
Calgary flames can use more central depth
Daniel Austin of the Calgary Herald: Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund are sure to be the two centers of Calgary Flame next season. Morgan Frost is a pending RFA that scored just 12 points in 32 games after getting from Philly. How much potential do they want to offer him?
Connor Zary, who is also RFA, has been playing the wings, but they can let him see the center. With Kadri and Backlund’s 30s in their ranks, it might be time to transition to Zary.
Organizationally, the flames need more centers and will likely seek to draft some centers. Jack Nesbitt and Cole Reschny may be the first round goals.
NHL News: Mattias Ekholm, Calvin Pickard, Matthew Knies and Jamie Benn fines
Ottawa Senator and Claude Giroux discuss delay
Bruce Gallioch, a citizen of Ottawa: Ottawa Senator wants to keep 37-year-old UFA striker Claude Giroux, who wants to stay. Sources said informal talks have been held since the Senator was eliminated in the playoffs.
General Manager Steve Staios is expected to meet with Giroux agent Pat Brisson in the coming weeks to reach a deal. They can meet in the draft in Buffalo in early June.
Giroux made a three-year contract with a cap of $6.5 million. In his 245 games against Sens, he scored 71 goals and added 122 assists. He averages 19 minutes per game.
Will Giroux cut salary? Some league executives believe he will complete a one-year contract in the range of $3 to $4 million. One executive said Joe Pavelski’s one-year contract was $3.5 million, and the bonus was as high as $2 million, which is a good comparison.
The Senator has about $17.5 million in projected cap space in the RFA of Fabian Zetterlund and Tyler Kleven.
NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadians, NHL Expansion and Atlanta
Stage 4: Ottawa senators have estimated salary cap space of more than $17.5 million and they will seek to add at least one influence.
Senators will seek to re-sign Claude Giroux in a short-term deal of $3 million. RFA forward Fabian Zetterlund will seek to exceed the $1.5 million he earned last season.
SENS will look for top wingers through trade or free agents. Free-agent wingers for Senators who may be interested include Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mikael Granlund.
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