What will the Winnipeg Jets do with Ondrej Pavelec?
The Hockey News: Ondrej Pavelec, 29, is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. If he clears waivers and is placed on the trade block, his $3.9-million salary-cap hit ($4.75 million in actual salary this season) and history of inconsistent play won’t attract many suitors.
Nikita Kucherov close to signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Times: It’s speculated Nikita Kucherov could sign a short-term bridge deal by as early as today. The Lightning only have around $5.5 million in salary-cap space. It was expected Kucherov would seek a long-term deal worth over $6 million annually. He could accept a two- or three-year deal for a lesser annual cap hit with the promise of a much more lucrative deal down the road.
The New York Rangers are looking to trade Dylan McIlrath
New York Post: Larry Brooks reports the New York Rangers are believed seeking a trade partner to take defenseman Dylan McIlrath off their hands. McIlrath, 26, had a poor training camp, but the Rangers prefer not to put him on waivers. Even if he remains with the club, he won’t be part of the Blueshirts’ top-six defensemen.
