. Gardiner would need to sign a team friendly deal. Recently signed Nate Schmidt (VGK – six years at $5.95 million per) may be a comparable, but Nevada has a lower tax than some States and Provinces.
It will be hard for the Winnipeg Jets to re-sign both Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers. There hasn’t been much talk between the Jets and Myers’ camp, but it’s expected they’ll meet at some point.
Trade talk busier than in past years
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 960 on Friday and noted that a couple people have told him that there has been more trade talk going on than there normally is for this time of year.
“The Rangers, I think people are going to look at them. Namestnikov the center, he’s out there. And apparently the Rangers, as long as you’re not asking about their young core players, they’re a team that’s willing to listen.
“Columbus, they got a big win last night and they needed it. I still think Columbus is a good team, but they’re in a little bit of turmoil. Panarin had three assists. Even though he’s a UFA, I don’t think they’re too worried about him. But they’ve got a weird story here with Bobrovsky.”