On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- TSN 1050 Radio: (My NHL Trade Rumors transcription) Bob McKenzie was asked what he thinks the trade value for Leo Komarov would be if the Maple Leafs made him available and on the trade market for the Leafs in general.
“Well that’s a good question, because, I mean the other teams aren’t stupid. I’m mean, let’s call it for what it is here. As well as he’s played, and he’s played really well, he’s shooting 25 percent, and nobody shoots 25 percent over the long haul. So those numbers are likely to come down, maybe, and if they are not, everybody knows it some sort of an aberration.”
….
“I don’t think that if the Leafs put him on the trade market, suddenly you’re going to have a whole bunch of teams say ‘oh, we’ve to get this guy, he’s a 30-goal scorer and we’re going to pay a kings ransom to get this guy.’
“People know what he is, but he’s a fixed cost asset for the Leafs, and that makes him somewhat valuable at less than $3 million a year.
“And, there isn’t a player on the Leafs that I wouldn’t, on the NHL roster, I’m not sure there is a single player there that if I were the Leafs, somebody called up and said ‘Hey, I would like to talk to you about so-and-so,’ I’m not sure there is one guy I would say ‘Well, he’s not available.’ Now, most people say that about Morgan Rielly, and probably rightfully so, but I mean, if I was Lou Lamoriello and somebody called me up on anybody on the team, I would say ‘Well, what are you offering?’ and see if it makes any sense.”
- Chris Nichols: Darren Dreger: “In my mind, I believe (Leo Komarov) is going to fetch a first round draft pick” should the Leafs decide to trade him. Late first … “Everything I’ve been told – everything – is their full intention is to stockpile. Both in prospects and in draft picks.”
On the Nashville Predators …
- Chris Nichols: Elliott Friedman: “I don’t think (the #Preds) are going to trade Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen. I really don’t. I think Jones is the safer bet, but I think Johansen is the higher ceiling.”
- Chris Nichols: Darren Dreger: “There’s some who want to connect the Nashville #Preds to the Edmonton #Oilers if there’s that bigger type of trade.”
On the Anaheim Ducks …
- Chris Nichols: Darren Dreger: “I spoke to Bob Murray the other day. He still wants to be patient w/ this team. He doesn’t want to fire Bruce Boudreau. I don’t think Murray’s going to have a choice. I think he’s going to have to make a coaching change very early in the New Year.”
On the Vancouver Canucks …
- Chris Nichols: Darren Dreger on Canucks GM Jim Benning: “looking for improvements, but I don’t think he’s willing – at least at this stage – to do anything drastic.”