Category Archives: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf News and Rumors
No truth’ to rumours of Gretzky becoming Maple Leafs president
Wayne Gretzky was linked to the vacant presidency of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, which created a social-media firestorm before the rumour was shot down by MLSE president Tom Anselmi.
Bob McKenzie of TSN reported the Hockey Hall of Famer may have been discussed internally at the Leafs parent company, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., as a candidate for president in August. He speculated there might even have been inquiries made of Gretzky through third parties, but no direct contact.
NHL Rumors – January 23, 2013
The leatest trade rumors from January 23, 2013 include Roberto Luongo, Ben Bishop and the belief that it may just be the Stars, Avalanche or the Habs who are kicking the tires on Luongo.
Wayne Gretzky to the Leafs?
Gretzky next Prez. of the Leafs? There is a buzz…
— Bob McCown (@FadooBobcat) January 22, 2013
Potential Luongo deal does not involve the Leafs
Gillis says he has trade in place for Luongo re @rcamcole barring some shoes to drop and I can confirm deal he talks about isn’t with Leafs.
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) January 22, 2013
Kadri off to a good start.
The way Nazem Kadri performed at camp and played in the Leafs’ opener in Montreal, it looks like he’s here to stay.
That’s great for the young man and for anxious Leafs fans who have been waiting for the 2009 seventh overall pick to blossom into an everyday NHL player.
But there seems to be this school of thought that it was big, bad Ron Wilson to blame for Kadri’s slower than expected progression as a big-league player and for his frequent demotions to the Marlies the past couple of seasons. Which is a lot of hooey. Yes, the former Leafs coach threw the London, Ont., native under the bus with his public criticisms of Kadri’s decision-making with the puck and defensive play (or lack thereof). But the reason why Kadri has taken a step in the right direction this season has more to do with his maturity as a player, and not because new coach Randy Carlyle is his new best buddy.
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/20/leafs-kadri-off-to-a-flying-start
January 21 – Luongo Update
Despite months of rumors, the season opened with Roberto Luongo still in Vancouver, albeit with his status changed from franchise goalie to Cory Schneider’s backup. Not a good look, and not one likely to remain long, given his $5.33 million cap hit. The most logical landing spots for Bobby Lu are Toronto or Florida (where he formerly wore his Apollo 13-sized pads). One source claims Brian Burke, recently pushed aside as Leafs GM, worked out a deal for Luongo with Canucks GM Mike Gillis over the summer, one that would have delivered the goalie to Toronto when the lockout ended. Ex-Canucks exec Dave Nonis, now the Leafs GM, made the deal in 2006 that brought Luongo to Vancouver and also signed him to his monster contract. Toronto remains the front-runner for Luongo, but that could change rapidly, if a club with shaky goaltending (Chicago?) stumbles out of the gate.
Leafs sign Lupul to a new contact
Leafs sign Lupul to a 5 year 26.25 million dollar contact.hockeytraderumors.com
— hockeytraderumors (@hockeytraderumo) January 20, 2013
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo remains a backup as team considers trade options
Not many expected Luongo to still be with the Canucks once the shortened season began, but you’ve got to give GM Mike Gillis credit for being patient in trying to drive up the price for the veteran goalie and not just giving him away.
While Cory Schneider is the starter for the Canucks, he’s one bad game or untimely goal away from giving way to Luongo. If that doesn’t happen, then sooner or later somebody will be desperate enough to give Gillis what he wants.
#leafs GM Dave Nonis: “There’s definitely a chance we’ll see Tim Connolly back here again.”
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 18, 2013
January 18 Maple Leafs Trade Rumor and News Post
With all of the trade talk surrounding the Leafs and all of the transactions that they have done this week I thought that it would be fun to create a thread where all fans could get together to post on the newest rumors and moves that the Leafs could be about to make. Topics such as Luongo, Connoly and others are all open to discussion.
Tim Connoly has now been assigned to the Marlies. You would have to think that Nonis will try to move him and retain contract.
— hockeytraderumors (@hockeytraderumo) January 18, 2013
Hearing Rielly and Frattin will be the Leafs cuts today to get to 23-man roster. Practice starts at 11:30 so we’ll know for sure then.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 18, 2013
Maple Leafs, Canucks unlikely to agree on deal for Roberto Luongo
“I’m not going to give up youth for older players,” Nonis told ESPN. “We would trade a young player for a young player. But we’re not going to trade a bunch of young players or first-round picks for short-term gain. You can’t build a club that way.”
Bozak is 26 and after 2½ years in the National Hockey League is still trending upwards. He had 47 points last season and led Toronto centres with an average ice time of 18:50. Bozak’s value to Nonis can be measured on the transaction wire this week: the GM traded Maple Leaf centre Lombardi and waived the overpaid, overrated Connolly.
Red Wings won’t pursue defenseman Wade Redden, but could look at Cody Franson
The Red Wings continue to search for help on defense, but it won’t include Wade Redden. They could instead take a look at Toronto’s Cody Franson.
Toronto taking advantage of CBA
Nazem Kadri‘s lesson in how the NHL’s new labour agreement could affect his career came early Thursday morning when he arrived at the Air Canada Centre for an open practice the Toronto Maple Leafs held for their fans.
One minute he looked and veteran teammate Tim Connolly was in his seat in the dressing room.
Next minute he was gone.
Luongo to Leafs losing steam with Toronto making roster room for Kadri after putting Connolly on waivers and expecting more from Bozak.
— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) January 17, 2013
LEAFS’ CONNOLLY EXPECTED TO BE PLACED ON WAIVERS
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tim Connolly was not on the ice at practice on Thursday and it’s expected the veteran forward will be placed on waivers.
Maple Leafs Rumour: Team Interested In Bernier, Is He An Upgrade On Scrivens And Reimer?
The rumour that the Toronto Maple Leafs have an interest in trading for the Los Angeles Kings’ goalie Jonathan Bernier apparently will not die despite it being a terrible idea to move assets for the 24 year old. In the summer, Andi Petrillo passed along a HockeyyInsiderr (not the funny one, at least not intentionally so) rumour that the Maple Leafs made an offer to Jonathan Bernier which didn’t really make any sense because that’s not how trades work. Chemmy’s conclusion that it was likely a move to put a little bit of pressure on the Roberto Luongo trade negotiations with the Vancouver Canucks seemed right.
More recently, one of the last rumours to come out of the Brian Burke Era was that he was done negotiating with the Kings:
Sadly, it seems to have come back under new GM Dave Nonis. Although, you have to think that this is once again a bargaining tactic just like Gillis saying that he’ be happy starting the season with two starters and multiple holes in his lineup is just posturing.
Obviously, my reaction tilted towards abject panic that the Leafs might be about to part with some useful assets for a Bernier because he’s not an upgrade on what the Leafs currently have. There was some dissent on Twitter about that as they either felt he was an upgrade (he’s not) or felt it was better to pay less for Bernier than Luongo. I think it’s better to trade for a really good goalie than a bad goalie even if one costs $4M more and is signed through to the next Mayan Apocalypse. Especially for a team that can afford almost any possible cap penalty under the “Luongo Rule” moreso when the salary cap will continue to increase as evidenced by the massive outpouring of attention that training camps have received.
Leafs trade Lombardi to Phx for a conditional pick. Toronto also retains some salary in deal.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 17, 2013
What about Perry or Getzlaf
Outside the organization, another theory is that Burke was unsure about including Nazem Kadri in any potential Roberto Luongo trade. Reason? What if Anaheim decided to move Perry or Getzlaf? It’s harder to do it without Kadri in return. It comes down to priorities — if you do decide to trade him, who is your first choice?