- Tom Gulitti of North Jersey: Devils RFA defenseman Eric Gelinas is prepared to miss the start of camp.
“He’s prepared, for sure,” said agent Gilles Lupien, who had remained silent on contract talks previously. “We’ve got some ideas how to do it and that’s the way of doing it – just sit and wait. We haven’t said anything since the start (of negotiations). It’s tough. It’s tough for everybody.”
GM Lou Lamoreillo said they hope to have him at camp.
“It’s always money,” Lupien said. “It’s always money and (Lamoriello) loves to play with the power. That’s what everybody knows.”
“It’s only the amount of money and that’s it,” Lupien said.
Gelinas not at camp could open a door for youngsters Damon Severson or Seth Helgeson, along with Tomas Kaberle (PTO), which could be a concern for both Gelinas camp, as well as Lamoreillo.
“It’s a concern to a certain point, I think, for Lou too,” Lupien said. “It’s a concern for both sides and that’s the way it is. I think Gelinas is not a bad hockey player. He had 29 points there. That is not bad. And most of the players that signed contracts, not too many had 29 points, but some had 15 and 20 and signed at $1.5 (million) and $1.8 (million) and $2 million and they were in the same situation as Gelinas.”
Lupien said “we’re not even asking (for) that” (with reference to the $1.5 million to $2 million range he mentioned), but wouldn’t get into the specific numbers being discussed. He seems to be waiting for Lamoriello to make the next move.
“I hope he’s going to give me a call before training camp,” Lupien said. “He knows what we think. What can we do? It’s only the way people work. That’s the way Lou is working and good. I told him that. ‘That’s O.K.’ You don’t always agree on the way you work.”
- Luke Fox of SportsNet: Remaining top 10 UFAs:10. Derek Morris – has been speculation with the Avs and Oilers.
9. Ray Whitney – interest in playing drops with each passing week of not being signed.
8. Jamie McBain – signed a PTO with the Coyotes.
7. Sami Salo – will be 40-years old when the season starts and has battled injuries. Still wants to play.
6. Andrei Loktionov – KHL is an option. Two or three NHL teams have shown some interest.
5. Dustin Penner – agent said a week ago that there are NHL and European offers.
4. Saku Koivu – could be a good fit with the Wild or Canadiens.
3. Martin Brodeur – Brodeur said he’s open to backing up Carey Price, but GM Marc Bergevin hasn’t contacted yet.
2. Tomas Vokoun – still wants to play in the NHL this season.
1. Daniel Alfredsson – wanting to see if health can hold up.
