On the Maple Leafs …
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: McGran looking at which Maple Leafs could stay around for their rebuild.
- Morgan Rielly – better than 90 percent.
- Jake Gardiner, Dion Phaneuf, James van Riemsdyk and Scott Harrington – better than 75 percent.
- Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, Jonathan Bernier, James Reimer, Matt Hunwick and Nick Spaling – better than 50 percent. One of Bernier or Reimer could remain with the Leafs as Antoine Bibeau’s eventual backup. Hunwick and Spaling could net the Leafs draft picks or prospects over the next two trade deadlines.
- Peter Holland, Leo Komarov, Shawn Matthias, Daniel Winnik, Frank Corrado and Martin Marincin – less than 50 percent. Holland is on thin ice with coach Mike Babcock. Komarov, Matthias and Winnik are trade deadline fodder.
- Joffrey Lupul, Brad Boyes, Rich Clune, Michael Grabner, P-A Parenteau and Byron Froese – less than 25 percent. Lupul will most likely be traded sooner than later.
On the Penguins …
- Stan Fischler of The Hockey News: Fischler thinks now is the time for the Penguins to trade Sidney Crosby as he is “on the downside of his peak.” He then notes that the Canadiens, Maple Leafs or Kings as realistic trade partners.
On the Bruins …
- DJ Bean of WEEI: Loui Eriksson has arguably been the Bruins best player this season and the Bruins should consider re-signing him. He is entering the final year of his deal that sees him carry a $4.25 million salary cap hit. Eriksson is leading their forwards in ice-time, has nine points in 10 games, kills penalties, and is on the top power play unit. There have been no contract talks as of yet. If the Bruins are out of the playoff picture in a few months, they should obviously start calling around to teams to see how big of return they could get for him. Since the Bruins didn’t make the playoffs last year, Eriksson’s full no-trade clause shifted to a 14 team trade list. He should net them at least a first round pick at the deadline if they decide to move him.
- Don’t expect the Bruins to start re-signing their pending free agents until they see how their season plays out.
- Milan Lucic’s $2.5 million retained salary will be off the books next year.
- They will move on from Chris Kelly, or bring him back at less than his $3 million cap hit.