Insider trading: The latest on unsigned RFAs just before camp

TSN's Darren Dreger and Chris Johnston have the latest on RFAs Jeremy Swayman and Moritz Seider, the Blue Jackets looking for a forward on the transfer market and how NHL clubs will help with roster selection for the upcoming CHL/USA Prospects Challenge.

Important RFAs are still unsigned on the eve of NHL training camps

GINO REDA: It's Insider Trading's season debut. They're the insiders, Darren Dreger and Chris Johnston. Gentlemen, NHL training camps begin this week across the league, and there are some big-name restricted free agents still waiting for contracts. One of the biggest names out there right now is, CJ, Jeremy Swayman. Ultimately, Swayman and the Bruins were miles apart on a new contract. Any news on that?

CHRIS JOHNSTON: Well, what I can tell you early Tuesday night was that those talks were described as “status quo,” and I think the timestamp is important because the situation is changing hourly with training camp opening in Boston on Wednesday. Obviously there's a lot of urgency to sign the Bruins' No. 1 goalie, and this goes back a really long time. They've been working on this file for some time, trying to get an agreement in place that I believe is geared toward a long-term deal. You have to wonder if they can't quite get it done, if they can't bridge that gap, maybe they'll find something shorter to come to a resolution here. But this is certainly a big issue around the league.

Another situation to watch is in Detroit, where Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider also hasn't signed a contract yet. Talks there had been focused on an eight-year deal, the maximum allowed, just like his teammate Lucas Raymond signed. But it sounds like it's going to be a little shorter now, and the reason for that is because the Red Wings are hesitant to pay anyone more than the $8.7 million a year that captain Dylan Larkin gets. I think one way to maybe get Seider into the mid-eights or somewhere lower is a six- or seven-year deal, and that's what you'll want to look for as they try to sign him as soon as possible and get him here to training camp.

DARREN DREGER: And yes, folks, when you look at the top restricted free agents, it's mostly worrisome and negotiations can be tricky. Other than Seider and Swayman, I'm looking at a couple of guys who are more looking for bridge deals, and I'll start with Cole Perfetti and the Winnipeg Jets. These have been tricky, sometimes more, sometimes less successful negotiations between the Jets and the camp that Cole Perfetti represents. I know Perfetti is feeling great, he's had an excellent break from training, and he's excited to start working for coach Scott Arniel. But there's a significant gap in those negotiations, and unless something changes in the near future, it's pretty obvious Perfetti is going to be out for some time.

As for Thomas Harley and the Dallas Stars, they are once again seeking a bridge deal. It's hard to imagine the Dallas Stars starting this season, at least for an extended period of time, without this 6'4″ defender as part of their defensive core. He's a key player. Andy Scott is filling in for Thomas Harley, according to ongoing talks. He had 15 goals and 32 assists last year, so I like Thomas Harley's position, but negotiations are ongoing.

REDA: Some teams are looking within their organization for ways to handle restricted free agent issues internally. Other organizations, like the Columbus Blue Jackets, are looking for help outside the organization, CJ?

JOHNSTON: They are, and look, they already brought in veteran James van Riemsdyk over the weekend. After that signing, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he wants to add at least one more forward to their team. You get the feeling the Blue Jackets want to be creative with that. I don't think it's necessarily going to come in the form of another UFA, they'll look at PTOs, they'll look at the waiver wire. I think they're also pretty active on the transfer market, trying to see if there are maybe situations around the league, maybe some younger players that might become available from other teams while they sort out their own roster issues and try to stay within the salary cap by opening night. But you get the feeling the Blue Jackets are going to be patient here and maybe get that forward through a trade rather than going the traditional route and just signing one.

CHL/USA talent show

REDA: Some international hockey news. A few years ago, the Canadian Hockey League cancelled its Super Series with Russia for obvious reasons. And now the CHL is planning another international showcase event, but this time, dregs, south of the border?

DREGER: Yes, and there are three entities involved here, Gino. You're talking about the three leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League: the OHL, the Western Hockey League and the QMJHL, the National Team Development Program under USA Hockey and, of course, the National Hockey League. The NHL was looking for another vehicle to showcase the best draft prospects, so to speak, and we know that the CHL has plenty of that, as does the [U.S.] National team development program.

It is expected (and not yet official) that the NHL will conduct a survey of its 32 clubs to get a list of, say, the top 15 forwards, top nine defencemen and three goalies they would like to see. Then the Canadian Hockey League and Development Team staff in the US will whittle that list down to 20 players and two goalies. Two games, one in London, one in Oshawa, November 26-27. I know a lot of NHL executives are looking forward to that.

REDA: We all love international hockey. They're insiders, Darren Dreger and Chris Johnston, with the season debut of Insider Trading.