Category Archives: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf News and Rumors
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.
More trade talk about the Leafs
McKenzie on TSN Radio "I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs made a move. They need anotjer body down the middle. It won't be a panic move"
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) November 4, 2013
LEAFS SHOPPING FOR REINFORCEMENTS UP FRONT
The Toronto Maple Leafs are shopping for reinforcements.
Leafs general manager Dave Nonis is searching for a forward, preferably a centreman, to help fill the void created by injuries to Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak.
Leafs must keep calm over Phaneuf’s contract
While Phil Kessel signed an eight-year, $64-million contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs a few weeks ago, the understanding has been that neither side has illustrated any urgency regarding Leaf captain Dion Phaneuf who also becomes an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo thought he’d be a Maple Leaf
As Olympic hopeful Roberto Luongo makes his bid to once again don a red-and-white maple leaf on his chest, there was a time not so long ago when he was relatively certain he’d be wearing a blue and white one, as well.
Luongo isn’t too shy to admit it all these months later — he thought he was going to be a Toronto Maple Leaf.
Is Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf worth $7M a year?
Can the Maple Leafs afford to pay Dion Phaneuf $7 million US per season?
Can they afford not to?
Maple Leafs goalie debate back in focus
At times during Toronto’s 4-1 win on Saturday night against Pittsburgh, James Reimer’s head was spinning around like Linda Blair’s in The Exorcist.
Trying to track the Penguins, most notably Sidney Crosby, Evegni Malkin and a few other creative forces, is hard on a goalie’s neck.
Gardiner rumors have died down
Trade rumours involving Gardiner have died down. At an average of 19 minutes 41 seconds a game, Gardiner is third in ice time among Leafs defencemen, behind Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson.
Could the Leafs send Liles as part of a package to Florida for Kulikov?
From Damien Cox of the Toronto Star:
One of the players the Maple Leafs have been eying from afar over the past couple of seasons is defenceman Dmitri Kulikov of the Florida Panthers, and Kulikov might just be more available now than he was because of the wreckage of Florida’s early season play.
Kulikov to Leafs trade rumors eminated from Toronto Sun
Kulikov to Leafs trade rumors eminated from Toronto Sun. So early for these rumors. Panthers are easy target bec of good young players.
— Harvey Fialkov (@hfialkov) October 22, 2013