Kapanen and the Maple Leafs to talk
Sportsnet: The Toronto Maple Leafs and pending restricted free agent forward Kasperi Kapanen are set to talk contract extension early this upcoming week.
“This week Markus Lehto, representative for Kasperi Kapanen, will be in Toronto once the Leafs get back from this six-game road trip that they’re on and I think there will be some preliminary talks on where he stands with the Leafs,” said Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada Saturday. “It won’t be an official meeting to have a contract discussion, but I do believe the Leafs would like to get Kasperi Kapanen’s contract extension done sooner than later, if at all possible.
“So we’ll see if there’s any traction after that meeting next week.”
No contract offer for Simmonds since Fletcher took over
Frank Seravalli of TSN: It is believed that Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher hasn’t made a contract offer to pending UFA forward Wayne Simmonds since he took over.
Fletcher could circle back next week to make a final offer before the deadline. He could be used as an ‘own rental.’
Simmonds on the approaching contract talks the deadline.
“I wouldn’t say the lines of communication are completely closed, but I think at this point it kind of is what it is,” Simmonds said Thursday after practice. “Me as an individual, it’s not my job to take care of that sort of stuff. That’s why we have agents.”
Teams believed to have some interest include Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins. Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas may not be into the idea of a rental.
Bob McKenzie tweeted on Thursday that some pro scouts “have been cautious with their recent reviews on Simmonds.”