Stone looking for stability from the Senators? Sens need Stone to show they are a little stable?
Ian Mendes of TSN: The Ottawa Senators and Mark Stone were unable to agree on a long-term contract extension before their arbitration hearing, but were able to settle on a one-year deal at $7.35 million.
Stone can sign a contract extension after January 1st. He’ll be a UFA after next season, and the closer gets to that time, the more leverage he has.
A long-term deal this offseason would have given Sens fans something to be happy about this season. Now are fans wondering that Stone doesn’t want to be with the organization long-term?
Stone may be looking see if the organization becomes a little more stable before agreeing to a long-term deal. The Senators need to re-sign Stone to show they are more stable and have some clear direction.
Stone, Erik Karlsson and Matt Duchene are UFAs after next season.
Devils have cap space but have some big named future free agents that will need extensions
Chris Ryan of NJ.com: The New Jersey Devils currently have over $19.5 million in salary cap space, and that number will grow after this season as more players come off the books. The Devils will need the future cap space to re-sign some key players in two years.
Some of the future cap space could go towards a long-term extension for Taylor Hall. Hall will be eligible to sign a contract extension after July 1st, 2019, and will be their top priority next offseason. His next contract could be in the $10 million or more range per season.
Defenseman Sami Vatanen will also be eligible for a contract extension. The Devils need to improve their defensive group and Vatanen provides stability. Vatanen will be a UFA after 2019-20 and carries a $4.875 million cap until then.
2017 first overall pick Nico Hischier will also be eligible for a contract extension next offseason.
The Devils will have some players that will be free agents after next season and are eligible for extensions now.
Forward Marcus Johansson will be a UFA. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid will also be looking for a contract and could be looking for a starting role.
Defenseman Will Butcher and forward Pavel Zacha are on expiring entry-level deals. Brian Boyle and Ben Lovejoy are pending UFAs.
