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Cullen ‘excited’ about playing another year, says teams have expressed interest

mattcullengetty

James OBrien

Sounds like one of the NHL’s oldest players will return for another kick at the can.

Matt Cullen -- the league’s 11th-oldest skater last season -- is “excited about the idea of playing again,” and has been contacted by a few teams to come back for an 18th season, per The Tennessean.
“The last little bit, it’s kind of picked up a little bit, and there’s a few teams now that have expressed some interest,” Cullen said. “We’re just going through where I would fit salary cap wise and things like that.

“It’s been good. I’ve been thrilled with the fact that there’s been a few teams looking to hopefully make a move here.”

Cullen, who turns 39 in November, just wrapped a two-year, $7 million deal with the Preds. His ’13-14 campaign was fairly productive -- 10 goals and 39 points in 77 games -- and while he struggled early last season, Cullen eventually found his niche as a “versatility guy,” flipping between the middle and wing, jumping up into the No. 2 center spot when Mike Fisher was injured during the playoffs.

In May, with free agency looming, Cullen said his goal was to play close to home -- he’s a Minnesota native -- but now says he and agent Pat Morris are fielding offers from Western and Eastern Conference teams.

Morris, in fact, is a driving force behind Cullen returning for another year.

“I know that he should [keep playing],” the veteran agent said, per The Tennessean. “He can still skate and still make plays, and he’s still a very good teammate.”