On the Arizona Coyotes …
- Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Mikkel Boedker likely won’t return with the team when their road trip ends. Two sources don’t think there is any chance that the pending UFA re-signs by Monday.Boedker’s agent, Jarrett Bousquet, when asked last month why sign an extension when so close to free agency.
“That’s a great question — that is the million dollar question,” Bousquet said. “As you know, in the past, there’s been some unrest over the contract. When we signed a couple years ago, we signed the night before training camp. Obviously last year, we negotiated for a long time before we had to file (for salary arbitration) and we couldn’t agree on anything so we did a one-year deal.”
“If an offer comes in from the Coyotes that’s a great offer, he does like it there and he likes the players and fans and coaches so that might lead him to re-sign. But if it’s another situation where we can’t agree on a fair deal then in six months, he’s free and we can see exactly what he’s worth.”
Two sources have said the Coyotes offered $5.5 million per season over five years. Boedker’s camp rejected the offer. Darren Dreger said this week that the Coyotes pulled the offer off the table.
With the struggling Canadian dollar, and how some of last years free agents got less than they thought would – Matt Belesky and Antoine Vermette – Boedker could be playing a risky game.
Multiple sources don’t think Boedker will land the Coyotes a 1st round pick.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: If the Coyotes retained half of Mikkel Boedker’s salary, $1.875 million, would be even more attractive to some teams, especially the Blues. Interested teams include the Blues, Ducks, Penguins, Kings and Panthers. The Coyotes could use some depth on the blueline.