Canucks notes
Irfaan Gaffar: Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning said there is nothing new to report with an Alex Edler extension, talks continue.
Ben Kuzma: 2016 third-round pick Will Lockwood is still deciding on whether to turn pro or return to Michigan next season.
Irfaan Gaffar: Benning spoke with Lockwood on Monday. Lockwood plans to decide by next week after talking with his family and coaches.
Sportsnet: Canucks GM Benning on their trade talks: “When I take phone calls it’s all about our young players, they always want our young players back and I’m not trading them.”
Rangers have a decision to make regarding Kreider
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The New York Rangers will have some decisions to make on Chris Kreider‘s future with the team.
The soon to be 28-year old is eligible for a contract extension after July 1st. He only has two points in his past seven games and has bounced between their first and fourth lines.
Do they look to trade him before the draft?
How much will Cooper get on his next deal?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun on TSN said that signs are pointing to head coach Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning getting a contract extension done at some point. It is interesting that a deal hasn’t been reached yet.
“The real question is how much money will Cooper make in his new deal. Right now, he’s making $2.25 million a year, which is actually just below the average salary for an NHL head coach. We know what the big guys are making, Maple Leafs’ Babcock ($6.25M) and Blackhawks’ Quenneville ($6M), I don’t think Cooper is going to be in that area. Listen, a lot of those guys have Stanley Cup victories and Cooper does not. I think the real question is can he get to the $3-to-$4 million range? That’s probably what he’s looking at, but I really do feel that he will re-sign with the Lightning.”