Maple Leafs notes: Connolly to waivers, Luongo losing steam, JVR returns to practice, Gardiner skates, Aucoin claimed

2:36 PM:

  • James Mirtle via twitter: Randy Carlyle: “I think the goalie decision is our toughest decision. Who gets to start.”
  • Sarah McLellan via twitter: Coyotes will get a $2 million salary cap hit for Matthew Lombardi, and will pay $1.1 of his salary. (Lombardi’s salary this year is $3.5 million)

2:05 PM:

  • James Mirtle via twitter: The Maple Leafs put Tim Connolly on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, Mirtle thinks that GM Dave Nonis will try to trade him while retaining salary like he did with Matthew Lombardi. David Alter via twitter: Connolly would be a candidate for a compliance buyout. Coach Randy Carlyle didn’t have high praise for him yesterday. Chris Johnston via twitter: Source says that an accelerated buyout for Tim Connolly “hasn’t been discussed.”
  • Ben Kuzma via twitter: With putting Connolly on waivers to create a possible roster spot for Nazem Kadri, and expecting more for Tyler Bozak, a Roberto Luongo trade to the Maple Leafs could be losing steam.