On the Lightning …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Agent Don Meehan on TSN 1050 on the contract situation between Steven Stamkos and the Lightning.
“Well, I think although it may not be the norm, it’s not unprecedented. We had a client, Corey Perry, who ended up signing in his last year as well and Ryan Getzlaf, one of this teammates, did the same thing. Very, very substantial players. Very important to their team.
“We have a great rapport and an excellent professional relationship with Steve Yzerman and these are some issues that Steven and I dealt with at the end of the year. That we’ve talked about. All that we’re really doing at this point in time is taking a little bit more time.
“But we’re engaged with Steve Yzerman. And as I say, we have a great relationship with him. And when you get to a point in a career where you have professional decisions to make like this – as you know, the Collective Bargaining Agreement doesn’t really afford you this kind of opportunity that often. And the Collective Bargaining Agreement is a give and take process, and it’s something that you – for this kind of a decision and this kind of player, I really think that you have to practice due diligence to the nth degree.”
On the Rangers …
- Justin Tasch of the NY Daily News: Defenseman Dan Boyle was scratched last week so that Dylan McIlrath could get a chance to prove himself. It might be something Boyle has to get use. It has been difficult for him.
“Of course, yeah,” said Boyle, who will play tonight against Carolina at the Garden.
Coach Alain Vigneault has spoken with Boyle, and GM Jeff Gorton has spoken with Boyle’s agent.
“So he’s aware of it,” said Vigneault, who says he’ll do what’s best for the club. “I didn’t expect him to be happy about it and cheery about it, but human nature is that at 39, he’ll probably need a bit more rest and we need to be smart with him, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Boyle carries a $4.5 million on his 35-and-over deal and is likely untradeable.
On the Flyers …
- Tim Riday of CSN Philly: Steve Mason is 2-4-2 with a .902 SV percentage and 3.34 GAA. Michal Neuvirth is 3-2-1 with a .945 SV percentage and 1.81 GAA with three shutouts.
“Mase is our No. 1,” the usually reserved head coach said of Steve Mason after Monday’s practice session at the Skate Zone. “We’ve said that all the way along and feel that way.”