- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons thinks that James Reimer should avoid salary arbitration. Shouldn’t be surprised if the Leafs two assistant hires aren’t internal promotions.Simmons thinks GM should get a little nasty and sign rival players to offer sheets.
It isn’t about getting the player, necessarily. History has shown most teams match RFA offers. It’s about altering the competitive nature of your competition. Like playing billiards, it isn’t just the shots you make, it’s what you leave behind that matters as well.
If you’re the Maple Leafs, for example, didn’t it make sense to make an $11 million or $12 million offer per year for Subban? If you get him, you’re acquiring a game changing player. If you don’t, you’re messing up the payroll of one of your chief rivals. There’s no lose in this kind of deal.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets are $18 million under the salary cap and could easily match any offer sheet that Ryan Johansen signs.
“If he signs an offer sheet, he signs an offer sheet,” Kekalainen said. “Our ownership is strong, and I said before, we would match any offer he could possibly sign. If somebody wants to waste their time and effort on that, that’s fine for them. We’d just match it and keep the player.”
The Blue Jackets and Johansen are still at odds on term, and haven’t really started on the money part of it.
- Jimmy Murphy: Thinks the Stars and Red Wings could be good fits for defenseman Michael Del Zotto. EJ Hradek: Adds the Sharks under Larry Robinson would also be a good fit.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Del Zotto is still waiting for someone to buy low on him. He is the most intriguing free agent out there as he’s still young and has ability.Martin Brodeur may be a victim of both the salary cap and the shadow he could cast over a teams No. 1 goalie. Brooks wonders about the Blue Jackets behind Sergei Bobrovsky. Brodeur behind Marc-Andre Fleury may have been better than Thomas Greiss.Bruins Torey Krug is not eligible for salary arbitration nor offer sheets.
- Josh Rimer: Derek Roy is getting close to signing a deal. Down to two teams, with one in the East and one in the West.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said that 2014 1st round draft pick Kasperi Kapanen could make the team next year.
“We have to keep in mind that Kapanen could come in and make this team,” he said. “He’s played with men for two years. He’s a good player.”
Their roster is work-in-progress, and could be up until next years trade deadline.
