On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier hasn’t spoken with the Leafs since their exit meetings. He knows there is a chance that he’ll be traded, and is ready for it if it happens.
“Yeah, I can’t control what their plan is, whether I’m in their plan or not,” said Bernier. “At this point now I’m just focusing on myself and making sure I’m ready for training camp. Right now I’m under contract with the Leafs and that’s where my head is. If things change, well, that’s out of my reach.”
Bernier has a year left at $4.15 million. There are coaches and scouts that still see potential in the soon to be 28-year old.
Bernier could start the season with the Leafs and a team may come calling at the trade deadline. The Panthers have shown some interest in Bernier.
On the Trade Market …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1040 on why he doesn’t think trades happened despite all the talk.
“I think that’s part of it, because once Puljujarvi fell to 4, I think Peter Chiarelli put a complete halt to all of those discussions he had with the 4th pick involved, right? Which he admitted himself.
“Bob Murray, the GM of the Anaheim Ducks, made a couple of interesting observations to me after the draft as well guys. He said he can sense a bit of hesitance from some of his colleagues, and himself, because of the expansion draft and because of the $73 million cap. When you put those two things together, everyone is sort of putting it back in the holster for a second to make doubly sure they want to go through with some of the conversations that they’ve had.
“And again, everyone is trying to wrap their mind around, ‘Do you really have to be that wary of an expansion draft that’s 12 months out?’ And some guys are saying, ‘Yes,’ some guys are saying, ‘Talk to me about it at the trade deadline.’