Stamkos deal talks: more work, rumors

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Negotiations between the Lightning and All-Star center Steven Stamkos continued Tuesday.

"A work in progress," general manager Steve Yzerman wrote to the St. Petersburg Times in a text message.

There was unfounded Twitter speculation Stamkos' rights could be shipped to the Maple Leafs as part of a three-team deal that would send Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin to Tampa Bay, and the Philadelphia Inquirer reported the Flyers could try to acquire Stamkos's rights in a trade if negotiations break down.

But those involved in the contract talks stayed on message.

"Still working on it," Stamkos' agent Mark Guy wrote in a text.

In other news, the Lightning signed minor-league center Trevor Smith to a one-year, two-way deal, and unsigned right wing Teddy Purcell filed for arbitration, though agent Kent Hughes said he expected to negotiate a deal before a hearing.

Coyotes: All-Star defenseman Keith Yandle, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year deal worth a reported $26.5 million.

Hurricanes: Free-agent defenseman Tomas Kaberle, who won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins last season, signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract. Kaberle went from Toronto to Boston at the trade deadline. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said the sides couldn't agree on a new deal.

Jets: Restricted free-agent forward Andrew Ladd signed a five-year, $22 million contract extension. Ladd was the team captain last season when the franchise was in Atlanta. He said he expects to remain captain but will talk about it with new coach Claude Noel. Craig Ramsay was let go as coach after the team moved in May.

Kings: Re-signing restricted free agent defenseman Drew Doughty "unfortunately … could take a while," general manager Dean Lombardi said. Doughty was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 draft behind the Lightning's Steven Stamkos and has the same agent as Stamkos, Don Meehan of Newport Sports.

Senators: The team signed free-agent former Lightning forward Zenon Konopka to a one-year, reported $700,000 deal.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/stamkos-deal-talks-more-work-rumors/1179012

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