On the New York Rangers and Mika Zibanejad …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Tyler Johnson (seven-years, $35 million) and Ondrej Palat (five-years, $26.5 milliion) new contracts set the bar for New York Rangers RFA forward Mika Zibanejad. Those comparables could put Zibanejad at around $4.8 million. Term could be the issue if they want to avoid salary arbitration on July 25th.
The Rangers could be looking at something in the five-year range and he could be looking for a short-term deal. A one-year deal could give Zibanejad leverage and the Rangers shouldn’t be interested in that. A four-year deal could be a ‘comprise length.’
On the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Tyler Johnson’s and Ondrej Palat’s no-trade clause kicks in on July 1st next year. wonders if he’s the only one seeing both Johnson and Palat in a package deal for New York Islanders John Tavares if they can’t re-sign him.
The Islanders keep saying they will ride out the season and keep working on getting him signed. Steve Stamkos and the Lightning went through the same thing.
If Tavares hits the open market next July 1st, there is the sense that the Lightning could be one of the aggressive players.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: From this weeks 30 Thoughts column.
“I’ve said a million times that I believe John Tavares’s first choice is to stay with the Islanders. But, if he does decide to leave, why do I have visions of him taking less money to play in Tampa Bay?”