On Slava Voynov …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Igor Eronko reported over the weekend that Slava Voynov can apply to get a U.S. work visa anytime after July 2nd.
Voynov has been out of the NHL since October of 2014, and later plead “no-contest” to the charge of corporal injury to a spouse. He spent two months in jail for the misdemeanor charge. Before he was deported he left the U.S. to head back to Russia and his six-year, $25 million deal was terminated. The Kings do retain his rights.
On July 2nd he has a hearing, and if his ‘no-contest plea’ is removed, he won’t have a criminal record, and therefore no immigration issues going back and forth between the U.S. and Canada.
He hopes to be able to return the NHL and there is interest from NHL teams. The team that signs him will take some “serious heat.”
Voynov could face suspension from the NHL if/when he signs.
On the Nashville Predators and P.K. Subban …
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Though hasn’t heard directly about P.K. Subban rumors, they are out there, and Nashville Predators GM David Poile has heard about them, and doesn’t understand it.
“You see tweets from different places, but, that’s not happening,’’ David Poile told The Athletic when asked about a potential Subban trade.
“Nobody has even called me about him,” added Poile. “P.K. played terrific this year. He played really well. He’s a really good player. He’s one of the three candidates for the Norris Trophy. I really don’t know where this comes from.’’
If going the guessing route as to where they may have come from, thinks it might have been people trying to connect who the Ottawa Senators might look for as a return when the Predators asked about Erik Karlsson before the draft.
Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi will need new contracts over the next two years and the Predators may need to shed some salary.
Ellis is eligible to sign a contract extension after July 1st and is a top offseason priority for Poile. They’ve talked and will continue to talk.