On Free Agent Kris Russell …
Darren Dreger: Free agent defenseman Kris Russell is still waiting for a few teams to clear some cap space.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: The agent for RFA forward Tobias Rieder said that the start of the KHL season won’t impact their contract talks with the Arizona Coyotes. A KHL decision would be after the World Cup of Hockey.
On the Washington Capitals …
Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic: The Washington Capitals and RFA defenseman Dmitry Orlov continue contract negotiations. A source said yesterday that the Capitals are optimistic a deal will get done before the start of training camp.
The Capitals currently have $3.45 million in salary cap space. Orlov carried a $2 million cap hit last year, $2.25 million in salary. Karl Alzner will make $2.8 million this year and it’s hard to justifying paying Orlov more than that.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Source saying that St. Louis Blues came close to matching the money David Backes got from the Boston Bruins ($6 million), but were not close on term (five years).
Troy Brouwer signed with the Calgary Flames for $4.5 million. The Blues were hoping to bring him back for closer to his 2015-16 salary – $3.6 million.
Vladimir Sobotka‘s return to the NHL is in the final stages as the paperwork is close to being complete.
“I talked to his agent. He’s not in training camp. He’s ready to come over,” Armstrong said. “Getting the final bit of paperwork done.”
The Blues will need to name a new captain, and GM Doug Armstrong said it would likely be announced before training camp. Alex Pietrangelo is thought to be the front-runner.
Armstrong expects that defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk will be with the Blues when training camp starts and to have a good season with the Blues.
“That sort of grew a life of its own at the draft,” Armstrong said. “He’s a Blue and we’re excited to have him and expect him to have a good year.”