In today';s rumor rundown, the Buffalo Sabres and Jeff Skinner may be thinking
long-term extension behind the scenes but you';d never know it by what they';re
 saying. Artemi Panarin might be interested in a move back to Chicago, William
Nylander isn';t worried about his contract extension in Toronto and Mark
Stone';s signing for one year has people thinking he';s on his way out of
Ottawa.Skinner Long-Term in Buffalo?

Almost immediately after Jeff Skinner was traded to the Buffalo Sabres,
questions about whether or not he might stay long-term started popping up. Mike
 Harrington of the Buffalo News correctly notes the newly acquired Sabre has
one-year remaining on his contract. If Buffalo cannot re-sign him during the
season, they can always look to trade him at the trade deadline in February.
Speculation is, that';s not what Buffalo wants to have happen.Jeff Skinner,
Carolina Hurricanes, Mar. 1, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Buffalo was one of very few teams Skinner approved of being traded too. Sabres
GM Jason Botterill pointed out how exciting it was that Skinner chose to come,
waiving his no-trade clause to do so. It appears the combination of the Sabres
 wanting him and Skinner wanting to be there point to the potential for a
longer-term deal when negotiations can happen.

That said, Botterill noted on Thursday the team hasn';t started contract
extension talks with Skinner. "Right now, our focus with Jeff is to make his
transition into Buffalo as easy as possible for him," Botterill said. "We'll
talk about things such as an extension or contract down the road."

From Skinner';s side, John Vogl of The Athletic wrote the forward hasn't
thought about extending yet either.

"Right now I haven't really thought about it. The last 24 to 48 hours have been
 pretty busy, and I'm just trying to sort of get through everything that's
going on. Obviously, I'm just excited to start the season. That's what my focus
 is, and I think that's what my focus is going to be for the next little
while."source - "Jeff Skinner not in any hurry to commit long-term, and that's
fine by the Sabres" - The Athletic -John Vogl 08/03/2018 

The Sabres will have plenty of room to sign Skinner should they choose to as
both Jason Pominville';s and Matt Moulson‘s contracts come off the books
this summer. If Skinner plays with Jack Eichel, he could post big numbers and
become an expensive signing. The Sabres will have to watch this situation
closely as the season rolls along.Related: NHL Rumors: Faulk, Moore, Hall,
MoreArtemi Panarin to Chicago?

Scott Powers of The Athletic recently wrote Artemi Panarin would heavily
consider returning to the Blackhawks and signing an extension, according to a
source close to Panarin. Powers wrote:

The Blackhawks would be "very seriously considered" by Panarin if he were to
become an unrestricted free agent after next season, according to a source.
Panarin's agent Dan Milstein wouldn't comment on the possibility of Panarin
returning to the Blackhawks or anything about Panarin's future when reached on
Friday.source - "Source: Artemi Panarin would seriously consider returning to
Blackhawks" - The Athletic - Scott Powers - 08/03/2018

Panarin willing to go back to Chicago?. (Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY
Sports)

Many view the original trade of Panarin out of Chicago as a mistake by the
organization. If they were to sign Panarin again in free agency they could
rectify that mistake.

The question becomes, could Chicago afford him? They could manage his $6
million salary now, but don';t likely have the assets to acquire him in trade.
They also may not be able to afford him after this season when his salary will
undoubtedly jump. Panarin could be looking for $9 million a season on his next
 deal.Related: NHL Rumors: Pacioretty, Linden, Karlsson, MoreWilliam Nylander
Isn';t Worried

Luke Fox of Sportsnet is reporting Toronto Maple Leafs restricted free agent
forward William Nylander isn';t concerned a contract hasn';t been finalized
between himself and the Leafs. He wants a long-term deal and says his agent is
looking after getting that for him if possible. It';s not something he concerns
 himself with and will let his guy negotiate on his behalf. "Of course, I want
long term. That's what I want to do, but we'll take it slow, day by day, and
see what happens," Nylander said.

Nylander didn';t know what would happen if a deal wasn';t finalized before
training camp. "I've not thought about that. That's between my agent and Kyle.
I'm waiting to see what happens," Nylander replied.Bruins Want Marcel Noebels

The Bruins have interest in signing German forward Marcel Noebels, agent
Allain Roy acknowledged to Matt Porter of the Boston Globe.  Earlier reports
were the deal was done but that';s not necessarily the case. Roy stated that
they are in discussions with Boston but "there's nothing concrete yet".

Noebels was originally drafted in 2011 by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fourth
 round and during his two years in Philadelphia's minor league system put up 34
 points in 95 AHL games and 30 points in 31 ECHL contests. Now 26, he';s been
with Eisbaren Berlin of the DEL the last four seasons.Related: NHL Rumors:
O';Reilly, Stone, MoreMark Stone Questions

With news of Mark Stone signing a one-year contract just prior to his
arbitration hearing, many are wondering if this new deal signals the beginning
of the end of his time in Ottawa and as a Senator.Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators,
Nov. 15, 2016 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Neither the Ottawa Senators nor Stone really wanted to go through the
arbitration process set for Friday in Toronto. But the fact the two sides
couldn';t find common ground on a long-term deal likely means Stone will be
leaving Ottawa somewhere inside of a year';s time. The Senators cannot open
contract extension talks until Jan. 1, 2019 and at that time, leverage will
shift to Stone, who's slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Senators couldn';t afford to frontload Erik Karlsson';s deal with signing
bonuses and likely won';t be able to do so with Stone';s who will be one of the
 most attractive free agents on the market. If the Senators choose to move
Karlsson, Stone and Matt Duchene, they could be looking at one of the biggest
rebuilds in recent memory.

Because the Senators future is so unclear, it';s not a surprise to anyone that
players are signing short-term deals and have no real incentive to consider
sticking around.

The post NHL Rumors: Skinner, Panarin, Stone, More appeared first on The Hockey
 Writers.

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