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Salary Cap Going Up? Marleau to LA? Hudler Returing to Red Wings
Mark Easson
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: It appears that the NHL salary cap could be going up next season. A ‘team source’ told Simmons next year’s cap will be close to $59 million, League officials say it’ll be closer to $57. Either way, I’m glad it’s not in $50-51 million range that they talked about earlier in the season.
Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen doesn’t think (myself as well) that any NHL team will offer Ilya Kovalchuk the $10 million that Atlanta was offering. He thinks there will be about 3 or 4 teams that will offer him a long term, big numbered contract, maybe in the $8 million range. If the Sharks choke again in the playoffs, will they let Patrick Marleau walk at the end of the season? The Kings have been in the market for adding a big name scorer, Marleau is one of the top free agents this year, and has a history the Kings GM Dean Lombardi (former Sharks GM).
Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Minnesota Wild back-up goalie, Josh Harding, had successful hip surgery this past week, and may now hope to land the Wild a center this summer. GM Chuck Fletcher doesn’t think the surgery will lessen his chances of moving him.
Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Both Jarome Iginla and Martin St. Louis could find themselves on the trade block this summer. Iginla (33) has 3 years left at $7 million, St. Louis (35) has 1 year at $4 million ($5.25 cap hit). Boston might have trouble fitting either salary in. Dupont thinks Iginla could be huge deal for Toronto, who would likely have to send at least Mikhail Grabovski and Kaberle the other way.