- Steve Zipay of Newday: The Islanders could be putting Kyle Okposo’s name on the trade block according to two sources outside of the Islanders.Okposo is heading into his final year of his deal. Sources saying nothing is imminent, but things could happen quickly at the draft. Eight teams already have at least $63 million committed to players next season.Okposo’s $2.8 million cap hit would definitely entice teams.GM Garth Snow said he’ll be busy taking and making trade proposals to either move players or move up in the draft.
“There’s a lot of different scenarios that could play out,” Snow said. “There could be a trade where we acquire a first or a second. We prepare the same way for this draft that we have in past drafts, because you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Along with Okposo, Michael Grabner, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin will be entering the final year of their deals.
It’s not known what Okposo is looking for on his new deal, but it could be a six- or seven-year deal for as much as $7 million.
“Every contract has a last year to it, so I don’t feel we have any pressure or timetable that a move has to happen this offseason,” Snow said. “Every team has players with expiring contracts. If a move presents itself that will help both in the short and long term, we’ll take a look at it.”
The Islanders could use a top-line winger, maybe two if they trade Okposo. They also need a backup goalie.
“We’re going to stay with the same template of building from within, and we need some of our younger players to take that next step,” Snow said. “We want to see that natural maturation process and we expect improvements from within. I don’t envision as many new faces come September that we had last year, that’s for sure.”
- Steve Zipay of Newsday: The Rangers have limited cap space heading into the offseason. They are currently about $11.5 million under the cap with 15 players under contract – seven forwards, six defensemen and two goalies. 10 players have no-movement or no-trade clauses and they need to re-sign RFAs Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast.They can’t afford to bring Martin St. Louis back.They most certainly will trade Cam Talbot.There has been some talk that they could trade defenseman Kevin Klein and his $2.9 million salary.
Stepan could get a new deal around $6 million. Hagelin could come in around $3 million. Fast and Miller will get raises from $696,801 and $659,104.