NHL Rumors I: Callahan Deal Close, Maple Leafs and Canucks
  • Chris Johnston of SportsNet: A long-term contract extension between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ryan Callahan is “imminent.” The deal is believed to be longer than five years and worth as much as $5.5 million a year. Callahan’s agent, Scott Bartlett, said that both sides had found a “common ground towards a new deal.” The Rangers would get the Lightning’s 2015 second round pick once the deal is reached.
  •  Chris Johnston of SportsNet: It’s looking like the Maple Leafs and Nikolai Kulemin will be parting ways. Kulemin’s agent, Gary Greenstin said he’ll be talking with teams as early as today about a potential new home for Kulemin. Greenstin did add there is still time for contract talks to pick up with the Leafs. The role in which Kulemin gets used may become more of an issue than the contract. He was used primarily in a defensive role for the Leafs, with 66 percent of his shifts starting in the defensive zone. He had his lowest career point total last season with 20 points in 70 games.Dave Bolland could also be on his way out. Contract talks have been on and off since January and the sides are at a standstill.

    “Our position hasn’t changed a whole heck of a lot,” Anton Thun, Bolland’s agent, told Sportsnet on Tuesday.

    “At this time it’s just not coming together,” said Thun. “We can’t force the Leafs to accept our terms.”

    Talks between the Leafs and Jake Gardiner are underway and it’s believed they are discussing a two-year bridge deal at somewhere between $2.25 and $3 million a season.

  • News 1130 Sports: The Maple Leafs and Mason Raymond are still talking, but there is a lot of work still left to be done.
  • News 1130 Sports: The Canucks qualifying Chris Tanev and Zack Kassian was the easy part, getting them signed to new contracts will be the hard part.