- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avs Paul Stastny wanted to “see what’s out there” and Joe Sakic is fine with that. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports there is significant interest in Stastny.
“It’s his right. I respect that,” Sakic said.
If the Avs lose Stastny to free agency, they could fill that hole with Nathan MacKinnon or Ryan O’Reilly, which would then open up a hole at wing. The Avs currently have 17 players under contract at around $46 million.
- Adrian Dater: The Rangers have called about Paul Stastny.
- Larry Brooks: Source saying the Rangers haven’t inquired about Paul Stastny. They don’t have the salary cap space.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has contacted at least the agents for Matt Niskanen, Willie Mitchell, Thomas Vanek and Paul Stastny. If Vanek wants to come to Minnesota, he may have to take a one- to three- year deal. The Wild have significant interest in Niskanen. Niskanen will want a long-term deal, likely north of $5 million. The Wild have many young players that will need new deals in a couple years, so they’ll have to watch what they spend.
- Pierre LeBrun: The Wild were among the teams that called on Thomas Vanek.
- Renaud Lavoie: Contract talks between Anton Stralman and the Rangers are not going as expected, though it could change in the next few days.
- Will DePaoli: As of early evening yesterday, five teams had called on Jonas Hiller.
- Will DePaoli: Up to 12 teams called on Matt Niskanen. The Islanders were one of the first teams to call on Niskanen.
- Will DePaoli: Three teams called on Jussi Jokinen yesterday, with more teams expected to call in the next few days.
- Scott Powers: The Blackhawks and Kevin Hayes will get back to talking contract soon.