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.”