On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- Frank Seravalli of TSN: Leafs players are trying not to look ahead to the trade deadline, even though they know changes to the roster are coming.
“I try not to think about that,” forward P.A. Parenteau said after Tuesday’s morning skate. “I’ve said from Day 1 this season that I’m taking it day by day and game by game. That’s the mentality that I’m going to try to keep through the end of the year.”
Parenteau is one of the Maple Leafs pending free agents that likely isn’t part of the Leafs long-term plans. Other UFAs that could be on the move for prospects and/or draft picks include Roman Polak, Nick Spaling, Shawn Matthias, Michael Grabner and Brad Boyes. James Reimer is also a UFA, but he may not be going anywhere.
Scouting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers …
- Adam Kimelman: Scouts watching the Flyers and Leafs last night: Red Wings and Sharks.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1050 on the Oilers and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
“I think with Edmonton, the only thing that changed is that a couple of teams have been calling on Nugent-Hopkins. Now, I don’t think Edmonton – in fact I know – they were not shopping him. I don’t think that was a priority for them, was to trade Nugent-Hopkins. But it doesn’t prevent other teams from checking in, because he’s a young center.
“Nashville did have a conversation. The Predators phoned before the trade of Seth Jones and they checked in with Edmonton. I think they were way more interested in Ryan Johansen anyway.
“Other teams for sure would have phoned between now and the 29th on Nugent-Hopkins because of the perception that if the Oilers are going to get better on defense, then they may have to trade either Nugent-Hopkins or Eberle at some point.
“And that, I think, may still be true, but maybe more in the offseason than it is now. And even then, I mean the Oilers really value Nugent-Hopkins, at 22. Incredible depth down the middle with him and Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.”