Top 30 NHL free agents …
Frank Seravalli of TSN: TSNs top 30 NHL free agents.
- Steven Stamkos
- Loui Eriksson
- Milan Lucic
- Kyle Okposo
- Mikkel Boedker
- David Backes
- Andrew Ladd
- Keith Yandle
- Troy Brouwer
- Jason Demers
- James Reimer
- Frans Nielsen
- Dan Hamhuis
- David Perron
- Roman Polak
- Jiri Hudler
- Kris Russell
- Brian Campbell
- Lee Stempniak
- Alex Goligoski
- Eric Staal
- Luke Schenn
- Jamie McGinn
- Radim Vrbata
- Teddy Purcell
- Kris Versteeg
- Dale Weise
- P.A. Parenteau
- Kyle Quincey
- Cam Ward
On the St. Louis Blues …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 690 on the St. Louis Blues and pending UFA David Backes.
“I think it’s going to be a priority for them, no matter what happens from here on in, to re-sign him. That’s the sense I get. But I don’t think it’s an automatic, because I think what will be the key issue for David Backes — at the age of 34 and the hard miles he has put on himself because of the honest type of player that he is — I think term is a big thing. I don’t know if the Blues, or any other team out there, are comfortable going longer than three years.
“And if you’re David Backes, and you’ve got to think about yourself and your family, you want to cash in. This is it. This is the last time that you’re taking a swing at things, free agent-wise, and you want to get more than three years. You want to get comfort, and maybe some payback for the way you played the game in your career.”
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 on the Winnipeg Jets and Mark Scheifele’s (RFA) next contract. Announcer brings up eight years and $50 million, a $6.25 million cap hit.
“Yeah, and look – I don’t think that’s far off the mark. I don’t. I think that number is going to at least start with a 6, so 6.25 is probably pretty close to the mark.
“But look – the Jets aren’t afraid of those numbers. They’re not afraid of the term. They’re not afraid of the Average Annual Salary because they know that they’re investing in a very good player, and that’s the cost of doing business.”
