On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Pretty much all Maple Leafs roster players – excluding Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, James van Riemdsyk and Leo Komarov – will be made available for trade.
“You have to understand, these are not Lou Lamoriello’s players,” said an NHL executive. “These are not Mark Hunter’s draft picks. These are not Mike Babcock’s players.
“So there is no one claiming: ‘This is my guy or this is your guy.’ The Leafs want as clean a slate as you can get and, if that takes moving just about everybody, then that’s what’s going to happen.”
Four NHL scouts, executives and a former talent evaluator were polled to see what the trade value for some Maple Leafs would be.
Roman Polak will get the most interest and they should be able to get a second round pick and a decent prospect.
“I believe Lamoriello has been asking for more him than that,” said Scout 2. “But there’s going to be a lot of interest so he should be able to make a decent deal here.”
Tyler Bozak is the most serviceable Maple Leaf that is available. A second round pick was the consensus price. He might be worth more next season. Term on his deal is a problem.
P.A. Parenteau – consensus price was a third or fourth round pick.
Jonathan Bernier – there is no market for Bernier unless someone still believes in him.
James Reimer – someone could be interested in Reimer as a backup. Consensus return is a fourth round pick.
Nazem Kadri – no consensus on value.
“If you’re a Stanley Cup contender, where does he play for you?” said Scout 4. “I keep reading that this is guy is a star and the Leafs love him. I don’t know what to think. I see him as a high-end tweener, not right for your top six, not good enough for bottom six. If you’re one of those teams that wants three offensive lines, maybe he fits that.
“Even if you get a first-round pick for him, is that good enough?” asked Scout 3.
Daniel Winnik – consensus is a third round pick for Winink.
Peter Holland – none of the four scouts have heard Holland’s name is being shopped. Consensus is a third round pick.
Brad Boyes, Michael Grabner, Mark Arcobello, Byron Froese, Colin Greening, Martin Marincin – fourth round picks and lower, whatever you can get back.
Joffrey Lupul, Stephane Robidas and Milan Michalek weren’t included due to their injuries.
“Michalek might be a nice piece at next year’s deadline,” said Scout 1. “He’s a sound NHL player and very well-regarded. And I still like Lupul when he’s playing. There’s nothing wrong with his contract. I could live with that. I can’t live with the fact he can’t stay healthy.”
- Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star: There is lots of speculation that Roman Polak will be traded at the deadline. Coach Mike Babcock throws out a bit of curve ball on Polak.
“Speculation is fine, but will something happen (with Polak) . . . Don’t read into it,” said Babcock, who has been a season-long Polak supporter, but may also be trying to throw the media off the scent with the deadline nearing.
“Roman’s a real good player. He treats this team, this game, he treats this city with respect. He plays hard every night.”
Teams looking to add depth or bolster their blueline could be interested in Polak. Polak’s next contract could be similar to the $2.7 million he’s making this year. Polak on the trade deadline.
“I honestly don’t want to talk about it anymore,” Polak, who played his 500th NHL game back in November, said this past week about the trade deadline and the strong possibility he’s dealt.
“If you hang around long enough, you’ll get traded. That’s how it works sometimes. I want to stay, but if I’m moved, then you deal with it.”
