On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
General Fanager: Sources saying the Maple Leafs and Jared Cowen will have another grievance hearing regarding the Leafs attempted buy out. It’s not scheduled yet, but should happen soon.
On the Arizona Coyotes and Radim Vrbata …
Craig Custance: The Coyotes and Vrbata haven’t officially signed, but they’ve agreed on a one-year contract with a base salary of $1 million plus bonuses.
Craig Morgan: Source saying that Vrbata’s deal with the Coyotes could be worth up to $3 million. Bonuses for games played, goals, points and playoff bonuses.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. If he proves to them that his defensive play has improved enough, they could attempt to sign him to a long-term deal. If he doesn’t, they could look to trade him at the deadline.
Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) Tomas Jurco and Teemu Pulkkinen don’t have a lot of trade value. Gustav Nyquist’s contract (three years at $4.75 million per) and his drop in production (17 goals) reduces his trade value. Tomas Tatar seems to be their bets trade chip in a package for a top-three defenseman among the names mentioned.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Sabres coach Dan Bylsma was on WGR 550 radio yesterday. Bylsma on what he knows regarding the contract situation with RFAs Zemgus Girgensons and Rasmus Ristolainen.
“I stopped in the office this morning and talked to (assistant general manager) Mark Jakubowski ,” he continued. “Certainly I’ve read social media. I’ve read the things about Risto and Zemgus and their contract situation. I think it’s a normal talking right now between the two groups, between both Rasmus and Zemgus. Those are things that I don’t get too much involved in. But I know they’re progressing. I know we’re talking. They do take time.”