- Jeff Simmons of Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos saying the Maple Leafs are trying “real hard” to trade Dion Phaneuf.
“It’s abundantly clear that he won’t be the captain next year,” Kypreos said Sunday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “So the sooner they can get him out, the better. They’re trying real hard to make that deal going into (Monday).
“It’s a gut feel, but I think (by) this time (Monday), Phaneuf is a member of another hockey club.”
There are teams that need help on the blueline, but Leafs would have to retain part of salary.
“It’s a matter of that contract,” Kypreos explained. “As soon as there’s a number that can be agreed upon, he will not be a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
- Ken Campbell of The Hockey News: Trade rumors that the Maple Leafs and Red Wings have talked about Dion Phaneuf.
This much we know: the Leafs are exploring the possibilities of trading Phaneuf and the Red Wings are looking for a defenseman. Detroit GM Ken Holland and Toronto GM David Nonis have spoken leading up to the trade deadline and the Red Wings will almost certainly be adding a defenseman tomorrow. With Keith Yandle just about off the market, that leaves one fewer defensemen for Detroit to pursue.
Someone close to the situation said a deal was remote. Phaneuf has a limited no-trade clause. A Phaneuf trade (not necessarily to the Red Wings) is more likely to happen in the offseason. If the Leafs and Wings were going to work out a deal by the deadline, the Leafs would have to eat some salary or take back a “less-than-stellar contract” like Stephen Weiss (3 years at a $4.9 million cap hit) and Jakub Kindl.
- Ryan Fancey Bob McKenzie said on SportsCentre that the Red Wings had internal trade talks about going after Maple Leafs Dion Phaneuf and Joffrey Lupul in the past 24 hours.
- Thomas Drance of The Leafs Nation: Darren Dreger on TSN radio earlier this week: “They’re confident that they’re at least going to get a draft pick for Olli Jokinen.“
- Michael Augello: Nick Kypreos said the Maple Leafs are willing to trade James van Riemsdyk for the right price. Dion Phaneuf could be traded on Monday.
- David Pagnotta: The Ducks have inquired about Phaneuf. The Stars are also poking around. The Kings are out. Teams are wanting the Leafs to retain some salary. Told the Red Wings are still in the mix.
- David Pagnotta: The Maple Leafs are standing strong on not retaining salaries, which is making trades a little difficult. The Leafs like Canadiens Lars Eller.
