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In the Leafs Links draft of the evening edition, insiders discuss the latest on the Maple Leafs goaltending situation, the lack of meaningful talks between Jack Campbell and the Leafs and the recent contract negotiations with RFA defenseman Rasmus Sandin.
Garriock: Leafs sure kicked Matt Murray’s tires (TSN1200)
On TSN1200’s In The Box, Postmedia’s Bruce Garriock confirmed that talks have taken place between Pierre Dorion and Kyle Dubas regarding goaltender Matt Murray, who is signed for two more seasons at $6.25 million AAV.
I can tell you, pretty much matter-of-factly, that the Maple Leafs have certainly handled the Senators against Matt Murray. I think this is a team that Matt Murray would actually go to. This is difficult for Pierre Dorion and the Senators. I know they’ve done deals with the Leafs before, but I think this is tough for them.
Garrioch on Connor Brown’s availability:
Connor Brown will have as much value now as he will at the trade deadline in February. You might be able to pick Brown in the second round this summer, or perhaps a player with a similar contract. Maybe you could pick in the first round of the draft.
They absolutely threw Brown’s name out there. They are willing to listen if they get the right offer. There seems to be a sense that Connor Brown wants to test the UFA. I don’t know what happened to the relationship here, but it may not have anything to do with the relationship… It may have to do with the fact that Connor Brown thinks he’s going to get one shot at making money. He wants to do it.
Johnston: Dubas and Sandin’s agent met before draft in Montreal (TSN)
On TSN Insider Trading, insiders provided the latest on the Leafs’ goaltending situation and contract negotiations with RFA Rasmus Sandin.
Johnston on the Leafs’ scoring situation heading into the draft:
I think it’s interesting Kyle Dubas said he’s still talking to Jack Campbell and his representatives. From what I can tell, there isn’t much progress toward a deal here. At this point, a week into free agency, I expect Jack Campbell to hit the open market. That leaves the Leafs looking for at least one goaltender.
They signed Petr Mrazek to a contract that is much better than how he performed. Dubas hinted that he might stay next year. This may come as a surprise to some in Leafs Nation.
As for how they can replace Campbell, Marc-Andre Fleury is a name to look for for Toronto. He’s one of the guys that’s there. I think the Leafs have interest in him.
Dreger on Campbell’s possible destination:
There is a difference between having discussions and meaningful negotiations. They are not having meaningful negotiations. It is very likely that Campbell will hit the open market. The two teams most interested – I’ll start with the Edmonton Oilers and then we’ll look at the New Jersey Devils.
We know what the Oilers’ needs are in goal. I also think Ken Holland and the Oilers have the stomach to go five years at $5 million per. It will matter to Jack Campbell. There are also the Devils, and Washington and Detroit are honorable mentions.
Johnston on Kyle Dubas meeting with Rasmus Sandin’s agent in Montreal:
After Dubas met with reporters, he went to meet with Rasmus Sandin’s agent in Montreal. I think this is important. Yes, he needs a contract and is on his second deal. He doesn’t have a lot of leverage or anything, but he’s an important player. His worries aren’t just about money. This is not just a dispute about how the contract works. That’s his role in the team. With Mark Giordano already signed and Jake Muzzin and Morgan Rielly ahead of him on the depth chart, that’s some of the things that need to be ironed out before they get his signature under contract.
Friedman: It’s not true that Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t want to go to Toronto at the deadline; the parties could not reach a deal (32T Podcast)
On the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliott Friedman discussed the Leafs’ possible interest in Marc-Andre Fleury and why contract talks between Jack Campbell and the Leafs seem to be so quiet.
I think the gatekeepers and their reps are trying to figure out who’s in and who’s out and where the chairs are at the table. Fleury is one of those guys who needs to know what they’re thinking. It can have multiple capabilities. One of them is Minnesota. One of them is Pittsburgh. I think one of them might be Colorado. The other could be Toronto.
Fleury, with his current team trying to sign him in the wild, has to make that decision first. I think he’s really starting to think about it now – about what he wants to do. I think we may get some clarity on Fleury in the not too distant future.
There are people who said he doesn’t want to go to Toronto. I don’t think that’s true. I just think the Leafs and Blackhawks couldn’t agree on the trade. Chicago wanted Nice, and Toronto wasn’t willing to do it. I think if they had made a deal he would have gone to Toronto.
Friedman on cold negotiations between Campbell and Leafs:
I don’t think there’s much going on. I guess at some point they’ll have a talk, but I’ve heard there’s nothing going on there right now. I think Edmonton is interested. I think New Jersey is interested. I’ve had people say he’ll end up with the Devils and others say he’ll end up with the Oilers. Tells me people haven’t gotten a good handle on it yet.
It’s been a strange year of negotiations between Toronto and Campbell. The team is not talking. The agent didn’t speak. I have previously reported that the first offer from Toronto to Campbell was 3 x 2.75. That, I think, was maybe even before the beginning of the year. What someone told me on Monday was that the third year of this deal is really low.
What I’m guessing is that Campbell came back — as most players would in this situation — with a really big number that the Leafs just said, “We’re not going to do that.” I’m not sure if any of those stuff is still relevant. I feel like everyone here would argue that it’s over and we’re in a new place.
Someone just told me that on Monday and it was so wild how the Leafs and Campbell haven’t been on the same page in terms of contracts all season. Sometimes you have a gap and you end up moving together… This guy told me that the two haven’t been in the same universe for a while, with this third year in this offer to Campbell being “uniquely low,” and what should are back on the opposite end of the spectrum.
What it actually did was to end negotiations between the two sides. They really haven’t picked up again. It’s one of those situations where all the goaltenders, all the teams that need a goaltender, and all the agents are trying to figure out where the landscape is. It’s a big poker game right now.
… I have people suggesting he could get five years. I think the number five is probably as far as it goes.
Weekes: I’d be all in on Gibson or Fleury if I were Leafs (TSN1050)
Analyst and insider Kevin Weeks joined TSN Overdrive to discuss the Leafs’ options in net and the direction they will take with Petr Mrazek and the free agency market.
Weeks on whether Mrazek could return as a Leaf next season:
I can imagine a scenario, yes. Petr Mrazek had a truly horrific season last year, and he’ll be the first to say so. He’s played well overall throughout his career, but last year he really struggled and struggled with injury. He will be the first to tell you.
Is Mrazek 100% healthy this offseason at home in the Czech Republic? Does it feel great? Does he look great? If he feels and looks really healthy and good, sure, he can come in and play 30-35 and play well. He’s done that his entire career up until this point, with the exception of last year.
The question the Leafs will need to insure: where is his health right now? what does he look like How does he feel? Is it 100% healthy? Can we count on the hips and groin to be that reliable core stabilizing musculature we’ll need to kick for us for 30-35 games next year. This is what they weigh and should weigh.
Once they can best ascertain this in an accurate way, then they can make their decision. Even if you want to move it to another suitor, the buyer will also need to do their homework on it and it needs to have that reliability for the buyer to acquire it. That’s what it comes down to now. They will have to consider that if you are the Leafs and Kyle Dubas.
Weekes on the best scoring decision for the Leafs this offseason:
Five years ago, at the World Cup of Hockey, I said to Shani and Lou Lamoriello, two people I’m very familiar with; I played with Shani and I played for Lou twice – that they stole Freddie Andersen. For the last three years, I’ve been telling the NHL Network and ESPN to go get John Gibson.
I’ve been following John Gibson since he played in Kitchener. He’s a Pittsburgh kid who played in Kitchener, who was silver in the U17s, U18s and World Juniors – gold in all of them. He was at the men’s world championships after his senior year in Kitchener. He was a three-time All-Star in Anaheim.
I don’t understand why they haven’t gone out and caught him yet. Everyone tells you at every rink at home: without a goalie, you can’t win anything. Then go and get the man!
If they’re not going to go and get Gibson via trade, the most attractive option on the market, if not Gibson, is Marc-Andre Fleury. If I were them, they should get one of those two.
If I’m Kyle and Shani, we’re not resting this offseason unless and until we get Gibson or MA Fleury in free agency.
weeks…
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