Nick Kypreos: Sources say in the Maple Leafs are shopping Dion Phaneuf to Western conference teams.
Nick Kypreos: There is lots of interest in Phaneuf at the right price. Some teams think he’s a $5 – $6 million player, so the Leafs may have to some of the remaining money.
Darren Millard: If the Maple Leafs retain money in a Phaneuf trade, they are admitting they made a mistake.
Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: It should not be a surprise that the Leafs are kicking tires on moving Phaneuf. The Leafs took calls on Phaneuf during the season. The Leafs think there is a market for him, so a trade is realistic. Phaneuf’s lack of leadership as been put into question.
Darren Dreger: “The Leafs aren’t shopping Phaneuf. Nonis told me yesterday, the Leafs will move him but aren’t shopping him.” … ”That’s Nonis’ philosophy and always has been. He’ll move anyone if the price is right.” … ”We get caught up in semantics. Leafs aren’t shopping Gardiner and Kadri either, but teams know they’re listening. Dion’s the same” … ”I’ll tell you this, Phaneuf is considered a better defenseman in every single NHL market outside of Toronto” … ”Nonis told me yesterday that the Leafs haven’t discussed Phaneuf with anyone since the last trade deadline”
CapGeeK: The 29-year old Phanuef is entering the first year of his seven-year, $49 million deal. He’s coming off a six-year, $39 million deal.
Who do you think should be interested in Dion Phaneuf? What should they give up to get him?
Nick Kypreos in the video: the Sharks could be interested at the right price, same goes with the Flames
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons thinks the Maple Leafs will qualify James Reimer and will sign him this offseason. The Leafs have already received some calls on him. The Leafs need to get a truce between Randy Carlyle and Jake Gardiner. Leafs GM Dave Nonis isn’t in favor of trading young defenseman. If the Leafs can’t re-sign Dave Bolland and Nikolai Kulemin by July 1st, they will look to trade their rights for draft picks.
Darren Dreger: ”I can tell you that the Leafs are concerned primarily with their defensive core. They want to upgrade there” … ”Does that mean they want to attack their top 4 spots? Umm, I’m not sure. They’d like to add a top 4, but that’s not news breaking” … ”They’d like to add some veteran presence on D or up front to work with their younger roster” … ”The names that are being discussed with other teams are Gardiner, Kadri.”
Darren Dreger: “I don’t think anyone should be alarmed that Bolland and Kulemin’s name are in there considering their pending UFAs” … ”The priority is still for the Leafs to sign both Bolland & Kulemin, but they need to see if the dollar amount would be to keep them” … ”If the dollar amount is too high [to retain Bolland & Kulemin] then they’ll move their rights for a draft pick”
Darren Dreger: ”Primarily when you’re adding pieces or trying to initiate change, you look at 3 departments…” ”…1st you look at the minor league dept & the Leafs believe their may be a couple of players ready to make the jump…” ”…2nd, you look at FA and that’s probably where they’ll identify that veteran experience, if the dollar amount is right…” ”…3rd is trade that is something the Leafs are eager to get involved in”
Darren Dreger: ”For me, Muller seems to be a better fit as an assistant with the Blues than with the Leafs” … ”When Shanahan and Nonis met in Vegas, and Carlyle was there briefly, I’m sure they put a list together of assistant coach names” … ”This is going to be an interesting collection of hires. Traditionally the head coach has a tonne of say, as he should, in the hires” … ”But this is a three headed beast in Toronto. Nonis & Carlyle will remain in play, but Shanahan will have considerable input as well” … ”The Leafs do see value in having new ideas and new voices. Motivated guys that can push Carlyle as well”
Darren Dreger: Leaf players are accountable and there will be changes. Among their priorities is improving their blueline. There will be trade talk involving Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, Dave Bolland and Nikolai Kulemin. The Leafs are eager to talk trade.
Darren Dreger: The second year of Randy Carlyle’s extension is a team option. If things don’t improve he could be gone after next year or the year after that.
The Fourth Period: Pending UFAs Nikolai Kulemin and Paul Ranger are not expected to be back next season. Pending UFAs Dave Bolland, Jay McClement, Mason Raymond and Troy Bodie could be re-signed. Bolland’s contract demands may be too high for the Leafs. Trade talk will heat up, with the names of Cody Franson, Carl Gunnarsson, Jake Gardiner, Nazem Kadri and James Reimer likely to come up.
Bob McKenzie: ”I believed last year that Nonis would look seriously at moving Kadri/Gardiner. Logic would suggest that’s just as likely or more”