On the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nikita Kucherov and Nikita Nesterov …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said he’s been in “constant communication” with restricted free agent Nikita Kucherov‘s agent, and is hopeful that a deal can get done “as soon as possible.”
Yzerman would like to have contract in place before Kucherov returns from the World Cup, but he realizes “that may or may not happen right away.”
Yzerman is also hopeful to get a contract done for their other RFA, defenseman Nikita Nesterov.
On the Arizona Coyotes and Tobias Rieder …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Coyotes GM John Chayka said there isn’t much new to report regarding RFA Tobias Rieder. Chayka did say that some terms are being discussed. Rieder isn’t expected to be in camp if he doesn’t have a contract in place.
“It’s kind of become an unfortunate situation in the sense that we tried to get something done longer term with Tobi, but there was just no consistency in the longer-term deals,” Chayka said. “Now we’re talking about a bridge deal. When you get to that point there’s not a whole lot of wiggle room or creativity involved in those discussions. You’re limited to what you have and the comparable sets to comparable sets.”
On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Sam Carchidi: The Flyers have two goalies, Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth, who are entering the final year of their contracts and will be battling for the No. 1 position. Head coach Dave Hakstol isn’t saying who will be their main guy heading into the season.
“I look at it more so as two guys who are going to continue to contribute to our wins,” coach Dave Hakstol said of the goalie battle. “I think we have two guys capable of being No. 1. . . .Yeah, there’s going to be competition for who’s going to be in the net. Both of these guys are proud, both guys are capable, and both are also really good teammates.”