On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: There is ongoing speculation regarding the Maple Leafs front office. Lou Lamoriello’s three-year contract is up after the season.
The Avalanche and Coyotes had interest in Maple Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas in the past, and the Hurricanes might be interested this offseason. How long would Dubas be willing to wait for the Maple Leafs GM position?
Mark Hunter, the other Maple Leafs assistant GM has also said he wants to be an NHL GM. If the Leafs were to hire Dubas, Hunter could look elsewhere.
Maple Leafs assistant coach D.J. Smith could get head coaching interest. Toronto Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe could get some interest as well.
Brendan Shanahan and the front office may already know how things will play out, but until they make an announcement, there will be lots of speculation.
On the Boston Bruins …
Matt Kalman: Pierre McGuire said on yesterday’s broadcast that the Bruins will be adding Ryan Donato “soon.” Before the Olympics, it was said several times he would be joining the Bruins after they were over.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: On Sportsnet’s 31 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek were talking about the Edmonton Oilers. Friedman had brought up last week that the Oilers could be showcasing defenseman Oscar Klefbom, despite him possibly being injured. Marek challenged this.
“How can it be a showcase if he’s injured? He’s not going to show well,” Marek said.
Friedman responded saying, “Well people understand what he was…”
Marek: “Do you need to see him now? That’s the point I don’t get. If you’re running him out there hurt, what’s the value for anybody, certainly not for Klefbom, not for the Oilers?”
Friedman. “I don’t know. Honestly, Jeff, there is so many questions about this thing that I have. I can’t answer this question. But the fact is I think that teams were scouting him and I think that people were looking at him.”