- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks Marcus Kruger didn’t file for salary arbitration in hopes of landing a long-term deal. Kruger’s agent said yesterday that “nothing (is) looming” and that Kruger is “waiting for the team to be ready to re-engage on exploring a longer term.”They may have to wait until GM Stan Bowman can make another move or two to free up some more cap space.
UFA defenseman Johnny Oduya has also been waiting, but after the trade that brought in Trevor Daley, Oduya might have to look elsewhere.
Don Meehan, Oduya’s agent said yesterday that Oduya “should be close to a decision by (Tuesday).” Unless the Blackhawks make a deal today, it’s looking like he’ll be signing with another team.
The Sabres are one of the teams reportedly interested in Oduya.
- Mike Heika: The Stars are among the teams interested in Oduya.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Defenseman Cody Franson is at the top of the list of free agents that remain unsigned. Bruins fans have been asking about Franson, but after the Bruins signed Matt Irwin, it filled up their roster spots for defensemen, especially if they want one of their younger bluelines to make the team.The Bruins would have to move out a defenseman. Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg have a no movement/no trade clause. They just re-signed Adam McQuaid for four-years and Torey Krug is basically their only puck moving, power play QB.
If you include Brian Ferlin and Jeremy Smith, their cap number is about $3.3 million.
Haggerty on the chances of landing Franson:
Chances of the Bruins landing him: Fair. They would need to move Seidenberg, which isn’t impossible and would be a smart move for Boston given that Franson is six years younger with a price tag that will come in slightly higher.
Haggerty on the chances of landing Oduya:
Chances of the Bruins landing him: It would certainly make Julien happy to bring in a smart, sound, veteran player like Oduya, but I’m not sure this type of defenseman represents an upgrade to the Bruins. An up-and-coming team like the Sabres will probably overpay for Oduya’s intangibles.
