On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers are not putting any pressure on pending unrestricted free agent Michael Grabner to sign an extension or else be traded by the NHL trade deadline.
The Rangers have talked to Grabner’s agent, but neither side sees the traded deadline day as a deadline to get a new deal done by.
“Jeff and I have had several conversations but we haven’t gotten into negotiations,” Buckley told Slap Shots on Thursday. “I don’t have the sense that there’s urgency attached to this because of the deadline.
“There’s time between the end of the playoffs and for us to talk and reach a deal. Michael loves New York and playing for the Rangers, and I have to believe the feeling is mutual. When the time is right, we’ll get down to negotiating.”
Grabner is in the final year of his two-year, $3.3 million deal.
thought a few weeks ago that it might take a three-year, $10 million deal to get him signed, but thinking now it could take four years and $14 million.
On the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights …
Sportsnet: Hockey Night in Canada Headlines.
Elliotte Friedman: The Calgary Flames and Jaromir Jagr are working on an exit. Jagr’s agent has received permission to speak with other NHL teams. There hasn’t been a fit anywhere else just yet.
Chris Johnston: Have been told that Jagr playing for the Czech team at the Winter Olympics likely won’t happen. There is a $150,000 bonus for Jagr if he plays another eight NHL games, and possibly another $500,000 beyond that.
Nick Kypreos: There has been a lot of buzz around the struggling Edmonton Oilers. Their struggles might cost someone their job. Have been told that nothing is imminent. The Oilers have four more road games before their bye week.
Chris Johnston: Defenseman Victor Mete will rejoin the Montreal Canadiens and may not be available for Team Canada at the Olympics.
Nick Kypreos: Nashville Predators Filip Forsberg has a fractured hand, and they think it might be closer to four weeks and not the six weeks.
Nick Kypreos: There haven’t been any contract extension negotiations between the Vegas Golden Knights and pending UFA James Neal. Talks are expected to start soon though. The 31-year old Neal won’t get a seven- or eight-year deal from the Golden Knights, but they may be interested in a four- or five-year deal. If at four or five years, it might have to be a cap hit around $6.5 million.