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Penguins offseason notes … Columbus tells 3 they aren’t coming back … Flyers figuring out Bryzgalov parameters … MacTavish leading Wild candidate
Mark Easson
Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Sidney Crosby has started his off-ice offseason workouts. Penguins GM Ray Shero plans to re-sign Dustin Jeffrey to a new deal this month. Tyler Kennedy is a RFA and the Pens make take him to arbitration to see what he’s awarded. If he’s in the $2 million range, which comparables suggest he could get, they may keep him. Rossi thinks he could also be traded. Defenseman Matt Niskanen could be available if any team is interested. Max Talbot is asking for 4 years and Pascal Dupuis is asking for a 3 year contract, the Pens don’t really want to go that long for either. Mike Rupp may be thinking he can get more on the open market than from the Penguins.
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets have informed Ethan Moreau, Chris Clark and Craig Rivet that they won’t be re-signed. The Jackets are still thinking about re-signing Jan Hejda (50/50) and Scottie Upshall (unlikely).
Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren spent part of the weekend finding out the parameters to get Ilya Bryzgalov signed to a 5 to possibly 8 year term. He might be able to get upwards of $6 million if he were to hit the free agent market on July 1st. To get Bryzgalov at a cap friendly number of around $5 million, they may have to start to $7 million and go down to $2 million on a 7 or 8 year deal. Putting Ian Laperriere on a LTIR would take $1.2 million off their cap number, they’re at about $59 million now. Trading Jeff Carter is one option, moving Matt Carle and Kris Versteeg is another. Sergei Bobrovsky may also find himself in a trade as he would have to pass through waivers if he was to be sent to the AHL or recalled from AHL. If Bryzgalov is signed to a long-term deal, Bobrovsky may not get his shot as a #1, and they may be able to get a 2nd round pick or top prospect in return.
Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Craig MacTavish was in Minnesota last week and had his 2nd interview for the vacant head coaching position. He’s considered to be the leading candidate at the moment.