Canucks GM Jim Benning plans to meet with pending unrestricted free agents Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin in the coming days to gauge their interest in returning for their 18th season with Vancouver, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports on TSN’s Insider Trading (video link). The twins have had good seasons, ranking second and third in team scoring despite seeing their ice time drop by more than three minutes per game.
While Benning may be hoping for a quick decision, that may not actually happen. Speaking with Postmedia’s Ben Kuzma Daniel noted that they plan to take their time with the decision and, perhaps most notably, see where the team is at and how it shapes up over the offseason. Even if they take a pay cut from their current $7MM contracts, it will still likely cost a considerable amount to keep both around and the Canucks will certainly want to know heading into free agency if they will have to allocate that money elsewhere.
Elsewhere around the league:
- The Jets appear to be closer to getting some good news on the injury front, something they haven’t had a lot of this year. Postmedia’s Ken Wiebe notes that defenseman Jacob Trouba (concussion) could be back this weekend while goaltender Steve Mason is expected to get into at least one game next week which should have him ready to go for the postseason as well.
- The Kings may not be done signing college players just yet. After they signed defenseman Daniel Brickley and forward Mikey Eyssimont earlier today, Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider reports that free agent winger Sheldon Rempal also visited with the team. The 21-year-old sophomore posted 23 goals and 23 assists in just 39 games with Clarkson and is garnering considerable interest around the league although he could return for another season at the NCAA level as well.
- The Capitals are in contract negotiations with the agent for college center Brian Pinho, reports Mark Divver of the Providence Journal (Twitter link). The 22-year-old recently wrapped up his college career with the Friars, posting 12 goals and 20 assists in his senior year. Pinho was Washington’s sixth-round pick (174th overall) back in 2013 and could test the free agent waters if he doesn’t sign a contract by mid-August.