On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star: If he hits the open market, the Maple Leafs are expected to take a run at Steven Stamkos. The Leafs have been clearing future cap space and will have the room to potentially add an eight figure per season contract.
Feschuk notes: “That would easily fit within a current roster-building model that will allow for a handful of high earners at the top of Toronto’s cap-hit list, this while a larger quantity of value-priced talent, fed by the franchise’s impressive cache of draft picks, competes for ice time at the bottom.”
On the New Jersey Devils …
Dan Rosen: Devils GM Ray Shero on re-signing pending RFA Kyle Palmieri: “We’ll get him signed.”
Tom Gulitti: Palmieri said that there have been no contract talks yet, but none were expected. Both sides are okay to wait until the season is over.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Teams were calling the Coyotes before the trade deadline and were asking about center Martin Hanzal. Hanzal has one year left on his deal. Keeping Hanzal would take some of the pressure off of their younger centers.
“Having great veterans is so critical to what we’re trying to do here,” Maloney said
Hanzal is able to sign a contract extension after July 1st.
“I don’t know what Don’s plan for me is,” Hanzal said. “We’ll see what’s going to happen, but if I have the opportunity to stay here, I’ll see myself staying here because I love it here.”
GM Don Maloney on if he’ll talk to Hanzal’s camp this offseason
“That’s something we will absolutely entertain and see if there’s some common ground there. I don’t want to get in the position that we were with Mikkel Boedker with Marty.”
On the Ottawa Senators …
Bob McKenzie: Senators GM Bryan Murray will take the next month to decide if he’ll remain as their GM or move to an advisor role.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika: Brenden Morrow is expected to announce his retirement on Thursday.