Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Deadline Rumors

Toronto Maple Leafs Nick Robertson is available

Sportsnet 590 The FAN: Luke Fox on if the Toronto Maple Leafs could trade forward Nick Robertson before the NHL trade deadline: “It doesn’t matter how many goals Nick Robertson scores in the net before March 7th… He’s available.”

A John Tavares extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs isn’t a top priority right now

TSN: Chris Johnston said it doesn’t seem like the Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares will get an extension done before the trade deadline, but they’ve talked enough during the season that they know where each side sits.

“They’re content to let things play out. They’re aware that John Tavares wants to be a long-term member of their team. He wants to remain in Toronto. All those things can still be worked out in the future but right now it doesn’t appear or sound as though that’s a front-burner priority so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him remain without a contract for next season, beyond the deadline. ”

Teams that have some interest in Jake Evans and Joel Armia

TSN: Pierre LeBrun said that the Montreal Canadiens and Jake Evans haven’t been able to close the gap in contract talks, the Canadiens are talking to teams, and he’ll likely be traded.

The Canadiens have told teams that they don’t have to trade Evans or Joel Armia and are reminding teams they have lots of draft picks.

Among the teams believed to have inquired about Evans and/or Armia are the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, and Minnesota Wild.

Darren Dreger adds that the Jets interest in Armia makes sense, and he’s a former Jet. The Jets are looking to add depth. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has made calls on bigger pieces, but the trade market isn’t defined yet. Could see the Jets adding depth over a bigger piece, and adding a forward and maybe a defenseman.

Teams are watching the Yanni Gourde situation in Seattle, with the Maple Leafs as a possible fit

TSN: Teams are watching what’s happening with Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde, who’s a pending UFA and had sports hernia surgery on January 31st. It was expected to keep him out for five to seven weeks, according to Pierre LeBrun. Five weeks will be on March 7th. He’s already started skating and is pushing to return just before the 7th.

“And yes, Gourde, who has a modified no-trade, would like to join a contender. He won two Stanley Cups in Tampa as you’ll remember and I always saw him as a potential fit with Toronto by the way if they strike out on those bigger names that Dregs talked about at the top. Keep an eye on Gourde perhaps as a fit for the Leafs.”

Is Quinton Byfield‘s name out there? Who would be interested in Mikko Rantanen? Alex Tuch would interest teams

Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet: The St. Louis Blues have five players on the trade board and GM Doug Amstrong will be listening on more. It’s not a fire sale in St. Louis, though. Robert Thomas is believed to be the only untouchable.

Would the Edmonton Oilers consider Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington?

The Los Angeles Kings could be looking to give themselves a jumpstart in hopes of getting out of the first round. Quinton Byfield’s name came up in the trade rumors this week, and he could be in play.

The Carolina Hurricanes offered Mikko Rantanen more than $100 million with some salary deferred. He could be on the move again. The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars could be front-runners. If Matthew Tkachuk goes on the LTIR, the Florida Panthers could become an option. The Toronto Maple Leafs can’t be ruled out, as Rantanen could be a Mitch Marner replacement if he decides to leave through free agency.

Brayden Schenn and Scott Laughton are two options for the Toronto Maple Leafs

TSN: Darren Dreger says that St. Louis Blues forward Brayden Schenn would be a great with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Philadelphia Flyers Scott Laughton would be another option for the Maple Leafs.

“So you look at the prospect pool in Toronto and you see Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan. You’ve got Nikita Grebenkin, you’ve got Ben Danford coming. I mean, there are other assets that Brad Treliving can use. And he’s most definitely interesting, the captain of the Blues. You also have Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers. The ask is a little bit less, it’s a first-round draft pick or an equal value prospect unless Philadelphia has to take a player or a contract back, and then it’s a first-plus. So, two great options for the Leafs.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares aren’t close on an extension

TSN: Chris Johnston said that Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares’ reps have held contract extension talks throughout the season, and there seems to be an understanding on what a contract needs to look like, but they may not be close.

“But at this point in time it does not sound like that is close. The term given to me was “doubtful” in terms of a potential outlook to see this deal done by the deadline on March 7th.

The reason that’s notable is because one, Tavares is having a great year, over 30 goals and 70 points is kind of where he’s trending towards. And two, teams tend to know what everything else looks like before bringing in players externally. But in this case that might not be in the offing.

Answering a few questions about the Toronto Maple Leafs

James Mirtle of The Athletic: (mailbag) The Toronto Maple Leafs are not going to look at trading Auston Matthews even if they have enough early playoff exit. Matthews and William Nylander have no-movement clauses and they’ll build around them. If they lose in the first round again they will have to look at making some big changes, but it’s not going to involve Matthews.

No-movement clauses: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev and John Tavares.

No-trade clauses: Max Domi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jani Hakanpää, Calle Järnkrok, David Kämpf and Jake McCabe.

Surprised the Leafs haven’t tried Mitch Marner at center when they had injuries down the middle. He would seem like a better option at No. 2 than Pontus Holmberg or someone else when Matthews or Tavares were out. Will be interesting to see what they would do if Tavares isn’t re-signed.

Can’t see the Leafs being able to trade for Dylan Cozens.

Forward Nick Robertson doesn’t hold much trade value.

Andy Strickland, St Louis Blues rinkside reported weighs in on Leafs interest in Brayden Schenn