On Jaromir Jagr and Nikita Kucherov …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: notes that Jaromir Jagr was told after the season by the Florida Panthers that after the expansion draft he would be getting a contract offer from them. This didn’t happen. wonders if something had changed after they hired Bob Boughner as their new head coach.
Other 36 years old and up free agents still unsigned include Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Matt Cullen, Mike Fisher, Brian Gionta, John-Michael Liles, Francois Beauchemin, Chris Kelly, Vern Fiddler, Chris Neil and Mike Ribeiro.
Nikita Kucherov is entering year two of his three-year deal that carries a $4.767 cap hit. After Ryan Johansen signed for $8 million a year and Evgeny Kuznetsov signing for $7.8, can see Kucherov almost doubling his current deal when his deal is up. When Kucherov’s contract expires, he’ll be one year from unrestricted free agency and will have more leverage this time around.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: (mailbag) Asked if there is any chance the Penguins would sign Jaromir Jagr to a one-year deal … Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said back on July 1st that they weren’t interested. followed up with Rutherford after to ask about Jagr and “he looked at me like I had three heads for even thinking to ask.”
Matt Cullen may be in the only free agent that makes sense for the Penguins. They will add a third line center in a trade.
thinks that Tyler Bozak would be a great fit for the Penguins.
On Will Butcher …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: When defenseman Will Butcher becomes a free agent next month, he will get plenty of interest. The Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs will be among the teams interested in signing him.
The Boston Bruins are a team that doesn’t really need to be in on Butcher as they don’t need another “undersized, unproven youngster” on their blue line. The Bruins are deep in left handed defensive prospects.
