Pietrangelo and Blues have talked extension … Blues will look for a veteran goalie
Stephen Whyno: “I’m sure I’m not the only person thinking this, but #StLBlues COULD sign Alex Pietrangelo, go over $81.5M salary cap by up to 10% and kick can down road whenever next season starts by putting Vladimir Tarasenko on LTIR.”
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Source saying the St. Louis Blues and pending UFA Alex Pietrangelo have had some contract extension talks. Believe that it’s 50-50 that he re-signs. The Jake Allen trade to the Montreal Canadiens freed up a little more salary cap space.
Tom Timmermann: Blues GM Doug Armstrong said that they will look to add a veteran No. 3 goaltender to play behind Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso next season.
No Hamilton-Hurricanes extension talks yet
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton is a year away from free agency. The Hurricanes will at some point talk to Hamilton’s camp to see what they could be looking for, but it won’t be happening soon. The sides will likely see how this offseasons free agency plays out. Hamilton’s camp may be eyeing the Alex Pietrangelo deal as a possible comparable.
Rutherford didn’t put an end to Malkin trade speculation
Chase Wilpert of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford was on the Two Man Advantage podcast with Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside. Rutherford had the opportunity to squash any Evgeni Malkin trade speculation but didn’t.
“Geno had a terrific year. He came in, in great shape and a great mood. He was the MVP of our team in the regular season and he’s still got a lot of hockey left in him,” Rutherford began before he opened the door. “The best way to answer the question is: I’m not shopping him. I’m not shopping our core players, but we all know that in our game, one of the great, if not the greatest players (Wayne) Gretzky was traded. You want to always listen if somebody’s got something to offer.
“I’m not in a hurry and not trying to trade any of those top guys.”