On Hampus Lindholm and the Anaheim Ducks…
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Hampus Lindholm is believed to be asking for as high as $7 million a season for as many as eight years. Aaron Ekblad‘s $7.5 million contract is the ceiling, with Rasmus Ristolainen‘s $5.4 million the floor.
Elliotte Friedman said the Ducks and Lindholm were $700,000 apart a week ago, but the gap was closing.
The Ducks would like to get Lindholm signed for around $5.5 million.
The Ducks don’t have a lot of cap sapce – just over $323,000 before they put Mason Raymond ($675,000) on waivers.
Kevin Bieksa is owed $8 million over the next two years, but he has a no-movement clause. Clayton Stoner has two years left as well with a $3.25 million cap hit. Ryan Kesler has six years left, a $6.875 million cap hit and a no-movement clause.
Teams that have the space to offer sheet Lindholm – Senators, Devils, Panthers, Jets and Hurricanes.
The Sabres, Bruins, Red Wings, Coyotes and Rangers are looking for a defenseman.
Cam Fowler is the most popular candidate to be traded from the Ducks blueline.
On Martin Hanzal and the Arizona Coyotes …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: With the Coyotes season underway and no contract extension in place for center Martin Hanzal, any contract talks could be over until the end of the season.
“I’ll just probably shut it down from my side and just keep focusing on hockey because it will be a distraction for me,” Hanzal said. “I just want to focus on hockey and make sure I can do everything to help the team win.”
Hanzal is entering the final year of his five-year, $15.5 million deal. He had hoped to have an extension in place before the season started.
“I want to stay here, but that was the plan if we don’t get it done before the season,” Hanzal said. “But hey, I understand. It’s just business and if I wouldn’t have signed right now, we’ll see what happens. Obviously I want to stay but again, I want to shut it down because of the hockey.”