On the Montreal Canadiens …
Eric Engels: Hearing that a couple of Western Conference teams are kicking tires on Canadiens goalie Mike Condon. A trade is a possibility.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Vogl: Sabres coach Dan Bylsma on the contract negotiations with Rasmus Ristolainen and if he’ll be signed by the start of the season: “I think it will get done.”
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Bob Stauffer: “The Oilers will have to fish or cut bait on PTO’s Eric Gryba and Kris Versteeg (out day-to-day, lower body) once season start … not a out of the realm of possibility that the Oilers look for some more help on defence on the right side.”
On the Calgary Flames …
Pat Steinberg: Coach Gulutzan on Matthew Tkachuk starting the season with the Flames: “it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility”
Kristen Odland: Coach Gulutzan said he doesn’t have certain number of games that he’d like to see Tkachuk play. It will eventually be up to GM Brad Treliving.
Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Flames GM Brad Treliving flew to New York to have a face-to-face meeting with Johnny Gaudreau.
The Flames are pitching an eight-year contract at under $7 million a year. On why the Flames could be offering Gaudreau that type of deal.
First, his limited rights as a 10.2c free agent (due to two years’ service) limit his earning power as he wasn’t eligible for arbitration and couldn’t be given an offer sheet.
Second, the Flames’ efforts to continue trying to build a winning team would be hampered by a deal too pricey.
Third, no one in hockey history with just two years service and such limited rights has ever been paid anywhere close to the more than $8 million Gaudreau is seeking.
Aaron Ekblad‘s eight-year, $7.5 million per season deal could be playing a role in what Gaudreau is asking for. Obviously can’t compare forwards and defenseman, but Gaudreau’s camp feels he is more marketable, has a higher upside and is more valuable to his team than Ekblad is for the Panthers.