- Ken Wiebe of Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun: Wiebe and Wyman look at what the Jets should do with Dustin Byfuglien – sign to an extension, playout next season and risk losing for nothing or to trade this offseason.Wiebe – the Jets should try and sign Byfuglien to a contract extension. When at the top of his game, he can be a dominant force. Finding a defenseman that can score 20 goals is not easy. He can be a liability though when not on his game and his defensive zone play could use some work. He’ll make $6 million this year with a $5.5 million cap hit. If he hits the open market, the could get a long-term deal in the $7 million range. Andrew Ladd has said this offseason that he is open to talking contract extension with the Jets, but Byfuglien’s thoughts are not known. If they are able to sign him, trading Tobias Enstrom might make some sense.
Wyman – trading Byfuglien makes the most sense. He is 30-years old and will be looking for a long-term deal in the $7 million range. The Jets have Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba who can man on the point on the power play. If they were to move Byfuglien, they would be able to get a quality top-six forward and some extras. The Oilers could be a team of interest as they have plenty of young forwards and could use a quality defenseman.
- John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor: Outside of Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Tanner Pearson, Jonathan Quick, and Tyler Toffoli, the Kings will look at all others in attempt to get back into the playoffs next season. The Kings don’t have a lot of cap flexibility for next season.Dustin Brown isn’t being shopped, but if the right deal came along, it could spark further discussion. His limited no-trade clause kicks in on July 1st. Brown has hired a nutritionist and is already back working out. He’ll be joined by Toffoli, Pearson and Marian Gaborik, who will remain in LA to workout this summer. Mike Richards was asked to stay and train, but he returned home after their exit meetings.
The Kings will continue to search for a trade partner for Richards. The Kings are willing to include another piece to get someone to take on his contract – either a pick, prospect or retaining some salary. If they can’t find a partner, a buyout is likely.
Justin Williams is not expected to be back. They would like to bring him back, but there may not be the money for him. He could get a deal in the $4-$5 million range in free agency.
Jarret Stoll is not expected back.
Nobody is expecting an issue with Toffoli’s new deal. Current thinking is a three-year bridge deal.
Martin Jones is a RFA and would like the opportunity to be starter. The Kings don’t plan on trading him at the moment. They are expected to re-sign him, but he may want some kind of assurance that he could be traded next summer. It could end up being a similar situation as what went down with Jonathan Bernier.
Jordan Weal went from being a likely trade candidate at the draft to potentially having a roster spot next year. He could be on their third line – on the wing and not in the middle. He could still be dealt though.
Andrej Sekera would like to return, and they’d like to have him back, but they may not be able to fit the money in.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Jay Beagle is a pending UFA and is coming off a three-year, $2.7 million deal. Gormley wonders if Beagle would take a bit of hometown discount and sign a deal in the $1.6 million range. If he goes the open market, he could get a deal similar to Matt Hendricks – in the $1.85 million range.