On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Mirtle wonders if the Maple Leafs would be able to fit a large contract like Steven Stamkos into their salary structure. The cap ceiling for next season is estimated to be around $74.5 million.The Leafs have almost $40 million commtited to nine players including Dion Phaneuf ($7 million), Joffrey Lupul ($5.25 million) and Jonathan Bernier ($4.15 million). The Leafs are paying $2.5 million for Phil Kessel and Tim Gleason.The Leafs are left with around $36 million for 13-14 players, with roughly $22 million needed to re-sign some of their restricted free agents. Two roster spots could be filled with the entry level contracts of William Nylander and Mitch Marner.
The best case scenario for the Leafs would be if they could move the salaries of Phaneuf, Lupul, Bernier or Tyler Bozak to create some extra cap room.
Bonus cap flexibility would be if players like Josh Leivo, Brendan Leipsic or Scott Harrington could make the jump to the NHL.
On the Calgary Flames …
- The Fourth Period: Flames GM Brad Treliving attended games in Toronto and Ottawa this week. Flames scouting director Todd Woodcroft and president of hockey ops Brian Burke were also in Toronto. The Flames have been offering up defensemen Dennis Wideman and Kris Russell. They will be listening offers on pending UFA Jiri Hudler. The Flames have been linked to the Lightning several times this season – Steven Stamkos speculation. Source saying there likely isn’t a trade in their immediate future.
On the trade market …
- Jimmy Murphy: (from yesterday morning) “More trade buzz amongst NHL scouts last night & today. No specific names but appears Scuderi-Daley trade may have opened things up a bit.”
On the Anaheim Ducks …
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Ducks played only one game in 10 days, which they lost, and are entering a critical four-game road trip.
“When you don’t get any points in (10) days, a lot of teams pass you and go by you,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “So the sense of urgency to get points is a little bit more. I think everybody knows the importance of this week.”