- Scott Burnside of ESPN: The longer Steven Stamkos doesn’t sign a contract extension (UFA next offseason), the more rumblings there will be that he won’t return to Tampa Bay. Lightning GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t want this to drag into training camp and beyond.The Kings are in uncharted waters with attempting to terminate Mike Richards contract rather than buying him out. The NHLPA has taken a neutral view so far, which has raised the eyebrows of some. Burnside wonders if the termination goes through, will Richards be able to find a new home?
Slava Voynov’s future with the Kings remains cloudy as well. He has to spend 90-days in jail, and he could still be deported.
It’s likely that Phil Kessel isn’t going to be the only Maple Leafs player traded.
Hurricanes Eric Staal and Cam Ward will be UFAs after next season. The dollar amount on a Staal extension has to work for both sides, and if he wants to stay, the faster they get an extension done, the better. If they can’t find a common number, how does GM Ron Francis move on from the teams most important player of all time?
The Blackhawks will continue to look to shed salary, so Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg and Bryan Bickell could be on the move.
- George Richards: There is no truth to the rumors that the Panthers are interested in Patrick Sharp – they are not interested.
- Brian Hedger: Source saying that Sharp’s no-trade clause wouldn’t be an issue at all.
- Brian Hedger: Source saying there is “absolutely no truth” to Sharp using his no-trade clause to stop a trade to the Panthers or that anything is close. The Panthers and Blackhawks haven’t talked in two-three weeks.
- Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets and RFA Matt Calvert are close on a new contract.
