Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers could use someone that could play on their fourth line. Options could be Mike Santorelli (current asking price is beyond reason), Mark Letestu, Torrey Mitchell, Curtis Glencross and Patrick Kaleta.
Allan Muir of SI: Trades could come sooner than later.
“There’s a lot of tire kicking going on,” the same team executive told SI.com. “There’s a clearer picture of who’s in [the playoff mix] and who’s out than there usually is at this point of the season. We know who the buyers and sellers are going to be. That might have an impact.”
The Predators and Islanders have been rumored as possible destinations for Phil Kessel.
There is more demand for defensemen than there is supply. The Bruins, Red Wings, Lightning, Stars, Ducks and Kings would like a defenseman with an expiring contract. Andrej Sekera, Cody Franson, Zbynek Michalek and possibly Marc Methot have expiring contracts and are available. Someone may take shot a Dion Phaneuf if they are okay with taking on his big contract.
“We saw last year more trades happening earlier in the cycle,” the team exec said. “There’s value in bringing a guy into your system as early as possible. And no one wants to be scrambling for something they need at the last minute. No one wants to be stuck holding onto an asset, either.”
James Mirtle: The fact that the Maple Leafs are trying to trade Tyler Bozak is a big positive. The time to trade him was in the summer, as his trade value is low right now.
RDS: (through google translate) The Maple Leafs are interested in Canadiens Michael Bournival and Christian Thomas.
Brian Wilde: It would take three or four pieces for the Canadiens to get Phil Kessel. If the Leafs want Bournival and Thomas, the Canadiens would need add a roster center as well. Kessel is elite.
Darren Dreger of TSN: Coyotes Antoine Vermette will command between $5 and $6 million a season on a new deal. There is interest from the Canadiens, Bruins, Red Wings, Rangers, Ducks and Avalanche. The asking price is high – a first round pick and a prospect or young roster player.
Percentages that Leafs players get traded:
85% – Cody Franson, Daniel Winnik and Mike Santorelli
75% – Korbinian Holzer
60% – Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul
30% – Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner and James Reimer
20% – Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel and Jonathan Bernier
5% – James van Riemsdyk
0% – Morgan Rielly