- Pierre LeBrun: Anze Kopitar said it would be ideal if he signed a contract extension with the Kings before the start of the season, but realizes that it is a business.
- Andrew Gross of The Record: Gross wonders that since it’s unlikely that the Rangers would be able to re-sign defenseman Keith Yandle, GM Jeff Gorton may look at trading him.
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: Steven Stamkos on the unresolved contract extension situation.
“You know what? I really didn’t know what to expect coming in,” Stamkos said.
“Obviously I went through a contract talk five years ago, but that’s a little different when you’re a restricted free agent and even that went past July 1 and you started getting the questions and the rumors and all that fun stuff. So I think having gone through that, it’s kind of helped me a little bit not to panic when things don’t happen right away. So I wouldn’t say you’re totally comfortable in that situation but you know what to expect. For me I think it’s easier now to just kind of put that stuff aside and realize that you know you’ve still got a year left on your contract.”
Stamkos doesn’t appear worried about setting a deadline or anything like it. Some players don’t want to have ongoing talks during the season.
“Who knows what can happen tomorrow, the day after, a week, two, months, I can’t really answer that question,” Stamkos said.
“I think there’s going to be ongoing discussions for sure, and we’ll see what happens.”
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Stamkos said there have been talks between himself, agent Don Meehan and Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, with all sides agreeing to keep them private. Stamkos said he’s letting the process play out.
“It’s a process, and for me this is the first time I’ve been in this particular situation,” Stamkos said. “Five years ago it was a little different. You’re a restricted free agent. Even that went past July 1 and the questions kept coming. I know we’re a little deeper now, but when there is news to be made it’s going to come out. Until then I think both sides agreed the best way to do it is to keep it internal.
“There have definitely been discussions.”