Latest on Steven Stamkos, Vladimir Tarasenko, the Coyotes arena lease squabble, the Devils name their new assistant coaches and more.
SPORTSNET: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman declared re-signing team captain Steven Stamkos his top priority this summer. Stamkos becomes eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.
Re-signing Steven Stamkos a top priority for the Lightning.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forget about Yzerman trading Stamkos if talks get difficult or of Stamkos preferring to test next summer’s UFA market. Yzerman wants to re-sign Stamkos, who understands he’s in a terrific position to possibly win a Stanley Cup in the near future. With the Lightning now a legitimate Cup contender, Stamkos isn’t going anywhere. Expect a seven- or eight-year deal worth at least $10.5 million per season.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Pending UFAs Antoine Vermette, Brad Richards and Andrew Desjardins will have to accept less than market value if they hope to return with the cap-strapped Blackhawks next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Even then, the ‘Hawks might not be able to afford all three.
STLTODAY.COM: It’s possible the Blues might not have RFA winger Vladimir Tarasenko under contract before July 1, but GM Doug Armstrong isn’t concerned about it. Tarasenko could become a target for an offer sheet.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues will match an offer sheet for Tarasenko. They can afford it.
NBC SPORTS: Arizona Coyotes president Anthony Leblanc slammed the Glendale city council for claiming it won’t fight its legal case to end its least agreement with the club via the media. In Leblanc’s opinion, they’re doing just that.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets prospect defenseman Mike Reilly has ruled out re-signing with the club, and will become a UFA on July 1.
THE WASHINGTON POST: The Capitals re-signed defenseman Nate Schmidt to a two-year, one-way deal worth $750,000 next season and $875,000 in 2016-17.
NORTHJERSEY.COM: The New Jersey Devils have named Alain Nasreddine and Geoff Ward as assistant coaches.
THE DETROIT NEWS: Chris Chelios has been named an assistant coach to the 2016 U.S. national junior team.
YAHOO SPORTS: Despite disappointing ratings in the first year of its 12-year, $5.2 billion broadcasting deal with the NHL, Rogers declares it a success.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like they’d admit anything else.
Rogers taking over broadcast rights has made it near impossible to see any games. In my neck of the woods, Habs games were blacked out constantly even on RDS, and usually the only matches that were available would be Jackets vs Preds or such. The Centre Ice package is just too much to pay with already escalating costs for just regular tube.
Being in the Ottawa area, I have noticed that too when it comes to Leafs or Habs games thanks to Rogers. Not a fan of any of the three teams in the vicinity, but still, not a good precedent. That said, my biggest beef would be the lack of choice we now have.
SHARKS NEED TO CONSIDER RICHARDS, VERMETTE & TARASENKO BUT I DOUBT TARASENKO GOES ANYWHERE. SAME WITH STAMKOS. AS MUCH AS THE SHARKS COULD — USE STAMKOS I DOUBT HE’LL GO ANYWHERE. LIGHTNING SHOW THEY’RE CLOSE. OF COURSE DOUG WILSON WILL PROBABLY SIGN SOME FA WORKING AT CHUCKY CHEESE. THAT’S HIS NEXT OPTION. HE DOESN’T SIGN ANY GOOD FAs. HE GOES OUT & SIGNS SCRUBS.