***Really, this is the last one (10:50 PM)***
Russo's updated blog now claims the trade of Brian Rolston's rights to Tampa Bay is a done deal for, you guessed it, a conditional pick.
Guess I'll be chasing word on these negotiations all day tomorrow too ...
Whew!
***One last update (10:30 PM)***
Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that the Wild are on the verge of sending the negotiating rights to veteran forward Brian Rolston to the Lightning as well! Forget July 1st! It's all about June 29th, apparently!
I'll update this latest news in the morning.
***Update (9:46 PM)***
The Malone specifics are 7 years, $31.5 million, heavily frontloaded to where Ryan will take home roughly $7.5 per year in the first two seasons of the contract. The cap hit will be $4.5 per, or somewhere very close to that number.
On to the finishing touches on the Roberts deal, expected to be of the one-year variety, a million guaranteed with incentives that could push it to around $2 million.
What a day! JJ's Lightning Free Agency Preview tomorrow!
***
***Update (6:27 PM)***
Just spoke to someone who told me that "Agreed to Terms" is the key phrase here. Basically, the basics of each contract have been worked out and agreed to by both sides but nothing can or will be announced as official until the intricacies (bonuses and what not, I gather) are ironed out as well.
This would explain why you probably won't hear anything from the club today but, quite possibly, may indeed see an announcement as early as tomorrow.
***
***Update (4:07 PM)***
Conflicting reports on these terms. Other sources have Malone agreeing to up to a 7-year deal and Roberts only signing on for 1. Looks like the numbers, per year, are pretty consistent everywhere I've asked as of now though ...
***
***Update (3:51 PM)***
I'm hearing the terms are as follows:
Malone: 3 years @ 5.2 Per
Roberts: 2 years @ 1.1 Per
Not official, of course, and contradictory to what
Sportsnet.ca has, but that's what I'm told ...
***
The Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership group is not messing around, folks.
According to inside sources (as well as
Mr. Eklund himself), a day after acquiring their rights from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional 2009 draft choice, the Bolts have agreed to terms with both Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts. Pencil in that second line, for now, Malone-Stamkos-Roberts.
Sources inform me that the club is nowhere near done and another top-end free agent forward is still a target. If so, look for Roberts to make up two-thirds of a veteran third line alongside Jeff Halpern (when he returns from knee surgery.)
Things keep looking up for Bay area hockey fans!
More as I get it, terms and all ...
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