NHL training camps begin on Friday with hey-look-who-got-fat day player physicals, following their first official days back on the ice this weekend.
The clock is ticking for restricted free agents playing chicken with general managers over new deals, and for young stars entering the last season of their entry-level deals to eliminate any scuttlebutt about their future by committing to an extension.
Four top young players are nearing pre-camp contracts with their teams, according to various reports. And one young player who's yet to blossom … isn't.
Luke Schenn, Toronto Maple Leafs: The 21-year-old, with the potential to become one of the NHL's top shutdown defensemen, should have a new deal "done by Friday" according to a report from the Toronto Sun on Tuesday night.
Josh Rimer of XM Radio said he was hearing a 3-year deal worth $4 million annually. That's Andrej Meszaros territory, a notch below Jack Johnson (7 years, $4.357 million).
Better to sign Schenn or trade him? The debate rages.
John Tavares, New York Islanders: Newsday first reported Tuesday night that the Islanders star, turning 21 next week, is close to a new deal that would kick in during the 2012-13 season. Bob McKenzie of TSN reported that the contract is in the range of six years and $5.5 million annually, making Tavares the highest paid player among the players signed through 2013.
Lighthouse Hockey gleefully embraced news of a long-term Tavares deal, sending a raspberry to the Canadian media and the "tacit partnership between big-talking GM Brian Burke and the tabloid media helps both sell papers and stoke Leafs fan buzz" about Tavares wanting out of Long Island:
"Once this [contract] is done, it'll finally show people that this is where I want to be," Tavares told Newsday. If only blatant evidence were enough for these people.
Clearly Tavares would prefer a deal done so that it doesn't hang over the season and feed the trolls.
Oh, c'mon now, who trolls the Islanders?
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins: The pugnacious restricted free-agent forward and playoff darling for the Stanley Cup champs has been in "day by day" discussions with the Bruins for the last week. Joe Haggerty of CSNNE reported this morning that Marchand and the B's have gone from not "that far apart" to "closing in" on a new deal.
We analyzed the contract range for Marchand last week; logic dictates it'll be around Logan Couture's 2-year, $5.75 million deal, unless there's been a breakthrough on some longer term by either side.
Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres: McKenzie also reported last night that Myers, the towering defenseman for the Sabres, is nearing an extension for 2012-13 that's in the range of seven years and $5.5 million per year, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.
The $5.5 million cap hit would slot him third against the cap for the current 2012-13 roster, behind Thomas Vanek ($7.142 million) and Ryan Miller ($6.25 million.)
According to the Buffalo News: "A source told The News the sides are talking and the conversations are 'going in that direction' toward an extension, but nothing is expected to be finalized today."
Kyle Turris, Phoenix Coyotes: Alas, it's not all sunshine and rainbows on the 'young players needing contracts' front.
Turris, a restricted free agent, is "a ways apart" from a new deal with the Phoenix Coyotes according to Andy Strickland. The stalemate between the two sides, instigated by the Turris camp, is seen as maddening by Travis Hair of Five For Howling:
Here, let me list your accomplishments: Played fourth line center with scoring threat Paul Bissonnette on wing; Didn't pout too much when he was a healthy scratch when the Coyotes visited Vancouver in your first season; Worked out enough to get your legs just above "chicken" status; flashed enough potential to look really good at times; bled potential all over the ice.
No that's kind of sarcastic. You really are starting to put your game together. There was an important word in that sentence though, Starting. You're not there yet. Hell if reports are to believed and you're asking for 4 million a year on a 3 year deal or 3 per on a 2 year deal then you'd be making more than Martin Hanzal who's certainly above you on the depth chart.
All the more reason you get Daymond Langkow on the roster in case the kid's not ready— either at the start of the season or to be a top offensive pivot.