On Hampus Lindholm and the Anaheim Ducks …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger was on TSN 1290 yesterday talking about the Hampus Lindholm and Anaheim Ducks situation. Dreger won’t mention a number that Lindholm could be looking for as it’s “a bit reckless and irresponsible.”
“Sometimes it’s not what you’re worth, it’s what you negotiate. Mike Keenan always used to say that. But Bob Murray is no different than Kevin Cheveldayoff. No different than Steve Yzerman and the general managers who have tackled these restricted free agents. You don’t want to give too much, too soon. They value Lindholm. They know that he’s a key piece to their success on the short term and on the long term. But if you blow his contract out of the water, then that upsets everything. And they’re not willing to do that yet.”
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 690 yesterday talking about Hampus Lindholm – Anaheim Ducks situation. Both sides appear to be dug in, but they may only be $250,000 a year apart on a long-term deal.
It seems that the Ducks are trying to get Lindholm signed for under Rasmus Ristolainen’s $5.4 million a year. Lindholm counters that with it’s only one UFA year for Ristolainen that was bought, as opposed to two for him.
“So my sense of it is at 5.5 this deal gets done in a heartbeat, I would think. If I had to guess. But it’s been tough sledding. Right now he’s still in Europe. He doesn’t have a visa. Even if they get this deal done in the next day or two, it might be a week or two before he’s in the lineup. I notice the Ducks lost again last night… so I don’t think they’re off to a great start. We’ll see if that affects the negotiation.”