While many have viewed the one-year, $7.35MM contract that Senators winger Mark Stone inked last week to make him eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer as a sign that he is likely entering the final season with his team, he told Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch that he’s certainly open to discussing an extension when the window opens up in January:
“Everyone is looking at this and I think most fans are thinking this is pretty negative news. I think both sides left Toronto happy that we still have the opportunity to work something out. Everybody knows the way that arbitration can go sometimes and the fact that both sides were able to leave on good terms is a good sign.”
Stone joins a notable list of notable Senators players that are entering the final year of their respective contracts. That group includes defenseman Erik Karlsson, center Matt Duchene, and winger Ryan Dzingel (who is coming off of a 23-goal season). With that in mind, there is going to be a narrow window for Ottawa to try to work something out with Stone as if they can’t come to terms on a long-term extension quickly in the new year, they will likely look to move him before the trade deadline.
More from around the league:
- The Predators are having “consistent and continual negotiations” with defenseman Ryan Ellis regarding a contract extension, GM David Poile told ESPN 102.5 (audio link). The 27-year-old is entering the final year of a very team-friendly deal that carries a cap hit of just $2.5MM and is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. Considering how important he has been to Nashville’s back end in recent years, he should easily more than double that amount on his next contract. Meanwhile, it was a memorable day for Poile as he was among the Class of 2018 named to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as announced by USA Hockey.
- Although the Red Wings now have Jonathan Bernier locked up for the next three years, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press suggests that that shouldn’t necessarily spell the end for incumbent netminder Jimmy Howard with the team. The pending UFA projects to be a trade candidate closer to the trade deadline but even if that were to happen, St. James notes that Detroit has been pleased with his performance over the last couple of years and would have interest in dealing him and bringing him back as a free agent on a short-term deal given that they don’t have any prospects pushing to make the jump to the NHL at the moment. For that to happen, he would presumably need to take a pay cut from his current $5.29MM cap hit.