Despite the fact that essentially all of the big-name unrestricted free agents have been signed, there are still plenty of interesting sagas playing out during the offseason.
Several teams are in negotiations with some pretty high-profile restricted free agents,
Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses, and there is little doubt that they would love to get deals done sooner rather than later. No organization wants players unsigned heading into the preseason, so general managers will be working overtime to ensure that doesn't happen.
Here is some of the latest buzz in free agency that will continue to make headlines until these situations are ultimately resolved.
P.K. Subban
As one of the most dominant offensive defensemen in hockey, Montreal Canadiens star P.K. Subban is vital to the Habs' success. Subban has played at a bargain price for the past couple seasons, but he is looking for a more substantial contract as a restricted free agent.
According to , Subban received a modest two-year deal worth an average of $2.875 million per season when he was a restricted free agent two years ago. There is no question that the 2013 Norris Trophy winner is in line for a huge payday now, however.
Subban took the Habs to arbitration, and the hearing took place on Friday. Unfortunately, the overarching feeling is that none of the parties involved felt particularly good about where negotiations stood, according to Chris Johnston of Rogers Sportsnet:
There is obviously time for cooler heads to prevail but none of the principles left the Subban hearing in good spirits. Chris Johnston (@reporterchris)
Although there is still time to work out a long-term contract, TSN's Bob McKenzie is reporting that the two sides will have to settle on a one-year deal if they don't agree on something more significant within 48 hours of the hearing:
Arbitrator must hand down ruling on Subban salary within 48 hours. Both sides requested one-year term, so that s what it will be. Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie)
While it remains to be seen what type of contract Subban is looking for, Kosta Papoulias of CBC Radio is hearing that Subban turned down a deal that would have paid him over $7 million per season:
Just told that offered a 5yr/$36M contract were refused. Breakdown: Yr. 1: $6M Yrs. 2 3: $7M Yrs. 4 5: $8 Kosta Papoulias (@HabsCoachK)
If that is accurate, then Subban is obviously looking for top-level money. Perhaps he deserves it, but he does have some deficiencies defensively that make him a risky signing. He is a 25-year-old blueliner coming off a 53-point season, though, so the Canadiens will likely do everything possible to lock him in before the deadline.
Brandon Sutter