Latest on Dion Phaneuf, Jonathan Bernier, Marc Methot, Johnny Boychuk, Derrick Pouliot and much more.
Latest rumors from Sportsnet.
Could the Red Wings have interest in Maple Leaf’s captain Dion Phaneuf?
SPORTSNET.CA: Elliotte Friedman and Damien Cox report the Los Angeles Kings remain interested in Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. Cox claims the Detroit Red Wings are interested in Cody Franson but won’t part with the Leafs asking price of a first-round pick. He wonders if they could have interest in Phaneuf. The Wings won’t part with top prospects like Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha…Cox also claims there’s no progress in contract talks between the Leafs and pending UFA forwards Daniel Winnik and Mike Santorelli, who are likely to be moved at the trade deadline. There is reportedly some interest around the league in Tyler Bozak…Friedman reports the Dallas Stars could have interest in Carolina blueliner Andrej Sekera. The Lightning could be interested in Arizona defenseman Zbynek Michalek…The Columbus Blue Jackets could be willing to listen to offers for most of their defensemen except Ryan Murray and David Savard…Cox claims there’s optimism in Ottawa regarding Marc Methot. Contract negotiations continue and he could be re-signed…The Pittsburgh Penguins could be willing to part with a young defenseman like Brian Dumoulin, Scott Harrington, or Derrick Pouliot to land a veteran blueliner, though they’ll have to shed some salary as well. They might consider adding a backup goalie as Thomas Greiss has struggled since returning from a case of the mumps…
SPECTOR’S NOTE:The Red Wings won’t be interested in Phaneuf, who’s a left-handed shot (of which they have plenty) carrying a $7 million per season salary for the next six years…It will be surprising if the Penguins part with Pouliot, who earlier this season was considered an untouchable. Otherwise, not really much new here from Friedman and Cox.
Collection of rumors from Bruce Garrioch.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports concern over the tumbling Canadian dollar’s impact on next season’s salary cap could make pending unrestricted free agents more attractive at the March 2 trade deadline than players with term on their contracts…The New York Islanders hope to re-sign defenseman Nick Leddy and pending UFA Johnny Boychuk. Teams are calling about Boychuk but it’s expected he’ll finish the season with the Isles…Arizona Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle has a year left on his contract and could get moved…The Calgary Flames could have interest in Buffalo Sabres winger Chris Stewart. The Boston Bruins reportedly still remain interested in Stewart…Pending UFA blueliners like Edmonton’s Jeff Petry and Toronto’s Cody Franson could be dealt by the deadline…The Ottawa Senators are still trying to re-sign pending UFA rearguard Marc Methot. Garrioch believes a five-year, $25 million contract could get it done…The Winnipeg Jets will try to re-sign recently acquired winger Drew Stafford, who’s a UFA this summer…The Chicago Blackhawks (if they can find the cap space), Minnesota Wild (if they move out center Kyle Brodziak) and Montreal Canadiens are believed to have interest in Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette…Florida Panthers forwards Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Tomas Kopecky and Sean Bergenheim are likely available, as they’re UFAs this summer…Tampa Bay, “Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Dallas, Los Angeles, Montreal, Pittsburgh and San Jose” are thought to be shopping for defensemen. Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Andrej Sekera could attract interest…The Washington Capitals might not move pending UFA blueliner Mike Green…The Nashville Predators want to add a forward and have $11 million in cap space.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not really much that’s new in Garrioch’s rumor update this week. A couple of points: The Islanders aren’t trading Boychuk, who’s been vital to their improvement this season…I’ll be surprised if the Senators actually invest five years and $25 million in Methot. I think they prefer a three-year deal for $4.6 million annually…The Capitals will retain Green, even if it means losing him for nothing to free agency in July…I expect Predators GM David Poile could make a significant addition, even if it’s a rental player, at the deadline. The Predators have the potential to contend for the Cup this spring. However, I don’t see them chasing someone carrying a big salary beyond this season. Just because they have lots of cap space doesn’t mean they’ll spend to the cap after this season.
Latest Leafs Rumors from Steve Simmons.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports none of the anticipated deals to be made by the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline will include Dion Phaneuf or Phil Kessel. Injuries to Joffrey Lupul and Cody Franson could complicate trade matters…Several factors work against the Leafs’ attempts to move Kessel. “1) there are only eight teams they can deal him to, as based on his contract; 2) Quite likely, the teams that want him at all may not be on his list; 3) The clubs with interest must have salary cap room and a willingness to spend, otherwise it doesn’t work; 4) The history of trading this quality of player works against the Leafs.” Jonathan Bernier wants a long-term contract but the Leafs prefer a short-term deal. Suddenly, there’s trade talk about Bernier.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Such a mess in Toronto. The only real guarantee regarding possible moves is (barring injury) Daniel Winnik and Mike Santorelli will get traded.
Latest from The Boston Globe.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa believes Phil Kessel’s big contract and uncertainty over next season’s salary cap could make the Leafs winger difficult to move. He believes Nashville Predators GM David Poile would love to acquire Kessel but they cannot afford to take on his salary…Shinzawa believes Dion Phaneuf could benefit playing on a structured defense. He suggests the LA Kings, but notes their limited cap space and need to re-sign Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson means the Leafs must take struggling Mike Richards ($5.75 million annually for five more seasons) and other assets…The Bruins could have competition for Buffalo’s Chris Stewart as the Calgary Flames are also believed interested in him…Shinzawa also believes the Florida Panthers could shop Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Tomas Kopecky and Sean Bergenheim.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: For more insight into the “Phaneuf-for-Richards” rumors, check out this post from John Hoven over the Mayor’s Manor.
I just don’t see the benefit in moving Kessel. In any trade, he will be the best player involved. Also, how does TO replace kessel’s production?
They’ve been trying to acquire a legit #1 center for years – finding a consistent 30 goal/top 10 pt producer is not any easier to get. This season has been horrible, but I’d be patient, bring in the new coach and see how things go.
Because by the time the Leafs are ready to compete, Kessel will be past his prime. It’s a sell-high situation to stock the team with younger players with lots of upside, so they all blossom around the same time. Having Kessel here for another three or four years through a rebuild is a waste of cap space, and his talent. He needs to go to a team with a supporting cast, and less spotlight.
Considering Nonis is the architect that led to this “horrible season” they first need to find his replacement and then let him hire the coaching staff. Having said that, no coach – not even Babcock – can turn this sow’s ear into a silk purse. As for Kessel, are you confident that a guy who pays no attention to conditioning or the defensive aspects of the game is going to be able to continue his past production under a coach who might well demand a two-way effort from ALL his players? An $8 mil cap hit for the next 7 years in an uncertain cap world is one helluva gamble, so does it really matter what they get in return IF they can find someone from among the limited teams to which he’d be willing to report to take him?
Your right about Kessel being the best player in that trade, but the Leafs wont/cant win the cup with the team they assembled. By the time the Leafs have those pieces in place Kessel will be 30 and not the player or goal scorer he is today. Trading Kessel today gives you a kick start for that rebuild. Hopefully this time they tear this team down and do it right. This rebuild will need to take 3-5 years and build with young talent that will learn and grow together. Keeping Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozak, Lupul, Franson etc etc will only slow the process down. Leaf fans know what their team looks like and are ready for this rebuild to be done right.
It is not necessarily the players that are the problem… It is the money being paid to them. TO should have traded some of these guys wanting big money before their contracts were up.
Nonis/ ownership are to blame for the sheer quality of bad expensive contracts. Montreal was ready to walk away from PK … Toronto should have done the same with Gardiner and Dion.
Mtl was willing to walk away from PK?
They gave him 9 mill max term minutes before an Arbiter ruled on an arbitration case where he would be awarded a much cheaper shorter deal Russ…I dont think they were too eager to walk away.
Again an odd way of looking at things…
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/canadiens-sign-p-k-subban-to-2-year-deal-1.1328485
Before Subban won the Norris trophy and when there were some issues regarding his play Montreal refused to sign Subban for the money he was wanting.
The team stuck to its guns and said show us your potential and we will give you the big contract. (Now think of Gardiner)
Yes 2 years later the Habs signed him to big money but not before PK realized his potential.
Give your head a shake Russ bridging a guy on his first contract is miles off willing to walk away. Think about it for a second, I doubt evey other gm in the league is willing to walk away from their best prospects by bridging them, its just a tool in the cba to keep cost down. You live in a land of make believe.
There was plenty of speculation as the season started that year that PK would be traded if he did not sign. There was tons of bad blood going both ways in this particular contract negotiation. Ask the Hab fans…
Toronto did not do that with Gardiner. You whine and complain about how the Leafs play on the ice but you refuse to see where the real issues are in the organization.
There was media speculation sure but Bergevin was never seriously going to walk away from P.K.. How would they replace him? I believe the bad blood narrative was completely media driven.
Completely agree, the Leafs will only move Kessel if it’s the right hockey deal for the future of the organization. It may take a couple of years to structure that team for the purpose of competing for a Stanley Cup.
Side note: In similar ways I feel the same about the Bruins. They’re lacking a multiple areas, unfortunately the market for the types of players the Bruins need is weak or the players require substantial packages to obtain… most of which the Bruins organization and fans for that matter, are reluctant to part with. Unless P.C. has some magic plan in place to acquire a couple of noteworthy players by the deadline for another playoff/cup run. The relation to the Leafs point is that if the Bruins fail to make the playoffs or are a round 1 and done, it may reveal a bigger issue and that’s the “window of opportunity” is closing for many of the players on this team. Chara and Seidenberg for example are having bad seasons, it may be because of recent injuries or just poor play… or it could be that these players have met their age and are in rapid decline. The prime window for this team could be gone, certainly if another season passes it’s going to become much tougher. The youth on the team are slowly coming into their own, but may still be a couple of years away… Rask at that point may be past his prime when that time comes, Chara and Seidenberg will be a thing of the past when our young players are ready to shoulder all of the responsibility. Difficult decisions…
I don’t feel bad for The Bruins – they built a team – they had a 2-3 year window during which they won a cup. Just make the playoffs – anything can happen…
I think its getting blown a bit out of proportion, 5hey may move Kessel, but its in no means to dump Kessel. If they cant get what they want for him he isnt going anywhere. I b3lieve their thinking is that a player like him could bring in many pieces to help rebuild, alot around here are acting like its somekind of salary dump which isnt the case. They dont need to move Kessel, they may look into it but doesnt mean they will. Again the media seems to be putting the cart before the horse. They are not trading a 30 goal guy for some B level prospect and a pick just to get rid of some salary, Im pretty sure the Leafs ownership (Bell and Rogers)can afford him and there are other way to trim some money off the cap, besides getting hosed on a deal for your best player. Also does Phils nmc really mean much? Seems to me like a guy that aslong as he knows where he is going he is probably pretty willing to waive just to get away from guys like Feschuk, and the gong show of media in the Leafs locker room.
I agree that Kessel isn’t a salary dump. The Leafs should get a solid package in return though it may be difficult to get anything close to equal value. There will be a limited number of suitors because of the contract. I think Kessel is slightly overpaid given how one dimensional and inconsistent he is but he still has tremendous value. There just aren’t going to be a lot of teams that can afford him and will have the necessary assets they are willing to part with.
As a Habs fan, I agree with you entirely. He might be frustrating, but how on earth could you ever replace his production? And if not trying to, what are the multiple pieces you’d get that makes your team better?
Way better idea to make other changes and see how it all shakes out.
All this talk about trading Kessel while he’s still in his prime is fine and dandy, but given all the mitigating factors isn’t his value at an all time low? When you take into consideration the team’s on and off-ice struggles, Kessel’s sudden and prolonged lack of productivity, questions surrounding his heart, desire, intensity and conditioning, along with accusations of being a “coach killer”, not to mention that albatross of a contract, I can’t help but question the value in moving him at this point in time. Just spitballin’ here, but if by some favor from the hockey gods, the Leafs land the number one pick in the entry draft, I wonder if adding McDavid into the mix causes the anti-Kessel camp to rethink their position?
Sorry, I don’t agree that Kessel’s value is at an all-time low. The 29 other general managers around the league, know “who” and “what” Phil Kessel is, and who he always has been….just a goal scorer. General mangers aren’t listening to the media or to guys writing on these blogs about the value of a player. He is and always will be a “piece” to a cup run, but not “the piece” to that cup. Other than trying to find the right dance partner who can fit him in, the other 29 GM’s would love to have Phil Kessel on their teams scoring 30+ goals a year for them. Leafs will make a deal only if it can jump start their rebuild, they wont be giving away a top 5 goal scorer for the last 6 years away for nothing. And as for the “albatross” contract, their are a dozen players making more money than him, but only 2-3 that score more than him, so his contract wont be an issue for the team that wants him.
Sportsnet has a great article on Kessel and Patches. It goes through how similar they are as players and their journey.
The only difference between the 2 in the last 4 years is Patches costs 2 mill less a season.
OH AND IS WAY BETTER DEFENSIVELY.
Phil is not what he used to be value wise.
@JustHockeyTalk… you make several valid points my friend. I agree with your assessment of ‘who” and “what” Kessel is, and despite the court of public opinion, yes , most teams would welcome Kessel with open arms. Does he have issues and shortcomings? Absolutely, but his situation and struggles are completely blown out of proportion and exacerbated because of the fish bowl-like scrutiny he finds him self enduring in hockey mad TO. However, will all due respect to your views, I stand by my opinion that his contract is a huge detriment, mainly due to its length, and recent reports of some huge bonus monies coming due in the off-season. While 29 other GM’s would love to have him on their teams, the reality of that contract makes it an onerous task to fit him in, given the cap space or self imposed budgetary restraints of the financially challenged.It severely limits the Leafs in regards to the number of teams with which they can deal, and if they really are hell bent on trading him, they may have to eat some of that salary or accept a deal they and their fans may consider sub-par. As a long suffering Leaf fan I am in no way a Kessel hater, and feel, like you, that he is a “piece”, and my own personal inclination would be retain that piece, at least for a while… you can always trade him in a year or two. Why not see if you can make him a “piece” of the rebuild?
Make that 28 GMs, I highly doubt the Bruins are interested, they were down that road and really understand what they would be getting!
Touche’! LOL
I like Hoven and Mayors Manor, generally think the insight there on the Kings is great but there are some mighty big holes in those arguments concerning the Leafs picking up Richards and the Kings interest in Phaneuf. The Kings must in fact have some interest in Phaneuf and on the other side if the Leafs were so bent on getting Richards as an option this deal could be alot less complicated say franson and a prospect or a cheap 1 year contract, opens up enough space for the Leafs and Kings to swing a deal for Richards and saves the Kings a tonne of money going forward. There may be a deal in there somewhere, but I doubt the Leafs are so inlove with Richards and his contract that he is the endgame as that article makes it seem, and I am pretty sure there are easier ways to save a mill or 2 off the cap than dealing Phaneuf for Richards and a 4 or 5 year vet of the AHL. If this is Nonis grand plan he should be fired before it sees the light of day.
Leafs just traded Santorelli and Franson to the Preds.
I remember someone mentioing the exodus begins after the Habs Leafs game…lol
First round pick prospect and Jokanen…not too shabby
Now flip Jokinen for a later pick say a 4th or 5th rounder on deadline day…
you also said franson would get nik Ritchie straight up! lol
decent trade. I wonder what the plan for jokinen is – audition or another asset to move at the deadline? I no nothing about liepsic save for his stats. might be a player there, but another smallish center.
Now if sekera can get moved before the deadline there may actually be notable interest in petry and a bit of a bidding war (one can only hope).
Pretty decent indeed got their first for Franson, and Liepsics stats seem to look like another Conner Brown type guy, and the opportunity to maybe pick up another pick if the can move Jokinen…pretty sweet.
Great trade for Toronto. Brendan Leipsic is a great pick up. He is that player everyone will hate to play. He has the potential to be mentioned with names like Claude Lemieux, Marchand, and Fleury.
Olli is likely is just freeing a spot on Nashville roster.
leafs got there late first but cost franson and santorelli jokienen throw in and liepsics might play in the nhl but wouldn’t crack a playoff teams lineup
Draft position aside was Liepsics ranked as a better prospect than Ritchie by Espn and Dobbers top prospects…just say’n lol
lol hockeyfutures has him as a probability of success as a D! lol
Now you sound like a joke. The Leafs pull off a good trade, get a first round pick, an A prospect (0.8 ppg AHL at 20y/o) and a veteran that can still be flipped and all you can do is criticize? Are you 12? Can’t man up and admit you were wrong about the year value of dinner of the leafs?
autocorrect errors aside I think my point is valid…this is a good pick up and obviously your assessment of the pieces coming back to Toronto are a joke
how was I wrong? lol leaf fans were saying 2nd for both franson and santorelli!! lol they got a throw in in olli a first which is good and a b level prospect and you already over valuing him lol he will be at best a third liner? wake up geez
Leafs get a very late 1st, B prospect n a temp roster player. Solid not spectacular
Sorry jello you are wrong in your assessment of Brendan Leipsic.
This is a great piece for the Leafs.
russ… ive seen him play in Portland and he will be a third liner in the nhl im sorry but not what you think he will be
Jello a couple weeks ago you said you play in the Sweedish elite league…do you have a private plane and fly back and forth to Portland?
what???? lmao where did you come up with that?? lmao
keep on those great drugs shticky! lmao
It is easier to deal with Schticky when you think of him as he is.
A 40 something balding man with a blonde wig in pony tails in his blue and white custom made Toronto Maple Leaf cheerleader uniform practicing his cheers and leg kicks.
In his down time he hangs out at the mall getting his gossip fix with the other girls all the while talking like a valley girl.
lmao good one russ
So guess I was right, Russ does live in a land of make believe…a creepy one where he imagines trans gendered people in cheerleader uniforms while at his computer doing whatever he does.
Whatever floats your boat Russ… whatever floats your boat.
It’s not my keyboard that is all Shticky.
and I am not the one saying imagining men in drag dressed in cheerleader out fits doing leg kicks makes things “easier” for me…Ill just leave it at that
He should be a great fit if he is a 3rd liner. After all, the leafs have 4 3rd lines!
I follow the Dub as well and watched him on several occasions. During the playoffs his agitating play style is a huge advantage and you throw in his scoring abilities and he will make the top six like Marchand.
He has many of the same skills.
maybe just my opinion only time will tell
Jokinen was just a throw in, opens a little more cap room for the Preds, and gives the Leafs another body on the bench. At least 5 yrs passed his prime
Not bad for a “throw in”…http://m.thn.com/blog/meet-the-most-annoying-prospect-in-hockey/
Kessel,Kessel,Kessel,I can remember a guy named Rick Middleton who could not check his hat as a New York Ranger was traded to Boston for Ken Hodge and under the tutelage of Don Cherry became a dynamic 2 way forward scoring many highlight reel goals and killed penalties with reckless abandon.If Kessel could be traded to a team with a pedigree and tradition of a proven system where he alone is not the marquee name and there are other super stars in the room to handle the media,he just may thrive.Unfortunately those teams are hard against the cap and he may wind up with a team where he alone is expected to do it all again and he is just not capable.He needs a better setting to mature as a hockey player and learn the defensive side of the game.Mike “Shakey” Walton is another guy Kessel reminds me of,he never got it.
A better player for Phil to compare with is Alexei Kovalev. A player that never became part of a “Team”. Showed up with amazing skill on some nights then disappeared for weeks on end.
You could never build a team around Kovalev and you will never be able to build a team around Phil.
As far as changing their games it will never happen because they are both too arrogant and think they know everything.
@Russ huge difference between the two. Kovalev had a tireless work ethic, the guy was a beast in the gym where Phil doesn’t know how to spell the word gym. Kovalev was also a”me” guy where he only cared about himself. I personally think Phil does acre about the team it’s just his work ethic isn’t there.
MikeyJ you maybe correct to a point with caring about the team.
Many news stories have touched on the locker room issues in Toronto and how the wrong people are being heard.
Much of that has to do with Dion and Phil. Both IMO are living in days past where talent alone could dictate games. Dion was shipped out of Calgary for that reason.
When you have complacent leaders it creates a poor environment for younger players to develop on the team. Nobody can criticize Dion’s passion but when you look at Dion’s game you see an incomplete defenceman that keeps making the same errors time after time.
It is not rocket science to see why the defensive game in TO has always suffered and it all starts with leadership and a lack of drive to improve on ones weaknesses.
R.I.P steve montador way too young
I remember Steve from Calgary and that amazing run. He worked for everything he got and though maybe not as talented he was definitely not lacking in desire.
RIP
Easy to agree here.
Kessel may be a great scorer but no team is going to take on his 8M contract AND give up the quality pieces that Leaf fans expect…. The Isles are a perfect example, they cen afford Kessel but why would they trade Say Strome and a First only to put themselves in cap hell? Sure its perfect for the rebuilding Leafs But its Suicide for the GM acquiring Kessel.
The Leafs cant really afford to keep Kessel either because he sabotages the rebuild by scoring enough to keep the leafs from bottoming out getting top 5-10 picks instead of top 3 as would be advisable. that doesnt even consider whether or not Kessel is the type of veteran role model Shannahan would want his impressionable top prospects to emulate.
I honestly would not want Kessel on my team if i had a young core. He’s a great scorer but not a leader. he is a complimentary piece at best, maybe the best they could do is to LA for Mike Richards, a 1st and Jordan Weal. I know thats not even close to what leaf fans expect, but its reasonable and allows the Leafs to really bottom out and Rebuild properly, After all why sabotage your own rebuild by keeping him.
I’m no Leaf fan but only morons mention Richards in any trade when he cannot be given away. Like Kessel or not he is pure offense only n a winger. Good but he’s maxed out value at 8m/yr. I see only a Floida or Columbus a likely destination.
Leafs woes is not Kessel related in any way. Bernier n AHL quality team defence is.
Team architects have been at the root of the past 10-15yrs of garbage. Lousy drafting topping the list. As for ppl saying 2 or 3-5yrs for the rebuild thats to maybe be perennial playoff contenders. The East is the weaker conference n teams like Buffalo n Columbus r further along. Much patience needed before TO will be relevant again..
Gordie how does almost 50 yrs of non accountability or even being in a Stanley cup final give them the lame excuse to be patient again before they can expect the leafs to be relevant again. every other orginal 6 team has won at least one Stanley cup since 67 except for the leafs …
Not to mention 12 expansion teams, some several times
Philly twice, LA twice, NYI four, Edmonton five, Jersey three?, etc etc
If they aren’t patient they may end up right back where they are now in a few years. They also aren’t the only ones who have failed to win the cup in a long time or at all. St.Louis, Buffalo and Vancouver are all over 40 years without a cup.
Rangers have 1 cup in the past 75 years. Hawks have 2 since 1961, Leafs have 4. Lets not get carried away with how many cups all these original 6 teams are winning. Yes its been along time and yes the team is terrible but it happens.
Everybody is talking about blowing it up and starting over with the Leafs and justifiably so but the question I have is do they have the management team capable of doing so.Nonis and the scouting staff are jokes and should have been fired long ago.Shanahan is unproven.There are no Ken Hollands or Mike Babcocks here who know talent.
I’m so tired of these clowns claiming the penguins are trading any of Pouliot, harrington, and Dumoulin. And what veteran blue liner is available that would be a fair return? Cox is the same dummy that said the Penguins were interested in Scott hannan. If the pens trade one of those 3 for garbage like hannan Rutherford should be hung at CEC. The pens are not moving any of those 3 because they are letting martin and ehrhoff walk this summer and enjoying some cap space for a couple years. If the pairs next year are Letang/ pouliot, Maatta/ Dumoulin, and Despres/ Harrington with Bortuzzo as the 7th. That’s a young, cheap, dynamic and fast D corps. There’s no reason to not stick to the plan and trade the future for some rental. This was supposed to be a transition year but Botterill has done such a good job reshaping the roster they are real contenders already this year.