Penguins not looking for a Crosby replacement
TSN: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby will be out for at least six weeks as he’ll be undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury.
Darren Dreger notes that Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is adamant that they won’t be shopping for a replacement.
The Maple Leafs aren’t close to firing Babcock, but his seat might be warming
James (@Account4hockey): Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 on Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock: “I don’t feel like the Toronto Maple Leafs are anywhere close to firing Mike Babcock (right now)”
James (@Account4hockey): Chris Johnston on Sportsnet 960 on Maple Leafs coach Babcock: “I have to think (Babcock’s seat) is a little bit warm. I don’t certainly think anything is imminent (re: Babcock being fired). It’s not as if he’s coaching for his job tomorrow”
James (@Account4hockey): Johnston continues: “As far as I can ascertain, it’s not imminent, it’s not something where they need to get a win to save him. But certainly if they don’t reverse course, I think that conversation is going to pick up and it becomes a little bit more possible”
Comps for Barzal
Michael Traikos of the Toronto Sun: New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello gave a firm “next question” when asked on Tuesday about the contract status of pending RFA forward Mathew Barzal.
The Islanders re-signed Anders Lee to a seven-year, $7 million per extension, and have to believe that Barzal would be worth more on a long-term deal.
Barzal had the same about of points (161) as Sebastian Aho since they both enter the league. Aho signed a five-year deal/offer sheet at $8.454 million per.
Other comparisons include Brayden Point (169 points, three-year bridge deal at $6.75 million), Mitch Marner (178 points, six-years at $10.983 million per), and Mikko Rantanen (183 points, six-years at $9.25 million).
Barzal won’t be in the Marner price range, and possibly not in the Rantanen range either. The Islanders shouldn’t be looking to sign him to a bridge deal like Point’s.
