- Chuck Gormley: Capitals Evgeny Kuznetsov said that they had talked about a longer contract, but they settled on a two-year deal. On a longer deal: ‘We’ll see later.’
- David Pagnotta: There isn’t much of an update on Alex Galchenyuk and the Canadiens contract talks. Galchenyuk’s agent said they continue to go back and forth.
- Craig Morgan of FOX Sports Arizona: The Coyotes re-signed Mikkel Boedker to a one-year, $3.75 million deal yesterday. GM Don Maloney said a week ago that term had been the sticking point in contract talks. Boedker had been looking for a long-term deal, possibly in the five- or six-year range. The Coyotes didn’t want to go that long.
“At the end of the day, it’s always the case where it’s dollars and term,” Maloney said. “We were not quite comfortable with where he wanted to be and he wasn’t comfortable (with where we wanted to be), so this is a fair compromise.”
Boedker’s agent, Jarrett Bousquet, went to the Coyotes on Sunday and said they would only be looking for a one-year deal. Boedker will now be an unrestricted free agent after next season.
“Maybe we’ll talk in January,” Bousquet said, “if we see some stability.”
The Coyotes legal situation with the city of Glendale played role in the short-term deal according to both sides. Bousquet:
“I would not say (the Coyotes’ current situation) is chilling, but I would say it is something we go over with our clients and are acutely aware of,” he said.
Maloney on if he’s optimistic he can sign Boedker to a long-term deal in January.
“I’m not sure I’m optimistic in this day and age,” he said. “The contract levels that are out there; they are what they are. It’s really going to come down to his performance and how he plays and how we do as a team. If he plays really well then he’s probably going to get more.
“I’m fine with it. I think the shorter term gives us flexibility. We’re in good a position with regards to our payroll and our roster and roster spots. I’m glad it’s done now so he can just concern himself with getting ready for the season.”
They Coyotes are expected to be re-signing RFAs Klas Dahlbeck and Brandon Gormley soon.
- Brian Mcwilliam of theScore: Three possible landing spots for Chris Stewart: Ducks, Coyotes and Panthers.
