Category Archives: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf News and Rumors
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?
Bozak, Kadri and a second rounder? Wayyy too much for Luongo. And there’s no other team willing to pay that price either.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) January 16, 2013
Should the Leafs keep Kessel long term?
Asked about his expectations for a 48-game season, he added: “I don’t know. Have the best year possible. Do whatever I can to help this team win.”
This is obviously going to be an interesting year for Kessel for at least three main reasons.
No. 1 will be his relationship with new coach Randy Carlyle, who is notoriously tough on players who cheat in their defensive play.
I imagine Kessel could easily get $7.5-million a season on a long-term deal. But does an extension like that work for Toronto this July?
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 14, 2013
Bernier nearing end in LA
Kings backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier could finally get his wish this season and get traded out of Los Angeles, though a deal might come sooner than later.
Kings GM Dean Lombardi has been looking to trade Bernier since the early part of last season, when the young netminder requested to be moved.
Murphy on Leafs: Luongo not the only option
But what we have to consider here is that the Leafs are looking at other options; options that may not cost as much as Luongo in the short term and long term.
What about Jaroslav Halak in St. Louis? He went 26-12-7 last season with a 1.97 GAA and .925 save percentage and still sits second on the depth chart behind Brian Elliott. Or what if Nonis and company felt like Jonathan Bernier was ready for prime time but never got the chance to show it behind Jonathan Quick.
Roberto Luongo conducting himself with absolute class as his departure nears
When Roberto Luongo leaves the Canucks, he will depart as the city’s greatest-ever goaltender.
When he is traded, he will leave with a gold medal, two shutouts in the Stanley Cup final, and a resume which says “Hart Trophy finalist.”
He will leave with at least 13 more wins and 13 more shutouts than Kirk McLean — and that’s in 130 fewer Canucks games.
Dave Nonis says goaltending is team’s No. 1 priority
Despite singing the praises of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, newly appointed Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis said he won’t hesitate to make a move via trade if either goaltender fails to impress early in the season.
One day after taking over from Brian Burke, who was fired by the team on Wednesday, Nonis appeared on Hockey Night in Canada Radio with hosts Gord Stellick and Scott Oake to discuss, among several issues, the Leafs’ No. 1 priority: goaltending.
COLTON ORR ATTEMPTING RETURN TO LEAFS
He was almost unrecognizable stalking the ice for the Toronto Marlies late last year. Still sporting the familiar #28, Colton Orr was in the midst of a transformation, a transformation desperately required of a player whose stock in the NHL had plummeted, a fighter whose career hung in the balance.
“Even though it was probably a great disappointment for him to be sent to the American League, it was almost a necessary thing to happen for him because it let us basically pull down that reset button for 10 seconds and this hockey player restarted himself and a new guy popped out,” Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins told TSN.ca.
His hair now trim and proper, his body and game redefined, Orr is attempting a return to the Maple Leafs this season.
Four reasons why Flyers would consider Luongo
Interesting Flyers in Luongo rumors now. Reliable source told me prior to Burke firing they would be 3rd team in a 3-way trade for Lou to TO
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) January 10, 2013
Reasons why Burke was fired.
The guess here is Burke was fired for one of two reasons.
One, at least half of the new MLSE ownership team, Bell, was seemingly prepared to fire Burke during the summer. The boss there, George Cope, reportedly disliked Burke’s management style and brash public comments, and thought he was “bad for the brand.”
Two, both Bell and Rogers are keen on a deal for Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo and Burke was resisting such a move. He said repeatedly of late that he was “90 per cent” certain he wanted to go with the combination of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens in net and had talked several times about his frustrations of dealing with Vancouver GM Mike Gillis, particularly since he wasn’t sure dealing for Luongo was the right move.
Jake Gardiner has passed his baseline test, but still has some concussion related symptoms. Getting better, but no time-frame for return.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 10, 2013
Told Burke was absolutely shocked by news. Burke responded to a text saying he can’t talk at this point.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 9, 2013
FLYERS THE LATEST TEAM TO ASK ABOUT LUONGO’S AVAILABILITY
It appears that there’s another team in the Roberto Luongo sweepstakes.
According to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post, hockey analyst and former NHL player Enrico Ciccone of TVA Sports, and confirmed by TSN’s James Duthie on Twitter, the Philadelphia Flyers are interested in acquiring the services of the veteran goaltender.
Duthie tweeted that the Flyers have inquired about the Canucks goalie, and are in a position where they could buy out current netminder Ilya Bryzgalov in June.
Trade rumours surrounding Luongo have been front and centre with this week’s announcement of a new CBA for the NHL and its players. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers have been the two teams tied most closely to potentially acquiring Luongo.
Nonis will ABSOLUTELY make a strong push to get Roberto Luongo from Vancouver. Take that to the bank.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) January 9, 2013
Ok … Leaf fans. The question from HTR is … Do you really want Luongo? What would you give up to get him?
