On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Steven Stamkos wouldn’t confirm or deny Sportsnet’s report that he was offered an eight-year, $68 million contract extension by the Lightning.
“I’m not going to comment on that,” Stamkos said Sunday at the Lightning’s family carnival at Amalie Arena. “We haven’t talked about that stuff in the media all season long, and I don’t know how they get a hold of stuff like that. All the things that we’ve talked about, it’s staying internally, and it’ll continue to be that way.”
Stamkos said again that he wants to remain in Tampa, and that discussions between his agents and Lightning remain open. Neither Yzerman or Stamkos’s agents would comment on the report.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
- Gary Lawless of TSN: The Jets have lost seven of their last 10 games. There needs to be resolution regarding pending free agent Andrew Ladd. Signs were pointing to the sides getting an extension in place, but now things have changed. Contract talks have broken off.Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has been recently talking with Dustin Byfuglien’s agent. It’s looking like the Jets may be choosing Byfuglien over Ladd now. Ladd is said to be looking for six-years and over $6 million per season, something that is not going to happen in Winnipeg.It’s time for the Jets to start looking to trade Ladd and continue focusing on re-signing Byfuglien. Executives around the league have told their scouts to focus on Ladd over Byfuglien.With no contract talks taking place, Ladd must realize that he’ll likely be traded now.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- Jonathan Willis of Sportsnet: Willis looks at the trade value of potential Maple Leafs rental players.P.A. Parenteau: 2nd round pick
James Reimer: 3rd round pick, possibly more.
Shawn Matthias: 3rd round pick
Roman Polak: 3rd round pick, possibly less.
Michael Grabner: 5th round pick
Brad Boyes: 6th round pick
Nick Spaling: 7th round pick – could be more if he plays well coming off LTIR.