Could the Devils and Butcher look at six-years?
Mike Morreale: thinks that the New Jersey Devils could be looking at a six-year deal at around $4.5 million for restricted free agent defenseman Will Butcher. He’s three years away from being an unrestricted free agent.
Butcher’s camp may be looking for $5 million-plus per season. Damon Severson signed a six-year deal at $4.16 million back in 2017.
Eriksson wouldn’t have been a fit for the Flames
Sportsnet 650: Dan Murphy on Sportsnet 650 on Vancouver Canucks forward Loui Eriksson: “Calgary would not have done Eriksson for Neal. They needed size and he probably would not have waived to go to Alberta anyway. I don’t see him going anywhere at this point.”
Backstrom and Holtby entering the final year of their deals
J.J. Regan NBC Sports Washington: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom and goaltender Braden Holtby are entering the final year of their contracts. Both will likely be looking for one more big contract.
There have been no contract talk updates and both will likely enter the season without an extension in place. An injury, bad season or the pressure of not having a contract could negatively affect both sides. There is a risk for both sides.
Backstrom will likely be looking for a raise from his $6.7 million cap hit, but he doesn’t seem like a guy who would want to hold the team hostage on a new deal. Hard to see there being an issue of getting him re-signed at some point, and not as much pressure on him this season.
Holtby’s situation may be a little different with the high cost of re-sign, as well as the expansion draft looming and the Capitals having a top goalie prospect close. He’ll have the pressure of knowing that he may not be back next season.
One saving grace for Holtby maybe that Sergei Bobrovsky received a $70 million contract this offseason, so it might alleviate some pressure.