from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,

- Jamie Benn is operating on one of the NHL’s best bang-for-the-buck contracts at $5.25 million, but he’ll go to between $9 mil and $10 mil in a new deal in Dallas. By the time Benn gets his eight-year contract in July 2017, Patrick Sharp and Ales Hemsky will be off the books as unrestricted free agents, so the Stars will have the money.

- If I’m Washington, I try to sign Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm and New York Islanders centre Frans Nielsen to get much faster at forward and get a needed third-line pivot. They need one more defenceman, too. Jason Demers in Dallas might be a possibility as a UFA. Brooks Orpik cracked a thigh bone during the season, then battled a neck injury in the playoffs. He’s a heart-and-soul guy, but he’s 36 in September. Jay Beagle is an excellent No. 4 centre and Marcus Johansson is a better winger than a No. 3 centre.

- Still can’t fathom how the Colorado Avalanche can’t afford to buck up for Tyson Barrie when their defence is wafer-thin and he’s their best puck-mover. He made $2.6 million last year, and the bar for contracts there seems to be $6 million (Erik Johnson and Matt Duchene). Give him that over six years. If they trade him, where do they find somebody as good who plays the same position?

much more