Any Marner leaks won’t be coming from the Maple Leafs
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: The Toronto Maple Leafs can’t do much without knowing what Mitch Marner is going to cost them. Any word on negotiations that leaks won’t be coming from their side as they are in “Lamoriello mode.”
The Leafs also have to figure out Patrick Marleau, Jake Gardiner, a backup goalie, Andreas Johnsson, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Zaitsev and coaching staff.
The Maple Leafs trading Nazem Kadri has some substance but they don’t have much depth beyond John Tavares and Auston Matthews.
Trouba situation could be resolved soon … Would take a big offer for the Jets to move Ehlers
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: The Winnipeg Jets-Jacob Trouba situation should be figured out at the draft.
The Jets don’t have a first-round pick currently but are preparing like they do.
Forward Nikolaj Ehlers is in the rumor mill, but it would take a big offer for them to move him. He has six years left on his deal at a $6 million cap hit. He’s scored 90 goals with 199 points in 298 regular season games but has only recorded seven assists in 21 playoff games. He’s still only 23.
Forward Mathieu Perreault could interest teams, but he carries a $4.125 million salary cap hit.
Coyotes looking to be active
Arizona Coyotes: Coyotes GM John Chayka said they are deep in all areas and are not looking to add four plus pieces this offseason. They will likely be going with the best player available when they pick at NO. 14.
“When you’re looking at the draft, you’re looking at ‘are there assets that we can add to our organization that would otherwise be very difficult to trade for’,” Chayka noted. “As we look through the possibilities at #14, there are a lot of talented players there, and depending on how it shakes out with the first 13 picks, we know that we’re going to get a good player regardless of how that works.”
The Coyotes are happy with the foundation they’ve created but will be active and looking to add.
“We’re excited about the foundation we’ve laid, we’re excited about the players that are coming up, we think there may be a few special opportunities that might present themselves to add to this group and the draft’s the best time,” Chayka said. “We anticipate on being very active and we hope to execute.”