The Buffalo Sabres have a little more flexibility after signing Johansson
Lance Lysowski: The Buffalo Sabres gained some flexibility after signing forward Marcus Johansson. They have around $6.6 million in salary cap space and could revisit trading defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen for more scoring help.
Matthews doesn’t want to play with Kapanen? Kadri nixes deal to the Calgary Flames
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Newly acquired Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie has a year left on his contract. It’s believed that he could be looking for an eight-year contract at around $8 million on his next deal. The Maple Leafs also have Jake Muzzin and Cody Ceci on the last years of their deals.
Have been told that Auston Matthews would rather not play with winger Kasperi Kapanen. Matthews could start the season centering William Nylander and rookie Ilya Mikheyev. Alex Kerfoot could center Andreas Johnsson and Kapanen.
It’s quiet on the Jake Gardiner free agent front.
Before the Maple Leafs traded Nazem Kadri to the Avalanche, he nixed a trade to the Calgary Flames. Flames GM Brad Treliving and coach Bill Peters phoned Kadri and tried to convince him to accept a trade. The deal would have sent Kadri and Connor Brown to the Flames for T.J. Brodie and Mark Jankowski.
James (@Account4hockey): Chris Johnston believes that when the Maple Leafs decided to re-sign both Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnson, they also decided to move Kadri.
The Leafs asked Kadri waive his no-trade for Calgary in a three-team deal also involving the Winnipeg Jets.
Gardiner still wants to return to the Maple Leafs
James (@Account4hockey): Chris Johnston said that the Toronto Maple Leafs wouldn’t trade defenseman Cody Ceci unless they have another defenseman lined up.
Jake Gardiner is still wanting to return to the Maple Leafs and would do so on a discount.