Where will veterans John Tavares, Brad Marchand play next season?

Will it take four years and $5 million for John Tavares for the Leafs, as talks inch along?

TSN: A contract extension between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tavares is inching along, with the progress being made, and the Leafs are negotiating hard, according to Chris Johnston.

“But for a player of Tavares’ caliber, it’s become clear, if it wasn’t already, that the Maple Leafs are negotiating hard in this situation. They’re taking advantage of the fact that he wants to remain in Toronto and wants to find the right hometown discount.

Make no mistake, if Tavares remains with the Maple Leafs it will be on a deal that is less than he could get on the open market on Tuesday.”

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Believe the Maple Leafs and Tavares will get a deal done, but less sure than a week ago. He’d take less than Brock Nelson‘s three years at $7.5 million to stay in Toronto, but a two-year deal on the open market could be $7.5 to $8 million. It may take four years at $5 million for him to sign in Toronto.

50-50 for a Brad Marchand return to Florida, Aaron Ekblad likely gone

LeBrun: Put it at 50-50 that Marchand re-signs with the Florida Panthers. Ekblad is likely going to free agency. Term is likely the issue for the defenseman.

Is the Dallas Stars' coaching search down to two?

TSN: Chris Johnston says the Dallas Stars coaching search continues, and it sounds like it’s down to Glen Gulutzan and Neil Graham.

“Remember, one thing general manager Jim Nill mentioned when he made the change with DeBoer was that they’re looking for someone who can maybe grow into the role. A coach that can grow along with the players, be the next voice and head coach in the league, rather than going out and getting a more proven commodity.

In the case of Gulutzan, he’s had a couple of chances as a head coach, but they were quite a while ago in the past, and Graham is looking for his first opportunity.”