Winnipeg Jets pending RFAs
Mike McIntyre: Patrik Laine‘s slump this season may be helping in the Winnipeg Jets with regards to his next contract. It could lead to a bridge deal with a lower AAV which would give them a little more flexibility in the next couple of seasons.
Mike McIntyre: Guessing long-term contract for RFA Kyle Connor is more likely than a bridge deal. Connor’s deal could be in a similar range to Nikolaj Ehlers – seven years at $42 million, a $6 million salary cap hit.
Jets in on Stone and Bruins still could be
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on NBCSN yesterday and said that Ottawa Senators are still pushing and talking to Mark Stone‘s camp about an extension. The Sens are hoping to know where they stand before tonight’s game. If a deal can’t be reached, interest will be high.
“The Winnipeg Jets are all over this,” replied the Insider. “Even with the Charlie Coyle pending trade with the Boston Bruins, there’s reason to believe the Boston Bruins would be all over this.
“I can tell you this: There are a ton of teams in the National Hockey League that are in a bit of a lather right now because they’re calling Pierre Dorion, they want to know what’s going to happen with Stone. For now they’ve been put off to the side, and they’re getting frustrated because the deadline is on Monday.
“And Stone would be the No. 1 target, bar none – ahead of Panarin, ahead of Duchene, ahead of everybody – at this deadline, if he were made available.”
Predators and Blue Jacket in on Duchene
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on NBCSN yesterday and said that Ottawa Senators are expected to sit Matt Duchene tonight and that he’s likely played his last game with the Senators.
“Now, who would be interested – the Nashville Predators would be interested, I would think. I think Matt Duchene would be interested in going to Nashville; not just on a short term either, maybe longer term. The Columbus Blue Jackets are a team that might look favorably on getting a guy like Matt Duchene, and they’re kind of balancing the Artemi Panarin ball that we talked about earlier.
“So we’ll keep an eye on the developing situation with Matt Duchene and the Ottawa Senators.”
