- Darren Dreger: Some personnel changes for the Maple Leafs will come quickly. Nothing specific, but it’s not likely to be dragged out.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Dion Phaneuf realizes he may have played his last game a Maple Leaf.
“There’s always a chance of change, I accept that,” said Phaneuf. “I understand with the way the season has gone, the speculation, that I have to answer those questions. But that has crossed my mind.”
Phaneuf may not be the only one moving on. The Leafs will be looking to shake up their core which could involve trading the likes of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul.
Head coach Peter Horachek could be let go as early as today.
Assistant coach Steve Spott could return to the Marlies.
GM Dave Nonis’s status is unknown.
Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozak, Lupul and James va Riemsdyk could all be gone by July 1st.
Kessel has seven years left at $8 million. Phaneuf has six years left at $7 million. Lupul has three years left at $5.25 million. van Riemsdyk has three years left at $4.25 million. Bozak has three years left at $4.2 million.
- Jonas Siegel of TSN: Pending RFA goalie Jonathan Bernier.
“I think rebuild is a big word first of all,” Bernier told TSN.ca ahead of his 43-save performance in a win over Ottawa. “Sometimes you’re just missing a couple pieces to really get to the point where you want to be. But I definitely like it here…Whatever decisions they’re going to make in the summer or the next couple years or whatever it is, I’d definitely like to be part of it.”
“Personally I don’t think we’re that far,” he added. “But yeah, I’d love to stay here and for a long time obviously.”
Bernier is a year away from unrestricted free agency, so the Leafs and Bernier may look to a two-year deal.
Siegel notes:
Toronto will have many big picture decisions to make in the coming months. There’s the head coach; the captain; the leading scorer; the general manager; several core pieces; and a top-five draft pick. Rebuild or otherwise, the Leafs are on the verge of major reconstruction, one that is likely to push the club backward before it presumably moves forward again
- Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Darren Dreger on Friday on the Maple Leafs and their coaching situation.
They wouldn’t hire anyone at stage. I don’t think anyone should be surprised. It depends on the coach that Toronto is confident they are going to be able to land. If Shanahan actually believes he can bring in Babcock, he has to clear the slate. Babcock isn’t going to want this guy or that guy hanging around. He’s going to want total autonomy behind the bench. If, and it’s an enormous if, Babcock decides to leave the Red Wings for the Leafs, or any other team, he is going to want considerable say in personnel as well. It would almost become the NFL model where you’re a coach but also a pretty key participant in the management decisions. It’s unusual because the league has evolved beyond that. Pat Quinn once was the coach and GM for the Toronto Maple Leafs; we’ve seen it in the past, but in recent history teams have gotten away from that. I’m not suggesting Babcock is going to get both titles, but I do believe he wants a big piece of player personnel. Is that the right model for the Maple Leafs? Money isn’t going to be an object. They’ll replace their coaching staff, but is it Babcock or McLellan or is it a younger coach, those are the questions that still need some time to answer.