- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Trade talk is heating up in Toronto. Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak all have limited no-trade clauses.After the Leafs sign RFAs Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri, their team cap number will be close to $60 million.
Kessel, Phaneuf, Lupul and Bozak make a combined $24.5 million. The Leafs won’t be forced into bad trades just to move them – they don’t have to trade them right away. If the Leafs can get a return for Kessel that helps them out in three or four years, then it makes some sense, but they don’t have to do it.
Phaneuf, Bozak and Lupul have to go in the next couple weeks or by early next season.
Top trade candidates for the Leafs:
1. Dion Phaneuf – six year left at a $7 million cap hit. 10 team trade list, but he might be persuaded at amend the list.
2. Phil Kessel – seven years left at a $8 million cap hit. Will turn 28-years old in October.
3. Jonathan Bernier – he could get $4.5 million on a new deal. The Oilers, Flames and Sharks are looking for a goaltender. Bernier will be 27-years old before the season starts, and if they can get a good return for him it makes sense.
4. Tyler Bozak – three-years left at $4.2 million.
5. Joffrey Lupul – three-years left at a $5.25 million cap hit, with a limited trade clause – 14 teams. Teams were interested before the deadline, but the Leafs would have had to retain salary.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Draft picks may be the common currency heading into this weekend. There is lots of talk going on with teams looking at the prices to move up or what they could get for moving down.Some teams in the top 15 could be looking to move, and that could start with the Sharks at No. 9. The Sharks could add some immediate help and drop back in first or into the second round. They need help in net and on the blueline.
Dion Phaneuf could be a fit for the Sharks. The Leafs would like to move up in the draft from No. 24. The Leafs can also take a contract back.
Under 30-year old who could be traded: Phil Kessel, Kyle Okposo, Ryan O’Reilly, T.J. Oshie and possibly Matt Duchene if the Avs can’t move O’Reilly. The price for Duchene would be extremely high.