In today';s rumor rundown, could Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall be saying
goodbye to Detroit and the NHL? Is Sam Reinhart looking for a long-term deal in
 Buffalo? What type of deal is Jake Gardiner expecting in Toronto and could the
 Minnesota Wild completely overhaul their team?Kronwall Done in Detroit?

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall hinted this season may be his last
 in the NHL, specifically in Detroit. Kronwall is entering the final season of
a seven-year contract and reports are the two sides have had no discussions in
any way on an extension.Detroit Red Wings - Niklas Kronwall - Photo Credit:
Andy Martin Jr

Of the speculation this could be it for Kronwall, he said, "If this happens to
be the end of the road, I would be more than happy with the journey that I';ve
had and more than thankful to the Ilitch family and (general manager) Kenny
Holland for giving me the opportunity." He added, "We';ll see what happens."

Kronwall cited how fortunate he';s been to play his entire NHL career in
Detroit and how much he loves the game. "But at the same time you have to be
realistic," he said. He understands the game and the team is moving on and
becoming younger, faster and he';s getting older. "I';m not the same player I
was ten years ago. But I';m going to do what I can this year both on the ice
and off the ice. And just try to be as efficient as I possibly
can."Related: NHL Rumors: Aho, Versteeg, Nylander, MoreReinhart Looking for
Long-Term Deal in Buffalo?

Jared Clinton of The Hockey News suggests despite talk Sam Reinhart might be a
 strong candidate for a bridge deal, the 22-year old forward might be seeking a
 long-term deal and that this might be better for the Buffalo Sabres in the
long run.Sam Reinhart, Buffalo Sabres, Dec. 14, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey
Writers)

Reinhart did struggle at the start of the year but came on strong in his final
38 games with 37 points. If the Sabres feel this is a better representation of
his production, they could be risking a much more costly long-term deal if and
when he proves to be a more consistent player. Perhaps his 50 points was the
floor and not the ceiling of what he can provide the Sabres?

Clinton suggests Dylan Larkin';s new five-year deal at a $6.1 million cap hit
is the high end of what Reinhart might get while Christian Dvorak';s six-years
at $4.45 million seems like the low end.Related: NHL Rumors: Laine, Krug,
Leafs, Sharks, MoreGardiner Wants Ellis-Type Deal?

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun is reporting Ryan Ellis'; recent extension
with the Nashville Predators (eight-years, $6.25 million per season) is the
benchmark Toronto Maple Leafs'; defenseman Jake Gardiner will be looking at
when it comes time to re-sign with the Leafs.Jake Gardiner, Toronto Maple
Leafs, Dec. 12, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Simmons knows that Gardiner isn't Ellis, but he's not far behind. With Ellis';
contract viewed by most as a discount and Gardiner arguably the second-best
unrestricted free agent coming up in next summer';s free agent pool, there is
every indication he could get overpaid.

It will be interesting to see how Toronto manages this situation consider
Gardiner is not an asset they';d be happy to lose but potentially can';t afford
 with so much money tied up in their foward corps.Related: NHL Rumors: Sekera,
 Karlsson, Boeser, MoreCould Minnesota Blow Up Their Roster?

James O'Brien of NBC Sports wonders if the Minnesota Wild are considering an
overhaul of the team, getting rid of aging veterans and going with youth.
O';Brien mentions Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Eric Staal, Ryan Suter and Devan
Dubnyk as players that are 32 years of age or older and mentions Parise's
health issues as a potential concern.Since signing together, Zach Parise and
Ryan Suter have played a huge part in the Wild';s success. (Brace
Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

There are already whispers that the club is facing a tough decision with Eric
Staal as he';s proven to be quite productive since joining the team but is also
 a risk on a long-term extension. This might be the ideal time to sell high.
Other contracts may be difficult to move because they are high-cost and/or for
older players. Is Suter';s massive amount of playing time going to catch up
with him? Is Mikko Koivu a risk with more than one more year on this deal? Can
the Wild even move Parise?

If the Wild are viewed as a non-playoff team early in the season, changes could
 come quickly, assuming the team can convince many of these players to waive
their no-move and no-trade clauses.

The post NHL Rumors: Kronwall, Gardiner, Reinhart, More appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheHockeyWrite...
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
 * Origin: TequilaMockingbird Online - Toms River, NJ (1:266/404)