- Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Five potential landing spots for Maple Leafs Dion Phaneuf and potential trade chips from those teams.Avalanche – Ryan O’Reilly, Joey Hishon, Nick Holden, Jamie McGinn
Ducks – Matt Beleskey, Devante Smith-Pelly, Nick Ritchie, Shea Theodore, Nick Sorensen
Kings – Mike Richards, Valentin Zykov, Nick Ebert, Brayden McNabb
Oilers – Nail Yakupov, Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz, Bogdan Yakimov, Martin Marincin
Stars – Cody Eakin, Brett Ritchie, Radek Faksa, Jason Dickinson, John Klingberg, Jamie Oleksiak
- James Mirtle: The Maple Leafs were not that high on Cody Franson coming out of last season. His solid first half of the season may not be enough to convince the Maple Leafs to offer him a huge deal. The issue for the Maple Leafs is what do on the right side without him. They are pretty thin there and there isn’t much available, which is one of the reasons he’ll have a lot of value on the free agent market.
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “Kadri has to play better if he wants $4.5 or $5 million “
“The message I’m getting is Leafs told Franson: we’re not going to be comfortable paying you what you’ll demand on the UFA market.” “That’s the way it sounds. If that’s the case, it’s not my case to defend any hockey player, but they earn their UFA.” “there’s also pressure from the NHLPA to coax their players into UFA & make most amount of money & they should do that” “Someone is going to give Franson 7 years . Leafs don’t have interest at that term & money.” “What Toronto wants in return, for whatever deal they make, is players that fit into the 22-25 age group.”“We know that calls have been received for Phil Kessel” “My guess is those calls are saying they don’t have flexibility in season, but in Spring & season’s over, let us know if you’re interested in moving Phil.” “I’m not saying Nonis will shop the bigger pieces by why wouldn’t they be in play in the offseason?”
