Latest on the Leafs and Canadiens plus more Evander Kane rumors.
Leafs trade candidates.
Cody Franson’s days as a Leaf could be numbered.
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports trade winds are swirling about Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson and forwards Daniel Winnik and Mike Santorelli. Franson is considered most likely to be dealt, though he expresses his wish to remain a Leaf. Winnik isn’t sure if he’ll be traded or not, though his UFA status will affect his future in Toronto. The New York Rangers are reportedly interested in Santorelli.
Steve Simmons reports the Leafs management is preparing to blow up the roster. He considers Morgan Rielly and James van Riemsdyk to be untouchable, while Franson, Santorelli, Winnik, Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak and Roman Polak are for sale. He considers Jonathan Bernier, Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner as players the Leafs believe in “sort of”, while Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf likely won’t be moved until the offseason. Free agents Korbinian Holzer and David Booth might also interest other clubs near the trade deadline.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes Santorelli could resolve the Rangers need for checking-line depth, but noted they don’t have a lot of cap space or much to offer up as trade bait, though they do have two second-round picks in this year’s draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Franson, Winnik and Santorelli are all goners by the deadline. The Rangers seem keen on Santorelli but it’ll depend upon the Leafs asking price. A second round pick could do it. I agree with Simmons regarding the untouchables, the “kind of” likes and those who could be moved in the offseason.
Latest Evander Kane rumors.
NBC SPORTS: Mike Halford cites a radio interview by Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning, in which he said he would be interested in Winnipeg Jets winger Evander Kane.
THE PROVINCE: Jason Botchford speculates it could take a package offer with promising prospect Jake Virtanen to land Kane from the Jets. Botchford notes the Canucks aren’t willing to part with Virtanen right now. Kane’s baggage could also affect the Canucks’ interest in the Jets winger.
NORTHJERSEY.COM: Tom Gulitti suggests the New Jersey Devils could pursue Evander Kane. Though noting Kane’s reputation as a troublesome player, Gulitti feels he could address their lack of scoring depth at forward. He suggests parting with one of their good young defensemen and an older forward or two to help the Jets now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets aren’t going to give Kane away and can afford to wait until this summer to move him, though they will face pressure to get a return which improves their playoff chances this season. If the Canucks want Kane, the Jets could ask for Virtanen as part of the return. I still have my doubts that Lamoriello will acquire Kane, but will acknowledge anything’s possible. I doubt the Jets want another defenseman as they’re deep in that department, unless they ship one out in a separate deal to address another need.
Could Canadiens make a big deadline splash?
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes the Montreal Canadiens are likely to acquire a player “that’s worth talking about” by the March 2 trade deadline. Given GM Marc Bergevin’s previous history of acquiring notable rental players like Thomas Vanek, LeBrun wouldn’t be surprised if Bergevin pursued another notable player…TVASports’ Renaud Lavoie claims the Canadiens are among the suitors for Arizona Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe Bergevin will try to land another forward or a defenseman, but he won’t overpay for them. Look back on his trades as Habs GM, he’s not someone who gives up too much for a short-term fix.
It’s a little strange to me that the asking price for franson and santorelli are both 2nd rounders. I think Franson should go for A level prospect or a B level and a late 2nd rounder or mid 3rd.
Because they were a second rounder does not mean that is thier value. Franson will garner a first round pick and a B level prospect or an A level prospect and a second to 3rd rounder.
Franson is more sought after Vermette, is younger, and has that right shot many teams are looking for.
Again D wins championships and every GM knows it.
If that’s indeed the case and TO is in a re-build mode would it not be better for them to clear the decks some other way and get HIM inked to a deal?
Not necessarily, if you want to develop a younger core it could be more beneficial to move him for younger players and or picks. I think the big thing going forward is that this team will have a pretty big make over and the only long term deals will likely be the ones they cant rid themselves of. With all the new management, they are not going to want to inherit alot of whats here, they have had a year to access it now its time for them to go to work. If they could rid themselves of some others they could always go back to Franson on July 1st and offer him a deal then, but as of right now the money and term doesnt work, so move on and get younger which is the main goal…least thats the way its looking.
I just find Toronto “fans” absolutely tear the players apart. Makes it tough for free agents to be attracted here when all that is done is tear them down. Dion is a good hockey play and is a number 2 or 3 defenceman. He is on the ice too much. Can never say does not put the effort in. Big trade for Kessell and when he got here the Leafs management said they needed a centre. They have never got a decent #1 center yet. I look at Pittsburg and really any of the playoff teams and they build from the center out to the wings unless a superstar winger becomes available. Nonisd is the one who should be taking all the heat – not the players.
Santorelli for a second sounds like a good deal for both teams if the Rangers have one to spare – he’s been one of the Leafs best players of late. I know that’s not saying much, but it’s true.
Anyway, that seems like the easy party for the Leafs. Santorelli then Winnick for a 3rd. After that the Franson trade is more difficult if you’re angling for a high return like a first or a second + prospect. Ditto Bozak.
Lupul would be a miracle if they could move for assets back.
I don’t know if thats huge value for santorelli since the Rangers will go deep and who knows where that second will end up. Also, I’ve seen guys much worse and older than him fetch a first (Gaustad). I also don’t believe lupul is untradeable, we might have to keep a mil or so but if a guy like Erat can get filip forsberg we should get something decent.
If they can get a first for Santo, that would be great, but would surprise a lot of people.
I agree that certain deals have raised eyebrows, like the Perron deal recently.
You see that and you think okay, maybe we can get a first plus each for Franson, Bozak, but I think that’s a bit of a high case.
Bob McKenzie was saying at least a 2nd plus B prospect for Franson. Santo worth much less, Bozak maybe worth same or more.
Santorelli won’t fetch a 1st but if there is a bidding war for his services a B prospect could come back to the Leafs.
If Bozak gets a first there is something wrong with the world. A prospect is about all Id be hoping for, Santorelli maybe a second I think is close, Franson will be the best return maybe a late first (just maybe dont get all worked up) but atleast a second and a so so prospect or 1 very good prospect. Winnik looking at a third I think. Packaging up something else less significant (Booth, Holzer Polak types) may increase some values a tiny bit.
Santorelli went from the Predators to the Panthers for a 4th round pick, then to the Jets via waivers, then to the Canucks as a UFA and finally to the Leafs as a bargain-basement UFA. And suddenly some think he’s worth a 2nd rounder?
Geez George, you made the exact same comment a while back. Values change; why is Vermette worth so much more now? What is Ribiero’s value now; higher than last year I would say. Values change as players develop and as different situations come up.
Steve Mason was traded for a third round pick and a terribe backup, think the Flyers would move him for that little now?
The list goes on Schticky. Wonder what Dubnyk’s value is right now?
I like Bozak and Reimer or Bernier to the Sharks for Niemi, Thornton and a pick or prospect.
The Sharks get a goalie that will be serviceable for staying in the playoff hunt and a younger C for the 2nd or 3rd line which is a solid return for two players they are happy to move on from.
The Leafs get two veteran players, one being an accomplished leader, to help change the culture of the club. And they choose to not resign Niemi and get a little bit of cap relief for next year.
I’m sure Doug Wilson isn’t even thinking about this trade. Thornton will not leave, especially for toronto. And reimer and or Bernier are not an upgrade from Nemo. Wishful thinking
Doesnt have any cap reilief Bozak and Reimer make alm8st the same as Thornton 4.25 m and 2.3 m Thornton makes 6.5 and Reimers deal runs out after next year Thorntons goes on for 2 more.
And I am not sure if they are stripping a team down possibly moving Kessel why you would go out and make that kind of trade…seems a little late. The centers next year baring bringing in a younger guy prospect type are likely Kadri Holland Gauthier Carrick…something along those lines maybe a depth guy in there somewhere but I cant see it being a 6 or 7 mill 36 year old.
The Leafs should be rebuilding. No to Thornton. The future of Kessel/Phaneuf isn’t even clear so taking a 35+ year old center is not the way to go. The Leafs should use the old core to upgrade the organizational talent and keep drafting as high as possible to find those core pieces.
And the Sharks do this WHY exactly??? #1 center and #1 goalie for SIGNIFICANT downgrades at each position plus SJ is in a playoff spot! Why would they gut their roster to downgrade? Makes less than zero sense.
Yeah, that’s way too much koolaid; way too wishful thinking. Thornton is going nowhere – except maybe to a contender, and that won’t happen till off-season. Niemi might be dealt, but only for youth and or 1st rnd draft picks. If anything Sharks will dump a bunch of 3rd/4th liners for cap space or try to make a play for Taylor Hall.
Its even funnier since the trade suggests that the Sharks add a prospect
Simmons is generally an idiot but in this case I think he is pretty much intune with what’s likely to happen, the one thing I keep going back to is I wouldnt be surprised if Dion goes aswell before the deadline, or that there wont atleast be 1 bigger surprising move that cuts a little deeper than the likes of Franson and the UFAs…Nonis hasnt been on this where in the world is Carmine Sandiago, scouting trip looking for draft picks, and thats the extent alot of these type of rentals are fetching outside Franson….unless they are just trying to keep him out of the office until the deadline passes
Simmons is saying 4 or 5 moves, Santorelli Winnik Franson are 3 ufas so that would leave 1 or 2 more, I could easily see 5 or 6 guys gone by the deadline.
It’s easy to just blurt out “Simmons is generally an idiot ..” without elaborating. Give some examples of why YOU see him as an “idiot.”
Too many things to point out so lets start with some doozies
his article whatever happened to Alexander Karpovtsev…didnt bother doing any research publishes it then finds out that Karpovtsev is one of the players who died in the Lokomotiv plane crash…All the just dumb statements to do with analytics, berating a guy who mentioned Grabovski on the radio…the list could go on and on, Ill stand by what I said Simmons is an idiot.
Funny, but I always got the impression that the animosity directed towards Simmons mainly came from those Leafs fans who adhere to the philosophy “t ell me what I WANT to hear … not what I SHOULD hear.” But, perhaps I’m wrong. I’m not perfect. Either.
Trust me… Schticky is right, in fact… Simmons > Idiot
“Trust me” is what I expect to hear from someone welling watches out of the back of a van. Why should I take your opinion as gospel?
You judge people as “Leaf fans” a little to quick George I mean absolutely no offense. Sometimes you seem jump to a conclusion that because some one likes a certain team they are somehow jaded in one way or another towards things…it is certainly not always the case. I like lots of teams yes the Leafs are a team I follw rather heavily but I stream games, PVR games, watch games I already know the score in, go to JR games…I follow hockey not just the Leafs there are lots of “Leaf fans” that are not the stereo typical homer.
No offense either , but why do you keep taking what I write and t wist it around as if I’m targeting ALL Leafs fans? I said, quite clearly I thought, “… those Leafs fans who adhere to the philosophy “t ell me what I WANT to hear … not what I SHOULD hear.” I didn’t single anyone out – it was more in the nature of “if the shoe fits.” In this same thread Bill writes “We see that with so many of the hometown beat writers proposing silk purse for sow’s ear trades that don’t even fit Cap wise for now as rentals, let alone as permanent keeper salaries.” Simmons may have his faults – hell, we all do – but I have NEVER seen him make any such trade proposals, although there are the odd writers who do, and when some fans then take up that line of thought and put them forward in forums such as this as serious proposals, that’s when I offer my opinion – and again, it’s just my opinion – same as everyone else – pointing out why it probably won’t work.
George then why would you ask me the question? The only possible reason I can see as to why would be so you could then use your reply of “typical Leaf fan”…and go on your rant, about “tell me what I want to hear not what I should hear” that you already had set up. Anyway, no point in arguing now.
I’m sorry, but the typical leafs fan comment is offensive. George, didn’t you rip a star reporter a few weeks ago for being a ‘leftist’? So I don’t know why the defense of a sun reporter. I don’t think there are any Toronto media who tell the fans what they want to hear, they are all generally negative. You know I don’t post here often, and do not attack other posters, I don’t mean this as any offense, but there are many Leafs fans who do not suggest ridiculous trade scenarios or parrot stuff we’ve read in the paper.
Calling a Star reporter a “leftist” isn’t the same as calling someone an “idiot.” And certainly not a slur. Leftist simply points out his/her political slant. I KNOW there are many Leafs fans who do not propose out-of-left-field trades – I said as much when I used “some” – and don’t try and tell me they don’t.
I am totally with you, Shticky – It is like research and investigating reporting is a lost art. We see that with so many of the hometown beat writers proposing silk purse for sow’s ear trades that don’t even fit Cap wise for now as rentals, let alone as permanent keeper salaries.
How about for saying that Booth may draw interest closer to the deadline. Why would anyone be interested in a fragile flake who has 3 points in 31 games?
I bet Booth goes, either as a throw in on a deal or a 5th round pick…he has actual played pretty well and gets almost no time. He would be worth a roll of the dice for someone to take for nothing.
I could see the Jets taking a chance on Booth to shore up the 3rd line. Plus he played 3 years at Michigan with Slater and both are from Michigan so maybe some familiarity there.
Those were 3 solid points he got though !
I stand by the mantra you never look down on a man unless you are helping him up. It’s idiotic to think someone is an idiot because you disagree with him or that he simply states something later proven untrue. It’s also shameful to come on a site degrading a person hiding behind an alias.
Just my thoughts. There is a reason I use my real name. I find it insures I don’t say something too stupid. That when I post something I never post anything I would not say to a person’s face.
Now I don’t like Kypreos. I think he is to much of a home boy and really makes little sense and is trying to hard to be macho all the time. Idiotic is not what he is. Neither is Simmons.
Ok now that I talked to the children. Time to move on haha.
Jeezus…laying it on a little thick arent we?
So basically someone is an idiot for thinking someone is an idiot? What difference does using your real name vs. using an alias mean? Do you really think that makes any difference on how people express their opinion?
And calling people children is not looking down at anyone at all now is it Jeff? (if that is in fact your real name) Or are you just trying to help me up? lol
Hey hey, What do you have against children. I have nothing against them. Infact I used to be one myself. No insult their beyond calling people idiots is something I expect to come out of a childs mouth. Besides I was more referring to the fact I was acting like a parent not you being a child. haha.
Oh and yes I do think if people were forced to post their real names on sites instead of aliases they would be more hesitate to air the dribble that falls out of their mouths.
Oh and Yes schticky I was laying on a little think. All in good fun. haha.
Oh and NYR being an idiot and doing something idiotic are two different things. The smartest people in the world can do stupid things.
There is no crying in Hockey Jeff!
Not true my friend. I see players cry every season when they lose the cup to the other guy and they even cry when they raise it. Haha. But I gotcha guys. You can hide behind your aliases and defame people cause heck why the heck not.
Right cause there is only one Jeff Noel in all the world right? Your name online means nothing unless its facebook
You have me convinced, so for everyone’s benefit my real name is Shti Cky, it’s Dutch.
Then why are you using an alias to begin with?
Well some of us may run business that have 100s of clients and dont really feel the need for others to know our personal opinions on trivial things like hockey (or wish to discuss it with some of them personally) Others who post while at work would probably rather not get in crap for posting on a website duri g company time and nothinglike signing your name to it for some one to go “hey look boss heres Jeff here…he even put his name on it!” There are lots of reasons why people dont post with their own name…
Surely you are not so thick to figure these things out
LOL. Because using your real name means what? Is someone from Canada going to come to my house and beat me up because I say something they disagree with? I have absolutely zero problems giving out my real name. But I don’t really see at all how it makes a difference. And if someone wanted to beat me up, I’d also give them my address and leave the front door unlocked for them. 😉
I’ll agree with Simmons as well. Although, I’d really hate to see Santorelli or Winnik go. I understand they are UFA’s and that there is interest there and for the betterment of the club they’ll get a better return than most of the others.
They’ve really only been they type of player the team needs. Could it be because they are only on a 1 year deal and looking for longer term, sure. But both of these guys are showing a level of desire and drive (for the most part) that the rest of the core and team seemingly has been lacking.
Instead of blowing up the roster, MSLE needs to start with blowing up its Management. The same people who guided this franchise into this disaster are probably the worst candidates to get them out of it.
Blow up its management again? Would you not consider dumping Peddie for Leiweke, owners went from the teachers pension plan, to Bell and Rogers, from Burke to Nonis to Shannahan…coaches and assistant coaches and GMs gone… Players have been swapped out at about a 30-40% clip season to season…oh and all this since ’08. Not enough changes or not the right ones?
The real beauty is the the Leafs are owned by a media conglomerate where their ratings will dictate what needs to be done…good news is, the Leafs suck and so are all the ratings. Poor ratings equals poor ad revenues equals less profits which is not in anyone’s interest so time will tell exactly what will happen… Spoiler alert…More drama.
Yes, Bell and Rogers definitely care about the team doing well. People always say that ownership doesn’t care if they win because they make money anyway…well, they are up against the cap every year and every playoff game earns the team about $5M with no salaries to pay, so you better believe ownership wants to win. If you don’t believe Rogers and Bell want that money then don’t pay your next Rogers bill and see They are still working with some mangement from before the new ownership took over, Nonnis definitely done after this year and so is Horachek. It will be interesting to see if they can turn things around in 2 or 3 ears because Toronto does not have the patience for an 8 year rebuild, or there would be more patience towards the young guys they have now.if they care.
How about this one.
To Col
Kane
To Win
O’Reilly
Here’s my reasoning. They both have a history of bad blood with thier respective organazations. Colarado is missing the dance anyway, so Kane’s surgery is not really an issue and O’Reilly is a UFA after next season and will most likely command 7m. Winnipeg however is making the playoffs for the 1st time since being back and although Kane has 3 years left at a reasonable 5.25m that won’t help them this year. Both players could use a change of scenery and might actually be better fits on thier new team. This would let Colarado have Mackinnon and Duchene down the middle with Langeskog and Kane on the wings. And Would give Winnipeg the option of having O’Reilly center the second line and move Scheifele down to the third to give him more sheltered minutes. Anyway I think its a good sideways trade to solve issues for both teams but feel free to tell me why it’s not lol. Also you could toss in a couple conditional 2nd rounders. The conditions being if Win makes it past the 1st round Colarodo gets a 2nd, but as long as kane plays 50 games next year Winnipeg would also get a second.
Probably wishful thinking… The Jets are looking for an established roster player, 1st rounder, and a blue-chip prospect <~ much like every other organization who overvalues what they have, but thats for another discussion. The difference between the Jets and some of these other organizations, other than maybe the Oilers (Hall/Eberle), is that E.Kane has been a great player in a bad organization, struggles in some areas (off-ice)… But many people have reported that he is a cornerstone player and could be a franchise forward. After my beloved Bruins royally screwed up the Seguin trade I'm sure the Jets have the ability to wait it out and get a huge return for Kane… Someone will overpay, hopefully for the Jets they're receive some substantial pieces and for the other team E.Kane will be a fantastic forward for many years without much of the sideshow he's currently putting on in Winnipeg.
I’m not so sure. Being a resident of Manitoba when the Jets came to Winnipeg I talked up Kane pretty well. He hasn’t done much since coming and has declined each season since. I am seeing him as a 2nd line forward, nothing more. Perhaps it is simply the fact he needs to grow up.
O’Reilly does not seem like the type of kid to be happy playing in a small market where his dollars may be limited and his opportunity for champions ships limited. This trade only happens if the Jets can insure O’Reilly signs with them. They are not giving Evander up for a rental.
Jeff, I live in the peg and as a bruins fan I would take kane in a heartbeat, his skill set is undeniable. He is Winnipeg best penalty killer and leads the team 5 on 5. Last year and the beginning of this year when over half the city wanted to get rid of Kane and Buff (they changed their mind on Buff now. I tweeted a trade proposal of Kane and Buff to Boston for Marchand, Boychuk and a second round pick. Every reply I got back from jets fan was absolutely they make the trade. If the bruins still had Boychuk I wondered if they still would say yes? Did I say I would still take Kane. He’ll mature and he’ll be a strong force for years to come.
Yeah like I say. I am not sure. You could be very correct.
I actually dont mind that idea, I think ROR would fit nicely on the Jets.
i wonder how much the Jets could get out of Vancouver?
EKane and a 3rd for Nick Bonino and Bo Horvat
I think the moment Chevy mentions Horvat the phone gets hung up.
I like the trade but a couple issues that the Jets won’t like 1. ROR is a soon to be UFA that very likely would not re-sign in Winnipeg and the Jets are giving up a guy that is locked up at a reasonable cap hit especially if he hits his potential. 2. I doubt the Jets would be willing to move Kane within the division.
Speaking of Bruins, whatever happened to all of the trade buzz surrounding a forward and defenseman? I mean they won some games and went on a bit of a run but they still lacked goal production and at times the defense looked a bit lost and gave up many ill-timed goals, such as the last minute of periods… I hope P.C. Is out there making things happen because after Sunday nights loss to Montreal the Bruins wont make it past them in a 4 game series let alone 7.. It’ll be a sweep…. If they make the playoffs at all.
They are in cap hell, though – I think that’s the tough part for them.
The Bruins are one of several teams whose hands are tied, so to speak, when it comes to managing their cap. Right now they have $51,141,667 committed to 11 players next year with 5 UFAs to consider C Greg Campbell, LW Paille, C Soderberg, D McQuad and D Bartkowski, 3 key RFAs in RW Reilly Smith and Ds Tory Krug and Dougie Hamilton, and lesser RFAs in RW Caron, LW Cunningham and G Niklas Svedberg. They are up tight to the cap now and in order to take on an “effective” forward and D they’d have to have money going back the other way. The most likely candidates would be Eriksson and Kelly who have one year after this at $4,250,000 and $3,000,000 respectively. Would YOU take either one of those while giving up something substantial?
L.Eriksson – yes, C.Kelly would have to be packaged with a pick or prospect, 2nd rounder of maybe Spooner/Koko. Even then I think both Eriksson and Kelly only lands you a different style winger or bigger body, 4th D-man probably around 30-33years old… Nothing of real high value. As far as the UFA battle goes, Bruins will certainly not be resigning all of those players… Svedberg is probably gone, Soderberg probably gone, Bartkowski, Campbell, maybe even Paille, Caron… All could be gone. I’m sure Bruins priority is signing Hamilton, which they’ll definitely make happen. Aside from that… Who knows. Maybe some roster dumping and trades going on in the off season to free up space. Our 4th line has been horrible, not a speed skill line but neither a bruising / checking line… Kind of in between. Lots of money tied up there when we have plenty of forwards in the AHL who can eat up 4th line minutes, example: Cunningham, who’s been that lines best player arguably. Also, Caron and Bartkowski were P.C. Mistakes in the off season, should never have been resigned…
Cox this morning said he wouldnt be surprised if the Leafs moved Bernier btw.
Good, Reimer is fine for the rebuild anyway.
What do you think they could get for him?
Not much, avoid paying him and a second round pick maybe? I’m starting to think they want alot of secound round picks for Hunter to play with. Not saying he is going to work any miracles but maybe they do try and build through the draft for a year or 2 and Bernier doesnt help that if they keep him. Go with Reimer and see what the guys in the system can do, goes further in the long run.
Agreed shticky and while I think there are some players they should/could get a first rounder for, their history or missing on first rounders isn’t the best. Second to seventh however….dammit hunter had better be good
They’re idiots. A lot of them. Sports media types in general have taken a huge step back in the craft of reporting. Mostly due to the fact that everyone with a smart phone is now a reporter. Stories are leaked/published/scooped so quickly who has time to fact check any more!?
Ottawa media is particularly bad. After running Jason Spezza out of town – spinning his DEMAND FOR A TRADE – their way so they don’t look bad. What he said was “if you don’t want me here trade me”. Well who would feel wanted after these guys (all media outlets) flogged him on a nightly basis. Suddenly they’re all bemoaning the fact the Sens don’t have a #1 center to run things? Gee…how about a little positivity. I think the local media that covers the Leafs contributes mightily to the team’s year over year terribleness. Something akin to British Tabloid media.
I see I lost this arguement before it began. haha. It’s ok. I agree the so called sports journalist are not actually journalist but are instead tabloid artist. Which by doing this they make themselves a living which perhaps isn’t idiotic but smart and the fact we all listen to what they have to say seems silly. haha.
I would like to see the Leafs and the Avs pull off a deal
ROR and Jan Hejda and 7th round pick for Phaneuf, Bozak and 5th Round pick.
Colorado secures a top 2-3 Defenseman who will be out of the limelight and pressure of Toronto and not be the Captain, and thus likely more effective; a Centre who is an upgrade over Briere (UFA in July), Mitchell, Talbot and Winchester who can play as high as 2nd line but really effective on third line behind McKinnon and Duchene, and a 5th round pick that they currently do not have (parted with in previous trade). They also get two players under term and avoid a sticky situation with O’Reilly. Hejda is a UFA after this season so they would need to get a top 2-3 defenseman anyway, and the UFA market appears slim. Going into next season, with Brieres contract expiring, they will have 4 million to use for other parts if they wish, assuming the cap stays the same.
Leafs move Phaneuf and allow a leadership and culture change, and make room for a (by most accounts) upgrade for their first line centre. Hejda rides out the season and the Leafs get cap relief and the potential to have the best chance to extend O’Reilly as a number one centre, which is likely what he wants to be, but will never be in Colorado. They could make the 7th round pick conditional- If O’Reilly resigns or extends, the Leafs do not get it.
Fire away!
I keep hearing this Vermette to Montreal stuff. I mean, if the price isn’t high and there isn’t anything else out there then ok. But, I really don’t think he’d make much of a difference. And if this is the “player worth talking about” I’m a bit surprised. Maybe it’s because I don’t see him play that often, but he really doesn’t seem like much of a big deal.
Hockey Central just mentioned an interesting scenario. Eberle for JVR-could be a win/win for both teams
I like jvr a lot but I think the leafs really need to explore moving him. His play coupled with his cap friendly contracts really raises the return for him. He is worth an awful lot, I dare say more than Kane. Maybe nonis is trying to ,make a team overspend for him but still. Really is the only player on the roster I’d keep. I would love to see a deal like
Jvr to Dallas for oleckiak, a first and maybe a guy like faska. Toronto would be adding. Maybe go balls out and give phaneuf, jvr, holland and bernier for
Letonen, faska, oleciak, first rounder, horcoff maybe Richie
I worked nights last night so go easy on me. It seemed good in my head but now that I read it….
@matty
I think that might be too much in your first proposal. JVR is awesome and as a leafs fan I love the guy. Oleksiak is a good Dman and I see him being a top 3 or 4 guy. The first is also nice as I see it being a mid round pick. I also see Faksa being a beast. The second proposal I’m not a fan of. If the leafs are indeed rebuilding then we shouldn’t want a goalie at all. It also seems like a ton of money changing hands and I don’t see a lot of Gms that have the balls to do it.
Bozak at half retained salary for Philip Danault/Mark McNeil/Ryan Hartman and Stephen Johns/Klas Dahlbeck?
In other words, two ready A level prospects – similar to the deal Chicago swung for Versteeg from Florida.
Any trade offer proposed to the Canucks that starts with Horvat or Virtanen will get an immediate no as a response. The Canucks have been lacking in solid prospects for years as previous management gave away picks in hopes of chasing down the Cup and the ones they kept, they didn’t use very wisely. Granted Kane is just 23, but he has also proven to be injury prone and a bit of a head case. If they want something built around Kassian, Lack, and/or other prospects not named above and/or draft picks then it is worth exploring.