On the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes …
Jim Matheson: Just pure speculation …. “would Nugent-Hopkins for Justin Faulk be a fair swap? Hurricanes have Hanifin and Slavin as off D-men and need F’s.”
On the New York Islanders …
Arthur Staple: There is “nothing new” from both the Islanders and Frans Nielsen‘s camp on a new deal. The same goes for Kyle Okposo and Matt Martin, which was expected.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Aivis Kalnins: Hearing the Andrey Makarov recieved an offer from CSKA.
On the Salary Cap …
Platinum Seat Ghosts: Elliotte Friedman said that if the players don’t use the salary cap escalator next season, the salary cap could be around $69.5 million, $72.8 million if they use it. Friedman added that every year the players say they won’t use the escalator, but every year they do after pressure from the free agents.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Kevin Shattenkirk rumors started at the draft last year is a potential big deal with then teammate T.J. Oshie. Trade talk surfaced again at the trade deadline. Shattenkirk is already wondering what is going to happen this offseason.
“It was a wild year with all the rumors going on,” Shattenkirk said. “It might plant the seed of doubt in your head but that’s not my decision. I have a year left and this is where I want to be next year, so that’s out of my hands unfortunately. It’s the nature of the salary-cap league and it’s tough.
“(But) you hear those rumors and you wonder what’s going to happen and now you get into the offseason and you wonder what’s going to happen again. We’ll have to see what happens the next few weeks. Again, this is where is home is and this is where I want to be.”
For next year, the Blues have 16 players under contract for about $57.6 million. The Blues plan on re-signing Jaden Schwartz, and if they re-sign David Backes, that could take up potentially another $12 million. Shattenkirk carries a $4.25 million cap hit next year, and could jump to between $6 and $7 million on a new deal.
“I view him as a top player, not only on our team, I view him as a top player in the game,” Armstrong said. “But he falls into the jigsaw of the salary cap. Do I expect him back here in September? Sure.
“(But) it’s a business decision, and Shatty’s going to have to make one and we’re going to have to make one. But he’s a hell of a hockey player and he’s a big part of our team.”
