On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Adrian Dater: Hearing some talk that the Maple Leafs are suddenly in play for either Gabriel Landeskog or Matt Duchene.
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet: The Maple Leafs currently sit about $750,000 under the salary cap ceiling. They could potentially have up to $5.6 million in rookie and other bonuses that could carry over to next year.
One would think that they should clear out cap space to reduce their overages for next year, but that may not be the case.
Earlier this season they quietly put Nathan Horton, Joffrey Lupul and Stephane Robidas on the LTIR. The move now gives them about $15 million above the $73 million salary cap.
Some executives thinks they could now use that extra cap space to acquire more assets to get potential trades done.
The Leafs would likely be stuck with a good chuck of overages next year, so they might as well take advantage of the opportunity to collect more assets. They can take a bad contract in a deal that comes with an extra draft pick or prospect. Would likely have to be an expiring contract.
Long-term, the Maple Leafs would like to add an impact defenseman, but that doesn’t happen at trade deadlines.
In the short-term, they could use a depth forward, a penalty killing centerman would be ideal.
Potential forward targets: Brian Boyle, Martin Hanzal, Patrick Sharp
Potential defensemen targets: Kevin Shattenkirk, Erik Gudbranson, Cody Franson, and whatever Ducks defenseman they would consider trading.
Players they could move: Roman Polak, Josh Leivo and Brandon Leipsic.
A bold move would be to trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, but that doesn’t really fit in with their philosophy.
The Maple Leafs shouldn’t trade William Nylander.
Kevin McGran: With the Maple Leafs putting those three players on the LTIR, it doesn’t make much of difference if done in October or on March 1st. The effect is basically equal.
Howard Berger of Between the Posts: A Western Conference executive told yesterday that he doesn’t think the Maple Leafs will be that active at the deadline.
“I’m fairly certain that Lou will stay with the program and only make a trade that will help the Leafs in the long run,” said the executive. “With the team showing improvement, he’ll likely be tempted by offers for immediate help, but I don’t think he’ll bite. Lou has been around the league forever and he understands the blueprint that Toronto is building upon. I don’t think he believes the club is ready for an over–the–top player move. That’s my sense, anyhow. Obviously, time will tell whether or not I’m correct.”
The executive also said that he thinks the Maple Leafs could be open to the idea of trading James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Jake Gardiner at some point.
“These would be difficult moves because the Leafs are contending to make the playoffs,” he said. “But, I think Lou is still looking beyond this season. He could choose to acquire more draft picks and prospects; particularly if he can ease his –cap situation. This type of maneuvering, as you know, can also be done in the summer, without the immediacy and emphasis of the trade deadline. So, I don’t think Lou will feel pressure to make a significant deal before Mar. 1.”