The New York Rangers have begun talks with Ryan Strome on a new contract, according to Larry Brooks of New York Post. The 28-year-old is on the second season of a two-year contract that carries a $4.5MM cap hit and is scheduled for unrestricted free agency in the summer. Strome’s connection with Artemi Panarin has led to some excellent numbers the last few seasons, including 14 points in 16 games this time around.
A long-term deal will be tricky though, given how much salary the team already has committed moving forward. With big extensions kicking in for Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox next season, the team already has more than $70MM on the books. That’s with some other key players still to sign down the road, which Brooks also examines in his latest column.
- Martin Brodeur isn’t going to be leaving the New Jersey Devils for the Montreal Canadiens general manager job, at least that’s what he told Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Brodeur is obviously more connected to the Devils than any other franchise in the league, and going to Montreal never did seem like a very good fit for the legendary goaltender.
- If Mathieu Darche wants to interview for that Montreal job, the Tampa Bay Lightning won’t stand in his way. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports that the Lightning will not block Darche, who serves as director of player development for the team, from interviewing for a GM opportunity even in-season.