On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
The Fourth Period: The Maple Leafs are looking to improve their blue line. They’ve been looking for top-pairing defenseman since the offseason.
Though the Maple Leafs are high on Josh Leivo, they have limited space on their roster.
The Leafs could package Leivo and other assets. They are believed to be looking for a rugged defenseman and a puck-mover.
The Leafs were reportedly close to trading for Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie this offseason. It’s not known if they’ve reopened trade talks.
The Canadiens, Bruins and Sharks have also shown interest in Barrie in the past.
The Maple Leafs have also been tied to the Anaheim Ducks in the past. The price to acquire Sami Vatanen would be more than Leivo. Ducks may not be ready to move a defenseman for help up front yet.
Pierre LeBrun: “worth remembering on Josh Leivo by the way: if he plays in fewer than 34 NHL games rest of the season, he becomes Group 6 UFA. If he plays in 34 or more NHL games rest of the season, he’s RFA July 1” … “CBA rule for Group 6 UFA: any player who is 25 years old as of July 1 and has played 3 or more pro seasons and fewer than 80 NHL games for his career. Leivo turns 25 in May, has played in 4 pro seasons and so far has played 46 NHL games”
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 690 was asked if the Columbus Blue Jackets were to make a trade, what would they be looking to add.
“It’d be a center,” indicated LeBrun. “And that’s why they were in on Matt Duchene. They think they made a pretty good offer is what my understanding is. They didn’t get him. And so just because they didn’t get Matt Duchene doesn’t mean that that desire of adding a center disappears. It’s just that the next person up hasn’t quite materialized. I don’t think it’s clear what Columbus can go out and do now. But at some point in time between now and February 26 there’s no question in my mind I believe the Columbus Blue Jackets have identified that as their top priority, all things being equal, in terms of other potential injuries and other issues.
“But as it stands right now, I think they want to go out and find a top-two center or certainly a top-six forward, and they feel pretty good about their team if they can do that.”