NHL Rumors: Latest news on Alex Ovechkin

Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin

Sammi Silber of The Hockey News: “GM Chris Patrick also said he has a number in mind for what Alex Ovechkin’s next contract looks like *if* he returns. Helps the team has a lot of cap space this summer to work with. “I think we’ll have a conversation in the near future and get a good sense of where he’s at.”

Sammi Silber of the Hockey News: “GM Chris Patrick on Alex Ovechkin paying attention to the Caps moves so far:

‘Alex, as you guys all know, is a really competitive person, and he wants to win. I think he definitely wanted to see kind of what we did here in this offseason help inform his decisions.'”

Jim Biringer: “As has been the case, the whole offseason, Alex Ovechkin was waiting to see what the Capitals did before he made a decision.”

The Washington Capitals not finished adding

Tarik El-Bashir: “As for what’s next this offseason, Patrick said the #Caps are probably done making trades and will now shift their focus to free agency. “We’re looking in both the forward and D market.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning will let veterans go to free agency

Diandra Loux of The Hockey News: “GM Julien BriseBois confirms Oliver Bjorkstrand & Corey Perry will be UFAs

He said the #GoBolts are still in communication with Declan Carlile’s agent.”

Los Angeles Kings want to add a center

Jim Biringer: “Kings GM Ken Holland says to @EJHradek_NHL on NHL Network he wants to add a center. “We have to do something down the middle”

On Laughton: “he isn’t close to a deal, but will talk to his agent over the next couple of days” #gokingsgo

New York Islanders backup goalie, qualifying offers, and trades

From the sounds of it, the New York Islanders are hoping Semyon Varlamov can back up Ilya Sorokin even though he is coming off two significant knee surgeries.

Ethan Sears of the New York Post: “Darche said he’s hoping for 25-30 starts from Varly this year, but there’s a need to sign someone as, essentially, a safety net. Situation also makes it hard to get an established backup to commit.”

Mathieu Darche on Changes this offseason: 

Ethan Sears: “Darche says he doesn’t expect significant changes this offseason but will keep working the phones”

Darche on qualifying offers and free agents: 

Andrew Gross: “Isles GM Mathieu Darche says no final decision on qualifying offers for RFAs but D Adam Boqvist will not be qualified. In part to give a chance to Isaiah George.”