Karlsson signing fallout
Frank Seravalli: The San Jose Sharks now have $26.5 million committed to three defensemen for six seasons – Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
Arpon Basu: The Sharks have about $13 million in salary cap space but have UFAs Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, as well as RFAs Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc. Would still need to sign more forwards.
Craig Custance: Sharks GM Doug Wilson wouldn’t say much with regards to their free agents, but did say: “Under a cap system, choices and decisions have to be made.”
Kevin Kurz: “With Karlsson at $11.5 AAV, Sharks now have $67.645 million committed to just 15 players. Still have to get Meier, Labanc and Gambrell signed as RFAs. Also carrying $1.416 million due to Paul Martin buyout.”
Pierre LeBrun: Erik Karlsson re-signing with the Sharks means the Ottawa Senators get their 2021 2nd round pick.
CapFriendly: Over the next three drafts the Senators have 28 draft picks with four in the 1st, eight in the 2nd and four in the 3rd.
Backes not going anywhere
Joe Haggerty: Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney indicated yesterday that David Backes won’t be going anywhere. They may be looking at him as a bottom-six/fourth line player.
Conor Ryan: Sweeney on David Backes: “He’s a part of our hockey club.”
Bruins injury updates
Boston Bruins: Sweeney updating some injuries.
- Anders Bjork — doing very well, will be full bore for camp
- Zdeno Chara — will have procedure on elbow to clean up loose fragments
- Joakim Nordstrom — had fracture in foot that will require rest”
Boston Bruins: Forward Chris Wagner said he had surgery to fix a displaced ulna. He was cleared for Game 7: “Great job by the doctors to even get to that point. Initially I was done, but it was healing so well I wanted to be an option for Game 7.”
Senators re-sign a forward
Sens Communications: The Ottawa Senators have re-signed forward Anthony Duclair to a one-year extension.
- Chris Stevenson: “I like this for both sides. Not much exposure for the Senators and Duclair will get a featured role on a young team to show if he’s ready to be a core player. One year, $1.65 million.”
O’Brien leaves the Sens
Murray Pam: Senators pending UFA forward Jim O’Brien has signed with Nurnberg of the DEL.
Blue Jackets re-sign a forward
Aaron Portzline: The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed forward Markus Hannikainen to a one-year contract at $750,000.
