Category Archives: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf News and Rumors
Wings, Kings, Bruins, Flyers and Leafs after Perry
Canucks could’ve had Kadri, Bozak and a pick for Luongo
Worth noting at June draft Canucks could’ve had Kadri, Bozak and a pick for Luongo. Got greedy. Now have lost as many as have won.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) March 6, 2013
Will Devils’ David Clarkson consider signing with hometown Maple Leafs?
Devils right winger David Clarkson loves coming home to Toronto.
“This is my favorite place to play,” he said of the town in which he grew up as a Maple Leafs fan.
But will Clarkson, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this season, think about signing with the Leafs to play in his hometown? He gets asked that a lot around here.
Leafs’ Lupul practiced Sunday for first time since injury
Leafs’ Lupul practiced Sunday for first time since injury bit.ly/WFY6GE
— Hockey Central (@SNHockeyCentral) March 4, 2013
Hurricanes have expressed intrest in a exprienced D
John Michael Liles has not played in recent games and could see himself moving out of Toronto by the trade deadline. With the Carolina huricanes making it public that they are looking around for a veteran D-man to add to their blue line, John Michael must surely be one of their targets. Could we see John Michael liles be moved for a mid-round pick? Yes , and probably sooner rather than later.
Michael Lo Giudice
Blues and Leafs On Each Other’s Radar?
Sources out of Toronto have the Blues and Maple Leafs on each other’s radar. One player whose name continues to pop up, not just with St. Louis, is forward Nikolai Kulemin.
A former 30 goal scorer, Kulemin is playing a different role with Toronto and could maybe use a change of scenery. The 26 year-old Russian has just 12 points this season but has been used primarily in a defensive/PK role. He’s seen limited PP action.
He put up 38 points in 36 KHL games this season. Kulemin is a childhood friend of Pittsburgh superstar Evgeni Malkin as the two played together before coming over to the NHL.
Rumors persist in Toronto that general manager Dave Nonis may unload Kessel
Meanwhile, rumors persist in Toronto that general manager Dave Nonis may unload Kessel (4-12—16 in his first 22 games) prior to the April 3 trade deadline. In three-plus seasons, the ex-Bruin has convinced many up there that he’s neither a leader nor core performer. Add him to a deep lineup with a coach who emphasizes offense (say, the Blackhawks, or maybe Canucks or Ducks), and he could be that 60-, 70-, or even 80-point guy who helps deliver a Stanley Cup.
Ideally, a Kessel swap would bring the Leafs a franchise center. Of course, if they had a franchise center, perhaps they wouldn’t consider dealing Kessel. Such is life in the salary cap world.
http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/03/03/nazem-kadri-helps-maple-leafs-get-running/uacH4EE5ALZmL5PVkmOwxN/story.html
Komisarek reportedly has a list of teams he will accept trade to
For the first and only time this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs will not take to the ice for one of their traditional Saturday night games, but even without a game today, we have plenty of Maple Leafs news making the rounds.
Mike Komisarek, who hasn’t played since February 2nd against the Bruins, has reportedly issued a list of 12 teams he would accept a trade to.
Cherry: If Phaneuf beats Prust, Leafs win
Some issues can’t wait until Saturday night.
Passionate about an incident that occurred during the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 thrashing of the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night at Air Canada Centre, Don Cherry called in to Hockey Central at Noon Thursday adamant that Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf should have fought Montreal Canadiens tough guy Brandon Prust when challenged.
What will Nonis do Come trade deadline day
Like every year the city of Toronto is Convinced that big fish like Steve Nash, Mike Richards, Roberto Luongo and Ryan Geztalf are about to put on the blue and white; lift the Stanley cup. This year, however the big fish being talked about is a realistic trade target. Corey Perry, one time hart trophy, Rocket Richard and Stanley cup winner could be in blue and white, or really on any other team come trade deadline day.
Maple Leafs need to enter Corey Perry sweepstakes if Anaheim Ducks put him on trade market
It might have to be a really big one.
Is the hunt for a #1 center over?
The ideal center is big bodied, physical threat. That can move across the ice with unbelievable speed. And top it all off when he gets the puck he can twist and turn around the defense getting the puck to the net weather by himself or by passing to one of his wingers. This man doesn’t exist. But JVR is not that far off from the”perfect center” at least for the leafs. He is rather large, light on his feet and isn’t that bad in the face off circle. (the few times Bozak is thrown out). With 11 goals this year he leads the time as next to Kessel he is the biggest offensive threat they have.
Bozak or MacCarther ?
As we stand the Toronto Maple Leafs sit in seventh place in the eastern conference, despite the injuries to Joffery Lupul (fore arm) and Mat Frattin (Knee). Lupul came over in a trade with the Ducks two years ago. In this two Years he has become one of the key players in the leafs line up. His role on the first line with Phil Kessel has given the leafs fans something to cheer about in last years lack luster season. Early in this shortened season he was injured from a Dion Phanuef slap shot. Expected to miss the whole year, Matt Frattin was called up from the AHL. Frattin excelled with six goals in six games, before going down with an injury himself.
John-Michael Liles sitting ‘like a pro’
He isn’t going to pout.
Or stomp his feet. Or whine to the media. Or demand a trade.
That is not John-Michael Liles‘ way.
A healthy scratch for the past four games, Liles admitted on Sunday that he is not happy being forced to watch games from the press box.
Liles in limbo with Maple Leafs?
While it may be a stretch to say defenceman John-Michael Liles is on borrowed time with the Maple Leafs, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
We’re not suggesting Liles, who has an annual salary cap hit of $3.875-million US through the 2015-16 season, has played his last game as a Leaf. But he has been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games and could be out again on Saturday night in Ottawa against the Senators.
Liles in limbo with Maple Leafs?
While it may be a stretch to say defenceman John-Michael Liles is on borrowed time with the Maple Leafs, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
We’re not suggesting Liles, who has an annual salary cap hit of $3.875-million US through the 2015-16 season, has played his last game as a Leaf. But he has been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games and could be out again on Saturday night in Ottawa against the Senators.
Nonis: Teams have inquired about Connolly
Tim Connolly’s return to the NHL may come sooner rather than later, but whether or not it will be with the Toronto Maple Leafs is in question as general manager Dave Nonis told Sportsnet 590 The Fan that a number of teams have called to inquire about the 31-year-old centre.
“Is there a chance (Connolly) will be back (in the NHL)? No question,” Nonis told Brady and Lang in the morning. “We’ve had teams call on him. I would expect at some point whether it’s with us or someone else that he’ll be back in the NHL before the season’s over.”
Will the Leafs buy out Komisarek?
Komisarek, the whipping post of seasons past, has played only four games and simply can’t bust his way into the lineup. Liles was scratched Monday against the Panthers to make room for Carl Gunnarson, back from hip problems. The former Colorado defenceman played fairly well early in the season, but his prowess in the offensive zone generally isn’t matched in the defensive zone, something that may not fit easily with defensive-minded head coach Randy Carlyle.
Komisarek has one more year left at $4.5 million. He may be bought out this summer. Liles has three more years left at $3.875 million, not an onerous salary but one not moved easily, either.
Nonis still looking for a veteran goalie
Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis joined The TSN Drive with Dave Naylor on TSN Radio 1050 Toronto on Monday and discussed his club’s desire to acquire a veteran goaltender.
“Both our (current) goalies are aware of it, it’s not that we don’t think that we have NHL-calibre goaltenders, or goalies with the ability to become very good starting goaltenders,” Nonis explained. “But if we could add someone to help them along, a veteran that would help them grow, then we would do it.”
Rangers and Leafs want O’Reilly?
According to @renlavoierds the Flyers, Rangers and Leafs are among those interested in Ryan O’Reilly. Lavoie says Avs asked for Couturier.
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) February 19, 2013