LeBrun on Johnsson free agent talk
Pierre LeBrun: (On Dreger’s note that Maple Leafs made a push before the trade deadline to get Andreas Johnsson signed)
“Don’t blame the Johnsson camp for wanting to wait. Piling up more points alongside Matthews only helps boost his arb case or traditional negotiation. But it’s also plain as fact if he doesn’t play ball a bit on his next deal he won’t be a Leaf next year. Need middle ground there”
Maple Leafs – Oilers deadline talk
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on his 31 Thoughts podcast on the Toronto Maple Leafs – Edmonton Oilers trade talk at the deadline.
“There was something there,” said Friedman. “Edmonton wanted Connor Brown. I think there were a lot of teams that asked Toronto about Connor Brown. I think Edmonton wanted Connor Brown. I believe Toronto’s target was Matt Benning. I’ve heard those same rumors.
“Now, someone told me that there was a report that Adam Larsson’s name came up as part of the Connor Brown deal. I’ve heard that’s not correct. But I don’t like to dump on other people’s reports. I’m just saying that I heard that was not correct and that Larsson was never discussed by the Oilers. But I heard it was Benning and for Brown.”
Jeff Marek also brought up that Jujhar Khaira was part of some talks with the Maple Leafs.
Friedman later brings up that he heard Zack Kassian for Brown, so it sounded like the Oilers really wanted Brown.
A few other teams inquired about Brown, the Leafs obviously decided to hold on to him.
“…they preferred not to give up Brown for a rental. I think they still like him a lot. If he was going anywhere, I think it was going for someone with term, and they’ll have to deal with all of this in the summer when they see what they have to do.”