SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by Matt Brigidi

Don Maloney near contract extension with Coyotes, according to report

2013-05-23T18:36:48Z

The Phoenix Coyotes are nearing a contract extension with general manager Don Maloney, according to a report by Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona.

For more on the Coyotes visit: Five for Howling

Morgan cites multiple sources in saying that the Coyotes, in conjunction with the NHL (the team's current owner), are finalizing the details of an extension. The specifics of the contract were not made available. Maloney's current contract will end on June 30. Many believe he would be highly sought after in the event that he was not retained by Phoenix.

The situation with the Coyotes has been tumultuous. The NHL has had operational control of the franchise since 2009 and has been attempting to sell it since. However, no deal has successfully been finalized. Many believed this would impact the negotiations with Maloney and head coach Dave Tippett, whose contract also expires on June 30. Some had expressed the opinion that they would wait until the ownership situation was resolved before renegotiating with the team.

However, if this report is accurate, it seems Maloney will still be in place regardless of what happens.

More in the NHL:

Brad Richards buyout: Does healthy scratch indicate Rangers plans?

2013-05-23T17:58:41Z

With the development of Brad Richards being made a healthy scratch by the New York Rangers for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, speculation has gone into overdrive about the potential of his being a candidate for the team's final compliance buyout.

Richards was signed to a nine-year, $60 million contract prior to the 2011-12 season as an unrestricted free agent. He carries an annual average value of $6.6 million until the conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season when he will be 40 years old.

The Rangers utilized an accelerated compliance buyout prior to the 2013 season on defenseman Wade Redden, which leaves the team with one more compliance buyout to use this summer or next.

The team has a little over $51 million in salary cap space allocated to 18 players next season. Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh will all be restricted free agents this offseason. Trade deadline acquisition Ryane Clowe will be an unrestricted free agent, as well. With the salary cap dropping from $70.2 million to $64.3 million next season, some believe New York could look to clear space via a buyout of Richards. Realistically, given the length of Richards' contract, it could be in the franchise's best interest in the long term to part with the deal regardless of their salary cap situation next season.

In a general sense, 2013 was a bad year for Richards. He struggled in the regular season and carried that performance into the postseason. He has one goal in 10 games, was demoted to the fourth line and now is a healthy scratch in an elimination game. Whether he factors into the team's plans beyond this season remains to be seen.

However, given that New York will have the option of administering a compliance buyout over the course of the next two summers, the club could hold onto Richards for another season (given that salary cap space isn't an issue). Say they do give him a compliance this summer, and it's likely he will be re-signed fairly quickly. What's worse than giving out a big contract that doesn't work out? Giving out a big contract that doesn't work then getting rid of the player (while still paying him) and then seeing that player have a monster year for another team at a discount rate.

Of course, by holding onto him, the team runs the risk of potential injury, which would be a terrible development if they did want to use a buyout.

The situation in New York has drastically changed from last season. Entering 2013 as a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup, the Rangers now face the prospect of getting swept in the second round. With questions swirling about the future of Richards and head coach John Tortorella, it appears as though this summer will be an interesting one in New York.

More in the NHL:

Stanley Cup playoffs: Brad Richards will be a healthy scratch in Game 4

2013-05-23T15:36:05Z

New York Rangers forward Brad Richards confirmed he will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

During the regular season, he averaged 18:48 of ice time per game.

More in the NHL:

Brian Burke won't return as Team USA GM, according to report

2013-05-23T14:47:58Z

Brian Burke will not return as the general manager of Team USA for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, according to Greg Brady of Sportsnet 590.

According to Brady, Burke was informed that USA Hockey wants the architect of this year's team to be a general manager currently employed in the NHL, via Brady's twitter stream:

"Burke was told, as suspected, USA Hockey wants a current NHL GM. [Nashville GM David] Poile a strong candidate. Burke definitely wanted the job - obviously he made a huge commitment to after his son's tragic passing. Might be a mistake by USA Hockey."

Burke was fired as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the start of the 2013 regular season. After acting as an advisor with the organization for a short time, Burke joined the Anaheim Ducks as a part-time scout. He was the general manager of Team USA for the 2010 Olympics when the team earned a silver medal. Despite that success, Team USA has decided to go in a different direction.

As Brady mentioned, David Poile is considered a favorite for the job. Dean Lombardi of the Los Angeles Kings and Ray Shero of the Pittsburgh Penguins have also been mentioned as potential candidates.

More in the NHL:

Sergei Bobrovsky, Blue Jackets yet to make progress on contract extension

2013-05-23T14:04:42Z

The Columbus Blue Jackets have not made any progress in contract negotiations with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, according to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen as reported by the Columbus Dispatch.

Bobrovsky played out the final year of his entry-level contract that carried an average annual value of $1.75 million against the salary cap in 2013. He is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

Kekalainen stated the two sides haven't made any progress on a new deal, via the Columbus Dispatch:

"We've talked. We've exchanged ideas. But we haven't made any progress, really. It's been pretty quiet for a while now."

Bobrovsky registered an ideal performance for a contract year. Compiling a record of 21-11-6 with a goals-against average of 2.00 and a .932 save percentage, the 24-year-old goaltender also earned a nomination as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. With that in mind, it's not that surprising to hear the two sides haven't made much progress in contract talks. Bobrovsky is largely considered the favorite to win the award, which will certainly be a sizable bargaining chip for his camp.

It seems likely that negotiations will begin in earnest after the trophy is awarded during the Stanley Cup Finals.

Regardless, Kekalainen made it clear that Columbus plans to retain Bobrovsky. The organization will extend him a qualifying offer in June, which will allow them to retain his rights. In the event that he gets to free agency on July 5 and accepts an offer sheet from a rival club, the Blue Jackets will be able to match the offer.

Kekalainen doesn't think it will get to that point, but in the event it does, he made it clear the team will match:

"It's obvious what we're going to do if it goes that far. We have great ownership: committed ownership. We would match any offer there might be, but I'm optimistic we won't get to that point."

More in the NHL:

Jhonas Enroth ready for shot as Sabres No. 1

2013-05-23T13:40:54Z

The sense is that the Buffalo Sabres are going to make sweeping changes this offseason. That could include the end of Ryan Miller's time as the team's starting goaltender.

If that is the case, backup netminder Jhonas Enroth is ready to take over the reigns.

Fresh off a gold-medal finish at the World Championship as Team Sweden's No. 1 in the crease, Enroth told John Vogl of the Buffalo News that he is ready for increased responsibility. Of course, that is dependent upon what the organization decides to do with Miller, via the Buffalo News:

"I've been growing a lot. I want to play more. My goal is to be a starter one year in the NHL, and right now Ryan is the starter here. It's kind of hard to take the job from him here, but we'll see what happens."

The Sabres have generally stated that the franchise plans to build and develop through the draft. A player of Miller's caliber could certainly net an infusion of draft picks and/or prospects via trade. With the goaltender entering the final year of his contract, there is a bit more motivation to potentially capitalize on an expiring asset who might not want to re-sign with the team.

Of course, there is also the chance that the team might not want to re-sign him beyond this season. This could be the case in the event that Enroth is viewed as a viable option for the future. Enroth completed the final season of a two-year, $1.35 million contract in 2013 and will be a restricted free agent this fall. Miller will be entering the final-year of a $31.25 million contract next season. If the Sabres are earnest about their desire to hit the restart button, the timelines of the franchise and their current starting goaltender might no longer line up.

This could open the door for Enroth to get his chance at becoming a No. 1 in the NHL.

More in the NHL:

Stanley Cup playoffs 2013: Daniel Alfredsson asked about future as Senators pushed to brink

2013-05-23T13:09:02Z

The Ottawa Senators entered Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal with the potential to regain their positioning in the series. Having scored a dramatic short handed goal in the final minute of Game 3 that acted as the catalyst of a thrilling comeback, the team had the opportunity to push the best-of-seven series to a three-game sprint.

After the first 20 minutes of play on Wednesday night, it appeared as though that's what the Senators were going to do. Then the final 40 minutes started and focus turned from the potential of a new series to less desirable conversations.

Such as the end of the team's season and the conclusion of their captain's career.

Daniel Alfredsson is at the point where every last game of a season becomes more magnified. The 40-year-old captain was candid in his statement after Game 4 that the Pittsburgh Penguins' depth and power play proficiency was going to make a Senators' comeback unlikely. That means the end is nearing on another year.

When asked post-game if Wednesday night might have been his last game at Scotiabank Place, Alfredsson answered as vaguely as one would imagine he would, via Sportsnet:

"Whatever happens happens I guess. I don't know myself yet. It's not something that I'm thinking about. (I'm not worried about) the what ifs."

The comments given by the Senators regarding Game 5 were just as standard. The team is focused on giving their all and not thinking too much about the two-game deficit. From the outside looking in, it appears as though things might not be as simple as that.

Pittsburgh was dominating in Game 4. Had it not been for a defensive breakdown in Game 3, the series might already be over. Ottawa has battled adversity in the past, but this situation is different. The Penguins are a talented team operating at their maximum potential.

Marc Methot said as much in his media availability:

"We're up against a monster here."

The sense that some have gotten is that Ottawa knows Pittsburgh is a stronger team. Meaning, they know the deck is stacked against them. Whether that's truly the case is something only the players know.

In order to keep their season alive -- and to ensure Alfredsson plays at least one more game in front of the home fans --the Senators will need to defeat the Penguins in Game 5. Otherwise, questions about their captain's future will truly start to pick up.

More in the NHL: