Don Sweeney is indeed in talks with Brad Marchand in regards to a contract extension.
A report surfaced Friday that the Boston Bruins general manager had been in touch with Marchand and his representatives, and Sweeney himself confirmed he's looking to re-sign Marchand before the winger becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
"I think I’ve been pretty up front in that I’d like to be aggressive in trying to identify - and we have identified - Marchy as a core guy," Sweeney said Friday, according to Eric Russo of BostonBruins.com.
"We want to continue down that path, but it takes two sides to make a deal I would envision that he’d like to be part of this organization for what could be, arguably, his whole career. But Brad has a say in this as well."
The 28-year-old led the Bruins with a career-high 37 goals this past season, and the winger is averaging 27.6 goals per every 82 regular-season games played since making the jump to the NHL in 2010. Marchand has also become a staple alongside Patrice Bergeron, forming one of the league's most effective lines without whoever's lucky enough to jump on the right side.
He also recently represented Canada at the World Championships and will suit up for his country at the World Cup in September.
Marchand is set to make $5 million in salary this season while carrying a $4.5-million cap hit, and is certain to command a healthy raise on his next contract.
Haydn Fleury knows an opportunity is there for the taking.
The 20-year-old defenseman, who was drafted seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014, has yet to make his NHL debut, but is well aware that a spot on the blue line recently opened up.
"Ever since (James) Wisniewski was bought out, that's the only thing that's been on my mind," Fleury said, according to Kurt Dusterberg of NHL.com.
"It's extra motivation for me in the gym and on the ice the rest of this summer."
Fleury took on a leadership role at the team's summer development camp, and head coach Bill Peters expects the young defenseman to fight for an opening-night roster spot at training camp.
And that's exactly what Fleury intends to do, despite seven defensemen being signed for next season after the Wisniewski buyout.
"I'm going to come into the main camp in the fall and do my best to take that spot."
Fleury spent the past two seasons back with the WHL's Red Deer Rebels, recording 12 goals and 29 assists in 56 games in 2015-16.
Summer development camps are where prospects go to make a name for themselves, and Joey Dudek of the New Jersey Devils did exactly that.
The 20-year-old center out of Boston College dropped an absolutely filthy move or three during a shootout Saturday, leaving the goalie looking all kinds of lost.
Dudek was drafted 152nd overall in 2014, and scored only one goal in 34 NCAA games this past season.
The veteran, who will turn 38 on Jan. 12, is heading into next season with 499 career regular-season goals. He's one away from a milestone. But it's not really on his mind.
"To tell you the truth, I never even thought about it this summer," Hossa said, writes the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc. "I'm not too worried about it."
Hossa scored only 13 goals last year, his fewest in a full season in his career. After potting 30 in 2013-14 and 22 in 2014-15, he's trending in the wrong direction as he gets up there in age. But luck hasn't exactly been on his side - Hossa's 6.8 shooting percentage in 2015-16 was by far the lowest of his career.
The former first-round pick said he should have had more than 13 goals last season - "the puck didn't want to go in" - and knows that if he does what he's done his entire career, the goals will come. He bagged three in seven playoff games, after all.
"I'll just play my game and I know good things will happen."
Where he plays is the focus of Kuc's piece, as he notes that the Blackhawks may be transitioning Hossa to more of a defensive role. Either way, head coach Joel Quenneville is expecting Hossa to produce - with or without the puck.
Hossa's under contract through 2021 and said he feels good at 37. He averaged a healthy 17:16 in ice time last season, pushing 18 minutes in the playoffs.
Center Tyler Seguin, who was limited to just one of his team's 13 playoff games this past spring due to a calf injury, is expected to be fully recovered in time to represent Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in September.
"He has been skating and seems to be having no troubles," Nill said, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas News. "There's a little bit of stiffness there still, but he feels comfortable and should be ready for the World Cup."
Seguin also missed the last few weeks of the regular season with an Achilles injury, but did record 73 points in 72 games in 2015-16.
After a pair of seasons with the New Jersey Devils, winger Jordin Tootoo found himself on the open market as an unrestricted free agent earlier this summer.
The 33-year-old quickly signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, and, as it turns out, it was defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook who initiated the union.
The Blackhawks alternate captains all live in Kelowna, British Columbia, and spend time with Tootoo in the offseason. Keith and Seabrook got into the ear of general manager Stan Bowman, who extended the offer which Tootoo agreed to terms with.
"First and foremost he’s a good teammate," Keith said, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times. "He’s a good guy to have in the locker room, and the energy that he brings - I know playing against him, I don’t like going back for pucks when he’s on the ice. You always have to be aware when he’s on the ice because he’s going to finish every hit.
"I think it was a great addition to have him [and add] some physicality. I know the fans in Chicago like seeing big hits at the United Center and I know he’s going to bring that intensity."
Tootoo will be called upon to help plug the hole left by Andrew Shaw, and comes in at a much smaller cap hit of $750,000.
"Every team needs a little spark plug," Tootoo said. "I’ve been around the game a lot of years now, and I just want to add that little piece. And hopefully we can bring the Cup back here."
In 673 career games at the NHL level, Tootoo has recorded 63 goals, 95 assists and 982 penalty minutes.
Sure, the 2016 offseason is barely a month old, but with all the major news seemingly out of the way, it's fair to begin looking at next year's crop of free agents.
The megastars - Jamie Benn, Anze Kopitar, and Victor Hedman - have all signed extensions to remain with their respective teams, but that doesn't mean the available talent pool is shallow.
Here's a look at five players that will certainly gather attention next July 1. Hopefully they don't sign extensions before then and ruin it for us.
Joe Thornton Position: C Age: 37 Current cap hit: $6.75M
Jumbo Joe underwent a renaissance last season en route to an endearing run to the Stanley Cup Final with a San Jose Sharks team that finally got over the hump.
Thornton is still one of the game's premier playmakers and ranked fourth in league scoring with 82 points in 82 contests, adding 21 more in 24 playoff games.
There's no reason to believe he'll leave San Jose - boy, how times have changed - but he can still play, and while it won't be a long-term contract, it will be intriguing to see the interest Thornton - who turns 38 next July - draws on the open market.
Kevin Shattenkirk Position: D Age: 27 Current cap hit: $4.25M
While Shattenkirk is likely concerned with where he'll play the final year of his current contract, the 27-year-old will be one of the best defenseman on the market next July.
Shattenkirk is a formidable offensive producer on the blue line, topping 40 points in each of the last three seasons. Possessing the capability to anchor a powerplay as a right-handed shot is almost invaluable in today's NHL, and those qualities will surely drive up his value.
Ben Bishop Position: G Age: 29 Current cap hit: $5.95M
With Andrei Vasilevskiy locked down, it looks as though Bishop will be on his way out of Tampa Bay.
Although he's been subject to multiple trade rumors, Bishop owns a no-movement clause, and another season at the clip he's recently produced will push goalie-desperate teams into high spending.
Bishop's won 112 games over the past three years, and finished last season with a league-leading 2.06 goals against average and a strong .926 save percentage.
T.J. Oshie Position: RW Age: 29 Current cap hit: $4.175M
Oshie sure fit in well alongside Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, scoring a career-high 26 goals for the Presidents Trophy-winning Capitals.
While Washington would be happy to retain Oshie's production, several other teams in need of a first-line winger would love to have him as well.
Oshie's current cap hit of $4.175 million is favorable in negotiations, but the aforementioned Kuznetsov also needs a new deal next year as a pending restricted free agent.
Brent Burns Position: D Age: 31 Current cap hit: $5.76M
Burns has proven to be one of the most effective defenseman in the NHL at both ends of the rink, and he'll be getting a raise for it.
The 31-year-old played all 82 games for the Sharks last season, notching 75 points, good for second among all defenseman.
A lucrative contract might not be in the books for the Sharks, and plenty of suitors will be lining up for the Norris Trophy finalist if that's the case.
HALIFAX - A parade will be held today in Cole Harbour, N.S., to honour favourite son Sidney Crosby, who is bringing the Stanley Cup to his hometown fans.
It's not the first time Crosby has brought professional hockey's most prestigious trophy...
A short list of meaningful remaining UFAs and some summer storylines to follow in your NHL rumor mill. NOTABLE NHL UFAs STILL AVAILABLE ESPN.COM: Tal Pinchevsky named center Sam Gagner, defenseman James Wisniewski, right wing Jiri Hudler, right wing Kris Versteeg, center Brad Richards and defensemen Luke Schenn to his short list of meaningful […]
A short list of meaningful remaining UFAs and some summer storylines to follow in your NHL rumor mill. NOTABLE NHL UFAs STILL AVAILABLE ESPN.COM: Tal Pinchevsky named center Sam Gagner, defenseman James Wisniewski, right wing Jiri Hudler, right wing Kris Versteeg, center Brad Richards and defensemen Luke Schenn to his short list of meaningful […]
