- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Martin Brodeur will get a roster bonus of $125,000 on each of February 1st and March 1st if he is still on an NHL roster. It seems to be a week-to-week thing with the Blues. The Blues may want to keep him around after Brian Elliott returns in case of a setback. His contract doesn’t have a no-trade or no-movement clause, but there is a gentleman’s agreement that Brodeur has some say on a trade.
Vladimir Sobotka’s name should come up as the trade deadline approaches. Sobotka has a three-year deal with Omsk of the KHL, but has a one-month window at the end of the season where he can opt out. He’ll get $2.725 million when he returns to the NHL – from salary arbitration last summer. The Blues will get offers for him, but GM Doug Armstrong likes and would have to be blown away with an offer.
The Flames will use the Brian Burke extended Christmas roster freeze from December 12th to 27th. The NHL uses December 19th to 27th.
- Scott Powers of ESPN: The Blackhawks and Brandon Saad don’t plan on talking about a contract extension until after the season.
“Right now, I’m just really looking to focus on hockey, you know,” Saad said after the team’s morning skate on Wednesday. “The biggest thing is trying to come in here every day, focus on hockey and get a job done. When it comes to that, deal with that.”
“Yeah, I mean, the thought’s there,” Saad said. “At the same time, it’s a business. I want to be here as long as I can. I love it here. The team is great and we have success. Right now, I’m just looking to enjoy my team here and we’ll talk this summer, hopefully make it happen.”
- Gord Stellick of Sportsnet: The Maple Leafs will have RFAs Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri to deal with this offseason. Both have a $2.9 million cap hit this year. Kadri had been looking for $5 million during their previous negotiations in 2013. The Leafs may counter that he shouldn’t make more than Tyler Bozak’s $4.2 million. Bernier may also be looking to make close to $5 million on his next deal. The Leafs will also have to decide what to do with pending UFA defenseman Cody Franson, who is currently making $3.3 million. He could command a $5 plus million, long-term deal. The Leafs don’t really have any big contracts coming off the books this offseason and may find it difficult to sign two of the three, never mind getting all three under the cap. Could this force a trade (Kadri) or a buyout (Clarkson)?
(note – it’s been written several time over the past few years that Clarkson’s contract is basically buyout proof due to the bonus structure)
