On the Colorado Avalanche …
Chris Nichols: Darren Dreger on WGR 550 radio: “I had one Western Conference GM tell me yesterday he thinks a Duchene deal could go down as early as end of this weekend.”
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic Cleveland: Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray on all the trade rumors this offseason.
“After everything this summer, and after how last season went,” Murray said, “I didn’t think there was a chance in hell I’d be back here.”
notes that trade talks between the Colorado Avalanche and Blue Jackets are ongoing. It has been out there that Murray has been part of the trade offer for Matt Duchene.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Derren Dreger on TSN 1050 was talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs and if there could be any forwards on the move.
“I’m not suggesting the Leafs are peddling, but I am looking at a team like Anaheim as an example. I know the Ducks would like to add a third-line forward. They’re aware, as all teams are, that Toronto seems to have an abundance. You never know; maybe there will be some talks.”
Darren Dreger: “Based on an abundance of forwards other teams may have interest in. Doesn’t mean likely or that discussions underway. Potential is all.”
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1050 talking about the importance of the Maple Leafs signing William Nylander to a contract extension. LeBrun notes that sometimes waiting could cost a team more – if the Bruins had signed David Pastrnak before last season, they would have paid less than the $6.66 million.
“If I’m the Toronto Maple Leafs, I want to sign him now because I’ve seen enough, especially from the second half last year, that suggests I know what the numbers are for William Nylander this upcoming season. It’s just going to cost more and more.
Do it now, and do a sensible deal. From Nylander’s perspective, if I had to guess, their camp probably will want to put things on hold once the season starts. In other words, this is a fertile window right now. Once the season starts, I don’t really see them wanting it as a distraction for a young man. They’ll probably want to wait until closer to the end of the year.”