On the Salary Cap, St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Jarome Iginla, Brian Gionta and Joffrey Lupul …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: From the Board of Governor’s meeting yesterday – it’s possible that next years salary cap could be $80 million. This seasons cap could have been $79 million if they chose to use the full escalator.
With Robby Fabbri now done for the season in St. Louis, and other injuries to Alex Steen, Jay Bouwmeester, Patrik Berglund and Zach Sanford, the Blues may need to find some short-term help.
As of yet, it doesn’t sound like there has been much talk between the Columbus Blue Jackets and pending unrestricted free agent Cam Atkinson. Atkinson scored 35 goals last season and is making $3.5 million this year. Atkinson told The Athletic last week there were no talks this offseason.
Adding an extra year or two to a Patrick Maroon – Edmonton Oilers deal would make sense to keep the salary cap number down a bit.
Team Canada Olympic GM Sean Burke said that he’s reached out to Jarome Iginla, but Iginla’s priority is to play in the NHL.
Brian Gionta is considering a deal with Rochester of the AHL. It would be close to home, and an AHL-only deal would allow him to go to the Olympics with Team USA.
There doesn’t appear to be a lot of concern that Joffrey Lupul will pass his physical from the independent doctor whenever he takes it.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: If the Blues put Robby Fabbri and Zach Sanford on the LTIR, they would around $2.2 million in salary cap space. Both Fabbri and Sanford make under $900,000 a year.
Jaromir Jagr is still unsigned. Landon Ferraro could be an option at center as he was put on waivers yesterday. Ferraro was in the Blues organization last year in Chicago (AHL). He would carry a $700,000 cap hit.
If the Blues were looking for a more established player, they might have trade some salary out.
