Free agent center Matt Cullen is still a couple of weeks away from deciding where he plays next season, tweets Bill West of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. West reports that the Penguins as well as three other teams remain in the mix for the 39 year old. While the other three teams weren’t identified, Minnesota has been linked to Cullen at times this offseason; he spent three years with the Wild from 2010-11 to 2012-13.
Cullen had somewhat of a resurgent season in 2015-16, picking up 16 goals and 16 assists while playing in all 82 games. His goal total was his best since 2009-10 while he also won an impressive 55.7% of his faceoffs. Cullen also played a regular role for the Penguins in their playoff run, collecting six points in 24 postseason contests while averaging just shy of 14 minutes per game in ice time. Those are solid numbers for a bottom six forward so it’s not surprising that there are multiple suitors for his services despite the fact he will turn 40 in November.
More news and notes from around the league:
- Former NHL netminder Dwayne Roloson has resigned as Anaheim’s goalie consultant, reports NHL.com’s Kevin Woodley. It’s believed that Roloson was looking to step into more of a part-time role. Woodley notes that AHL goalie coach Sudarshan Maharaj is likely to be promoted to Roloson’s vacated position. Eric Stephens of the OC Register adds that Roloson could stay with Anaheim in a limited capacity. Roloson had a 14 year NHL career playing in 606 games and retired in 2012 at the age of 42.
- The Sabres had to recall a defenseman due to injury just once last season but Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald suggests Buffalo shouldn’t be counting on that type of health again next year and instead should be looking to shore up their depth at that position. A glance at their depth chart shows that they have a quality top six but they are lacking in depth options with much in the way of notable NHL experience. Fortunately for the Sabres, there are usually a plethora of these types of players available via the waiver wire in training camp if they don’t add anyone else in free agency.