Updates on the Maple Leafs, former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, Jets forward Jim Slater and former Oiler Fernando Pisani.
TORONTO STAR: Damien Cox notes the Maple Leafs front office have yet to fulfill its promises of a massive roster teardown and rebuild. He acknowledges, however, things could get busy in the hurry leading up the NHL Draft in two weeks time.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: While Cox is trying to point out the necessity for the Leafs to engage in a full rebuild as promised, he should know by now that major off-season roster changes rarely occur during the playoffs. If training camp opens in September and most of the Leafs current roster remains intact, then he’ll be justified in taking the front office to task for failing to “walk the walk on its teardown talk.”
Former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson (left) could be interested in a coaching job.
OTTAWA SUN: Former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson isn’t ruling out a role on the Senators coaching staff one day. He’s already spent some time in the front office getting a first-hand look at the process of scouting players on a day-to-day basis.
WINNIPEG SUN: Not much progress to report in contract talks between the Jets and pending UFA Jim Slater.
EDMONTON JOURNAL’s Jim Matheson reports the following via Twitter: “Hearing Fernando Pisani, the Edm 2006 playoff hero who was U of Alberta asst coach last yr, would be interested in job in Oiler org.
As far as tearing the Leaf roster apart is concerned, it’s easier said than done. As you, among many, have pointed out, the Leafs have many core players to longer-term, high salaried contracts which will be difficult to move with a cap that is lower than most forecasted a couple of years ago.
They could exchange some players for toxic contracts from other teams, however, that would not really help the Leafs as at least some of the Leafs players have value on the ice.
I fully expect Toronto to move one or two, at most, of their core as opposed to an entire blowup.
I agree I think that the big contracts(kessel and phaneuf) can be moved but if we want full value something will be coming back! lupul might just be a buy out cant be much value for him giving his injury history it doesn’t look good
Why would Cox make that comment? Playoffs aren’t over, draft is still 2 weeks away, training camp is 3 months away & has the league even determined the cap for 15/16? Well said Mr. Cox lol.
hes not wrong tho if they don’t make the trades by or at the draft free agency is next and some of the teams kessel and phaneuf would go to might have signed players and cant afford there salary
I recall everyone was on the same plan that it was going to be a long and painful rebuild…if they still have most of their core intact that isn’t a failure as Cox implies, it just means as they told us from day one, it’s gonna be long and tough to rebuild. Is it better to move now than later, sure, if it makes sense that is. Cox and all the other media need something to talk about non stop and a big trade can produce a lot of crap stories for weeks.
Alfie, all is forgiven, come to Toronto and join Babcock’s staff.