On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Steve Simmons of Toronto Sun: Curtis McElhinney wasn’t the Maple Leafs first choice as a backup to Frederik Anderson. An agent thinks that they got caught in the higher prices for backups this offseason and settled on McElhinney.
If Joffrey Lupul really wanted to play hockey wouldn’t he have skated with players in California this summer or told people close to him that he wanted to return to playing?
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet: Josh Leivo was only able to get into 13 NHL games for the Maple Leafs last season and is fighting for a roster spot again this season. The Maple Leafs protected him for the expansion draft, but it doesn’t mean he’s a lock for the team.
One rival team talked to the Leafs about Leivo but found the asking price too high.
Scouts have been watching the Leafs, and a trade could be a possibility.
“Potentially, it could be that,” Leivo conceded. “But I’m here focused on making this team. I want to play here. It’s fun to play with these guys.”
On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (chat) It would be hard for the Dallas Stars to trade backup goalie Kari Lehtonen his season due to his $5 plus million salary, and doesn’t think the Stars want to. The Stars don’t really have anyone else in the system that is ready to be a backup.
On the Marian Hossa and Joffrey Lupul …
Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times: The NHL is awaiting medical report for Marian Hossa.
‘‘Marian Hossa underwent an independent medical evaluation several days ago,’’ NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email to the Sun-Times. ‘‘We are waiting for the report. Once we have that, we should be in a position to determine his proper status.’’
Kevin McGran: Joffrey Lupul called Marian Hossa after to Hossa’s tests to see what the tests were.