- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres GM Tim Murray will be looking to move his pending UFAs in Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford, Torrey Mitchell, Patrick Kaleta, Andrej Meszaros, Tyson Strachan, Andre Benoit, Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth.
“I’m not here to rip this team apart, but I’m going to tell you that we’re not going to lose a pending free agent for nothing,” Murray said during the Sabres’ radio show on WGR-AM 550. “If we can get an asset back, whatever that asset may be, we’re going to do that.”
Stafford – expect a 2nd round pick, though a 3rd and 5th are possible.
Stewart – expect a 3rd round pick, but a 2nd is possible.
Mitchell – might get a 4th or 5th round pick.
Meszaros – might get a 5th round pick.
Strachan and Benoit – don’t expect more than a 7th round pick.
“I’m ready to listen. I’m ready to be a trade partner if it makes sense,” Murray said on the radio. “Even a fifth- or sixth-round pick. You know what? It doesn’t sound like much for a certain player. That fifth- or sixth-round pick, it might happen only once every 11 years, but you can hit on that. That could be a European goalie, a late bloomer.”
The Canucks are looking for a top-six forward, and don’t be surprised if Zack Kassian is part of the deal. The Kassian-Cody Hodgson trade hasn’t really worked out for either team.
- The Fourth Period: Multiple sources that are close to the Leafs organization are saying that the Leafs will have to offer at least $5 million on a long-term deal if they want to re-sign Cody Franson. The Kings and Red Wings are among the teams that are interested in Franson.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: 530 players are under contract for next season and 250 will be free agents. The Blackhawks have almost $65 million committed to 14 players next year. The Rangers are at just over $52 million for 13 players, with Derek Stepan needing a new deal which could be in the $5.75 to $6.5 million range. The Rangers will be restricted going into the trade deadline, as well as dealing with some of their pending free agents like Martin St. Louis and Mats Zuccarello.
“I think everybody knows where I stand. I want to be here,” Zuccarello told Slap Shots this week. “But if there’s not room for me, there’s nothing I can do about that.
“I understand that is part of the business.”
To get the money he may be looking for, Zuccarello may have to go to the Oilers or Sabres.