Lightning eyeing another Rangers defenseman?
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Tampa Bay Lightning could be keeping an eye on Rangers Adam McQuaid.
Rangers, Hayes and Zuccarello talking contract
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton is having contract extension talks with the agents for Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello.
Have been told that there is a large gap between the sides, but it’s early in the process.
The Rangers have around $25 million in salary cap space next season, with Hayes and Zuccarello potentially taking up around $11.5-$12 million. The Rangers could create more cap space by buying out defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Brendan Smith.
Rangers having other trade talks
David Pagnotta: Yes the Rangers are talking contract with Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello, they are also having active trade talks involving them.
The Rangers are also talking about Vlad Namestnikov and Chris Kreider.
Hayes and Zuccarello likely to be dealt
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Both Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello are looking for long-term deals and the New York Rangers on wanting to keep them to shorter-termed deals.
The sides are talking but they’ll more than likely be traded. It’s still possible that could sign back on after July 1st, but they’d likely get the long deals they are looking for from someone else in free agency.
The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t have a lot of assets, but they’d likely be interested in Zuccarello. They do have their first-round pick.