from Arthur Staple of Newsday,
Frans Nielsen
Frans Nielsen stillis Islanders property and there still seems to be a better chance than not that he will remain with the Isles. A report Monday indicated Nielsen had turned down an Islander contract offer worth $5.5 million per season. Sources had indicated in the past week that the two sides had moved closer on a deal, one that was likely to be six or seven years in length to keep the average annual value below that $5.5 million number and keep Nielsen in an Islander uniform for the rest of his NHL career.
Things change daily, even hourly, when it comes to the free-agent frenzy, so one side or the other could have altered their stance. But last I heard, $5.5 million per was not the right number and the sides were closer on a deal....
Kyle Okposo and Matt Martin
Kyle Okposo and Matt Martin are headed elsewhere, that much is certain. There’s been no contact between either player’s representative and Garth Snow of late.
A source indicated over the weekend, when the unrestricted free agent contact period began, that a slew of teams had already reached out about Okposo, who could be the prime Plan B for teams that don’t land Steven Stamkos or simply the Plan A for some other clubs. The Jets, Blues, Red Wings, Wild, Sabres and Kings have reached out. Expect the Panthers and Canadiens to do so as well, though it’s believed that Okposo would rather head closer to his Minnesota home than north to Canada.
Martin’s reported suitors included the Rangers (gasp!) and the Leafs. The Rangers make sense from Martin’s perspective -- he loves the New York area, his longtime girlfriend Sydney Esiason has strong ties here -- but from the Rangers’ side it would mean shuffling some pieces around to make room....
more on each of the above plus other names...
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