Get the latest on Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak, Florida Panthers right win Jaromir Jagr & Ottawa Senators winger Chris Neil.
Bozak faces uncertain future.
TORONTO SUN: Rob Longley reports Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak acknowledged uncertainty over his future and those of his teammates heading into the off-season. Bozak’s been the subject of frequent trade speculation this season and he could become rumor fodder this summer. He sounds like he would prefer returning with the Leafs next season. Bozak is also the closest thing to a first-line center the Leafs have.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs are about to undergo a significant rebuild. If they end up moving Kessel, they could also ship out Bozak as the biggest reason for keeping him will be gone. It will also depend upon what additions they make during the NHL entry-draft weekend and the early weeks of free agency.
Could the Senators trade Chris Neil this summer?
Has Neil played his final game with the Senators?
OTTAWA SUN: Don Brennan speculates long-time Senators winger Chris Neil may have played his final game with the club, barring the Sens clinching a playoff berth. Neil is currently trying to work his way back from a broken thumb. He’s signed through next season but there were clubs with interest in him leading up to this year’s trade deadline. Brennan speculates Sens management could move him for the right price.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators GM Bryan Murray left it up to Neil leading up to the trade deadline, as the winger has a modified no-trade clause. Depending upon the level of interest in Neil this summer, I daresay Sens management will still leave the decision in his hands.
Jagr to remain a Panther?
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox cites a report out of the Czech Republic claiming Jaromir Jagr says there’s a good chance he’ll return with the Florida Panthers next season. Jagr credits the Florida sun for giving him more energy and Panthers GM Dale Tallon has expressed a willingness to re-sign the 43-year-0ld future Hall of Famer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jagr gelled almost instantly with young forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov, who’ve also benefited playing alongside a living legend. I believe he’ll return on a one-year, bonus-laden deal with a $2 million base salary.
Chris Neil for Kessel!
LOL. Reminds me of the days when a stinkbomb was chucked into the classroom and then we’d sit back and watch the various reactions.
Seriously, though, with the way the young Sens are developing and with room next year needed for Puempel and perhaps even Paul, and the need to ink RFAs Hoffman, Stone, Chiasson, Zibanejad, Pageau and UFAs Condra and Hammond, some of the old guard taking up cap space will have to go to clear the decks – guys like Phillips, Greening, Legwand, Anderson – and maybe Neil. Of the 5, the one that could stick around though is Neil simply because he brings an 82-game schedule element to the table that none of the others offer. One thing is for certain – he won’t be going to Toronto.
Chiasson, Condra, Greening, Legwand, Gryba, Anderson and Phillips and Neil if they agree to would be the guys i would wager be moving on next season.
Too early to give up on Chiasson – and in his case he doesn’t have to “agree” to go anywhere if they choose to move him. But he is cheap and since it won’t take much to sign him to maybe a 2- or 3-year bridging deal to see how he develops. Condra’s play has worked him back into the mix and unless he starts asking for a substantial increase I’d try and bring him back. if he does, sayonara. Gryba I’m ambivalent about. Maybe he could be offered to a team like Arizona but if Arizona was interested I’d insist they take Greening as well. After all, they need to spend big time just to get to the cap floor so they could easily absorb Greening’s deal.
unless Chiasson learns to play a tougher game he is expendable. Ryan , Stone , Lazar are locked in ahead of him unless Lazar moves back to center somehow. The one guy I have run out of patience with is Cowan. Gryba is low pay and a servicable last pairinf dman. I would also throw Condra a 1 yr 1.5 mil offer just based on his play with Pageau and Lazar the 2nd half. Sens have some depth , perhaps they can package up a goalie, Cowan and Chiasson for a decent return.
You may be right George, I am just thinking if the return is good they will move him. If not they will be patient. Oh and yes I should have Cowen in the list and Gryba is only their as the Sens have lots of D and someone has to be moved. They have more D in the minors as well and I am thinking they will try and bring in a veteran to the back end.
Ranger clinch Presidents Trophy.
Who would have thought so except NY4Life 🙂
NY vs NY is almost as good as Mtl vs Tor
Now I’m hoping to see a bit of a natural letdown in the next game against the Sens while the Pens are losing on the Island.
I honestly didn’t think they’d win the Presidents trophy this year. It all really doesn’t mean a thing unless they can reach the finals and get over the hump this year.
But not as good as Montreal vs Quebec. Quebec City neerds a team for one reason – the games between the Habs and Nords. Those were great games, even if you didn’t like either team.
I am going to defend NYR4life as he didn’t think that. He was the one telling me that Talbot was great (which he is dont’ get me wrong) and he solely carried the Rangers to up the standings as before he took the reigns the Rangers were a struggeling bottom of the pack Playoff team.
so no NYR4life did not think they’d win the president’s trophy and he likely grew concerned when the King got his net back.
Just playing with yahs.
Well thanks for defending me Jeff. However, I don’t think I ever stated Talbot was great, or solely carried them to where they are today. I think I said a few days back that the system in front of Talbot or Lundqvist (and defense) is the main reason they are successful. But if you can point out where I stated either of those 2 things….I’ll give you a dollar (US Dollar).
My mistake. I obviously confused your statement in regards to the argument with Hammond and Dubnyk a while back and how others think they are great this year and you were promoting Talbot in that discussion.
I trust you would find that an understandable misunderstanding. I thought you were arguing for the same for Talbot as we did for Hammond. Yet, perhaps great isnt’ the right word at all to begin with it’s all semantic. I obviously confused the issue.
I believe you countered my argument of why Hammond and Dubnyk are getting all the praise as they were two goalies who carried their team into or to the cusp of the playoffs and you stated Talbot did the same bringing a medicore playoff team who was struggling to the top of the standings. Hence equating my belief of Hammond’s and Dubnyk’s great play to that of Talbot’s great play.
But I guess I misunderstood your statement there and why you said it. It wasn’t Talbot who was great but sound positioning and a solid all around game from the team. Perhaps when I read your statements I should remember not to link them to the topic of the discussion and allow them to stand alone. That way you will seem less like a flip flopper to me.
Funny though how you have this urge to argue against everything I say. Even when I am on your side. lol
It’s all good. I obviously either have a reading comprehension issue which did not get in the way of my Education somehow or I simply and honestly don’t understand your post form time to time.
I actually wasn’t arguing with you, I actually thanked you. But before someone read your statement I wanted it clear….I never stated Talbot was “great”. Nor did I say he was the primary reason for any of the success. Because people will take you misquoting me and run with it in later discussion. I just simply clarified you misquoting me…..If I grossly misquoted you saying something, I’m sure you’d be all over at least defending what you actually stated.
On the other hand I think a LOT of people here were making it out to be like Talbot had ZERO hand in their success when Lundqvist went down. Like he took nothing but weak wrister’s from center ice and had zero quality chances against which was/is also untrue. The Rangers had PLENTY of sloppy games and Talbot came through huge for them. Which was my original argument if I’m not mistaken.
I was just having a bit of fun NYR4life. You are correct. I was trying my hand at Trolling lol.
Alls good.
Can you guys just kiss and get it over with?
That’s like 5 Canadian dollars now…
US dollar? Take the deal, Jeff! That’s, like… $30 Canadian at the moment! 🙂
Haha Darryl K and Paddy.
Leafs vs Habs…….
in the ’60’s maybe
I concurr with you Lyle. There is just to many bodies and not enough spots. However Neil still has value, which is why other teams want him and the Sens will be content retaining him but if he decides to move on it is a sensible move for the Sens.
Glorious night of hockey last night. Pens n Kings on the rooes. Go Canada Go
When was the last time four Canadian teams made the playoffs?
or five if Ottawa squeezes in?
Have to think the leafs, if they do a full rebuild, will move out their core players. It would be great to see them get a second for bozak. This draft is deep so getting guys like blackwood, pilon, siegenthaler, ahl all available in that second round range should be a priority. Anyone they can move for picks should be a priority.
Kessel, phaneuf, guys like that should be moved to teams (if possible I know) that have multiple picks in that range. Calgary, la, Columbus, edmonton and Buffalo if possible (-again). Mohave to think Columbus will be looking to add in the offseason, la maybe too. Mthemither teams who knows.
Bozak fetches at least a 2nd
Trade Bozak/Reimer to the Oilers for 2-2nds maybe?
What would it take, salaries aside, to get the second pick from edmonton? Would a bernier – gardiner and nashvilles pick to start be good? What about a bernier, phaneuf and the Nashville pick to edmonton for the second, pouliot and nikitin? Toronto would maybe add a prospect type in there.
I’m just throwing out ideas.
Maybe….
Phaneuf/Bernier/Preds 1st
for 1st/Nikitin
Ehh I dunno if thats a smart move for Edmonton…and I am a Leaf fan and dont mind Phaneuf. I guess it does dump Nikitin but…just feel like its a steep price for Bernier and a late first round pick something about thos deal doesnt look right for either team really.. it just doent quite look right for either team. I think Edm8ntons pick is a little too high at the same time I think Phaneuf and Bernier are worth more than a pick and a salary dump….tough to say.
I have just one more. Just something I was thinking about. If Phoenix wins the draft lottery and picks first, what are the odds of them trading with a rebuilding team like toronto for his years first ( or players etc) and torontos 2016 first rounder. The only reason I say this is next years first should be Matthews who plays in the usdl. He is from Glendale and is supposed to be as good as eichel. Any thoughts? I know they are a budget team and can’t spend to the cap but still….
Pie in the sky thought would be Kessel, nashvilles first or jvr for the first and some player? Don’t kill me on this one, I’m on vacation and just had a random thought….
if Arizona wins the lottery not a chance in hell they deal that pick ANYWHERE. And even if they ever did dangle it, there are at least 20 teams with a whole lot better (and cheaper) talent to send their way than Toronto.
Oh please list those other 20 teams package. Please.
I don’t have to list them. At least that many have better and more reasonably-priced players both on their NHL rosters and in their systems than do the Leafs. There is NO combination from the Leafs that would entice me to give up the 1st pick.
why don’t you go take a box of tissues and cry yourself out you have nothing good to say about leafs we beat you get over it
Who the hell cares about that? The Leafs can’t beat Buffalo. Big deal. Every team has a nemesis. But tell me, when was the LAST time the Leafs reached 95 points in a season? How many times have they made the play offs in the past decade?
when they beat the sens
MacDavid is a “generational” player to most eyes. No one passes on that.
No way in hell do the oilers give up their pick. Unless you mean their pittsburgh 1st round pick then sure. If the oil get 2nd overall it will be eichel getting drafted to the oilers. A prospect like that doesnt come along every year especially being cost effective for the next 3-4 years ( depending on what they do with him). Bernier is a slight step up on scrivens… Yeah yeah bernier stood on his head for the 1st half of the year, but big deal.. Where has he been the 2nd half? Laurent brossoit has been very good in the minors and he will get the next shot at starting.
Sadly though.. There is no panic from oilers management or ownership to get better right now. Stock the cupboards. New arena for the 16/17 season. 2 year waiting list/lottery for season tickets…
Season tickets for next year actually went UP in edmonton. If you can believe that… Im sad to say this is all coming from an oilers fan…
Shticky
Good points
How about:
PhaneufReimer for
Pens 1st/Nikitin
Draft Strome or Raantenen or maybe Hanifin
I cant understand why people keep thinking the oilers want anything to do with reimer? he is no upgrade from the goalies they have and I doubt phaneuf would go to edm
I concur with you Jello. I think the Reimer thing is a Leaf fan hope.
Canuck fan actually
Scrivens/Fasth suck back-ups at most. Reimer starts the Oilers using a tandem n cheap contract n new start.
Oilers can not get the 2nd pick!
Yep, thats true now Looks like oil will get 1st or 3rd. No room for phaneuf. K lowe and his merry band of misfits will surely sign schultz to some ridiculous contract…. Look at the nikitin signing! Now if they could get rid of ference or buy out nikitin…..
And leaf fans… Beat it with trying to pawn off reimer! Hes no good! Hes been in the show for what…4 years and has yet to grab the reins! Your only hope to get rid of him is to winnipeg… Last offseason!
Was at an oil game a couple weeks ago..( free tickets) go to a bar downtown andwho shows up exactly 1 hr 15 minutes after the buzzer? Eberle and hall!
Sad.. But true. Given the keys to the kingdom with nobody around to make sure theyre even using them correctly.
yep! have a Player’s Seat reserved at Black Watch* for Hall assuming he’s traded for during the summer by the new Sharks GM.
* – infamous bar in Los Gatos, CA where players have an assortment of slugbusters to get their game back on track.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the East plays out. I’m wondering if AV doesn’t rest Girardi, Staal, Nash etc. to let Ottawa stay alive and kill NYI’s chances a little bit? If the Isles Beat Pittsburgh, and Buffalo can show up for 1 game against Pitts….Pitts will be out. Boston has 3 games, Washington, Florida, Tampa…..YIKES! Who is in and who is out?
And that aint me….lol