With the Toronto Maple Leafs having another day off before they play the Tampa Bay Lightning at home, I want to focus on more general news and rumors from the team. I also thought it might be fun to take a bit of a look ahead at what’s coming for next season. Item One: What’s
Ron Hainsey
The Ottawa Senators once again look to be gearing up for a busy trade deadline on Feb. 24. Five players currently sit on the TSN Trade Bait list, two of which are among the top three. While the crop of trade targets is less enticing than last year’s, teams have shown that they are willing
Maple Leafs looking for a needle mover and not a rental Luke Fox of Sportsnet: If the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to LTIR Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci for the rest of the season, gain the $6,5 million in cap space, and then make a big move, GM Kyle Dubas said “We would want
The Pittsburgh Penguins have long been one of the NHL’s most active teams at the trade deadline. This season should be no different, as the Penguins are in the thick of another wild race for the Metropolitan Division title. Ultimately, however, there is only goal: to win the Stanley Cup. Their 2016 and 2017 Stanley
Do the Maple Leafs use their depth at forward to improve their blue line? What are other areas of need and what are their options? Jonas Seigel of The Athletic: If the Toronto Maple Leafs miss the playoffs, GM Kyle Dubas could be on the hot seat. If the Maple Leafs don’t think they can
Blackhawks scouting the Bruins and Sabres Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now: Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has scouted both the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres twice in person in the past two weeks. Prior to the Bruins home game on Sunday, a Blackhawks had at least one scout at the Bruins’ previous four home
A couple of needs for the Penguins Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins have a 21-11-4 record coming out of the break despite dealing with a ton of injuries. Ahead of the trade deadline the Penguins could use a shooting winger that can score. The Penguins have scouted Ottawa Senators frequently. Potential
Big numbers for Lee coming? Aaron Portzline: “Hearing UFA F Anders Lee could top $9 million AAV when he signs today. Do not expect the #CBJ to part of the bidding at that level.” Habs Links: Bob McKenzie on TSN 690: “Anders Lee will be looking for a 7 year deal in the $7-8 million
Home NHL Free Agents NHL Rumors: Top 20 Trade Candidates … Top 30 Free Agents © James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports Top 20 NHL trade candidates Craig Custance of The Athletic: Looking at the top 20 NHL trade candidates a couple of weeks away from the NHL draft. 1. Jacob Trouba – Jets2. P.K. Subban
Home NHL Rumors NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, and Vancouver Canucks © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports Hainsey back with the Maple Leafs? Ryan Fancey: Elliotte Friedman said on his 31 Thoughts podcast that he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will re-sign defenseman Ron Hainsey to a one-year deal. Could be something to
Leafs could use some help on the PK Luke Fox of Sportsnet: The Toronto Maple Leafs could stand to improve their penalty kill. Two of their top four most used penalty killers could be on their way out of town. Defenseman Ron Hainsey is a UFA and forward Connor Brown is in the rumor mill.
© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports Mitch Marner‘s next contract is a hot topic for debate among Toronto Maple Leafs fans. The 22-year-old winger is completing his entry-level contract. Based on his numbers since his NHL debut in 2016-17, he’s due for a hefty pay raise. Marner was the Leafs’ leading scorer in each of
Ristolainen had been in the rumor mill WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill on defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen: “We need top-four guys that can handle several different things on the blue line. He certainly has his faults, but we like what he does with his matchups. It’s our job to surround him with enough talent
Andrighetto hasn’t signed a KHL deal Pierre LeBrun: There were reports out of Russia that Colorado Avalanche forward Sven Andrighetto had signed a contract with an KHL but Andrighetto said that it’s not true. He said there is interest from the KHL but he plans on waiting until after the season to make any decisions
Ways to help out the Toronto Maple Leafs salary cap situation Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Looking at five ways that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas could help alleviate some of their salary cap issues. 1. Let their free agents walk – pending UFAs include Jake Gardiner, Ron Hainsey, Tyler Ennis, and Martin Marincin. Igor
Dubas has authority too… John Shannon: Multiple sources have confirmed that Kyle Dubas has the authority to fire coach Mike Babcock and he doesn’t need to get approval from the Board. KHL … possibly one coming and one going Kevin McGran: KHL free agent forward Ilya Mikheyev is leaning towards either the Toronto Maple Leafs
Three defensemen who may not be back Darren Dreger: Toronto Maple Leafs pending UFA defenseman Jake Gardiner will get at least $6 million per year on his next deal. Term and the structure of the deal will be very important. Jonas Siegel: Gardiner on if he’s played his last game in a Maple Leafs jersey:
Keys of the Toronto Maple Leafs offseason Greg Wyshynski and Chris Peters of ESPN: Looking at the keys to the Toronto Maple Leafs offseason. The Nazem Kadri question – A salary cap hit of $4.5 million through 2021-22. A solid third-line center for the Maple Leafs but has been suspended in each of the past