- Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings and Jimmy Howard are getting closer to a contract extension. He’s currently making $2.25 million but his new deal will be closer to $5 million a season. It is expected to be for six or seven years. The Wings are also working on contracts for Valtteri Filppula and Damien Brunner, who’ll both be UFAs on July 5th. They may not be close on a deal for Filppula, who is believed to be looking for $5 million a season. They are optimistic with Brunner, but are having trouble determining his market value due to the small sample size. Aaron Ward via twitter: Ward reports that a Red Wings – Howard deal may not be that close as the sides haven’t talked in over a week.
- Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Coyotes GM Don Maloney has said that they’ve had “some conversation” with Oliver Ekman-Larsson regarding a contract extension.
“We’ll pay on performance. We have no problem,” Maloney said. “But we won’t pay on potential. In Oliver’s case, he’s having a terrific season. He’s somebody we expect to sign at some point and hopefully for a long time.”
“You negotiate hard with their agents,” Pang said. “You try to get a hometown discount. At the end of the day, you can ill-afford to let this quality of defenseman walk.”
- Darren Dreger via twitter: David Desharnais and the Canadiens are expected to announce a contract extension today.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Top 3 college free agents: Dan DeKeyser (D), Andrej Sustr (D) and Antoine Laganiere (RW).
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Kellan Lain (6′ 6″ center) from Lake State could be the first college free agent to sign. Could be in the next 48 hours.
