James Mirtle: According to @puckarinen, signs are pointing to Leo Komarov returning to the NHL. He’ll be a UFA.
Darren Dreger: ”The meeting that took place in Vegas between Shanahan, Nonis and Carlyle was very one sided” … ”Carlyle sat down & Shanahan told him: we’re removing your assistants & we expect you to coach out the remainder of your term.” … ”Which was a one year deal. Carlyle’s tried to fight for his assistants and when he realized that was fruitless.” … ”He said the only way he’d accept this was if he got additional term.”
James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Some quotes from recently fired Leafs assistant coach Scott Gordon.
“When Brendan came in, I felt 100 per cent there was going to be a change,” … “And it was very likely that it could be all of us. I just had a feeling that that was going to happen.”
Gordon said the loss of Leo Komarov hurt the Leafs, as well as the injuries to Jonathan Bernier, Dave Bolland and Mark Fraser.
“There’s this perception that Randy doesn’t like Jake Gardiner, and it’s comical,” Gordon said. “I can’t tell you how many times that Randy has said that the thought of trading Jake can’t even be discussed until he’s played 300 games [in the NHL].
“He personally thinks it takes 300 games for a defenceman to get to the point where you can make a decision on them.”
Nick Kypreos: ”A few denials today about Phaneuf & I wouldn’t expect anything less.” … ”I’m certainly not saying anything is imminent regarding Dion, but my understanding is Leafs have had discussions with other teams” … ”Are the Leafs really at a place where they’re sitting on couch waiting for calls or are they more proactive right now?”
Doug MacLean: ”Leiweke essentially said that the Leafs aren’t happy with their coach, mgmt and players” … ”Let’s not kid ourselves, something has leaked out on Phaneuf and someone has talked”
Nick Kypreos: ”My understanding, from talking to teams around the league, is that Phaneuf’s contract is movable”
Doug MacLean: ”If you’re eating money that’s tearing your cap apart”
Doug MacLean: “So there’s questionable issues about leadership in SJ, is Dion the right fit?”
Nick Kypreos: ”There are teams desperate for guys like Phaneuf. He’s been taking an uncalled for beating by the fans in Toronto” … ”If you put Dion in the right circumstances and put him around the right guys I think he can thrive” … ”I think it’s going to take time to make a deal like this for Phaneuf.”
Doug MacLean: ”The position Shanahan is in, as a new hockey guy, Shanahan can’t afford to blow this deal”
Nick Kypreos: ”I said Western Conf teams because that’s what I’ve heard. Not saying that’s the only place the Leafs will move Phaneuf”
Hope Smoke: Kypreos said that there is some friction between the Leafs and guys like Joffrey Lupul or Nazem Kadri, but not with Dion Phaneuf.