On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Danis Zaripov was granted NHL free agency and according to agent Dan Milstein, the Tampa Bay Lightning are one of his preferred landing spots.
The left winger is looking for a one-year deal and to play with a contender.
The Lightning have about $3.25 million in salary cap space. Though they may be set up front, adding another skilled forward could be intriguing for them, especially after trading Jonathan Drouin this offseason.
The New York Rangers are among the teams that are interested in Zaripov.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan of MLive: Detroit Red Wings RFA forward Andreas Athanasiou could have decision this week according to his agent. There is apparently a big game in the offer Athanasiou has received from the Red Wings and from KHL teams.
“Andreas is evaluating the pros and cons of all the offers,” agent Darren Ferris said in a text to MLive. “Andreas loves Detroit and especially the Detroit fans but he has to really consider the serious offers from the KHL he has before him. There is a considerable difference in the amount of money.”
Red Wings GM Ken Holland said the sides are still talking but “the ball is in their court. They have a decision to make.”
The Red Wings are already $3 million over the salary cap. They’ll get $3.95 million in cap relief with Johan Franzon is placed on the LTIR when the season starts.
Holland has already stated that they’ll have to make another move if/when they re-sign Athanasiou as they’ll be over the cap. They have made one- and two-year offers.
Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) Looking at what the Red Wings lines could look like: Zetterberg centering Nyquist and Tatar. Larkin centering Mantha and Abdelkader, Nielsen centering Athanasiou and Helm, and Sheahan center Glendening and Bertuzzi.
