- Male Leafs Hot Stove: Bob McKenzie on the Blue Jackets trading with the Maple Leafs and not with the Kings or Hurricanes.
“I couldn’t honestly tell you that I know for a fact there was conversation between . What I can suggest that is, of those three you mentioned – Clarkson, Semin, Richards – Semin wasn’t a fit in the eyes of Columbus. They were not looking for a high-end, underachieving goal-scoring winger. I don’t think they were eager to bring in another center in Richards. I think Clarkson fit the profile of what they were looking for: A guy to go up and down the wing and chip in some goals. Expectation is not to fulfill the $5.25 million so much. Columbus is a hard-working, physical, in-your-face hockey team. As they look at those other options, Clarkson fit the profile better than anything else. They weren’t going to try to swing for the fences on a 40-goal year from Semin. They didn’t want to try to reprise Richards‘ role… A guy like Clarkson will look at Columbus as his salvation, whether he’s playing on the first line or third line, and they’re talking about putting him in either one of those spots.”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN radio “Obvious Nonis has a boss & it’s Shanahan.” “Even though he has autonomy in his contract he’s not making trades/signings without running it by Shanahan” “I’m sure Dubas, Pridham & go down the list were all involved in this one bc it’s a complicated one: Clarkson for a contract” “That’s why you have Dubas & Pridham on board, to research” “I’ve said this all along Nonis doesn’t give a rat’s you know what if he gets fired today, next week or 5 years from now” “if you manage worried about job security you’re just not going to do a very good job. Can’t look over your shoulder” “you got to work & that’s exactly what he is doing” “this teardown is going to continue & Shanahan needs a henchman.” ” needs someone who isn’t afraid to get blood on his hands &, obviously, that’s Dave Nonis” “Nonis was there in the room when Carlyle got the extra year on the deal & the assistant’s got gonged” “Nonis was there when Poulin & Loiselle lost their jobs. Nonis was there when Hunter was hired. He’s been there all along” “do you fire Nonis & bring in a Shero/Chiarelli? How happy are those vets to complete teardown before they can start the rebuild?” “you might as well let Nonis continue to do the dirty work & if he’s not the architect to rebuild then that’s up to Shanahan”Darren Dreger on TSN radio: “I think that the Leafs look at Franson the way he is now on Nsh: a 4-5 D on a good team.” “the Leafs aren’t a good team, so why spend $ and term on a player that won’t be a long-term fit for you anyway”
Darren Dreger on TSN radio: “something sticks w/ me. I had a conversation w/ Babcock in the off-season. He said if he wants a project he’ll stay in Detroit” “said Det is a project that he knows well & I know what the approach is. That project has turned out to be a good one this season” ” not looking to be part of a rebuild” “of course, if the Leafs magically win the lottery & win McDavid that will have an impact ” “I’m watching 2 teams : the Bruins & the Ducks” “if things don’t go well there there’s the potential for a change in Ana. That’s what Babcock is looking for” (jokingly)”Babcock loves his son but he might disown him for Getzlaf. That’s the type of opportunity I think he’s looking for”