On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford: Vladimir Sobotka‘s KHL season ended this past Sunday, but his contract doesn’t expire till April 30th.
Jeremy Rutherford: If he wants to end his deal earlier, he’d have to negotiate a release, which does seem possible. Would the Blues be interested in bringing him over for a partial year?
On the New York Islanders …
Arthur Staple: It’s sounding like Islanders goalie prospect Ilya Sorokin will remain in the KHL for next season. He has one year left on his KHL deal.
Arthur Staple: Islanders goalie prospect Linus Soderstrom could sign with the team and they may allow him to play another year in the SHL.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Bob McKenzie on TSN 690 talking about the New York Islanders and John Tavares, who will be a free agent after next season. McKenzie notes that Tavares has only said that he’d like to remain with the Islanders for the long haul.
“That said, there’s business to be taken care of. And obviously when you go to do a contract extension there’s the business of figuring out the years. Well, that would be easy on Tavares – it should be eight. And then figure out what number between Steven Stamkos’ money and Jonathan Toews’ or Patrick Kane’s money – where does he slot somewhere in between those guys, I would think…”
Tavares camp is going to want to know from ownership where they are going to play in a two or three years? Who will be their coach? What is their vision and plan for the team? These things will be brought up after the season and before July 1st.
The Maple Leafs may not be in on John Tavares if he becomes available according to McKenzie when asked.
“The funny thing though is I don’t think John Tavares sits in the wheelhouse of what the Maple Leafs are interested in,” speculated McKenzie. “And unlike a year ago, when the Leafs were very hot after Steven Stamkos – and I could be way off on this – but I think they’ve already got their John Tavares and his name is Auston Matthews. And they’re going to need to devote and allocate their cap considerations for many years down the road to Auston Matthews and William Nylander and Mitch Marner.
“I’m not sure that even though he’s a Toronto kid… I think John Tavares in a perfect world would love to stay with the New York Islanders, but the New York Islanders are going to have to answer some questions first.”