- Chris Johnston of Sportsnet: Maple Leafs Jonathan Bernier said he would be on board with being a member of the team if they are going with the full-scale rebuild. The 26-year old is a pending RFA, and he’s on their ‘to-do’ list. He’s one year away from being a UFA, so the Leafs would at least be looking for a two-year deal. The Leafs may have to pay more to buy up one year of his free agency. Bernier will likely be looking for a deal of $5 million or more, and he’s been thinking of the impending contract talks.
“Especially now towards the end of the season,” said Bernier. “It gets in your head, (with us) not being in a playoff spot.”
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Capitals Mike Green on the uncertainty of his future as a pending UFA.
“Well, the future right now is here in Washington. My heart is here in Washington and our main goal as a team is focused on the same thing, which is the Stanley Cup. That’s where I’m at right now in my head. Knowing that I’m still here I’m going to make sure I do my best to be part of this team, to win a Cup, and we’ll see what happens from there. That’s all you can really do. It’s definitely something you can think about. You can’t ignore it, that’s for sure. That’s sort of the business side of the game and we understand that as a players, especially since I’ve been in the game now for 10 years. I’ve been fortunate to play with one team, but we’ll see what happens. I hope I stay, but you never know. I say my heart is in Washington because I want to win a Cup here.”
- Brian Deka of the Las Vegas Sun: Prospective Las Vegas franchise owner Bill Foley on if they are awarded a team, they could pursue big-name free agents.
“Look at the advantage we have from a financial standpoint of being in Las Vegas: There’s no state income taxes,” Foley said. “I can go to every guy in California and say, ‘The first thing I’m gonna do is save you 14 percent. That’s what you’re paying over there.’ And how about the Canadians? … They pay a ton.”
- Joe Yerdon: Sabres GM Tim Murray saying it’s close between Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid.