North Notes: Senators, Canucks Contract Talks, Amirov

While rental players typically generate most of the trade interest at this time of year, it appears a pair of Senators signed beyond this season are garnering some attention.  Sportsnet’s Wayne Scanlan notes that teams have been calling about forwards Nick Paul and Connor Brown although he adds that the expectation is that neither will move.  Paul is logging over 16 minutes a night, a career high while his $1.35MM price tag for this season and next is the type of lower-cost acquisition that many teams will be restricted to targeting.  As for Brown, his offensive numbers have dipped a bit this year but he has still chipped in with a dozen goals and ten assists in 41 games while playing in both special teams roles as well.  He has two more years left after this at $3.6MM after avoiding arbitration this offseason and any interested team would likely be looking to move a contract the other way as part of any offer for him.

More from the North Division:

• While the Canucks have started contract discussions with pending restricted free agents Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson, GM Jim Benning indicated to reporters, including NHL.com’s Kevin Woodley, that those talks have been centered around term and not money so far. Vancouver has over $64MM in commitments to just 12 players for next season per CapFriendly which would make it difficult to sign both to long-term deals.  If one is amenable to a bridge deal, that could give Benning a bit more cap flexibility to work with this offseason.  Discussions are expected to pick up over the next few weeks.
• Contract talks between the Maple Leafs and prospect winger Rodion Amirov are expected to start next week, reports Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun (Twitter link). The 19-year-old was the 15th pick back in October and while his offensive numbers were limited this season (nine goals and four assists in 39 games), the fact that he was able to hold down basically a full-time spot in the KHL this season with Spartak was certainly impressive.  Toronto GM Kyle Dubas has indicated a willingness to move one of his top prospects to try to add by the deadline and teams will undoubtedly be inquiring about Amirov in those talks.