- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: There are no contract extension talks between the Senators and Bobby Ryan scheduled before the start of the regular season. Defenseman Marc Methot and the Senators are in a stalemate with regards to a contract extension.
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie on if Bobby Ryan will re-sign with the Senators: “It’s possible. I think there’s a lot of moving parts on this” … “I think last year was an adjustment year for Ryan in Ottawa” … “It was an adjustment for the Sens too in that it was the 1st year without Alfredsson.” … “If Bobby Ryan starts this season and feels that he’s the go-to guy on this team. If he’s the target on the PP & gets top line minutes. If all those things fall into place, I don’t think the fact that Ott is in Canada, or winter’s cold, bothers Ryan” … “Ryan was as a clam playing in Owen Sound. I don’t think Ryan’s a player that needs a big market. Needs to feel comfortable” … “At the end of the day, who’s kidding who, it’s about how many zeroes on the cheque & what your role is. That’s to be determined” … “I think the Sens are going to make it a priority to make Ryan feel like he’s the guy”
- Chad Graff: The agent for Wild’s RFA Nino Niederreiter confirmed that he’s turned down a “huge KHL offer.” Niederreiter hopes to get a deal done before the start of camp, progress has been made.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Niederreiter’s agent Andre Rufener.
“We are close and I really hope and I truly believe that we can get it done,” Rufener said by phone from Switzerland earlier this morning. “It’s in our best interest to get it done before camp, so that’s what we’re trying to do.
“I’m very positive about it . I will be disappointed if we could not get it done. We’re very close and we cannot let that slide through our fingers from both sides.”
The sides have discussed two to six year contract ideas. GM Chuck Fletcher has come up with a “new, interesting idea” with regards to a long-term contract on Monday.
“We have to take a look into this,” Rufener said. “It’s interesting and it’s a possibility. At this point, it’s not clear yet. Terms are not clear yet. There’s still several options. We’re working on it and Chuck tells me, too, that it’s in our best interest to get this done in the next week, by next Wednesday. That’s what we want to do.”
