On the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos …
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Steven Stamkos said he didn’t expect to not have a contract extension in place in January. He wants to remain with the team and thinks a deal can be worked out. He also added that reports that contract negotiations are at a stalemate are not accurate.
“The lines of communication are always open,” Stamkos said. “That’s definitely encouraging to hear that.”
Stamkos said that his agents and GM Steve Yzerman will have talks private.
“No one really has an idea of what’s gone on,” Stamkos said with a smile.
On the New Jersey Devils …
- Tom Gulitti: (asked what if would take for the Devils to trade for Jonathan Drouin or Ryan Johansen) Not sure, but it would take a lot for the Blue Jackets to trade Johansen within their division.
Scouting the Avs-Kings …
- Adrian Dater: Scouting the Avalanche-Kings game last night were the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning.
On the Nashville Predators …
- AdamVingan of the Tennessean: (mailbag) Predators prospect Jimmy Vesey remains unsigned and fans have a “doomsday-esque feeling” that he will decide to sign somewhere else. The Predators hold his rights until August 15th. The Maple Leafs are a rumored landing spot as his dad is now a scout and the Leafs drafted his brother in 2014. Vesey was asked about the those rumors last month.
“I still have a great relationship with (the Predators),” Vesey said. “My dad’s a scout for the Leafs, but I wouldn’t read too much into that.”
Vesey remains in contact with the Predators organization, and has said on multiple occasions that he remains loyal to Nashville.
There is no rush for the Predators to call up Kevin Fiala or Vladislav Kamenev to help out their offense.