- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Blues Vladimir Sobotka’s KHL contract has an out clause, and that window will be closing soon. Blues GM Doug Armstrong met with Sobotka’s agent at the World Championships. Sobotka is to make $4.5 million tax free in the KHL, which would be about $6.5 million in the NHL.
“I had a good talk with his agent,” Armstrong said. “The agent told me that the money he made last year, they guaranteed him for next year. He’s got two weeks to decide what he’s going to do. I said ‘We’d love to have him back.’ I understand if the economics are so great in the KHL and he has to stay. I respect that. Then we’ll talk again a year from now.”
Sobotka will make $2.7 million in the NHL if/when he returns and would be a UFA after.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Senators Andrew Hammond isn’t better than Robin Lehner and Craig Anderson. The Sens could look to trade Anderson to save money and acquire more assets.The Oilers, Sabres and Sharks could be looking for No. 1 goalie. A Lehner-Hammond tandem doesn’t make the Senators better though.Contract talks with Dougie Hamilton will likely start with a Victor Hedman comparison, five years and $20 million, but will likely end up higher. One agent was saying Hamilton’s asking price would likely be more than $5 million.
Martin St. Louis wants to remain with the Rangers next season, but would likely have to take a discount for the Rangers to bring him back. Might have to be a deal with bonuses. The Devils may be interested if he goes to the open market.
Lightning’s Steven Stamkos could be looking for a deal in the $10.5 million range on his next contract. He’ll be a UFA after next season. With the young forwards they already have who’ll require raises, some people are thinking that may they move Stamkos before his deal expires.
The Bruins have had some talks with Adam McQuaid, who will be a UFA on July 1st. It’s unlikely that the Bruins can match the money he could get on the open market.