Category Archives: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf News and Rumors
Leafs were offered a few major-league centres
The Leafs were offered a few major-league centres in their dealings before settling on Anaheim’s Peter Holland. The reason they didn’t trade for a veteran third- or fourth-line guy was because they felt there was no upside in doing so. With Holland, a first-round pick in both the OHL and NHL drafts, there is a belief he could become something. He has size and a good shot. Now it’s up to him …
LEAFS ACQUIRE HOLLAND, STAUBITZ FROM DUCKS FOR BLACKER, PICKS
Forwards Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks.
Holland, a centre, will report to the Maple Leafs and Staubitz has been assigned to the American Hockey League’s Marlies.
RUMOURS DU JOUR
Dallas GM Jim Nill has been actively working the phones trying to make changes and has shopped C Vernon Fiddler. Making $1.8 million through 2013-14, I’m told the Maple Leafs looked at the possibility of bringing in Fiddler in a third or fourth-line role but decided they didn’t have the cap space to make that move.
Fiddler is an effective player if the Stars want to find him a new hole they will … It would be surprising if defenceman Matt Niskanen finishes the season with the Penguins. With a cap hit of $2.3 million, he is set to become a UFA and it’s believed GM Ray Shero has been sniffing around to see what he might be able get in return. After signing defenceman Kris Letang to a massive extension last summer, there likely isn’t any room to keep Niskanen and he should be able to bring a good return if Pittsburgh decides to make the move … Columbus coach Todd Richards is on the hotseat. Since taking over last year, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen hasn’t played the coach firing card and the club has taken a step back this year. The only guy who can save Richards job is goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and he has to stop the puck.
Wear a poppy on Remembrance Day.
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/09/where-are-all-the-bold-moves-edmonton-oilers-general-manager-craig-mactavish-promised-when-he-took-over
Could the Leafs go after Vinny Prospal?
The Leafs also don’t have many other options at the moment. With Trevor Smith already with the big club, the Toronto Marlies are having issues at centre of their own, and only 34-year-old grinder Jerred Smithson has much NHL experience.
The other alternative would be to sign a player like veteran free agent Vinny Prospal, although the Leafs cap situation is incredibly tight and made more difficult by all of the injuries up front.
Is James van Riemdyk the answer at centre for desperate Toronto Maple Leafs?
It is a short-term move born out of desperation. And yet, it is a move that has been in the works for a long time, at least since the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired James van Riemsdyk more than 16 months ago.