Heading into the offseason, many expected that the top picks from 2016 in Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine would get early extensions done with their respective teams. It has already been established that it’s doubtful that Matthews will get a deal done and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff indicated to Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre that there’s no particular rush to get Laine locked up either:
We’re open to everything. Again, Laine is a huge part of our organization and will be for many, many years to come. If (a contract) happens tomorrow, that’s great. If it happens a year from tomorrow, great.
Laine has quickly established himself as one of the top scoring threats in the league and with that in mind, it stands to reason that they might be able to sign him for less now than it would cost if he has another highly-productive season. However, if Laine believes he can be among the top scorers again, he may prefer to wait. At either rate, it doesn’t seem like the Jets are worried that their young star hasn’t signed just yet.
Elsewhere around the league:
- The Rangers aren’t expected to bring in any veterans on training camp tryouts, reports Larry Brooks of the New York Post. New York is in the midst of a youth movement and is expected to have several key prospects contend for a roster spot so it appears they don’t want to clutter things up by having a tryout or two pushing to play as well. Among the youngsters pushing for spots are 2017 first round centers Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil. Even though there is fairly strong depth down the middle already, GM Jeff Gorton told Brooks that they don’t envision shifting them to the wing which could affect their push to make the team.
- Canadiens defensive prospect Jarret Tyszka has been diagnosed with a concussion following a hit that resulted in him being stretchered off the ice this afternoon in a rookie tournament game against Toronto, notes Sportsnet’s Eric Engels. It’s the second straight game that a Montreal prospect was concussed and stretchered off the ice as Jake Evans suffered the same fate on Friday. Tyszka, a fifth-round pick of the Canadiens back in 2017, is expected to return to Seattle of the WHL for the upcoming season.