NHL Rumors: Lightning, Wings, Kings, Rangers, and 2017 UFA Dmen
Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning
On the Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, LA Kings, and New York Rangers …

TSN: Bob McKenzie: The Lightning’s only known offer to Steven Stamkos was believed to be for $8.5 million for five or six year. The Lightning would likely hope to get him signed for $9 million or less.

Darren Dreger: The Red Wings will be interested in Stamkos, but will need to trade Pavel Datsyuk‘s cap hit. GM Ken Holland is trying to move it, but will might have to include someone like Tomas Jurco or Teemu Pulkkinen to do so.

Pierre LeBrun: The Kings and Milan Lucic still hope to get a contract done, but there hasn’t been much talk lately. The Canucks and Oilers could be interested if he hits the open market.

Bob McKenzie: Aside for Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan McDonagh, the Rangers may be willing to make so changes. They won’t give away players like Rick Nash, Derek Stepan or Derick Brassard, but they are open to talking about almost anyone.

Darren Dreger: The Red Wings would be fine giving Alexander Radulov a one year deal around $4 to $4.5 million, but sources saying he is looking for a two-year deal worth $7.5 million per season.

On the top 2017 UFA defensemen …

Craig Custance of ESPN: Current top three unrestricted free agent defenseman for 2017 currently are Brent Burns, Victor Hedman and Kevin Shattenkirk.

There isn’t really a great salary comparable for Hedman. P.K. Subban could be the closest comparable – though he was a RFA – and he signed an eight-year deal at $9 million per season. Custance thinks Hedman could get eight years and between $9 and $10 million.

Dustin Byfuglien could be a comparable for Burns, but a five-year, $7.6 million per season deal would be on the low end.

Custance thinks Keith Yandle‘s next contract could set Shattenkirk’s value.

On the KHL …

Slava Malamud: Eight KHL teams have been threatened to be kicked out of the league if they don’t pay the salaries of their players by June 16th.