Domien Cox via Twitter: Cox thinks the Maple Leafs could look at Paul Martin, ahead of Dan Hamhuis, if the bidding isn’t crazy.
Mark Seidel via Twitter: Raffi Torres has been telling people that he’ll be signing the Maple Leafs on July 1st.
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Talks between Nikolai Kulemin and the Maple Leafs are progressing but ‘a deal is not imminent’. Those talks have been put on hold as Nonis and Burke prepare for today. Kulemin still thinks he should be paid like a first line winger, in the $3 million range. John Mitchell, Wayne Primeau and Jamie Lundmark will hit the free agent market. The Leafs may revisit them later on if they are not signed, and other Leaf options don’t work out.
James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Likely targets for Brian Burke and the Maple Leafs: Colby Armstrong, Raffi Torres, and Dan Hamhuis. ‘Next in Line’ for Leafs: Manny Malhotra, Paul Martin, Aaron Asham. ‘Longshot’ Ilya Kovalchuk.
Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: It could be a slow free agent day for the Leafs. It’s speculated that Burke has no interest in Kovalchuk, too much money for too long of term. With a weak free agent class, Burke and Nonis seem more focused on trades. Possible free agent targets could be Matthew Lombardi, Colby Armstrong, Dan Hamhuis and Paul Martin.
