Category Archives: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf News and Rumors
Maple Leafs sniper Phil Kessel wants to finish his career in Toronto, his agent says
Phil Kessel wants to be a Maple Leaf for life.
So says his agent, Wade Arnott, who went on Toronto radio Wednesday to say so.
“Phil (Kessel) is still a really young man,” Arnott told the SportsNet Fan590. “He really enjoys living in Toronto and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Goalies that the Leafs could be looking into.
If Nonis decides to go shopping, Jonathan Bernier of the Los Angeles Kings, Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks and Nikolai Khabibulin of the Edmonton Oilers are names that have been part of scuttlebutt. Free agents include Brent Johnson and Ty Conklin.
Leafs looks Reimer to injury tonight
#TMLtalk news: James Reimer will not return tonight due to a lower body injury
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 12, 2013
All eyes on Leafs’ Kessel as trade rumours swirl
What is brewing as a much bigger story in Toronto, however, is what happens with Kessel’s contract situation and if he remains with the team long term.
The five-year deal he signed when he originally landed with the Leafs in former GM Brian Burke’s infamous trade with the Boston Bruins is set to expire on July 1, 2014, meaning Kessel can sign an extension in less than five months.
It is also believed that while Leafs GM Dave Nonis isn’t offering his top sniper around the league, he is willing to listen to offers, rumours that will only increase should Toronto fall out of the playoff race before the trade deadline in early April.
Penguins eyeing Kulemin of Toronto?
The Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting first in the Atlantic Division, could be looking to acquire another winger to play alongside Evgeni Malkin.
It’s believed the Penguins are once again taking a look at Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports …..
Nonis may consider moving F Phil Kessel. Just one problem: Somebody has to be willing to take him. Not easy finding a fit because he is making $5.4 million and is one year away from being a UFA … Once the New York Islanders are officially out of the playoff picture, expect D Mark Streit to get dealt.
Could Leafs Land Ryan Getzlaf?
He could be available. But, there will be a fair amount of interest in him and he won’t come cheap.”
That was the opinion of a prominent Western Conference executive when I wondered, this week, whether Anaheim Ducks would trade potential free agent Ryan Getzlaf. Depending on the night, and the person with whom you speak, Leafs’ biggest priority is an established goalie or depth and size at centre. They may need both, though it appears James Reimer is regaining the confidence and poise he had as a rookie two seasons ago. More time is needed to confirm that, but Leafs demand for a big body up the middle is irrefutable.
Bernier Still Hoping to Be Traded
Lombardi has indicated to Bernier’s camp that he will give him a chance to play elsewhere. There is a sentimental attachment here as Bernier was the first draft pick Lombardi made as Kings GM in 2006. Still with that said, Bernier is the Kings only real major asset they’re willing to part with.
Roberto Luongo perfect as Canucks shut out Avalanche 3-0
Roberto Luongo threw a little gasoline on the goaltending controversy with another strong performance Wednesday night. A surprise starter, Luongo turned aside all 24 shots he faced to record his 61st NHL shutout.
He’s now played more minutes this season than Cory Schneider, who had been anointed Vancouver’s new starter last spring.
Many expect Schneider will start Friday night against the Blackhawks, who are 6-0-1 after losing 3-2 in a shootout to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night. But many observers also thought coach Alain Vigneault would start Schneider against the Avalanche.
Vigneault wasn’t saying anything about his Friday starter after the game.
Would you trade Luongo and Ballard for Kessel
With all of the trade talk out there with Kessel and Luongo it would be interesting to see fans reaction to a possible trade that could benefit both teams. Would you be willing to do this deal? What else would have to be done to sweeten the pot?
Please comment and have your say.
Toronto Media Starting to call on the Leafs to move Kessel
There’s only one untouchable on the Maple Leafs.
The man with no name.
Not Clint Eastwood, or his empty chair.
The 2013 first-round draft choice.
It is to be protected, retained and cherished, although other teams covet it and have already started suggesting it should be included in proposed trades.
No. 1 centre is Leafs priority one – Forget about a goalie, Leafs need to find someone to feed Kessel the puck — and quick
The bottom line is this: Without a front-line centre, Kessel’s talents are being wasted. He was a 37-goal scorer last year but with a bonafide first-line centre, he might be a 50-goal scorer. Further to that, the Leafs will not take the next step in becoming a threat to go deep into the playoffs until they address the first-line centre situation.
Centre should be priority No.1 for the Leafs.
Nonis didn’t want Carlyle as coach
When the club was looking for a coach to replace Ron Wilson in the grim days when last season transformed itself into a lost season, NHL sources say Nonis went to bat for Dallas Eakins, then and now the coach of the AHL Marlies. Nonis and other front-office executives were of the belief that Eakins is everything a modern-era coach should be; progressive but hard-nosed, communicative with players but never friends with them. Burke, of course, insisted on his old friend Randy Carlyle.
Why don’t the Maple Leafs make an offer to P.K. Subban?
The question was clearly asked to a member of the Maple Leafs front office and the answer was just as direct.
Why not make a restricted free agent offer on unsigned defenceman P.K. Subban? Why not take a run at the best player not playing for the Montreal Canadiens?
RUMOURS DU JOUR – By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun
After Montreal GM Marc Bergevin sat down with agent Don Meehan for a meeting Friday, the future of Habs blueliner P.K. Subban is all the rage. The two sides have gotten nowhere and many wouldn’t be surprised if this ended in a trade demand from the Subban camp in the near future. As reported last week, Subban wants a five-year, $27.5-million deal at $5.5 million per season. Sources say Bergevin used Florida D Dmitry Kulikov (two years, $5 million) and New York D Michael Del Zotto (two years, $5.1 million) as comparisons. That won’t wash with Subban. If the Habs decide to deal Subban, Detroit, Philadelphia and the Rangers will make a push. But sources insist there is a surprise candidate that could have the assets to acquire Subban — the Winnipeg Jets. League sources say GM Kevin Cheveldayoff wants to make a splash to get an impact player. The problem for Bergevin is simple: As mad as the Habs’ camp is at Subban, he’s a thoroughbred and they don’t come along often … Lots of teams are waiting to see where the dominos fall with Vancouver G Roberto Luongo before making a move for a netminder. Canucks GM Mike Gillis has told several teams he’s not doing anything until he gets his asking price. Yes, the Edmonton Oilers have what it takes to acquire Luongo, but he wouldn’t approve a trade there. The Panthers don’t want to make a deal unless Gillis is willing to take cash back. The Canucks know the pressure is mounting in some markets to win and they’ll find a desperate GM trying to save his job, maybe even Washington or Philly.
Roberto Luongo to Maple Leafs talk sure to heat up
The conversation begins again. It has to. It has to because with any kind of goaltending the Maple Leafs don’t lose to the New York Islanders Thursday night.
The conversation begins again, because there were boos instead of Lous at the Air Canada Centre. And the more there are boos, ask Ron Wilson about that, the more calls there will be calls for Roberto Luongo in the Maple Leafs net, because over two nights, one a win, one a loss for Toronto, the number of weak goals given up is five.
Maple Leafs call up Matt Frattin with Joffrey Lupul sidelined for at least six weeks
Matt Frattin is getting a second chance to show he belongs with the Maple Leafs.
The 25-year-old winger will play Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre against the visiting New York Islanders after being called up from the Marlies to replace injured Joffrey Lupul.
Lupul is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks after fracturing a forearm in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Maple Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul out indefinitely with fractured forearm
Those in the vicinity of the Leafs dressing room during the second period of Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Penguins got a hint at how bad the news was just by hearing Joffrey Lupul’s reaction.
The Leafs forward and alternate captain had taken a Dion Phaneuf blast from the point off the arm midway through the period and preliminary X-rays revealed a fractured forearm. It’s not an injury one recovers from quickly and Lupul let it be known rather audibly how he feels.