Maple Leafs still scouting for a right-handed Dman and what they could make available
TSN: Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie on the Toronto Maple Leafs interest in a right-handed defenseman and who they could make available.
“What we continually are told is that ‘Yeah, they’re scouting (right-shot defencemen), but they don’t want to give up a player off their existing NHL roster,'” Dreger said on the TSN Hockey Bobcast. “So, then you look to the (Toronto) Marlies and you see (Timothy) Liljegren, you see (Andreas) Borgman, and you see Jeremy Bracco and guys like that – I’m sure everybody’s asking for (Rasmus) Sandin, but that’s not happening.”
“They’re not getting Sandin,” McKenzie added. “And there are other people who maintain that Liljegren is an untouchable too and I don’t believe that. That’s my take, is that he could be had, that Sandin’s the guy that they really want to protect at all costs. But that they’d be much more open to just about anybody else off the Marlies.”
Potential trade targets according to Dreger are Adam McQuaid, Brett Pesce and Justin Faulk.
Coyotes GM on the trade deadline
Craig Morgan of The Athletic: From a Q&A with Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka leading up to the trade deadline.
“We’ve had a lot of discussions and we’re going to continue to have a lot of discussions right up until the deadline. There is a lot of inventory out there right now. It’s about finding the right fit for our group with all those considerations I just mentioned. And then the cost”
Chayka continues that he’s not going to overpay for anything and that he’s a long-term thinker.
He adds they could use some scoring and power play help.
Chayka on the trade market right now.
“There is quite a bit of inventory out there. There are quite a few teams that are looking toward the rebuild route. They’re trying to gain future assets. We’re not looking to be in the rental business unless we find there is such an inefficiency that maybe we want to rent a player to potentially sign him. Those things are all on the table but we’re mainly looking to get a player with some term. The market is very, very active right now with a lot of discussions – the most I have ever been a part of.”