On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Adam Kimelman: Flyers GM Ron Hextall said that the signing of James van Riemsdyk doesn’t change a potential contract extension for winger Wayne Simmonds. Hextall was asked if he’s been talking to Simmonds’ reps at all
“We’ll talk. Where the talks go I have no idea. We’ll talk to Simmer’s representatives in the next little while here and we’ll see where it goes. We’re comfortable if we have to go into next year, we’re comfortable with that. If we can work something out in the meantime we’d be comfortable with that. Until we talk and seriously talk I don’t have anything for you. We like Wayne Simmonds, this doesn’t change anything for Wayne. This is a different player than Simmer and we’re excited to have James and certainly, we’d like to have Simmer for a long time too.”
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks: “Maybe Spooner goes but that won’t materially effect NYR. But otherwise, no need to force a trade. Would caution against moving Vesey, who does have jam to his game and should be in better spot with Quinn here.”
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers signed defenseman Fredrik Claesson (one-year, $700,000) and re-signed Vladislav Namestnikov (two years, $8 million).
GM Jeff Gorton didn’t re-sign Namestnikov to trade him, and he could start the season on the wing.
Re-signing Namestnikov could mean the end of Ryan Spooner – pending RFA who is arbitration eligible. Would the Rangers be able to move him for a more ‘robust’ player or would they look for a draft pick? The Rangers would happy if they could get as high as a second-rounder for him.
If looking to make a bigger move, they could look at either Mika Zibanejad or Kevin Hayes. The Jets got a little weaker down the middle after Paul Stastny left for Vegas, but they don’t want to move defenseman Jacob Trouba.
The Rangers need to add some grit and toughness to their roster.
The Edmonton Oilers outbid the Rangers for winger Tobias Rieder, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal.