On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
TSN: James van Riemsdyk knows his name is in the rumor, but he’s trying his best to tune it out as it’s something he has no control over.
Darren Dreger said earlier this week that it would make sense for the Maple Leafs to move one or more of van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak or Leo Komarov if the Leafs are planning on being patient.
“There’s no right answer in terms of how everything’s going to turn out,” Dreger told TSN Radio 1050. “If you believe that the path is to be patient, then it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to hold on to the assets of the ‘own rental’ in JVR, Komarov and in Bozak. Because you could flip those – between now and February 26 – pieces for a lot. For a lot that maybe helps you in the short term, but most importantly on the long-term.
“But, then you have to balance that with ‘Okay, we’re a playoff team. So if we keep those assets, and we win a round, well that’s incredibly valuable experience for those young players.'”
On the Montreal Canadiens …
TSN: Bob McKenzie on TSN 690 radio on Canadiens pending free agent Tomas Plekanec.
“So getting back to your original question on Plekanec, I don’t know. I would think it would probably just be a draft pick, but I don’t know which one. I’d be surprised if it’s a second-round pick, but I guess if there was a team that really felt they had a need and that Plekanec was the only guy that fit it somebody would, but that might be overly-ambitious on my end.
“And as I said before, I’ll be curious to see if Plekanec even moves.”