Don’t completely write off a Maple Leafs and Gardiner extension
Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner is a pending free agent and will be in line for a raise from his $4.05 million salary.
Nick Kypreos said on Headlines that Gardiner could look for $6 to $7 million if he went on to free agency. It would be hard for the Leafs to go that high for Gardiner.
“If he’s willing to take a slight increase from the that he is presently earning then perhaps they’d be more than willing to put him on a long-term contract,” Kypreos said. “So as of now don’t completely write off Jake Gardiner .”
Elliotte Friedman noted that the Maple Leafs could go heavy in signing bonuses, which might be enough incentive to get him to sign a long-term deal.
Flyers and Simmonds were a ways apart before Hextall firing
John Boruk of NBC Philadelphia: Wayne Simmonds is a pending free agent. Before he was fired, Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall had been having talks with Simmonds camp about an extension, though there hadn’t been talks since November 1st.
On Friday, Hextall had said they weren’t close.
“There was a comfort level for us and a comfort level for them,” Hextall said Friday. “We were a ways apart.”
It’s believed that Simmonds is looking for a six-year deal.
Defenseman Ivan Provorov and forward Travis Konecny will be restricted free agents and will be looking for new deals.
If the Flyers don’t turn things around before the trade deadline, it would become more likely that they move Simmonds.
“I’ve got no clue. I’d think you’d have to ask the guys in charge,” Simmonds said. “As players, we’re here to play. I think I have to continue to improve as well. That’s my main focus here.”