Speaking with reporters as they cleaned out their lockers today, a pair of Jets defensemen commented on their future with the team. Pending UFA Tyler Myers indicated (via Murat Ates of The Athletic) that he’s open to starting discussions with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff as soon as the team is ready to do so. Myers took a small step back statistically this season but remains one of the top blueliners that will potentially be available on the open market.
Meanwhile, pending RFA Jacob Trouba was largely non-committal about his future, relays Sportsnet’s Rory Boylen. He’d only acknowledge that they’d talk in the summer which suggests there are no imminent discussions on the horizon. Trouba’s willingness to sign long-term with the Jets has long been in question but he has certainly bolstered his negotiating leverage as he had a career year in 2018-19 with 50 points in 82 games. If he so desires, he can sign a one-year deal this summer and become eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2020.
Elsewhere out West:
- Blackhawks prospect Evan Barrett has decided to remain at Penn State for his junior year, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required). The center, a 2017 third-round pick, had a strong sophomore season with 43 points in 32 games and gave serious consideration to turning pro. He recently underwent surgery for an undisclosed injury and will miss two-to-three months.
- Meanwhile, from the same report, Powers notes that goalie prospect Ivan Nalimov is unlikely to sign with the Blackhawks. His KHL contract with Avangard Omsk is set to come to an end next week but with several others already ahead of him on the depth chart, he could be looking at spending time in the ECHL next season. If another team has interest in him, he could be a trade candidate but the odds of that will decrease if he signs an extension in Russia.
- Flames GM Brad Treliving told reporters, including Sportsnet 960’s Pat Steinberg, that center Sean Monahan was playing through a cracked thumb. Monahan averaged over a point per game during the regular season but was held to just a goal and an assist in five postseason contests. He added that goalie David Rittich had been playing through a knee injury late in the year which may at least partly explain why he wasn’t given a chance to play at some point during their series loss to Colorado.
clear if they want to keep trouba will have probably give to much term or too high of a salary.. I would trade him and try keep myers.