- Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago: Speculation continues to grow as to what the Blackhawks will do to get under the salary cap. Nick Leddy’s agent said yesterday that he doesn’t expect Leddy to be traded. Leddy carries a $2.7 million cap hit, with the Blackhawks needing to move between $1.3 and $3 million.
“I expect Nick to stay with the Blackhawks,” Sheehy said during a phone interview Monday. ” Stan Bowman said he’s not looking to trade Nick. I think the big thing is he’s the youngest defenseman on the team at 23 years of age, and he has four years of NHL experience. He’s part of the future of the team.”
Leddy will be an RFA at the end of the season and there haven’t been any contract extension talks yet. Brandon Saad and Marcus Kruger will also be RFAs. The Hawks have 15 players signed for next year with about $3.2 million in cap space.
- DJ Bean: Bruins David Krejci hints that his recent deal could be his last NHL contract, saying he’s always imagined that he’d finish his career back home.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Stars won’t be inviting anyone to training camp.
“They’ve worked hard and they deserve the opportunity,” Nill said. “Why wouldn’t we go with our own guys, they’ve earned it.”
There have been no updates on contract talks with RFA Brenden Dillon and Cody Eakin.
- Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1050 Radio on Daniel Alfredsson:
“But I think if you’re the Detroit Red Wings, I’m not sure given cap situations, and the fact they’ve got a lot of forwards in Detroit, a lot of young guys knocking on the door looking for jobs – I’m not sure that the Detroit Red Wings could necessarily commit to a contract to Daniel Alfredsson right now without seeing him in camp and knowing that he’s got some game right now. That he’s healthy and that he can go through the rigors of training camp and a bunch of exhibition games and that he’s not going to come up lame and not be able to play.
“So I think it’s kind of a feeling out process on the part of both sides, but first and foremost, Daniel Alfredsson needs in his own mind to decide ‘I’m ready and up for the challenge’, both mentally and physically.
“And if he is, then it’s up to the Detroit Red Wings to decide ‘Are we going to give this guy a contract to show up, or are we going to give him a contract if he shows up’ and shows he can get through training camp.”
