- Lance Horby of the Toronto Sun: With the NHL’s Entry Draft beginning on Friday night, and free agency set to begin on July 1st, the Toronto Maple Leafs have much to do in order to regenerate success and intrigue.
“The most recent dispatches from the hockey office say Babcock thinks Phaneuf can be salvaged, but shares the disdain that Shanahan is said to have for Kessel. Whatever the feelings, all agree these are still assets that can’t simply be kicked to the side of the curb.”
Either way, both players will be difficult to trade. Dion Phaneuf will be entering his second season of a seven-year, $49 million contract in October. He has a modified no-trade clause, in which he submits a 12-team trade list. While Phil Kessel will entering his second of an eight-year, $64 million contract with an eight-team no-trade list.
The Wings had interest in Phaneuf at the deadline, but are apparently not interested anymore. The Sharks are now being mentioned as a team that might be interested.
No word yet on which teams are on Phaneuf’s list, but Kessel’s has: Boston, Chicago, LA, Minnesota, Montreal, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. In any deal, the Leafs want to get younger and acquire more draft picks.
However, “if no deals are done, everyone’s going to have to learn to get along for much of Babcock’s first season of an eight-year deal.”
- Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: There is talk that head coach Mike Babcock would like the draft a defenseman with the No. 4 pick.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean the Leafs will take one, but that’s his preference,” an NHL executive said on Monday.
It’s believed that part of why Babcock chose Toronto was specifically so he could have a louder say in roster construction.
Koshan notes that Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings/WHL), Noah Hanifin (Boston College/NCAA), and Zach Werenski (Michigan University/NCAA) are the likely targeted candidates with the initial selection.
Bear in mind that the Leafs’ will be dictated in part by whomever Arizona (or whichever team owns the third overall pick) selects.
“Puck-moving guys who can skate — one of those top three defencemen would bring that ability to Toronto,” a player agent said. “Babcock loves those kind of players.”
Everyone knows the Leafs want to clear out some contracts, with Phil Kessel at the top, but it will be a challenge for them.
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: The Leafs filed for salary arbitration last week for goalie Jonathan Bernier to protect themselves from a long-term contract battle that could drag on all offseason.
“We had a brief window to do it and they understand,” said Leaf interim general manager Kyle Dubas.
“Talks between (assistant GM) Brandon Pridham, Jonathan and (agent) Pat Brisson have been amicable.”
Bernier wasn’t going to get the multi-year deal he had originally hoped for.
By Matt Riegler and on twitter @MattRiegler.