Overview

• Connor McDavid remains without an extension, and Elliotte Friedman said a deal in Edmonton could come in lower than widely expected.
• Executives view McDavid’s number as a benchmark, and a lower figure could temper asks from top UFAs such as Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor.
• Heavy reported some stars may try to finalize contracts before McDavid sets a lower bar, though no formal offer numbers have surfaced for him.
• The Hockey Writers reported RFA stalemates in Anaheim, Nashville and New Jersey, with Mason McTavish and Luke Evangelista leaving camp and Luke Hughes still far apart from the Devils.
• Bettman has acknowledged ongoing talks with the Players’ Association on escrow and potential cap tweaks, and Friedman suggested any Sidney Crosby trade talk is unlikely before the Olympics.