- Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets have had a two-year, $6 million offer on the table for Ryan Johansen for months. Jaden Schwartz signed yesterday (two-years, $4.7 million) after having a breakout season of 25 goals and 31 assists for 56 points in 80 games. Johansen’s breakout season saw him score 33 goals with 30 assists for 63 points in 82 games. Johansen’s numbers a touch better, but the problem is that agent Kurt Overhardt is basing Johansen’s comparables on his potential and his placement on the Blue Jackets depth chart. He may not be concerned with Schwartz’s new contract. Hard to ignore the fact that Johansen is looking for the same dollar amount ($4.7 million) in one year compared to Schwartz’s two-years.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Undrafted Jiri Sekac is having a good training camp and could put Travis Moen’s job with the Canadiens in danger. Martin Brodeur remains hopeful to find a team. The Bruins may have no choice but to trade Johnny Boychuk so that they can re-sign Torey Krug and Reilly Smith.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: There appears to be little movement in dollar terms with regards to contract talks between the Dallas Stars and RFAs Cody Eakin and Brenden Dillon. The Stars want to sign them for less, the players want more. With both players missing camp, it is giving others more opportunity. Looking for spots on the blueline include: Patrik Nemeth, Jyrki Jokipakka, Jamie Oleksiak and John Klingberg. The Stars could use Jaden Schwartz’s two-year, $4.7 million deal as leverage for Eakin.
- The Fourth Period: The Islanders are looking for a veteran defenseman and have been linked to the Blackhawks and Bruins. It is thought that GM Garth Snow as reached out to both teams, as well as some others.
- The Fourth Period: Zbynek Michalek will be a UFA at the end of the season and though it creeps into his mind sometimes, he’s trying not to focus on it. The Coyotes could be up for talks before he hits the open market.
“We haven’t really started anything, but we’ll see how things play out,” Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney told the Arizona Republic. “He’s feeling good, and we’ll certainly entertain that at some point this year. We’d like to keep him, obviously.”
Michalek would like to re-sign with the Coyotes.
“This is a place I want to stay in and be and continue my career,” he told the paper. “Hopefully it works out that way that I can stay here. I’ll do whatever I can to make it happen.”
- Joe Smith: Lightning owner Jeff Vinik said he won’t get involved in future Steven Stamkos negotiations, will only say that he wants to have him finish his career with the Lightning.
- Pens Inside Scoop: Beau Bennett’s injury (out six weeks) is a big opening for Kasperi Kapanen and he could at least get a nine-game look.
- Daniel Friedman: The Islanders and Michael Dal Colle are getting close on an entry-level contract.
- Shawn Mitchell: The Blue Jackets are expected to get their training camp roster number close to 30 today.
