On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Bryan Burns: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman when asked if he thinks he’ll be able to sign his big three RFAs in Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin: “I think we can sign all the players we need to sign.”
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Scott Billeck: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has a year left on his contract said that his own contract extension negotiations will be talked about internally and collectively.
On the Florida Panthers …
Harvey Fialkov: Roberto Luongo when asked about the possibility of him being exposed for the expansion draft: “I’m old as dirt. They don’t want me.”
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: Pending UFA forward Radim Vrbata said that if he signs a contract extension with the Coyotes it would be a one-year deal.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins GM Don Sweeney signed Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Charlie McAvoy last week to entry-level deals. He’s been having ongoing contract talks with Anders Bjork’s (Notre Dame) camp.
“We’ve had talks with Anders’ advisors and we’re letting him sort through things. It’s his decision,” said Sweeney. “We’re just going through it just like we did with JFK and Charlie McAvoy.”
The Bruins could be thinking that if he returns for his senior year next season, he could decide to not sign with them and become a UFA on August 15th 2018.
“It’s part of the CBA that exists, so we need to operate under those guidelines,” said Sweeney. “We establish a very strong relationship with our players through the development process, and we’re always hopeful that they want to play for the Boston Bruins. That’s the ultimate goal.”
Sources saying that before the NCAA tournament got underway, there wasn’t expected to be much difficulty in getting a contract done as he wants to play for the Bruins.
On College Free Agent Alex Iafallo …
Zach Schneider: College free agent Alex Iafallo had conference calls with several teams yesterday and plans to decide on where to sign later this week.
On College Coaches …
Craig Custance: There is some buzz around college coaches David Quinn and Jim Montgomery. could see at least one of them being in the NHL next season.