On the Calgary Flames …
Damien Cox: There are indications that the Calgary Flames will be able to sign their former first round draft pick Mark Jankowski. Contract talks between the sides are in the final stages. If Jankowski decided to go the free agent route on August 15th, there wouldn’t have been the same number of interested teams as there will be for Jimmy Vesey. It is probably a good move to sign now.
Chris Johnston of Sportnet: (from last week) The Flames are able to re-sign both pending RFAs Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau to eight-year contracts. Gaudreau is five years away from unrestricted free agency, Monahan is four year away. Gaudreau can’t receive an offer sheet, Monahan can.
The Flames could sign Gaudreau to a bridge deal of four years or less. Monahan could sign a bridge deal of three years or less.
Gaudreau could be looking at a deal in the $7 million per season range if they buy up some UFA years.
Monahan could look at Aleksander Barkov’s $5.9 million per year deal over six years as a comparable.
“I don’t really think about it at all,” he said. “I think the way you play, that’s your negotiation right there. I think obviously I just stick to my game and try and do my best and lead by example.”
On Sami Lepisto …
Mike Halford of Pro Hockey Talk: Finnish defenseman Sami Lepisto is thinking about making a return to the NHL. Lepisto played in almost 200 NHL games with the Capitals, Coyotes, Blue Jackets and Blackhawks.
A Russian report is saying that Lepisto has received offers from NHL teams according the Ufa GM.
On drafted college players …
Cap Friedly: A list of drafted college players that could decide not to sign with the team that drafted them and opt for free agency on August 15th.
