On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs have forwards under contract next year, not including RFA Connor Brown, injured Joffrey Lupul and Nathan Horton, and youngsters Kasperi Kapanen and Miro Aaltonen.
In a phone interview on Monday, coach Mike Babcock brought up Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk and Leo Komarov.
“They’re real good players,” the coach said. “And two of them or . . . any way you look at it, we can’t all be on the team as we move ahead. It doesn’t work like that. We have to figure out a way when you have opportunities to do what you can.”
Many think that the Maple Leafs will move some forwards for help on the blue line.
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Connor Brown is a RFA and wonders if a five year deal at around $3.7 million would work?
The Maple Leafs have tons of depth on the wing, but something might have to give. May not be easy for Kasperi Kapanen, Josh Leivo, Nikita Soshnikov, Ben Smith or Eric Fehr to get into the lineup and they still have prospects Kerby Rychel, Jeremy Bracco, Frederik Gauthier and Trevor Moore.
Plan A for the Leafs was trade James van Riemsdyk to the New York Islanders for Travis Hamonic but that fell apart.
Four trade options they could explore.
Anaheim Ducks – The Ducks could use a winger and there was lots of trade talk around right-handed Sami Vatanen and Josh Manson last month.
Minnesota Wild – The Wild have already moved defenseman Marco Scandella to the Sabres. They do have an imbalance on the right side and a pressure to win now. The Leafs could target Matt Dumba and/or Jonas Brodin.
Carolina Hurricanes – The Hurricanes have Brett Pesce or Justin Faulk and JVR would welcome the opportunity to play with his brother.
Vancouver Canucks – van Riemsdyk may not have the Canucks on his trade list so the Leafs may have to package draft picks and a prospect for Chris Tanev.
Other options could be Vegas Golden Knights right handed defenseman Colin Miller or left handed Nate Schmidt, or right handed UFA Cody Franson.
Trade deadline targets could be Red Wings Mike Green and Capitals John Carlson (unlikely).