On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- Mark Spector of Sportsnet: One thought that is making the rounds is that the Maple Leafs are stock piling draft picks with plans of taking a shot at a Group II offer sheet in the next year or two.Sam Bennet’s and Leon Draisaitl’s entry-level deal are up after next season. Connor McDavid’s entry-level deal is up in two years.
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman on Nazem Kadri.
“I don’t think he’s untouchable, but he’s moved himself into a position where he’s not very touchable,” Friedman said on Toronto centre Nazem Kadri.
- The Fourth Period: Morgan Rielly is a pending RFA and they are hoping a long-term deal could be done before the summer.
“We talked briefly earlier in the year with Lou about the future,” Rielly’s agent, J.P. Barry, said in an interview on Hockeycentral at Noon on Sportsnet. “I think he wants to take care of some business before we get more involved. But I do expect that we’ll get more involved probably some time after the trade deadline and talking about Morgan.”
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: (mailbag) Think that any Leafs UFA will be moved, including James Reimer. If Reimer is moved, that teams backup would likely be coming back.McGran thinks that Jake Gardiner would be a good fit in Edmonton, but that would be more of an offseason deal.
On the Anaheim Ducks …
- Eric Stephens: Wonder if Olli Maatta’s six-year, $24.4 million extension with the Penguins sets comparables for Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen.
- Elliott Teaford of the LA Daily News: GM Bob Murray said during a conference call that he has the money available to make a deal, but he might not want to mess with a good thing. The Ducks are 20-4-2 since Christmas. Murray did say that he might be interested in a winger
“There are a few guys, if the price is reasonable, that could help,” Murray said. “I emphasize if the price is reasonable. I’ve given you an indication by what I mean by that. We think there are players who can help us in certain areas. Some of these guys we’d like to have for the future, too.”