NHL
– The status of Flyers’ F Maxime Talbot’s new contract may be in question. According to TSN’s Gord Miller, elements of the deal violate the NHL’s salary cap. The final two years of Talbot’s deal are reportedly worth $1M annually–this would violate cap rules, as the final two years of the contract can not be worth less than half of either of the first two years of the deal. The first two years of Talbot’s contract are worth $2.5M and $2.25M respectively. In order to fit within the rules of the cap, the deal would have to be restructured. This could be achieved by making the fourth or fifth year worth at least $1.125M. Regardless of the outcome, it’s not expected that the Flyers will receive a penalty for the violation. Stay tuned.
– The Red Wings are expected to resolve their backup goaltending issue in the near future. The team is either expected to re-sign G Chris Osgood, sign former Red Wings G Ty Conklin or acquire another goalie via trade. Osgood played in only 11 games last season, recovering from sports hernia surgery in January. F Kris Draper, a UFA, will also be deciding on his future soon.
– The Coyotes have signed G Curtis McElhinney to a 1-year/2-way contract. The 28-year-old split time between the Senators and Ducks. Playing in a career-high 28 games, he finished with a record of 9-13-1 with two shutouts and a 2.99 GAA.
– The Flames have re-signed D Anton Babchuk to a 2-year/$5M contract. He totaled 11 goals and 35 points in 82 games between the Hurricanes and Flames.
– The Oilers have re-signed D Theo Peckham to a 1-year contract. Peckham, 23, appeared in 71 games for Edmonton last season, scoring 13 points (3-10) while amassing 198 penalty minutes.
– The Sabres have signed D Mike Weber to a multi-year contract. He had 17 points and 69 penalty minutes in 58 games last season.
– The Flames have signed F Guillaume Desbiens to a 1-year/2-way contract worth $525K. The 26-year-old played in 12 games last season with the Canucks, earning 10 penalty minutes.
– The Canadiens have signed F Brock Trotter to a 1-year/2-way deal. Trotter had nine goals and 17 assists in 49 games last season with Riga of the KHL.
MLB
– FOX Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Tigers have expressed interest in Dodgers’ RHP Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda has a no-trade clause, so it’s not yet known if he’d be willing to waive it. The 36-year-old has a solid 2.91 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 108 2/3 innings this season. He’ll continue to draw interest throughout the summer.
– Blue Jays’ prospect 3B Brett Lawrie (fractured left hand) hit off a tee for the first time Monday. Lawrie suffered the injury in late May when he was very close to being called up to the Jays. He has roughly two more weeks of rehab and probably won’t be called up to the Majors until early-August. Lawrie was batting .354/.415/.677 with 15 homers and 49 RBI in 52 games at Triple-A.