Fleury may not be worth the cost, and Giordano may be a nice get for the Maple Leafs
Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star: The Toronto Maple Leafs have $3.7 million in projected salary cap space so their options without moving out salary is somewhat limited.
If it costs a first-round pick and prospects to land Marc-Andre Fleury with salary retained, is it really worth it given his numbers aren’t that different from the Leafs current main duo? Braden Holtby likely isn’t going anywhere. Buffalo Sabres Craig Anderson could be available.
On the blue line, Mark Giordano and former defensive partner for T.J. Brodie, would be a nice acquisition for GM Kyle Dubas.
The Leafs should also get a timeline for injured defenseman Jake Muzzin who is coming off another concussion and is skating this week.
Wild have some holes to fill and may not be willing to move their first
Michael Russo of The Athletic: Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin said they don’t want to trade their first or mortgage their future for a rental player that they won’t be able to re-sign.
The Wild have lost 10 of their last 14 but are still in it and will be buyers.
On their wish list could be a center, physical defenseman, a winger with some grit and maybe a goaltender.
Signing draft pick Jack McBain and burning a year of the deal had been in the Wild’s plans but Jeff Marek reported on the weekend that they are now looking to trade his rights. He would be eligible to become a free agent on August 15th. McBain’s camp has permission to talk to other teams. The Wild would want more than a third-round pick for him.
Sources say that 24 teams called the Wild about McBain. Would think the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets are interested. Jack’s dad Andrew played for the Jets in the 1980’s.
Defenseman Alex Goligoski could be made available but he has a no-movement clause. They might be willing to move their second-round pick.
If they decide to sell off more free agents, Nick Bjugstad, Jordie Benn and Victor Rask could be moved.
It’s hard to see how the Wild can extend Kevin Fiala without trading defenseman Matt Dumba. Signing in the $6 million range seems to be below market value. If Fiala costs too much on any length of deal, then Dumba is likely to stay and Fiala moved.