Category Archives: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf News and Rumors
Leafs are willing to move Gardiner to bring in a center
Kypreos and Friedman think the Leafs are willing to move Gardiner to bring in a center. Both "how could you not?"
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) December 3, 2013
David Clarkson paying the price for the Leafs loosing ways of late
David Clarkson saw red on Monday, but would not let any anger at a possible line change spew to the surface.
When the Maple Leafs emerged from a hard-to-watch video session preceding their first practice after four straight losses, the pricey winger was wearing the rouge of a checking line, with Carter Ashton and Trevor Smith. Nikolai Kulemin had switched positions with Clarkson on the second line with centre Nazem Kadri and Mason Raymond.
Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner presents team with dilemma
The human conundrum that is Jake Gardiner may end up challenging the relationship between Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle and general manager Dave Nonis.
On one side is Carlyle, often frustrated by Gardiner’s play and decision making, not committed to playing the young defenceman every night and in every situation.
The Phaneuf contract will likely be around 7 million per year
Dreger on TSN Radio "The Phaneuf contract will probably end up being 7 or 8 years between $7-$7.2 million a year"
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) November 27, 2013
Would Ruutu be a good fit in Toronto?
Dreger "Tuomo Ruutu in Carolina may be a good fit in Toronto, but that salary doesn't fit."
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) November 26, 2013
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis intends to sign Dion Phaneuf to new deal but ‘it has to be the right number’
Speaking with Sportsnet 590 The Fan on Thursday morning, Nonis praised Phaneuf for a growth in leadership ability, as well as for logging hard minutes on the blue line. The 28-year-old is logging a team-high average of 24 minutes 17 seconds of ice time a night.
Could the Leafs be looking to trade Reimer?
With Reimer’s deal up, it will force Toronto to likely make a decision in the offseason depending on his contract demands. When Edmonton was looking for a goalie earlier this season, it had been speculated by some that the Leafs should move Reimer, but that doesn’t sound like an idea that appeals to Nonis for this season.
Hurricanes looking at Liles?
There might also be rumbles on the trade front as the NHL holiday roster freeze is now less than a month away (Dec. 19-27).
Sportsnet reported Tuesday that Carolina Hurricanes hockey operations VP Ron Francis was scouting the Marlies game on Tuesday at Ricoh against his Charlotte farm club to look at defenceman John-Michael Liles.
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/20/leafs-roster-will-need-tweaking
Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf dubbed Princess Phaneuf by Sabres’ John Scott
John Scott was fighting mad but with nobody to scrap, the Buffalo Sabres thug used his tough talk instead.
Incensed at having been ejected from Saturday’s game during an animated third-period skirmish that involved multiple players, including Toronto defenceman Dion Phaneuf, Scott lashed out at the Maple Leafs captain.
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.
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?