On Free Agency …
Ted Starkey: “In free agency, it only takes one overpriced offer to lure a free agent away. This is why teams are loath to get to this point, and will either sign or trade away well before this point.”
On the Calgary Flames …
Elliotte Friedman: Sounding like the Flames are closing in on a three-year contract for Derek Ryan and a two-year deal for Austin Czarnik.
Bob Stauffer: Ryan’s three-year deal with the Flames will be over $3 million per season.
Dean Molberg: After Ryan and Czarnik the Flames may not be done. They are looking at some depth on the defense and maybe a little more help up front.
Frank Seravalli: Ryan left money on the table to play under coach Bill Peters. Over 20 teams showed interest.
On Kyle Brodziak …
Andy Strickland: As of early last night, forward Kyle Brodziak had narrowed his list to two teams.
On Tobias Rieder …
Rick Dhaliwal: Free agent forward Tobias Rieder is closing in a team to sign with, and it’s not expected to be the Vancouver Canucks.
On Logan Couture and Max Pacioretty …
Renaud Lavoie: Have to believe Max Pacioretty is happy about the San Jose Sharks-Logan Couture eight-year, $8 million contract extension. Have to think Pacioretty’s next contract could be similar, though unsure of who it would be with.
On the Boston Bruins …
Mark Divver: Chris Wagner will be signing a two-year contract with the Bruins for $1.25 million salary cap hit. The New York Islanders were one of the 12 teams there were interested.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jim Thomas: The Blues will need a backup goaltender as Carter Hutton is signing elsewhere. The Blues don’t have anything going on with free agent Anton Khudobin.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
James Mirtle: Sounding like Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock was heavily involved with talking to all the free agent targets they spoke with during the interview process.