Rolston close to deal with Devils for 4 years

From TSN:

James Duthie just reported the Devils are close to signing Brian Rolston to a 4 year contract worth $20 million.

Rolson fits in perfectly with what the Devils want from their players. He can kill penalties, play the power play and is a versatile forward. In addition, he is extremely fast and has a powerful shot. The player fits perfectly in New Jersey; although, at his age (35), I would be a little hesitant to give him more than a three year deal.

Rolston going to hit the market

From TSN:

The Tampa Bay Lightning gave it their best shot, but forward Brian Rolston is going to unrestricted free agency.

Sources say Rolston informed the Lightning this morning that he would become an unrestricted free agent at 12 noon and see what the market will bear for his services.

Read the entire report here.

This is well within Rolston's right, and will allow him to evaluate a number of different contract offers. If I had to guess, I'd say the speedy Rolston won't sign with the Lightning.

Rolston still looking forward to July 1

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

"Whether we get something done with Tampa or not, we haven't talked to Tampa yet. We have 24 hours," Rolston said in a phone interview. "But as far as I'm concerned, it's no different today than it was yesterday. I'm a free agent July 1. I wanted to go to July 1 and see where I'm at in the NHL market. This is the last
time I might become a free agent."

Read more about the Rolston trade here.

As I said last night, why did Tampa give away a draft pick for 24 extra hours of exclusive negotiating? If the team's offers are so strong, then why not just wait the extra day and throw money at Rolston? From the sounds of it, Rolston is going to explore his options after July 1.

Rolston's rights traded to Tampa

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

9:57 pm update: OK, here’s the best it’s been described to me. Rolston’s rights were traded to Tampa Bay for a third in 2010. However, if the Ryan Malone contract is approved as expected, the pick becomes the 2009 fourth round pick Tampa traded to Pittsburgh.

HOWEVER, if Rolston signs there, that fourth becomes a third again — either San Jose’s third-round pick in 2009 that Tampa Bay owns or Tampa Bay’s third in 2010 — at the Wild’s option.

Read more about this trade from Russo's Rants here.

Easy Tampa. Are the Lightning going to acquire Gretzky and Lemieux next?? All joking aside, I don't fully understand what the Lightning are doing. If their offers are so good, then why are they just giving away draft picks? I realize they want exclusive rights, but in this case they only get one day extra to negotiate.

Rolston looks like he'll be testing free agency

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

According to Wild assistant general manager Tom Lynn, Rolston's agent, Steve Bartlett, has not returned a phone call since last week. The Wild hoped it would jump-start negotiations Saturday by making it known publicly that the team
had made three contract proposals to Rolston without receiving a counteroffer.

But it has not worked. The team continues to have no conversation with Rolston.

Read the entire story here.

The Rolston negotiations looked like they'd get settled early on, but it seems Rolston and his agent now prefer to test the waters. Rolston is 35, so this is certainly going to be his last payday. Maybe he thinks there are better options out there, and will at least take a look to see what those are.

NHL Morning Papers: Special Pre-Draft Edition

Here are the morning papers from the Central Division:

• If the Wings cannot get any of the players they are looking for at number 30 tonight, they may trade their pick. Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News knows that the Wings are not overly concerned that they are selecting 30th overall.
• Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders whether the Blues may use their first selection on a defenseman. Apparently the Jamal Mayers trade from late last night may be setting up some other deals for the Blues.
• If the Predators can replicate their draft from 2003, they will be all smiles in Ottawa. From now on, David Poile will be on one-year contracts instead of multi-year deals.
• It is looking like a forward could be the pick in the first round for the Blackhawks tonight, writes Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.
• Expect the Blue Jackets to be very active this weekend, writes Aaron Portzline. Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch puts all the pressure on Scott Howson to come through this weekend.

Brian Rolston won't take hometown discount

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

"They made me a decent offer [Friday], but we're not there yet," Rolston, 35, said in a phone interview. "I'm looking for my market value. What is my market value? I don't want to state it, but I think we have a good understanding of what it is.

"We're real confident if things do fall through that other teams out there will look highly on me. I don't think the age issue will be such an issue.

Read the entire article here.

The two sides sounded like they were moving towards a deal about a week ago, but apparently talks look to have stalled since then. It looks like the Wild is going to have to up offer in order to get a deal done.

Rolston close to re-signing with Wild

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

The Wild will make another offer to Brian Rolston this afternoon. It sounds like Doug Risebrough thinks it’s close. He said they’re getting close to the end and made clear he’d like to have Rolston signed at the latest by the Draft so he knows if he perhaps needs to react with a significant trade if Rolston is not back. But it sounds like the two sides are very close.

Read more Wild news couresty of Russo here.

The article basically says that the Wild have chosen to re-sign Rolston and not Pavol Demitra. I think that decision is sound. As I've said before, Rolston is perfect player for the Wild organization. Once these two sides close the deal, look for the Wild to explore the UFA market.

Rolston and Wild are negotiating new contract

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Rolston is looking for a multiyear deal, and he said the Wild has demonstrated the willingness to reach the term he wants.

"As far as term, they really went in every direction in that aspect, which is really nice," Rolston said. "They're willing to give me my term."

"They know I can still play," Rolston laughingly said. "I can play for a few more years. It's just a matter obviously of numbers and just trying to get there, and I'm optimistic we can get there."

Read the entire article here.

Rolston is the perfect Jacques Lemaire player. In fact, he is really the perfect player for any coach. The speedy forward can play wing or center, powerplay and penalty kill, has a good scoring touch and is strong defensively. With all of those qualities, it is no wonder the Wild wants to get him re-signed before July 1.