- Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post: The Capitals have already extended Evgeny Kuznetsov a qualifying offer worth at least $945,000, and the sides continue to work on a two or three year contract.
“I think we have a good dialogue,” Maxim Molliver said Sunday afternoon. “We’re motivated to get it done. We’re having good conversations with the Caps.”
Kuznetsov’s new deal could be worth over $3 million a season.
“Our main focus has been on the RFAs all along and it continues to be a priority for us,” MacLellan said. “Holtby, Kuznetsov and Johansson are priorities.”
- Lisa Dillman of the LA Times: The Kings and Anze Kopitar are in the early stages of contract extension talks. The addition of Milan Lucic will allow Marian Gaborik to shift to right wing where he’s more comfortable.
“Up front we are set with the addition of Lucic,” said Rob Blake, the Kings’ assistant general manager.
Their top two lines could look like: Lucic-Kopital-Gaborik and Pearson-Carter-Toffoli. Andy Andreoff and Nick Shore could be their third and fourth line centers. The Kings don’t have a lot of cap space. They have the anticipated appeal for the Mike Richards contract termination and the uncertainty surrounding Slava Voynov.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Bryan Murray would still like to add a top-six forward. He’s been unsuccessful in free agency and with the trade route so far. It may have to wait until training camp for one to come available.
- Dave Isaac: The agent for Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk: “I have been led to believe there is no truth to these rumors.”
- Tim Panaccio: Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto has filed for salary arbitration, but his agent Don Meehan said “we will continue to have discussions.”
- Scott Powers: Source not sounding optimistic that the Blackhawks will be able to re-sign Johnny Oduya because of their salary cap situation.
