Scouting the Maple Leafs and Blues
David Pagnotta: Scouts listed to attend last night’s Toronto Maple Leafs – St. Louis Blues game: Ottawa Senators (2), Dallas Stars (2), San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames.
David Pagnotta: “2nd straight Leafs games with: – 2 same reps from Dallas on list – Columbus’ AGM on list – 1 Calgary hockey ops on list”
Toronto Looking For a Top-Six Forward Instead?
Jonas Siegel of The Athletic: Does a better fit spice things up for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top-six? It worked last year with Alex Galchenyuk. Alex Kerfoot just has not pushed goals production with William Nylander and John Tavares. Kerfoot has nice production with 34 points this season but nice is not good enough.
Some players that could be looked at are Joe Pavelski and Andrew Copp. Pavelski may not be on the market very long but Copp could be interesting. The best defense could be a better offense. Allowing Kerfoot to move down and around the lineup may have a ripple effect. Even the goaltending might get a shot in the arm.
The Leafs won’t hold Muzzin back when he’s ready to return
Sportsnet: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin is on the LTIR with a concussion and they aren’t sure he’ll be able to return. According to Elliotte Friedman, if he’s ready to return before the playoffs, they won’t hold him back.
“The Maple Leafs are not in any position to rush him back, they’re not going to do that. But what they did tell teams this week was if Jake Muzzin is healthy enough to return before the end of the regular season, they’re not going to hold him out until the playoffs.
“That’s still to be determined, but they’re not approaching this as if they’re a team that has $7 million in long-term cap room to spend.”
The Leafs currently have $2 million plus Muzzin’s $5.625 million cap hit. If Muzzin returns before the playoffs they have the prorated $2 million.
“So, Toronto has said for now they’re looking at it as if they’re in the $2 million (range), and I think it’s likely they’re going to address their defence,” Friedman said. “But if Jake Muzzin can play before the end of the regular season, it sounds like Toronto’s plan is to play him.”
Friedman rumor roundup
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: The Maple Leafs aren’t really interested in moving Topi Niemela or Matthews Knies for a rental or short-term option. It also seems unlikely they’d move Nick Robertson, and possibly Nick Abruzzese for a rental.