On the New Jersey Devils …
Luke Fox of Sportnet: Devils forward Taylor Hall doesn’t think the team is done making moves this offseason.
“We’ve got some good pieces. I don’t think they’re done by any means. I think there’s some things they’re still looking to do,” Hall said at Smashfest VI.
The Devils have over $19 million in salary cap space and two remaining restricted free agents in Damon Severson and Stefan Noesen.
Do they look to add another scorer or dependable defenseman?
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The Bruins and Ryan Spooner have their arbitration hearing today.
Spooner is still a trade candidate and has been in the rumor mill for awhile now. When the Wild and Bruins were talking Marco Scandella, Spooner’s name was involved.
The Bruins have Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson ready to take Spooner’s spot if he’s moved.
If he’s not moved this offseason, Spooner could open the season as the Bruins third line center. The Bruins could explore trades in-season.
Spooner asked for $3.85 million in arbitration and the Bruins have the right to walk away from the ruling (if they don’t agree to a deal before a decision is made), but that is unlikely due to his trade value.
Sense is there is a $3 million deal to be made before the hearing/hearing ruling.
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers locked up Mika Zibanejad to a five-year, $26.75 million deal yesterday.
If the Rangers enter the season carrying eight defenseman and 14 forwards, they could have just $445,556 in salary cap space.
The Rangers could still be looking to improve down the middle, and defenseman Nick Holden could be dangled. Holden carries a $1.65 million salary cap hit.
The Rangers also have until Thursday to decide on whether to buy out defenseman Marc Staal. Buying out the 30-year old Staal would give the Rangers an extra $3.567 million in cap space next season, but he’d be on the books for eight years.
