Penguins likely to hold on to their centers
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: (mailbag) Though the Pittsburgh Penguins may have a lot of centermen on their roster, don’t believe they are going to be trading one. If they feel they need to move one, would guess that Derek Grant could be the one moved.
Hanifin’s deal may have little implication on Nurse talks
Jim Matheson: Safe to assume the Darnell Nurse’s reps have looked at Noah Hanifin’s six years at $4.9 million as a comparable. The Oilers don’t have the salary cap room for that at the moment. Hanifin was a third pairing last year for the Hurricanes, while Nurse was on the second pairing. Hanifin had 32 points to Nurse’s 26.
Bob Stauffer: “IMO the Noah Hanifan contract has very little implications on Darnell Nurse’s negotiations. Nurse almost certainly will get a 2 year bridge north of a 3.0 AAV. If he crushes it and puts up say 12-33-45 in one of the next 2 seasons…the next long term deal will be 5.5M+ AAV”
Russian free agent Sergei Shumakov talking to NHL teams
Update – Washington Capitals: The Capitals have signed Sergei Shumakov to a one-year, two-way deal with a $925,000 AAV.
Aivis Kalnins: Sergei Shumakov had requested a trade from CSKA but they weren’t able to move him. They agreed on a mutual release.
Aivis Kalnins: (there was a report that he signed with the Capitals) Shumakov’s agent Shumi Babaev: “To sign a contract, you need a contract offer either verbal or in a written form, we haven’t received one from the Washington Capitals.”
Aivis Kalnins: Igor Eronko had mentioned that the Capitals could be an option, but a Capitals scout said they didn’t appear close to signing any players out of the KHL. Things can always change though.
Aivis Kalnins: Babev said that he’s spoken with numerous NHL teams but there is nothing to report yet.
Larry Brooks: Have been told that the Rangers are not going to sign winger Shumakov.
Aivis Kalnins: There was a report several weeks ago that the Rangers had shown some interest in him if he were able to get out of his KHL contract.