Quick Hits: Marc Staal, Bobby Ryan, and Roman Josi
Marc Staal a healthy scratch for the first time. Bobby Ryan is okay with his contract. Some numbers on Roman Josi's new contract.
© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
First healthy scratch for Staal

Larry Brooks: The New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal was a healthy scratch last night for the first time in his 13-year NHL career.

Ryan thinks his contract is ok

Brent Wallace: Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan (two years left at $7.5 million per) when asked if he thinks his contract situation is similar to when Roberto Luongo said that he was “un-tradeable.” (edited quote)

“I think my contract is ok. Works for me. Everybody’s got an agent and they did their job. You can laugh about it all you want. Obviously, everything gets magnified because of it and I understand that. And have I lived up to it? At portions of the contract, yes and to other portions of the contract, absolutely not and I understand that. I’m not going to say it sucks.”

Some numbers for the Nashville Predators and Roman Josi

Will Scouch: What the Nashville Predators have committed to their 2023-24 lineup. If all players are kept, they have $41.5 million in salary cap space already committed.

Ryan Johansen – 31yo $8mm 2025 exp.
Matt Duchene – 32yo $8mm 2026 exp.
Kyle Turris – 34yo $6mm 2024 exp.
Victor Arvidsson – 30yo $4.25mm 2024 exp.
Ryan Ellis – 32yo $6.25mm 2026 exp.
Roman Josi – 33yo $9mm 2028 exp.

Will Scouch: “That leaves $53.5mm to spend on around 17 spots, or $3.15mm per spot with no goaltending signed or prospects likely to progress to the NHL, but goalies are weird so who knows. Totally not the end of the world, but you’re going to need to really nail your draft picks.”