- Jill Sorenson of CSN Washington: The agent of Joel Ward said yesterday that there have been no contract talks with the Capitals about an extension. Ward has 21 points in 51 games is in the last year of his four year, $12 million deal.
“I don’t read anything into it,” Cooney said regarding not having any discussions with the Capitals about re-signing Ward. “I’m not worried, either. There is a lot of season left and a lot of time left before July 1.”
Cooney is also Aaron Volpatti’s agent, and there has been no talks with the Capitals as well. He’s not concerned as Volpatti just returned after missing their first 50 games.
- Stephen Lorenzo of the NY Daily News: The Islanders have found a key piece on and off the ice in pending free agent defenseman Johnny Boychuk. Boychuk’s representatives won’t comment in his future.
“You think about it, but for right now, it’s just about worrying what our team is doing and how we’re going to prepare going into the playoffs and staying healthy,” Boychuk said.
The Isles will gain some cap space this offseason when Lubomir Visnovsky retire, signs elsewhere for takes a pay cut on a short-term deal.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Can’t blame Cody Franson and Nazem Kadri if they are little distracted by their pending free agency, team struggles and rumors as the deadline approaches, though they both say that isn’t the case.
“I’m going to worry about playing, doing what I can on the ice,” said Kadri. “That other stuff is between management and my agent. I don’t really involve myself with too much of that.
“I don’t know numbers or years. I told my agent to deal with management.”
Franson has already turned down an offer from the Leafs.
“For me, it’s not a distraction,” said Franson. “I try and distance myself from everything but playing. I let my agent handle all that.
“I try not to get caught up in it and stay focused on what we are doing in the room here.”
Franson wants to stay, but trading him would give the leafs a couple high-end prospects. If they traded another big contract, it could give them more room to re-sign Franson. There is less urgency with Kadri as he’s a RFA and won’t be an UFA for another three years. Peter Holland could be emerging as a second line. If the Leafs think Kadri still has more to offer, Tyler Bozak’s future in a Leafs jersey could be in doubt.