NHL Rumors: Red Wings and Larkin … Senators and Stone
The Detroit Red Wings and Dylan Larkin could be closing in on long-term deal. The Ottawa Senators should avoid salary arbitration with Mark Stone at all costs

Red Wings and Larkin could be closing in on a deal

Helene St. James: The Detroit Red Wings and Dylan Larkin are looking at doing a five- or six-year deal. Larkin: “I feel pretty confident that something will get done before training camp. No worries about it.”

Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Indications are the Red Wings and Larkin could be close on a long-term deal.

“A lot of talking and negotiating; it’s a bit of a process,” said Larkin, who was a guest instructor Thursday at the Red Wings’ youth camp at Little Caesars Arena. “It’s back and forth thinking, and everything is definitely a process, (but) you can’t sit by your phone all summer, you still have to train and work out and have fun, go on trips.”

Larkin could get around $6 million on a five- or six-year deal.

Senators entering dangerous territory with Stone

Ken Warren of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators should be hoping to avoid salary arbitration with Mark Stone at all costs.

The Senators offered $5 million with Stone asking for $9 million. A ruling would likely be around $7 million, but the Sens could be entering a dangerous territory.

If Stone gets a one-year deal in arbitration, both Stone and Matt Duchene would be unrestricted free agents after the season. Erik Karlsson could also be on his way out.

Stone is the Senators best forward and is worth at least fair market value, if not more.

Murray Pam: “Quite possibly a franchise defining moment for in the next few hours – Will Mark Stone sign a long-term deal or does he head to arbitration?”

Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: It may be in the best interest for the Senators to show their fans some trust and sign Stone to a long-term contract extension before their salary arbitration.

It might take an eight-year deal at around $60 million, but it would send a positive message to their fan base.