On the Ottawa Senators …
Ryan McKenna of the Globe and Mail: The Senators and Mike Hoffman have an arbitration hearing set for August 4th.
“We’re in the midst of trying to sign a new contract here,” Hoffman said, whose arbitration date is Aug. 4. “New coach coming in, Guy Boucher, I had him in junior when I played in Drummondville of the Quebec League. Very good relationship with him, we won a championship together. So definitely looking forward to working with him this year.”
Hoffman and the Sens went to arbitration last season and was awarded $2 million.
On Marcus Johansson …
Elliotte Friedman: The Capitals offered in arbitration $3.85 million for Marcus Johansson, Johansson is asking for $5.25 million.
On the top 10 remaining free agents …
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: looking at the top 10 remaining NHL unrestricted free agents.
- Kris Russell – 29-year old defenseman
2. Jiri Hudler – 32-year old center/right winger
3. Brandon Pirri – 25-year old center
4. Radim Vrbata – 35-year old right winger
5. James Wisniewski – 32-year old defenseman
6. Sam Gagner – 26-year old denter
7. Dennis Seidenberg – 35-year old defenseman
8. Matt Cullen – 39-year old center
9. Kyle Quincey – 30-year old defenseman
10. Jhonas Enroth – 27-year old goaltender
On Radim Vrbata …
Craig Morgan: Free agent forward Radim Vrbata’s agent Rich Evans: “We have been discussing the structure of a contract with 4 teams & hope to come to an agreement shortly.”
On the Free Agent interview process …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Pat Morris of Newport Sports on TSN 1050. As part of the conversation they discussed teams bringing in potential sponsors to a meeting with a potential free agent. Morris was with Steven Stamkos when they visited the Maple Leafs – he wouldn’t comment on what took place.
Hypothetical: In two years, there’s a player who is an unrestricted free agent. The Toronto Maple Leafs, or another major market team, want him. Can you have sponsors in a meeting saying, ‘Okay, if you come to Toronto’ – and this is not brokered by the team – ‘if you come to Toronto, we will be very interested in sponsoring you to the tune of X.’
Can you do that?
“Well, the CBA has that covered off with arms-length transactions and market value transactions. So that should be possible,” said Morris.
