The San Jose Sharks are near re-signing Collin Graf, and talks with Will Smith proceed
Curtis Pashelka: San Jose Sharks GM Mike Greir on Will Smith, who eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason, and Collin Graff who’s a RFA.
“Continuing to have dialogue with (Smith and Collin Graf) and see where that goes. Smitty is certainly someone we’d prefer to lock up long-term as well. So we’ll see the way it goes. But definitely, it’s a part of the plan to hopefully get them locked up long-term. But when it doesn’t occur (with Smith), then we’ll be okay, and we’ll work out because the season goes on and into next summer.”
Max Miller: Sharks GM Grier said that they’re “pretty close” to getting Graf’s contract finalized.
NHL News: Macklin Celebrini Signs Extension in San Jose
Will Drake Batherson determine to check the open market next July 1st as the edges “aren’t close?”
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson is entering the ultimate yr of his deal that carries a $4.65 million salary cap hit. Some league executives consider he could get between $10 and $11 million on the open market.
The Senators and Batherson’s camp have held some talks, and sources say they consider that the edges “aren’t close.” Batherson desires to stay, they usually need to keep him, nevertheless it won’t be easy to get a deal done.
A source said that Batherson could use Adrian Kempe‘s $10.625 million as a comp. The Senators have a history of not liking at hand out large amounts for bonuses and salary up front, which can lead Batherson to not less than test the open market.
Senators GM Steve Staios would also prefer to extend defenseman Artem Zub, who might be a UFA after next season as well.
NHL Rumors: Patrik Laine, NY Islanders, Morgan Rielly, and Patient UFAs
Zub’s agent, Dan Milstein, in an email: “Now we have not exchanged thoughts on contract in any respect. I might imagine we might talk about it in the approaching weeks or in early fall.”
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