On the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes and Boston Bruins …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs are in the playoff hunt and it’s no secret they could use another defenseman. Friedman was asked who they could possibly target and what the costs might be.
“For defensemen right now, it’s expensive,” noted Friedman. “You look at what Edmonton had to give up to get a defenseman last year. That’s what they’re kind of doing with a guy like van Riemsdyk – is if he goes, they’re hoping it’s for a defenseman. I mean look – and I’m just throwing this out there – I think if for any reason a guy like Nylander could get them a defenseman too, I wonder if they would think about it.”
It’s not easy to find a defenseman. The Colorado Avalanche are looking for a defenseman, not to trade one.
Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone’s could be mentioned a lot before the deadline. He’s a pending UFA and a pretty good player.
Teams are asking the Bruins about Brandon Carlo. The Bruins have been reluctant to include him in Jacob Trouba and Gabriel Landeskog deals.
“But a rental like a guy like Michael Stone? You’re right. I’m not sure the Leafs will want to pay that price because even though I think they’re going for it as a team this year, they still do look at the big picture.”
Rory Boylen of Sportsnet: If the Maple Leafs decide to add to their lineup, it would likely be for a defenseman. It’s unlikely that the Leafs would be very big sellers at the trade deadline again now.
Trading James van Riemsdyk if they don’t think they can re-sign him after his contract runs out after next season remains a possibility at some point. May be better to trade him with a full season left as opposed to in-season next year.
Jeff Marek: The Kitchener Rangers (OHL) could trade Maple Leafs prospect Jeremy Bracco, with the London Knights as a rumored destination.