- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Pending UFA Joel Ward’s agent said there haven’t been any contract talks with the Capitals since February, but is still hoping they can work out a deal.
“Joel would like to return to Washington,” Peter Cooney said. “That’s a definite yes with capital letters. However, if we do go to July 1 where he becomes an unrestricted free agent, the door to discuss him returning to Washington is wide open.
“We’d embrace the opportunity even after July 1 to making a deal to go back to Washington. The door doesn’t close just because it’s July 1. … The ball is in their court. We’d do a deal with Washington if the deal was right any time between now and then, or after then.”
Ward could be looking for a three-year deal in the $10 to $11 million range.
Braden Holtby’s agent said that they have had some contract talks with the Capitals, but wouldn’t comment on it. Contract talks with Ward and the Capitals other free agents could pick up once a deal with Holtby is done according to agent Peter Conney.
“I know they’ve got to do the goaltender first, at least that’s what the indicators show,” he said. “We know what we’re looking for, but I don’t know what their parameters are, except I did read that players that were UFAs may have to be below market value to come back to Washington.”
Other RFAs include: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Marcus Johansson, Nate Schmidt and Philipp Grubauer.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: (mailbag) While he’s injured/recovering from surgery, the Wild can’t buyout Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom could consent to being bought out, but he’d be leaving $1.33 million behind. If Backstrom retired, the Wild would get out from the $4 million salary, but the $3.417 million cap hit would stay on the books, as he signed his deal after he was 35-years old. Doubtful to happen as he can still play in the NHL and earn $4 million. His no-trade clause should be a non-factor.On if being stuck with Backstrom means that Darcy Kuemper could be traded?
This is a good question, but I’d think re-signing Dubnyk or trading for another No. 1 this month could be the bigger reason why Kuemper could be traded. Kuemper is 25 and a potential future No. 1. If you’re re-signing Dubnyk for multiple years and basically saying Kuemper is no longer the “goalie of the future” here, do you want to try to maximize Kuemper’s trade value this summer rather than having a 25-year-old caddying Dubnyk and playing sporadically? How does that hamper his development? So if the Wild gets Dubnyk done or acquires another No. 1, it would not shock me at all if Kuemper is dealt or at least dangled. Here’s the thing on Backstrom though: Regardless of the No. 1, will the Wild be comfortable with Backstrom as the No. 2? He may be the Wild’s all-time leader with 194 wins and 28 shutouts, but this is no longer the goalie that shared the Jennings Trophy in 2007, backstopped the Wild to a division title in 2008 and was a Vezina finalist in 2009. He’s 37 and has had six or seven surgeries now between his hips, abdominal core, foot and elbow. It’s imperative to have a backup that can go in there and win routinely and Backstrom allowed 36 goals in his last 10 starts.
The Wild and Devan Dubnyk’s camp had their first preliminary discussion, but GM Chuck Fletcher wouldn’t say how they went.
Russo thinks that while they continue talks with Dubnyk, they will have some trade talk involving goalies as a plan B. Potential trade options could be: Robin Lehner, Craig Anderson, Antti Raanta, Eddie Lack, James Reimer and John Gibson. Free agent goalies could include Antti Niemi, Karri Ramo, Michal Neuvirth and Jhonas Enroth. Dubnyk remains their top priority.
Russo thinks the Wild are second in the running behind the Blackhawks for Mike Reilly.