Is Nylander’s dad driving the bus?
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan suggested that William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner should be willing to sign a hometown deal for the greater good of the team in the long run.
If the Maple Leafs aren’t able to get Nylander signed by December 1st, thinks the Leafs have to trade him.
Brooks doesn’t suggest that Nylander isn’t worth what he’s asking for, but he does note that “Nylander has an agent, but his dad, Michael, is surely driving the bus here.
Bobrovsky thinking Price
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Columbus Blue Jackets pending unrestricted free agent Sergei Bobrovsky could be looking for Carey Price money – eight years and $84 million. He has a 5-14 playoff record with a 3.49 GAA and .891 save percentage. Bobrovsky wasn’t given the Blue Jackets opening night start and “why, oh why, does this seem like no good at all could come of John Tortorella’s decision?”
Mason could be ready to hang them up
Sportsnet: Goaltender Steve Mason could be thinking about retiring from the NHL after suffering concussions and a knee injury last year.
“He had a ton of injuries last season, he had concussion and knee issues, he’s been through a lot in his career, and the sense is he may actually be done in the NHL,” Johnston said.
Mason rejected an offer already from someone to be a backup.
Blues may not be expecting to offload at the deadline again
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 690 and was talking about the St. Louis Blues. McKenzie notes that there have been highs and some real lows for goaltender Jake Allen. He’s not the first player to be on the wrong side of the fans – it’s happened in Montreal and in Toronto with Hall of Famer Larry Murphy. Allen may not be given a chance to work through whatever problem he’s having.
The Blues have a history of moving players at the trade deadline if feel it isn’t their year – see Paul Stastny last season. McKenzie notes that it can happen again this season depending on where they are in the standings, but they are expected to be a good team this year.
“I think they expect to be good this year. I don’t think they expect to offload at the deadline. But they’re very early in the stages of building a team around Schwartz and Tarasenko up front, with all of these young players like Kyrou and Thomas and maybe down the road Klim Kostin and some others.”