The Tampa Bay Lightning and Braydon Point talks continue
Caley Chelios: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said that when they were in Vancouver at the draft he met with Brayden Point‘s agent: “We have ongoing dialogue and I’m confident eventually we’ll get something done.”
Joe Pavelski is liking the Lightning idea
Andy Strickland: Though it may not be easy to work out, it’s sounding like Joe Pavelski’s first option is the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Pierre LeBrun: Believe that Pavelski only met with the Lightning and Dallas Stars. There were a few other teams that were pushing hard. No decision has been met yet.
The Dallas Stars create some extra cap space
Matthew DeFranks: After the buyout of Valeri Nichushkin, not qualifying Brett Ritchie and the trading of Tyler Pitlick, they’ve cleared out some cap space and bottom-six forwards. They are looking to add a top-six forward.
Pavelski to Dallas? The Minnesota Wild have serious interest in Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman
Michael Russo of The Athletic: It’s looking like free agent Joe Pavelski is on his way to Dallas, basically replacing Mats Zuccarello.
Sources are saying the Minnesota Wild have serious interest in Zuccarello and are willing to offer him a long-term deal. The Columbus Blue Jackets are also among the teams interested.
The Wild would like to add at least two free agents forwards, with one being a top-six winger.
Zuccarello could be looking for at least five years at around $6 million, and the Wild may be willing to go there.
The Wild have also shown interest in wingers Anders Lee and Wayne Simmonds.
Sources are also saying the Wild were aggressively going after forward Ryan Hartman.
Pierre LeBrun: Believe that the Columbus Blue Jackets could be in on Zuccarello.
