Blue Jackets and Laine have held preliminary talks
Aaron Portzline: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen said that they have already had some preliminary contract extension talks with newly acquired Patrik Laine.
He is hopeful to establish a long-term relationship and there will be more serious talks in the future.
Alison Lukan: Laine on having a long-term relationship with the Blue Jackets: “I’m open for sure…hopefully that’s a spot where I’m enjoying life and enjoying playing hockey. I’ve heard only positive things.”
Could Dermott be trade bait for the Maple Leafs?
Jonas Siegel of The Athletic: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews is bothered by a hand issue. He noted that he’ll have to take care of it over the next couple of weeks but that it is good enough to play through it.
“I felt like I made some good progress over the couple of days,” Matthews said of his health after the Leafs beat the Flames. “I just had some issues here with my hand that I was going through. I’m not really gonna go any further than that. Obviously if I could’ve skated (at practice) or if I could’ve played (on Friday) and felt comfortable I would’ve done that, but it feels fine now.”
Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that the Maple Leafs are looking to upgrade their forwards. Joe Thornton is out a month with a rib injury. Wayne Simmonds and Jimmy Vesey have been moved up the lineup and not in an ideal spot. Nick Robertson doesn’t need surgery but is out a month.
The Maple Leafs could use a top-nine forward and it would be ideal if they could play center.
Defenseman Travis Dermott is playing only 11 minutes per game and maybe the likeliest trade candidate. Rasmus Sandin or Mikko Lehtonen could fill his lineup spot if he’s moved. The Leafs need to consider what happens if they suffered a top-four injury to their blue line and what implications trading Dermott would do to their protected list for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft.
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman last night when asked about Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete.
“Well, the Canadiens are so good right now. They are playing very well again tonight. They are off to a great start. They’ve got some many players, they are so deep that Mete can’t get into the lineup. And they won’t put him on waivers, which is smart cause he’s a good player, someone will claim him but I do think there are some other teams circling around this year and seeing how the Canadiens are going to deal with this as the season progresses.”
Elliotte Friedman when asked about the Toronto Maple Leafs and their forward situation.
“In Toronto there are a couple of long-term injuries, Nick Robertson and Joe Thornton. Auston Matthews is day-to-day. We’ll see tomorrow in Calgary.
But the Maple Leafs are looking. They’ve got a lot of forwards. They are very deep and those players will be given the opportunity to take spots, but Ron, I do think they are looking around to see if they can add or upgrade with their forward group. “