On the Nashville Predators …
Igor Eronko: Predators 2017 first round draft pick Eeli Tolvanen’s contract with Jokerit has an option for the second year: “If I have a great season, who knows, maybe I’d go overseas.”
On Danis Zaripov …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: The IIHF suspended KHL Danis Zaripov for two years, Ak Bars Kazan voided his contract, and he’s started the process to attempt to become an NHL free agent.
Sources are saying it might be known next week if he’ll be eligible, with several teams saying that they think he will.
Dan Milstein is his agent and wouldn’t comment just yet.
The Vegas Golden Knights and New York Rangers are expected to be among the teams interested.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins signed center 34-year old Jay McClement to a PTO. The Pens are looking to increase their depth down the middle, and GM Jim Rutherford likes the success McClement has had on faceoffs and killing penalties.
McClement projects as a fourth-line center, and Rutherford is continuing trade talk for a third-line center.
“We’ll continue to work on it,” Rutherford said. “There’s a few options there. We’ll see what happens here in the next little while. But, again, it’s what I said all along. If there’s somebody that we feel fits what we’re looking for, we’ll do it. If not, we’re going to wait until that time comes.”